Ask an Expert: How to Exfoliate at Home Like a Pro

"Keeping our skin exfoliated is the key to maximizing the efficacy of the work we put into keeping our skin clean and the efficacy of our skincare products. We should exfoliate our skin a few times weekly, in four levels.”

Skin: @frankiethefacialist, Frankie Shay, L.A. based aesthetician

Story: How to Exfoliate at Home Like a Pro

LEVEL 1: ENZYME CLEANSERS, 3-5 DAYS PER WEEK. Gentle enough to be used daily to slough away dead skin cells without stripping your skin barrier. Products I love include Dr. Babor Refining Enzyme Cleanser, Epicutis Enzyme Exfoliating Powder, and Auteur Definitive Enzyme Cleanser. For the best results, use with a moistened Cleansing Coin to lather and remove.

LEVEL 2: TONING, DAILY. Toners are core to my daily regimen to infuse and prime the skin surface. My current rotation includes Biologique Recherche Lotion P50 and Environ Vita Peptide Toner.

LEVEL 3: VITAMIN A, 3-7 DAYS PER WEEK. Vitamin A (Retinol) can help to drive cellular turnover (exfoliation!) and work to replenish our skin’s vitality by stimulating collagen and elastin synthesis (youth!). I am obsessed with IS Clinical Retinol Emulsion, which comes in two levels. 

LEVEL 4: PEELS, 1-2 DAYS PER WEEK. Peel pads or an exfoliating mask keep things simple yet effective. IS Clinical Active Peel System and Biologique Recherche Masque Vivant both offer a safe way to purify and resurface skin while improving skin tone and texture.

Follow Frankie! @frankiethefacialist