Cell Renewal vs Exfoliation

Are you confused about the difference between cellular renewal and exfoliation? Well, you're not alone! These two terms are often used interchangeably in the skincare world, leading to misinformation and over-exfoliation.

​In this blog post, we'll break down the differences between these two processes and why it's essential to understand them.

cellular renewal

Let's start with cellular renewal. Think of cellular renewal as working from the inside out. This is like the magic happening inside of your skin. It is where skin cells are "born" in the lower layer of the epidermis and gradually travel upwards until they reach the outermost layer, where they are sloughed off or turned over. This cycle takes around 28 days, and as we age it slows down and can take up to 45 days or more. When cellular renewal is on point, our skin cells are healthier and younger-looking. However, as cellular renewal slows down, dehydrated and keratinized skin cells build up, leading to signs of aging.​

exfoliation

Now, let's talk about exfoliation. Think of exfoliation as working on the skin's surface. Exfoliation helps remove the outermost layer of skin cells (keratinocytes), revealing the younger, healthier cells below. Exfoliation can be physical (such as scrubs or brushes) or chemical (such as AHAs or BHAs).

While exfoliation can increase cellular renewal rate, avoiding over-exfoliation is important. If you exfoliate to the point where no cells are ready to be turned over, you will impair the skin's barrier function causing dehydration and sensitization.​

why you need to know

It’s important to understand the difference between cellular renewal and exfoliation so you can make informed skincare choices with the products that you use that will strike a balance between cellular renewal and exfoliation.

The goal is to optimize cellular renewal and avoid over-exfoliation. To do this,  it's important to know which ingredients and products and treatments to look for or consider. For example, dermaplaning uses a blade to manually exfoliate the outer layer of skin, revealing younger, healthier cells. However, this process only works on the outer surface where dermaplaning is performed. You can use a retinoid or Vitamin A products for an inside-out approach to cellular renewal. This approach not only addresses what dermaplaning does on the outside but also creates new healthy skin cells in the lower layers of the epidermis.

To sum it up, cellular renewal and exfoliation are two different things that work together to keep your skin looking young and healthy. By understanding the difference, you can make smart choices about your skincare routine and avoid over-exfoliating. Who doesn't want glowing, fresh skin, right?​