How To Get Dead Skin Off Face

Of all the things that can keep your skin from looking smooth and radiant, dead skin is at the top of the list. That's why the beauty experts at SiO are here to tell you how to get rid of it! Follow the five easy steps in this article to scrub away all of that awful dead skin. Afterward, your skin will be smoother than silk and softer than a cherub's bottom!

What Causes Dead Skin To Accumulate?

It's perfectly normal for skin cells to reach the end of their lifespan. In fact, skin cells only live between 40 and 56 days. Did you know that somewhere between 30,000 and 40,000 skin cells die every minute! This is mostly a good thing because it allows younger cells to replenish the surface of your skin.

But the problems start when dead cells build up on your skin's surface, turning it into a mini skin cell graveyard. Your dearly departed skin cells can clog your pores, which causes pimples and blackheads that will haunt you forever (OK, not forever, but it will feel like forever). And if that's not scary enough, a thin layer of dead skin will make your face look dull and lackluster. Talk about terrifying!

So what causes dead skin cells to turn the surface of your body into a cemetery? Well, as is always the case with skin concerns, there isn't a single cause. There are a number of factors that can lead to dead skin buildup. Here's a list of the most common culprits.

Aging

Aging is a major contributor to dead skin accumulation. As we grow older, our skin cells don't regenerate as quickly, so it's normal for dead cells to pile up. If you really want to fight the effects of aging, start wearing SiO Beauty patches now. They may not be able to raise your skin cells from the dead, but they can definitely make sure that all of your living skin cells are as hydrated as possible!

Dry Skin

Dry skin causes skin cells to die at a faster rate than normal. This means that if you have dry skin, there's probably an excess amount of dead skin on your body's surface. Skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema also make it easier for lifeless cells to collect on top of your skin.

woman treating face to get rid of dead skin

Not Exfoliating

Not exfoliating is another leading cause of dead skin buildup. Since exfoliating scrubs away all the dead cells, ignoring this crucial skin care step is a recipe for disaster (also known as dull skin).

Environmental Factors

The environment plays a role in how much dead skin collects on your body. This includes everything from the climate of the area where you live and the current season to the amount of time you spend in the sun.

In all likelihood, several of these factors are conspiring to create the layer of dead skin on your face. But it's not necessary to pin down exactly what the causes are because they all call for the same treatment!

How To Get Rid Of Dead Skin In 5 Easy Steps

OK, so you've got a little bit of dead skin built up on the surface of your skin. No big deal!

Just follow these five simple steps and your skin will be soft, smooth, and glowing before you can say "exfoliate" five times fast.

1) Gently Cleanse Your Skin

The first step to clearing away dead skin is just a good, old-fashioned cleansing. Here are the steps you should take to properly cleanse your skin:

Rinse your skin with warm (not hot!) water.
Gently lather your favorite cleanser (not soap!) onto your skin. Use your fingertips, and remember not to rub your skin too hard. This is especially important for your face and neck since your skin is thinner and more delicate in those areas.
Rinse your face clean with cool water.
Use a soft towel to gently pat your skin dry.

Cleansing your skin will get rid of all the dirt and excess oils on your skin's surface. Now that you've got a nice clean slate to work with, you're ready for the second step.

2) Steam Your Face

woman wearing a towel on her head and steaming her face to remove dead skin

This step is our favorite because it's both super relaxing and great for your skin! Steaming your face opens up your pores and loosens up the dead skin cells resting on your face. That's why it's a perfect way to prepare your skin for exfoliation!

There are two ways to go about doing this. We'll explain both.

The Washcloth Method

This is the easier of the two steaming methods. All you need to do is soak a soft washcloth in hot water and let it sit on your face for five to 10 minutes. Just make sure that the water isn't too hot or it may hurt your skin.

The Big Bowl Method

While the washcloth method may be easier, this second approach is a little more effective. Simply take a large bowl or water basin, fill it with water that's just off the boil, set the bowl on a table or desk, and then sit with your face above the steaming water. Let your skin steam for about five minutes.

3) Exfoliate, Exfoliate, Exfoliate!

Now for the main event: exfoliation! This is the step where you'll actually clear away all the dead skin. There are a few different ways to exfoliate. Let's have a look at all of them.

Physical Exfoliators

Physical exfoliators use a tiny physical object to scrub dead skin away. With store-bought exfoliators, these objects vary widely. They might be anything from coffee or sugar to rice powder or itty bitty chunks of walnut husks. These little abrasives will help brush all the dead skin off your body.

Chemical Exfoliators

As the name suggests, chemical exfoliators use chemicals to get rid of dead skin cells, rather than tiny physical objects. While the word "chemical" might be a bit frightening, these types of exfoliators are perfectly safe to use.

The "chemicals" in these products can be things like citric acid (yep, the stuff in lemons) or lactic acid (yep, the stuff in dairy products). Some experts even recommend chemical exfoliators over their physical siblings because the tiny objects in physical exfoliators can potentially damage your skin.

DIY Exfoliators

You can also make your own exfoliating scrubs at home! Clear away dead skin with any of these household items: oatmeal, baking soda, salt, and more.

No matter which kind of exfoliator you choose, just make sure to be gentle with your skin. You should never rub your skin vigorously, and you only need to exfoliate once a week.

woman receiving a scrub at a spa to treat dead skin

4) Use A Facial Mask

After you're done clearing away all the dead skin on your face, you're ready for a facial mask. If you're in the mood to treat yourself, head to the spa! Or if you're feeling crafty, you can make your own mask at home.

Check out all of the natural ingredients that can be used to make amazing DIY facial masks:

Aloe Vera
Cucumbers
Yogurt
Oatmeal
Papaya
Avocado

Different types of facial masks can help with different skin types and skin conditions. Make sure you're using the right facial mask for your skin!

5) Apply Moisturizers

The final step in the process of removing dead skin is applying a high-quality moisturizer. This is just to ensure that you're skin is super hydrated, which will prevent skin cells from dying prematurely in the future. Of course, you'll want to apply your favorite moisturizer several times a day—not only after you've exfoliated.

SiO Beauty

If you want to keep your skin super radiant and smooth (and who doesn't?), wear SiO Beauty patches every night while you're getting your beauty sleep. SiO Beauty patches boost hydration and moisture, which leaves you with smoother skin and fewer wrinkles overnight—literally!

We tested our products on over 200 women in dermatologist-led clinical trials. And the results were real! Many women reported that their skin was visibly plumper and smoother after wearing SiO Beauty patches for just a single night.

So how do these (practically) magic patches work? They're made from the finest medical-grade silicone, which creates skin's ideal microclimate on the surface of your body. This allows your skin to hydrate and rejuvenate itself. SiO Patches are available for your neck, décolleté, and brow, plus the sides of your eyes and mouth.

While skin cell death is a completely natural phenomenon, there's no need to let dead cells sit on your skin and take away its radiance. Just follow the five easy steps we've covered here (and don't forget SiO Beauty patches!) to reclaim that smooth, glowing skin you've been dreaming about!

get rid of dead skin