Shaving My Face?! How To Best Exfoliate The Skin

I'm up for just about anything when it comes to wacky skincare products and trying new treatments. When I first heard about the skin-shaving trend for women, it brought me back to my first-ever facial at Miracle 10 in downtown Toronto.

Since I have sensitive skin, they opted for manual exfoliation - dermaplaning - instead of using a glycolic acid facial peel to remove the top layer of skin cells. This worked so well to prep my skin before applying the 20% lactic acid peel. Ever since that peel, and discovering their lactic acid moisturizer, I knew that it was an ingredient that worked wonders on my skin. I continue to find products with lactic acid to incorporate into my daily routine.

Back to dermaplaning. The facialist at Miracle 10 used a fresh blade, swept across my skin to remove the fine baby hairs and dry, dead skin cells which left a perfectly clean canvas to apply the skin-resurfacing acid. The act of removing hair and flaky skin ensures that there's no barrier (absorbent hairs, hardened skin cells) to allowing the acid to sink deep into the layers of the skin. I've heard many success stories with people using a razor to prep the skin for a super smooth makeup application with no "distracting" peach fuzz or dark hairs. I went ahead and bought some razors to try this out for myself, and needless to say, I won't be doing it again any time soon. Check out my video linked above for more details, but it just isn't worth it for me - especially since I have such light hair, it's totally undetectable (plus #socialdistancing, hello!)

Now, on to some of my favourite products that exfoliate and prep my skin for makeup better than any blade:

Oil Cleanser

• My OG is L'Occitane, but I've also adored using this one from FitGlow Beauty and it worked well as step 2 in dissolving blackheads

Peeling Gels

• I have a whole whack of these from The Body Shop, High Beauty, Juice Beauty and now Holika Holika - the Korean and Japanese brands are hands down my favourite, especially for their low prices and ah-dorable packaging

Chemical Exfoliant Pads - AHA Glycolic Acid

• There are a few options for these skin-changing pads from brands like L'Oreal, and Pixi - Glow Tonic to Go and Bakuchiol from Indeed Labs
• None work nearly as good as the BeautyRx Peel Pads and Serum which are so strong in the best way. I know that no matter what, I am guaranteed to have a good skin day after using these. I'll whip them out around 1-2x per week since too much glycolic can give me perioral dermatitis

AHA and BHA Toner

• Paula's Choice has been my longest-standing skincare essential, and their 2% BHA toner remains a constant on my counter - reviewed here
• I also love one from Alumier, a good-ol diluted Apple Cider Vinegar mixture, and any of the others mentioned here

AHA and BHA Serum 

• As mentioned, Lactic Acid is my AHA of choice for daily use - it never gives me reactions like Glycolic can
• The Inkey List and The Ordinary make fantastic options at RIDICULOUS prices - under $12!

Chemical Peel 

• When I want a chemical peel effect, I turn to Neostrata. Their Dual Acid Antiaging Peel is outstanding. It can sting, so be careful. Make sure to read the instructions - apply for 20 min then wash off. You'll wake up with insane skin texture and brightness. Nothing compares, and I find that my results with Neostrata are consistently better than with First Aid Beuaty, Dr. Dennis Gross or Kate Somerville.

Overnight Treatments 

• Benzoyl Peroxide Spot Treatment - Benzagel is the best. I also adore their Benzagel 5 facial cleanser. Buy it all, so cheap!
• All-over Salicylic Acid (BHA) Treatment - the Vichy Normaderm Corrective Anti-Acne Treatment is a ride-or-die for my sister and I. Similar to Paula's choice but not sticky and kills 3 birds with one stone (toner, serum, moisturizer) - may need more moisturizer on dry spots
• Retinol 
• Bioessance Squaline and Retinol serum is one of my favourite all-over anti-aging products, and I can use it as a lightweight moisturizer. I had a deluxe sample size and it still lasted me ages. I'd absolutely repurchase.
• Estée Lauder Retinol Pod Capsules are SUPER FAB for sensitive skin too - reviewed here. Although pricy, they're worth it.
• Elizabeth Grant Retinologist is a fabulous moisturizer, especially for temperamental combo skin - made in Canada!
• Differin - I'll use this prescription gel in targeted doses, haven't found my happy medium yet since it's quite strong. It does "tone" pores and trains them to be stronger and will reverse signs of aging over time

Calm it all down

• Rosewater and Glycerine toner - moisturizing, calming and refreshing
• Niacinamide and Zinc - a great serum that is cheep and cheerful which reduces redness and strengthens the skin against the potentially irritating effects of something like Retinol
• Reversa redness-reducing moisturizer - an OG, made in Canada and works fabulously for toning down rosacea or breakouts
• Sheet mask - these are great for a serious injection of plump hydration and can be especially cooling when kept in my skincare fridge (eye gel masks too!)
• Nivea - a go-to brand for calming makeup removers, cream cleansers and great moisturizers
• Bioderma - reviewed here, a brand I can't live without and one that pairs well with any of the more "intense" treatments above because you likely won't get any reactions with this brand
• SkinFix - an awesome Canadian brand that makes superb moisturizers for eczema or damaged skin
• Flexitol is also great for intense hydrators that you can rely on

What skincare do you rely on?

xx