EXFOLIANTS
FACT: Healthy exfoliation should only remove the outermost 3 to 4 layers of dead skin cells (stratum disjunctum), out of the 10 to 30 total layers making up the stratum corneum. Removing more than this disrupts the moisture barrier, increasing susceptibility to environmental toxins, free radicals, and UV damage.
Because the skin's complete cell turnover cycle takes about 28 days, therapists should emphasize that patience and consistency yield the best results rather than high-strength or frequent scrubbing, which compromises the lipid barrier.
