How to Exfoliate Mature Skin Properly

Exfoliating is an important part of skin care, as it helps to remove oils, buildup and dead skin cells while promoting the regeneration of new, healthy layers. While young skin can withstand most exfoliating products, mature skin requires a gentler touch.

Things You'll Need

• Dry brush for skin
• Chemical exfoliants
• Clay body wraps
• Clay mud masks
• Olive oil
• Skin cleanser
• Fine grain sea salts

Instructions

1. Dry brush your skin, including your face, every day. Dry brushing is the most gentle and effective method to exfoliate mature skin. It also stimulates the lymphatic system (which helps to remove toxins from the body), reduces cellulite and tones and firms the skin. With just 15 minutes a day, you should begin to see visible results in 4 to 6 weeks.

2. Use a chemical exfoliant once or twice a week to remove the surface layer of skin and promote the regeneration of smoother, younger looking skin. Make sure that any home chemical peels or chemical exfoliants, contain one or more acids, such as glycolic acid, AHA or BHA.

3. Treat yourself to whole body wraps and clay mud masks which can be applied professionally in a spa or with at-home kits. Clay wraps and masks gently exfoliate the skin while moisturizing and firming.

4. Make your own skin exfoliant. Mix 1 part olive oil, 1 part of your regular skin cleanser and 1 part fine grain sea salts. Apply to your skin with gentle massaging circles, and then rinse with warm water.

Tips & Warnings

• For tips on dry brush technique, see the related eHow article, "How to Dry Brush Your Skin."