How To Remove Dead Skin Cells From Your Face Instantly

If you’re after smooth and clear skin, there’s no way around it than to remove dead skin cells for a healthier and more radiant look. Here’s how to go about it.

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In pursuit of that natural glow or perfect canvas for applying work-of-art level makeup, smooth and clear skin is a must. To ensure this, skin needs to be exfoliated regularly – and dead skin cells are really the kind of ick you do not need in your life or on your face. Buildup of dead skin cells is what makes your skin look dull and the opposite of dewy, while clogging up your pores and leading to potential breakouts. Also, dead skin cells could also interfere with absorption of skincare products, rendering even the best of formulas less effective. Simply washing your face twice daily with a facial cleanser is not enough if smooth-as-glass skin is what you’re after. Those dead skin cells need to be removed ASAP.

What’s The Best Way To Remove Dead Skin Cells From Face Immediately

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In one word: exfoliate. This should be a regular occurrence in your facial cleansing regimen if it isn’t already. There are many ways to exfoliate your skin, so choose the one (or a few) that is most suitable for your skin and level of tolerance to exfoliation. The rule of thumb states that exfoliation should be done only once or twice a week if you’re new to this, and can later be increased to every other day once your skin has acclimatised – IF needed. 

There are many ways to exfoliate facial skin, which includes using scrubs, or using certain beauty tools to help slough away dead skin. To remove dead skin cells from skin instantly, you may consider any of the following:-

  1. Using a gentle scrub with small granules that polish of dead skin cells. Massage the scrub gently into your face to not irritate your skin, which is especially important if this is your first time using a scrub or haven’t done it in a while.
  2. Consider using a facial cleansing brush with soft bristles - either electric or manual, to cleanse your skin. Facial cleansing brushes work well with your regular facial cleanser so you won’t be needing an extra scrubbing cleanser. 
  3. Use products containing chemical exfoliators like AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acid) or BHAs (beta-hydroxy acid) that seep into skin and pores to remove dead skin cells. These can be abrasive for sensitive skin, however, so check for products that are made for sensitive skin and are dermatologically tested.

K-Glass Skin: How Do Koreans Remove Dead Skin Cells For That Smooth Complexion

Ever since K-beauty blew up, we’ve been closely following the beauty regimes and looks of K-drama and K-pop idols for their secret to flawless-looking, smooth and glowy skin. What is the secret of Koreans, in general, that keeps their skin looking so radiant and luminous? 

Well, we know all about their 10-step beauty routine, which includes exfoliation to remove dead skin cells, 2-3 times a week. Here are some of their favourite products to remove dead skin cells instantly, that you can find here in Singapore:

Nacific Pink AHABHA toner

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Nacific Pink AHABHA toner
iHerb

Formulated to remove dead skin cells from the face as gently as possible, the Pink AHABHA toner (rather than exfoliator) helps you swipe away dull skin and prep it to be more receptive of the next products to be applied, which helps to replace and lock in moisture for smooth and radiant skin

Skinfood Black Sugar Mask Wash Off

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skinfood
iherb

Use like a mask and rinse off like a scrub to leave your skin clean and refreshed. The sugary granules will exfoliate dead skin cells off while the formulation’s self-heating properties opens up pores to easily absorb the minerals and vitamins contained in the mask/scrub.

Beauty of Joseon Apricot Blossom Peeling Gel

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Beauty of Joseon
Shopee

If a scrub is too harsh for your skin, look for a gentle peeling gel like the Apricot Blossoms Peeling Gel from Beauty of Joseon. The gel is hypoallergenic and removes dead skin cells by ulising natural enzymes from apricot and apple.

Additionally, Koreans also like steaming their face in the hot shower to help loosen dead skin cells before exfoliating. 

Medicube Zero Pore Pad

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Medicube Zero Pore Pad
Shopee

The Medicube Zero Pore Pad is a popular dual-textured toner pad designed for comprehensive pore care and exfoliation. It utilizes ingredients like AHA, BHA (salicylic acid from white willow bark), and a patented "Anti Sebum P" complex to effectively remove dead skin cells, clear impurities from pores, and regulate excess sebum production. The pads feature an embossed side for exfoliation and a silky side to hydrate and refine skin texture, making them a convenient two-in-one solution for smoother, clearer, and more refined skin.

How To Get Clear Skin In 7 Days

Can’t wait to get smoother and clearer skin now? While we can’t guarantee results, here are 7 steps you can take to get clear skin in 7 days as you work towards attaining that K-beauty glass skin effect.

  1. If you can, avoid wearing makeup for 7 days. 
  2. If you do have to put on makeup, of course never skip cleansing your face at the end of the day, as well as in the morning after waking up to slough away dead skin that have been shed overnight.
  3. Exfoliate 2 or 3 times a week to remove dead skin cells from your face and reveal healthier, smoother skin.
  4. Apply moisturiser to replace lost moisture and avoid that tight and dry feeling. If you can, apply a serum beforehand to help you achieve glowing skin faster.
  5. Don’t skin the sunscreen, as harmful UV rays damages skin and slows down the skin cell renewal process, leading to premature aging.
  6. It has to be said: Drink plenty of water. Aim for at least 1.5 litres of water a day to help detoxify your insides which will then translate to more radiant skin on the outside. 
  7. Make sure you get enough sleep of at least 6 to 7 hours each night to help skin repair itself from the inside. Think of it as a battery recharging itself so that you and your organs can function well when you hit 100% energy!

It might seem unattainable for those of us not lucky enough to have crystal clear skin beyond our childhood years, but it’s certainly not impossible. Start taking care of your skin and your health immediately and results will soon follow in the shape of smoother and clearer skin than before.

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