Beauty

To Scrub, Slough, or Chemically Dissolve? Experts Weigh In On The Ultimate Guide To Winter Exfoliation

Get a smoother, clearer, brighter complexion with these three simple—and safe—steps…

If you’ve had a more intense urge to exfoliate your face during the pandemic you’re not alone: A recent report from NPD found that 40 percent of regular skincare users in the U.S. are slathering on more products now than a year ago—and “basic care” picks, such as cleansers, exfoliators, and scrubs, have experienced the most significant jump in demand. On a practical level, this makes sense; mask-wearing can trap sweat and bacteria on skin, and exfoliating can help unclog congested pores. And with many spas closed, regular, skin-sloughing facials are out of reach for many of us. Yet there’s also a psychological factor at play, too: as we vigorously wipe down surfaces and fiercely wage war on stealthy germs, there’s a certain mesmerizing appeal in peeling away the battle-worn outer layer of our skin to reveal the fresh, “clean” layer underneath.

But good intentions can often go awry. “It’s so easy to overdo it,” says New York-based medical esthetician Jordana Mattioli of striking the balance between featherlight- and heavy-handed exfoliation, the latter of which can lead to redness, inflammation, and hyperpigmentation, especially among women with Black or brown skin. “As a dermatologist that takes care of skin of color, I see a lot of aggressive exfoliation, and I’m often talking people down off the ledge—urging them to back off their faces,” confirms Carlos A. Charles, M.D., a Manhattan dermatologist and the founder of Derma di Colore, a medical practice that focuses on a range of different skin tones.

By design, skin naturally sheds dead cells in a 28-day cycle. Certain factors (dry, cold air; indoor heating systems; stress) can stall this process, however, so regular, mild exfoliating is crucial to increasing cellular turnover, insists Charles—especially in the winter months. The myriad ways to effectively break down the top layer of skin can be mystifying, though, and many tried-and-true solutions have gotten a bad rap of late. Physical exfoliation, the process of manually dislodging dirt and and stripping away surface cells with textured bits and grainy particles, was once the gold-standard of sloughing until popular exfoliants, such as the pulverized walnut shell pieces found in the ill-famed St. Ives Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub, came under fire for being too abrasive (a class action lawsuit filed against St. Ives in 2017 claimed that its popular product damaged skin by creating microtears). Mechanical exfoliation, which leverages tech-savvy devices to buff the complexion hasn’t fared much better: In September, L’Oréal abruptly pulled the plug on Clarisonic—the decade-defining skin brush that relied on spinning bristles and sonic vibrations to clean pores—much to the relief of dermatologists and aestheticians, who found the turbocharged at-home tool often did more harm than good. Chemical exfoliators, such as alpha- and beta-hydroxy acids, have emerged as some of the safest, and gentlest way to break down the bonds between skin cells and decongest pores with experts advising patch tests to rule out any irritation before use, and nighttime applications to reduce photosensitivity during the day. But knowing your mandelic acid from your glycolic acid can be overwhelming. Here, an expert-backed, three-step plan for safe, effective exfoliation to keep skin smooth, calm, and clear all winter long.

The Mechanics of Mechanical Exfoliation

If you have a thick layer of dull skin that’s mostly due to dryness and flakes, not acne, Mattioli suggests starting with a mechanical exfoliating tool, which is often more effective than relying on high-percentages of acids to break through initial buildup. Mattioli is a fan of Dermaflash Luxe, a dermaplaning device that uses a vibrating blade to ever-so-lightly “scrape away the top layer of skin,” she says; PMD Personal Microderm Classic, which combines spinning microdermabrasion discs that polish your face with “suction to pull out debris from pores,” offers a next step up, Mattioli adds. Los-Angeles-based aesthetician Shani Darden has long been wary of cleansing tools, many of which, she finds, “can be harsh on skin.” But Darden swears by the Nion Opus Luxe, which has soft, antibacterial silicone bristles that slough away dead skin “without causing irritation.”

Dermaflash Luxe Anti-Aging Dermaplaning Exfoliation Device

$199

DERMAFLASH

PMD Personal Microderm Classic Blush

Nion Opus Luxe

The Chemical Reaction

Alpha-Hydroxy Acids

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Artist Spotlight

How Rare Beauty Propelled Selena Gomez to Billionaire Status

Selena Gomez is a talented entertainer known for her work as a singer, actress, and producer, and she has recently reached an impressive milestone by becoming a billionaire. Much of her financial success comes from her cosmetics brand, Rare Beauty, which has quickly become popular since it launched in September 2020. The brand stands out for its dedication to inclusivity, mental health support, and clever marketing strategies.

