Should you use a face scrubber for exfoliation?

What is the best face scrubber for exfoliation?

For ordinary face washing, use your fingers to massage in cleanser rather than reaching automatically for a tool. Washcloths, loofahs and scrubbing brushes can be harsh. Routine cleansing can be done with your fingers, so the bathroom does not need an equipment department.2

How do you use a face scrubber?

1. 1Check your routine first. Prescription retinoids, retinol and benzoyl peroxide can make exfoliation more irritating.
2. 2Use short, light strokes with a brush or sponge. For a scrub product, use gentle circles for about 30 seconds instead.
3. 3Rinse scrub products thoroughly with lukewarm water.
4. 4Apply moisturizer immediately afterward.

How often should you exfoliate?

Frequency depends on your skin and the method, rather than a universal daily schedule. More aggressive exfoliation needs to be done less often. Overdoing it can leave skin red and irritated.1

What should you use for the rest of your face washing?

A gentle cleanser suits most people, and a fragrance free cleanser is a gentler choice. The word "gentle" on a cleanser is not regulated, so the label is not awarding itself a dermatology qualification. Water alone is less effective at removing oily material because oil and water do not mix; cleanser helps remove it.2

Wet your face with lukewarm water, gently massage in cleanser with your fingers and rinse until the residue is gone. Hot water can strip the skin barrier and increase dryness and irritation. Pat dry with a clean cotton towel rather than rubbing, then apply moisturizer to replenish moisture lost during cleansing.2

Will a scrubber remove the dots on your nose?

Small, flat, gray, light brown or yellow dots can be sebaceous filaments: normal structures that move oil to the skin's surface. They are not blackheads and do not contain the same blocked plug. Exfoliating facial scrubs remove surface dead cells and can help make filaments less noticeable, but cannot get rid of them.3

Do not try to finish the job by squeezing. Removing the oil does not remove the filament, and pores fill again within 30 days. Pressure from your nails can irritate or seriously damage skin. A routine with a mild cleanser, moisturizer and products labeled noncomedogenic, meaning formulated not to clog pores, helps manage their appearance.3

Blackheads are open bumps filled with excess oil and dead skin. Surface exfoliation is different from treating a clogged pore. Salicylic acid, available in nonprescription cleansers and lotions, dissolves dead skin cells to help prevent follicles from clogging. Retinoids, which are vitamin A derivatives, help break up blackheads and prevent clogged pores.4

Deep blackheads need professional removal rather than more force with a scrubber. Squeezing can push a blackhead further into the skin, introduce bacteria and cause inflammation or scarring. If nonprescription treatment does not clear blackheads, a healthcare provider can discuss other treatments.4

When should you skip the scrubber?

Never exfoliate sunburned skin or areas with open cuts or wounds. Stop exfoliating if your skin becomes red or irritated. If you are unsure whether exfoliation suits your skin, a dermatologist can help you choose a method or decide to skip it.1