5 Easy Steps to Get Rid of Dead Skin
Learn what causes dead skin and skin care tips to get rid of it!
You likely rely on a solid skincare routine when it comes to keeping your skin healthy. However, even with a high-quality skin care regimen, dead skin cells are difficult to get rid of. Dead skin cells accumulate on the skin and block sweat glands, often resulting in acne, blackheads, and whiteheads.
If you're looking to maintain healthy skin, we think it's time to learn (or brush up on) the basics of exfoliation. Discover ways to get rid of dead skin and enjoy skin that's smoother than silk! To begin with, let's find out why dead skin accumulates in the first place.
How Does Dead Skin Accumulate?
The lifespan of skin cells is between 40 and 56 days. Hence, it’s perfectly natural for skin cells to meet the end of their life cycle. Most of the time, this is a good thing since it allows younger skin cells to replenish the surface. Skin problems actually occur when dead skin cells accumulate on the surface.
So why do dead skin cells accumulate on the skin? In truth, various factors can lead to the buildup of dead skin. The most common culprits are listed below.
- Aging
Among the most common causes of dead skin buildup is aging. A person's skin loses its ability to regenerate when they age, which results in dead skin cells accumulating on the surface.
- Skin Dryness
In the absence of moisture, the skin cells can die more rapidly, increasing the number of dead skin cells. Dehydration, medical problems, or not moisturizing can contribute to dry skin.
- A Lack of Exfoliation
It is important to exfoliate your skin every day as part of your skincare routine. Dead skin cells remain on the surface of the skin if the skin is not exfoliated twice a week.
A lack of exfoliation can also clog skin pores with oil, dirt, and makeup residue, hindering the skin's ability to shed old cells and renew itself.
- Environmental Factors
Because the skin is constantly exposed to the environment, environmental factors can significantly affect skin health.
Arid, cold, and dry climates cause dry skin. Lack of humidity can cause the skin to dry out and trap dead skin cells.
- Sun Exposure
Dead skin cells can form on the surface of the skin due to excessive exposure to the sun.
- Underlying Skin Conditions
A severe accumulation of dead skin cells is indicative of different skin conditions that require medical attention, such as eczema and psoriasis.
The Ultimate Guide to Dead Skin Removal
Now that you understand what causes dead skin accumulation, let’s learn how to remove dead skin.
#1 Gently Cleanse Your Skin
Cleaning your skin is the first step toward removing dead skin.
For proper skin cleansing, follow these steps:
- Use warm (not hot!) water to rinse your skin.
- Apply a gentle lather of your favorite cleanser to your skin. Rub your skin gently using your fingertips. The face and neck have thinner, more delicate skin, so it is especially important to take care of them.
- After applying cleanser to your face, rinse it with cold water.
- Dry your skin gently with a soft towel.
- Cleaning your skin will remove dirt and excess oils from its surface, which in turn, prevents dead skin buildup.
#2 Steam Your Face
Besides being relaxing, this step is excellent for your skin too! When you steam your face, you open up your pores and loosen up dead skin cells. So, it's perfect for preparing your skin before exfoliating!
You can do this in two ways:
- The washcloth method: As far as steaming methods are concerned, this is the easier one. Let a soft washcloth soak in hot water for five to 10 minutes before applying it to your face. Ensure the water is not too hot so as not to hurt your skin.
- The big bowl method: This second approach may be a little more effective than the washcloth method. To do this, fill a large bowl or water basin with just off-boiling water. Put the bowl of steaming water on a table or desk and sit with your face above it. Spend about five minutes letting your skin steam.
#3 Use a Mild Exfoliator
We're now getting to the good stuff: exfoliation! This is the step in which you remove all the dead skin.
You can use different types of exfoliators:
- Physical exfoliators scrub dead skin away using tiny grain-like ingredients. Coffee, sugar, rice powder, or even walnut husks might be among these ingredients. Your face will be brushed free of dead skin with these little abrasives.
- Chemical exfoliators remove dead skin cells by using chemicals rather than tiny physical objects. The word "chemical" might sound a bit frightening, but this type of exfoliator is completely safe.
- Using DIY exfoliating scrubs is also an option! Use oatmeal, baking soda, salt, and other household items to remove dead skin.
It doesn't matter what kind of exfoliator you use, remember to be gentle. Only exfoliate once or twice a week, and never rub your skin vigorously.
#4 Use a Facial Mask
When you've cleared your face of dead skin, you're ready to apply a facial mask. Treat yourself to a spa treatment if you're feeling indulgent!
Making your own mask is also an option if you're feeling crafty. You can use oatmeal, aloe vera, or yogurt to make your own face mask.
#5 Apply a Lightweight Moisturizer
After exfoliating, make sure you apply moisturizer.
By doing this, you will not only maintain the softness of your skin, but you will also accelerate the growth of new cells; thereby, preventing the accumulation of dead skin cells.
In Conclusion
Even though skin cell death is a completely natural process, there's no need for dead cells to accumulate on your skin and dull its radiance. You can have glowing skin forever by following the above steps on how to remove dead skin from face.
Do you have any other questions? Comment below and ask away!