1. The Idea Behind Rare Beauty

Rare Beauty was created to challenge traditional beauty standards and celebrate individuality. Selena wanted to build a brand that offered quality makeup while encouraging self-love and acceptance. The name “Rare” is inspired by her third studio album.

A key part of Rare Beauty’s mission is to be inclusive. When it launched, the brand offered an impressive variety of 48 shades of foundation and concealer, catering to many skin tones. The packaging also considers accessibility, making it easier for people with disabilities to use the products.

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2. Smart Marketing and Social Media Success

Selena took full advantage of her large social media presence to promote Rare Beauty. With over 400 million followers on Instagram, she shares her personal stories and shows how to use the products, which helps build a strong connection with her fans. This engagement has created a loyal customer base.

Rare Beauty also effectively utilizes social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, gaining significant attention and making it a popular choice among beauty lovers. One of their hit products, a liquid blush, sold over 3.1 million units in just a year, highlighting the success of their online marketing.

3. Strong Financial Growth

The brand’s financial success has been impressive, generating about $350 million in revenue in 2023, a 50% increase compared to the previous year. By May 2024, Rare Beauty’s value had grown to over $2 billion, showing its strong place in the market.

This financial success has also boosted Selena’s personal wealth. In September 2024, she became a billionaire with an estimated net worth of $1.3 billion, primarily thanks to her ownership of Rare Beauty. At 32 years old, she is one of the youngest self-made female billionaires in the U.S.

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4. Media Attention and Public Interest

The rise of Rare Beauty and Selena’s billionaire status has been widely reported in the media. A notable article from Bloomberg discussed the brand’s strategies and how they’ve resonated with consumers. The piece received extensive coverage, reaching over 250 media outlets and generating more than 1.8 billion impressions, highlighting the significant impact of her success.

5. A Commitment to Mental Health

In addition to its commercial achievements, Rare Beauty focuses on mental health. The brand has created the Rare Impact Fund, promising to donate 1% of sales to mental health initiatives, aiming to raise $100 million over the next ten years. This effort aligns with Selena’s commitment to mental health awareness, which many consumers appreciate in a brand.

Selena Gomez’s journey from entertainer to entrepreneur illustrates how she combines her values and understanding of the market with a genuine connection to her audience. Rare Beauty’s rapid growth shows a strong demand for inclusive and socially responsible beauty products. Selena’s story highlights the new wave of celebrity entrepreneurs, where authenticity and advocacy are just as important as the products they sell.

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Artist Spotlight

Dua Lipa’s “Dance The Night” Reigns as the Ultimate Summer Soundtrack

Dua Lipa’s “Dance The Night” is a catchy new summer soundtrack. It evokes the sunshine, excitement of nightlife, and happiness that come with a true summer song. Co-written with the talented Mark Ronson, “Dance The Night” is a full-on experience that has quickly become the standout track of the season.

Not only is Dua Lipa a massive music star with multiple number-one hits, but this summer, she also made her acting debut as Mermaid Barbie in Greta Gerwig’s Barbie movie. It was only natural for her to be part of the film’s soundtrack, and she truly delivered. “Dance The Night” captures the fun and energy of her previous hits while turning it up with even more sparkle and good vibes, making it impossible not to dance along.

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“Dance The Night” was on the fast track to success. It quickly climbed to the top of the music charts, marking Dua’s fourth number-one song and adding to her growing legacy with hits like “New Rules,” “One Kiss,” and “Cold Heart.” This is about creating a lasting impact.

“Dance The Night” became the soundtrack for fun moments, whether at parties or dancing alone in your room. It’s the perfect song to play when you want to dress up, grab your friends, and dance the night away, just like Barbie does in the movie.

No summer track is complete without a great music video, and “Dance The Night” doesn’t disappoint. Featuring eye-catching visuals, impressive dance moves, and even a surprise appearance from the director, Greta Gerwig, the video captures all the exciting energy of the song. It also shows Margot Robbie’s Barbie living her best life, reminding us that having fun and being confident is always in style.

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What makes “Dance The Night” the ultimate summer song? It’s upbeat and instantly lifts your mood, making you want to dance. Its lyrics invite you to enjoy the moment, and it succeeds on all fronts. Dua Lipa has a knack for creating both familiar and new songs. With its lively disco sound, beautiful strings, and catchy rhythm, “Dance The Night” pays tribute to the classic dance music of the past while still feeling modern. It’s vibrant, exhilarating, and simply irresistible.

In a summer filled with movies, exciting pop moments, and unforgettable times, “Dance The Night” shines as the perfect soundtrack. Whether you’re watching Barbie on the big screen or dancing under the stars, Dua Lipa has given us another fantastic song to which we’ll keep dancing even as summer ends.