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Help for Clogged & Congested Skin
If your skin is congested or you have clogged pores and blackheads there are a
number of steps you can take to reduce these effects. Firstly, it is good to
understand why your skin becomes congested. Each 3 or 4 weeks the skin
replenishes the skin cells. This natural process creates a layer of dead skin
cells over the surface of the skin. If not removed, the dead skin cells create
dull looking skin. The other thing that may happen is that the dead cells will
plug the pores on your face and create congestion and blackheads. When combined
with excessive sebum production, this can lead to the formation of white-heads
and pimples.
The key to stopping congestion and clogged pores is to ensure the top layer skin
remains clear by regularly removing the dead skin cells. There are a number of
very effective products you can use to remove dead skin cells.
Regular use of facial exfoliants or scrubs will help clear dead skin cells that
block pores. Exfoliation is necessary at least once a week (twice depending on
the degree of congestion). Removing the top layer of dead cells will also allow
your moisturiser or serum work more effectively as it comes into contact with
live skin cells rather than dead ones.
There are a couple of things to look for in a good exfoliant. The most obvious,
although it is surprising how many people ignore this, is that a body scrub is
too harsh to be used as a facial scrub. Look for a very fine, soft exfoliant as
your facial skin is soft and delicate. A harsh scrub may actually scour the
surface of your skin much like a scrubbing brush and this can actually damage
skin cells. Use gentle exfoliants that have a “polishing” effect rather than a
scrubbing effect. Ingredients such as finely ground oats, linseeds, almonds and
cinnamon.
Fruit enzymes are another way of clearing dead skin cells. They work as a result
of their ability to break the bonds between dead skin cells that form at the
surface of the skin. Skin normally has a dead layer of cells at its surface (the
corneocyte layer), and fruit enzymes can speed up the normal process of skin
cell regeneration and sloughing. This results in increased flexibility of the
skin as well as decreased formation of large dry skin flakes at the surface of
the skin.
Pineapple and papaya proteases loosen the glue between dead skin cells, slough
away impurities, dead skin cells and unplug the pores while delivering nutrition
to the skin. This leaves the skin cleansed and silky smooth and reduces the
likelihood of blackheads. Fruit enzyme ‘peels’ only need to be used once or
twice a week for good effect
Removing dead skin cells is a key step in clear, vibrant skin. Done regularly
you will notice a difference in the texture and level of congestion in your
skin.
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