Skin cell renewal: the key role of exfoliation

Although skin naturally regenerates over time, factors such as age, stress, and sun exposure can slow this process. Gentle exfoliation is a simple yet powerful beauty step to revive skin's radiance. How can you support skin cell renewal without damaging it? Nooance-Paris shares its best advice for choosing the right active ingredients for your skin type and effectively incorporating exfoliation into your beauty routine.

What is skin cell renewal?

A natural process essential for healthy skin

Skin renews itself naturally: dead cells are replaced by new, healthier cells. This cell turnover is an essential mechanism for protecting the epidermis from external aggressions and free radicals that accelerate skin aging, and for maintaining beautiful skin.

Cell renewal slows down with age, stress, or certain environmental factors. The skin then becomes dull and dehydrated.

How long does cell renewal take?

This natural process, called the skin renewal cycle, lasts on average 28 days. This is the time between the birth of new cells (keratinocytes) in the basal layer and their transition to the horny layer (stratum corneum), which is the skin's final protective barrier.

What causes slow cell renewal?

Several factors can impair skin cell renewal. Here are the main causes:

Age and skin aging

With age, the cell renewal process gradually slows down. In a young adult, this cycle lasts about 28 days, but over the years, it can lengthen to 40 or even 50 days. The first signs of aging appear, the skin becomes thinner, loses its radiance and elasticity.

Exposure to stress, pollution and UV rays

Stress, pollution, and UV rays create oxidative stress, a phenomenon that damages cells and disrupts their natural renewal. The result: duller, more tired-looking skin that's prone to signs of aging.

Lifestyle and quality of sleep

Several lifestyle habits directly influence the quality of our skin:

• Diet : Deficiencies in nutrients or essential fatty acids, as well as excess sugar, can slow cell renewal.
• Tobacco and alcohol : they reduce cell oxygenation and accentuate the loss of radiance.
• Hydration : Drinking 1.5 to 2 liters of water per day helps eliminate toxins.
• Poor quality sleep : Nighttime is when cell regeneration is most active, so lack of sleep has visible effects on the skin: dull and tired complexion, dark circles, loss of elasticity and the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines around the eyes.
  

Gentle exfoliation, the secret to healthy, glowing skin

Exfoliating your skin is key to supporting cell renewal: we explain everything.

Exfoliation vs. natural peeling: what’s the difference?

Peeling is the natural mechanism for eliminating dead skin cells: they slough off to make way for new skin. But when this cycle slows down, the complexion becomes dull and uneven.

Gentle exfoliation is the solution for gently removing dead skin while stimulating cell regeneration. It facilitates the absorption of skincare products, for a smoother skin texture.

The right steps to exfoliate without damaging the skin

For maximum benefits without damaging the skin, it is essential to choose an exfoliant suited to your skin type and to accompany it with good hydration to strengthen the skin barrier.

What types of exfoliants should you choose according to your skin type?

• Mechanical scrubs , rich in micro-grains, are perfect for thick or oily skin, as they effectively remove dead cells by rubbing while regulating sebum production.
• Chemical exfoliants , such as AHAs, BHAs, and PHAs, provide gentle yet effective exfoliation for dry and mature skin. They remove dead skin cells deep down without irritating the skin, while improving texture and radiance.
• Exfoliating enzymes , derived from fruits like papaya and pineapple, are perfect for sensitive skin because they gently dissolve dead skin cells without stripping the skin or causing inflammation.
  

The most effective active ingredients to stimulate cell renewal

Retinol (vitamin A) and its derivatives

Retinol and retinoids are powerful active ingredients for fighting the signs of aging and reducing wrinkles, with visible results . By accelerating collagen production, they promote the elimination of dead cells and better cell renewal.

Fruit acids (AHA and BHA)

These are chemical exfoliants that stimulate cell renewal by removing dead cells from the surface of the skin.

• Glycolic acid (AHA) smoothes the skin and gives a brighter complexion.
• Lactic acid and mandelic acid are gentler AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), ideal for sensitive or dehydrated skin.
• Salicylic acid is a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid), an exfoliating acid that is particularly effective on oily and acne-prone skin to smooth pores and regulate sebum.

Other assets to favor

• Peptides
• Niacinamide
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin E
• Bakuchiol (gentle alternative to retinol)
• Exfoliating enzymes (papain, bromelain)
  

How to boost cell regeneration? 3 tips for an effective skincare routine

1. Prioritize nighttime cellular exfoliation

Exfoliating your skin at night allows your nighttime skincare products to penetrate better and work continuously while you sleep. Nighttime is the most conducive time for proper skin regeneration: this is called skin chronobiology.

2. Establish a targeted evening facial routine

Gentle double cleansing of the skin, the use of powerful active ingredients, as well as good hydration are essential to support the skin's natural regeneration process.

Here is an example of a targeted routine, to adapt to your skin types:

• Remove makeup and cleanse the skin using a gentle cleanser.
• Regenerating and moisturizing night cream with hyaluronic acid and ceramides.
• Application of targeted serums or resurfacing masks (natural peeling effect).

3. Adopt a healthy lifestyle

An anti-aging beauty routine will be even more effective if you maintain a healthy lifestyle. For example, avoid factors that aggravate skin aging, such as tobacco, alcohol, stress, or lack of sleep. Eat a healthy, balanced diet rich in fatty acids and antioxidants that support the immune system, such as fruits and vegetables, grains, dairy products, and oily fish.

Cell renewal: what are the visible benefits and how to avoid mistakes?

How long does it take for skin to renew itself after exfoliation?

The natural cycle lasts 28 days: gentle exfoliation allows for faster surface renewal, but the complete skin regeneration process takes several weeks. For lasting results, it's important to maintain a regular skincare routine .

Excessive exfoliation: mistakes that slow down regeneration

Over-exfoliation can damage the hydrolipidic film and lead to irritation, redness, and dehydrated skin. Therefore, follow an exfoliation schedule that is appropriate for your skin type:

• 1 to 2 times per week maximum for dry or sensitive skin.
• 2 to 3 times a week for oily skin and mature skin.
  

In summary: how to naturally promote cell renewal in your skin?

Healthy skin is the result of a regular skincare routine, composed of powerful and suitable active ingredients, combined with good lifestyle habits. To boost cell renewal:

• Opt for gentle exfoliation
• Deeply moisturize the skin after exfoliation
• Protect your skin from the sun and pollution
• Adopt a healthy lifestyle
• Favor foods rich in antioxidants
• Avoid excessive exfoliation
  

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