Exfoliation can bring your complexion back to life, taking it from dull and tired to glowing and healthy - but it’s a skin care step that’s often missed entirely or done incorrectly.

It takes the skin 25 days to renew itself naturally by shedding dead cells and generating new ones (StyleCaster). As we age, this process takes even longer - dead cells accumulate on the skin’s surface, clogging pores and leaving it looking less than radiant. Exfoliants slough away build-up to reveal healthier skin underneath and allow for greater absorption of the beneficial ingredients in the rest of your skin care routine.

If you exfoliate regularly, you’re already on your way to a covetable glow - but there are some key mistakes you could be making.

Skipping the Eye Area

When it comes to exfoliation, we’re taught to steer clear of the eye area area to avoid rubbing delicate skin the wrong way. However, gentle exfoliation can make significant improvements towards reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and crow’s feet (Byrdie). Our award-winning Naseberry Eye Exfoliant is formulated with fruit enzymes that gently remove dead skin cells and minimize the visible signs of aging, revealing a smoother, more youthful looking complexion.

Choosing The Wrong Product

Does exfoliating leave your complexion looking raw and irritated? Chances are you’re using a scrub with large, abrasive particles that are wreaking havoc on your skin. For a gentler alternative, we recommend our Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant. This makeup artist favorite employs rice flour to absorb oil, while lactic and salicylic acids exfoliate to reveal a brighter and more radiant looking complexion. For sensitive skin types, InStyle recommends our Yam & Pumpkin Enzyme Peel. The pumpkin enzymes and lactic acid in this award-winning treatment gently slough away dead cells so you’re left with a healthy glow - not an inflamed face.

Neglecting Everything Below The Chin

Proper exfoliation shouldn’t end at your jawline. The décolleté, elbows and hands can show years of damage even more easily than the face and deserve special attention. Treat your body to our award-winning Coconut Sugar Scrub - a Marie Claire and Glamour favorite. This ultra-refining and hydrating scrub leaves skin looking softer and silkier head to toe. Massage it into damp skin, rinse and follow up with a firming body lotion for the ultimate in anti-aging care. Give stubborn areas like the elbows and knees some extra love with one of our exfoliating peels. We recommend applying our Firm Skin Acai Exfoliating Peel to those rough areas three times a week to deeply hydrate mature skin types.

Overlooking The Lips

Lip balm is a quick fix for chapped lips, but regular exfoliation is the key to keeping them soft and smooth for longer. For the perfect pout, treat your lips to our Lip Trio Kit. Alicia Keys is a fan of this three-step treatment that includes our Citrus Enzyme Exfoliator. Citrus and pineapple enzymes gently refine the lip area, removing the appearance of dryness to reveal a silky smooth finish.

Which Éminence exfoliant is your favorite? Tell us in the comments below.

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