If we at Kinley Kay have one favorite skincare trick, exfoliation would be it.

This step is one of the quickest, easiest ways to boost your glow because it helps clear up your skin, minimize the appearance of sun damage, even out your skin tone, and aid in a host of other pro-youth benefits. When you exfoliate, you are clearing away the build up of dead skin, oil, makeup, dirt and debris on the surface of your skin, giving you that deep-pore clean while also making it easier for any serums, treatments, and moisturizers to penetrate deeper and work more effectively. No matter your skin type or skin concern, nearly everyone can benefit from a combination of both physical and chemical exfoliation. 

If you are new to the exfoliation game, the terms physical and chemical exfoliation signify the way in which they remove excess dead skin, oil, dirt and debris from the surface of your skin. With physical exfoliants it’s simple — they use something physical or external to remove the pore-clogging debris from the skin (such as small grains or a scalpel). Chemical exfoliants, however, use fruit enzymes or other acids to loosen the cells and gently slough away dead skin and debris. 

“But really, which one is right for me?“

The short answer is both — but in moderation, of course. While exfoliation is an important step in a skincare routine, doing it too often or too much can result in the overstripping of your skin, causing breakouts, dryness, irritation, and even an increased risk for sun damage. Because of this, we typically recommend starting slow and following the recommended guidelines given to you by your aesthetician. After time, your skin will likely acclimate to the products, and if you feel your skin can handle it, it is ok to increase the frequency of use. 

When it comes to our professional exfoliating treatments, such as a dermaplane or enzyme treatment, we maintain this same frame of mind — keeping 4-6 weeks between each appointment. This gives your skin the chance to acclimate and be complimented by any at-home treatments without overdoing it. 

All in all, both at-home and professional exfoliation are an essential part of your skincare routine if you want to enjoy a smoother, brighter, more illuminated glow. When used correctly, these two approaches can actually compliment each other, giving you that glass-like finish on your skin and a glow that just won’t stop.