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Get Scrubbing: Best Mens Exfoliators for Healthy Skin

One of the secrets to good skin is good exfoliation. As Dontrelle Inman of the Chicago Bears says, exfoliating and moisturizing skin isn’t just for the ladies it should be essential to your daily/weekly routine!

What is Exfoliation?

Technically speaking, exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells. Lack of exfoliation causes your dead skin cells to build up which can cause blemishes and acne or dull, grayish skin. Removing the outermost layer of your skin on a regular basis helps your skin stay healthy, easing both problems with acne and aging.

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Dr David Greuner compares your skin to the layer of an onion, the top layers are mostly dead cells that serve to protect the healthier, newer, more vulnerable skin underneath. Every few days, our skin sheds the top layer, and exposes more of the fresher skin underneath. As we age, the speed at which our skin sheds slows, and this is one of the reasons we lose that youthful glow that children and adolescents have seemingly effortlessly.

Physical vs Chemical Exfoliation

To counteract skin build-up, there are two common methods you can use to exfoliate: physical and chemical. Much as it sounds, physical exfoliation relies on a physical object such as a grainy scrub, washcloth, or a face brush to remove the dead skin.

While physical exfoliation has a certain tactile satisfaction of feeling the grains rubbing against your skin, chemical exfoliants such as Alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) or Lactic Acid are usually gentler and more effective.

If you do like the ritual of physical exfoliation, limit yourself to 1-2 times a week. Too often will irritate and dry out your skin. Meanwhile many mild chemical exfoliants can be used as part of your daily routine.

Sandra Scott-Allen, founder of Otis Skincare explains, It is important to remember though that if you shave, you are already providing a harsh mechanical exfoliation of your skin with the razor. So anything else you use should always be gentle.

Do All Skin Types Need to Exfoliate?

One of the frequent myths in skincare is that only people with oil skin need to exfoliate and people with dry skin don’t need to. As Dr. Joel Schlessinger, Board Certified Dermatologist and RealSelf contributor, points out, Oily skin actually needs more exfoliation than dry or sensitive skin types. This is because skin cells often mix with sebum and clog pores. As your glands continue to produce sebum that can’t reach the skin’s surface, breakouts form. But exfoliating can unclog pores and help prevent acne-prone skin from breaking out. Regular exfoliation boosts cell turnover for smooth, healthy and radiant skin. I recommend gently exfoliating every day with a topical exfoliant helping to reduce wrinkles, fine lines, large pores and other signs of aging.

Favorite Men’s Exfoliants from Real Guys

Best Mens Exfoliators

I love Brickell Men’s Renewing Face Scrub! I use it twice a week.  It’s a great scrub that it has Aloe Vera and Vitamin E which I sought out because I have sensitive skin. Lastly, it has a tremendous coffee and green tea smell that really wakes you up when you use it. Every time I use it, I feel as if I’ve really removed any extra dead skin, dirt, and oil from my face. It’s an incredibly rejuvenating experience.

Nathan Atkins | Instagram

Best Mens Exfoliators

Kate Somerville Exfolikate is amazing because it’s a two-in-one, with a chemical and an enzymatic exfoliation. The exfoliants are natural and fruit-derived so it gives you amazing results but still is gentle enough to use at home. It helps with dullness, uneven skin tone and pore size! Thomas Trust, Menswear and Lifestyle Blogger rustandtrust.com | Follow on Instagram

Best Mens Exfoliators

Mario Badescu Botanical Exfoliating Scrub. Back when I lived in New York, I used to get facials there monthly. I love the whole line but had to change it up when I moved from Manhattan to Manhattan Beach, CA. This product is the anchor of my new West Coast routine to counter being in the sun and salt water all the time. 

Joseph Ungoco, Realtor (Former Style Director, ZINK Magazine) jungoco.kw.com | Follow on Facebook | Twitter

Best Mens Exfoliators

Baxter of California Facial Scrub is one of my new favorites.  The scent on this is out of this world! It’s fresh and nutty and leaves your skin feeling incredibly smooth and soft.  They recommend only using this product once or twice a week.

Kasey Spickard, Makeup Artist | Follow on Instagram

Best Mens Exfoliators

Over time with exfoliating your skin will look fresher, more youthful, and radiant, very similar to the inside of an onion as compared to the outside. This is why I think overall, exfoliation is probably the most important part of any skin care routine, and why I spend the most time on it. I use Clinique for Men Scrub at least every other day, and Neostrata Face Cream daily.

Dr. David Greuner, Managing director and co-founder of NYC Surgical Associates | Follow on Instagram

Best Mens Exfoliators

For a simple nightly routine, ditch the trendy scrubs and face brushes and simply use white washcloths to clean your face and neck. Go to your local market, buying a 24-pack of white washcloths and keeping them by your sink for nightly cleansing. The brushes and scrubs can cause little irritations and scratches on the skin, but the washcloths will be gentle. Use a creamy cleanser, warm water and washcloth, and it will feel like a personal, affordable spa facial massage in your own home.

Joshua Ross, Celebrity Aesthetician, owner SkinLab

Hopefully this has converted you to the benefits of exfoliation. One word of warning, a little goes a long way. Don’t try to make-up for years of not exfoliating in one marathon session or by doubling down and exfoliating several times a day. Be patient and incorporate exfoliation into your regular skincare routine so that you can achieve smoother, healthier skin.