In-Depth Spotlight of the Ingredient Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Seed Powder:
Apricots belong to the family of drupe fruits, which have a stone in the center. In the pit of these stones are the seeds or kernels. They resemble an almond in look, with a brown outer layer and a white inner nut. Apricot seeds are commonly used for extracting oil, beauty products, and medicines. Apricot kernel powder is made by sifting and grinding dried apricot kernels until they are finely ground.
Apricot Seed Powder provides a physical exfoliation aiding in sloughing off dead skin cells from the epidermis to help the complexion to appear healthy, young, soft, and smooth. It is 100% natural unlike polyethylene beads and other abrasive agents used in skin scrubs. Apricot kernel additives are completely natural and biodegradable. This is preferential if you want to treat your skin with only natural skin care products and wish to avoid synthetic ingredients.
Benefits of Exfoliation:
Removes dead skin cells:
In order to maintain healthy, youthful, glowing skin we need to both remove old dead skin cells and encourage proper cellular turnover. Exfoliating both removes the old dead skin cells and speeds up cell renewal and enabling new healthy skin cells to grow.
The body is continuously producing new cells to replace those that naturally die off. With age cellular turnover slows down, especially skin cells. This slower turnover and excessive dead skin laying on the surface are one of the causes of dull, lackluster, unhealthy, wrinkled skin. Dead skin cells clog the pores and create blockage, wreaking havoc on the skin.
Unclogs Pores:
Sweeping away that dead and dry skin, along with all the other surface debris that might remain on your skin after cleansing, stops it from making its way into your pores and causing stubborn stoppages in the form of whiteheads and blackheads. Dead skin seals the pores, so when sebaceous glands produce oil, it’s stuck under the dry skin. This causes breakouts because there is nowhere for the oil to go. These are two skin issues that are difficult to get rid of which is why exfoliating is so important. It stops them before they even have a chance to appear.
Prevents Acne:
Just like how unclogging your pores prevents whiteheads and blackheads, it also prevents other blemishes, namely acne. Exfoliating helps to unclog pores, therefore reducing acne
Helps Other Skincare Products Penetrate Deeper:
Since pores are unclogged and the surface of the skin is smoothed and rid of any dead or dry skin, your other skincare products are able to penetrate more deeply. Exfoliation helps serums, moisturizers, and growth factors penetrate deeper into the skin, Dead skin basically becomes a barrier between your skin and serums. By removing it you allow everything to work much better
Evens Skin Tone:
Exfoliating helps correct poor skin tone such as dark spots, rough texture, hyperpigmentation, and acne scars by polishing away the damaged outer cells where poor pigmentation has occurred to reveal the newer, lighter skin cells beneath.
Boosts Circulation and Lymphatic Drainage:
Exfoliation creates stimulation of lymphatic drainage for internal cleansing and stimulation of oxygen-rich blood to feed and nourish the skin’s surface. It creates a form of skin detoxification, working to remove toxins and other unhealthy debris. This boosts cellular health to reveal glowing, radiant skin.
Increases Cell Turnover:
Aside from increased circulation, exfoliation also boosts the skin’s radiance in another way. It helps cell turnover so the skin looks more glowing. The skin keeps fresh, healthy cells at the surface, removing dead, dry, or dying ones. In terms of appearance, this results in that ultra-dewy and youthful looking complexion.
Stimulates Collagen Synthesis:
Regular exfoliation helps to stimulate collagen synthesis to improve the skin’s texture, integrity, and keep the skin looking plump, tight, and young. Exfoliating actually offers anti-aging benefits, over time, exfoliating action can help reduce fine lines and fine wrinkles.
References:
Exfoliation, the benefits, and methods of exfoliation
http://www.justaboutskin.com/2014/03/exfoliation-101-part-one/
AAD How to exfoliate
https://www.aad.org/skin-care-secrets/safely-exfoliate-at-home