Our bodies start changing the minute we’re born and it never stops from there. Few places reflect the constant state of change more obviously than our face though. That’s because it’s the one part of our body, other than our hands, that’s typically exposed. 

In order to prevent unsightly changes to your face, you need to keep it clean and properly moisturized. You also need to drink plenty of water and regularly remove dead skin cells that can accumulate on the surface. 

Just how to do that in the most effective way is what we’re here to discuss.

What Causes Dead Skin? 

Every skin cell in your body dies off after just a couple of years. That said, there are a number of reasons why dead skin cells may accumulate and need to be removed. Those reasons include: 

• Aging - As we get older, our body's ability to effectively cast off dead skin cells is reduced and they begin to accumulate on the surface.
• Not using a moisturizer - If your skin is dried out, it’s not going to do as good a job of shedding dead skin cells for you.
• Certain skin conditions - Conditions like psoriasis and eczema can cause dead skin cells to build on the surface of your skin.
• Changes in weather - If you move from a humid climate to one that’s hot and dry, your body may have a tough time shedding dead skin cells.
• Overexposure to the sun - Excessive sun exposure can suck the life out of your skin, making it less able to shed dead skin cells and more susceptible to the buildup of those cells. 

The process of removing dead skin cells is called “exfoliation" and it should be done on a regular basis if you want your skin to retain a healthy, youthful glow. Exfoliation has many benefits, including: 

• Evening out skin tone
• Boosting blood circulation
• Preventing acne
• Stimulating collagen production
• Improving skin texture
• Reducing dryness and itchiness

How do You Exfoliate Your Face? 

You exfoliate your face by using home remedies, clinical treatments or by using a product like Clarapulse by Dermaclara. We’ll go over the various methods of exfoliating the skin below.

The Best Home Remedies for Removing Dead Skin

You don’t have to go to the spa to remove the dead skin cells from your face. Here are some home remedies that have stood the test of time. 

Baking soda scrub - Baking soda is known for its mildly abrasive quality and it can be a useful tool in your quest for a cleaner, clearer complexion. Making and using a baking soda scrub is not difficult to do. Simply: 

• Combine 1 or 2 teaspoons of baking soda with water to make a paste
• Infuse it with a drop or two of your favorite essential oil
• Use a damp washcloth to apply the paste in a gentle circular motion
• Wash completely when done

Oatmeal facial - This type of facial treatment is perfect for those days when you don’t have hours to waste. To make and use:

• Combine 2 teaspoons of ground oatmeal and 1 teaspoon of baking soda
• Add water slowly and stir until the mixture forms a paste
• Apply to your face in a gentle circular motion
• Leave for a few minutes then rinse thoroughly 

Sugar scrub - This might sound like a fairly bizarre or even unhealthy idea, but we assure you it's not. The sugar scrub does an excellent job removing dead cells and loose skin which then leaves you a clean, supple feeling. Do a sugar scrub by: 

• Mixing 1 cup of granulated sugar with 1/2 cup of vegetable oil until it forms a paste
• Adding a few drops of your favorite essential oil
• Wetting your hands or a sponge and apply the paste in a circular motion
• Rinsing face thoroughly afterward

Sweet oatmeal scrub - This is essentially the same as the regular oatmeal scrub but just a bit more thorough. This scrub uses the abrasive quality of brown sugar crystals to clear the skin of dead cells. To make and use, simply: 

• Combine 2 tablespoons ground oatmeal 2 of granulated sugar and 2 of brown sugar
• Add 1/2 cup of almond oil (vegetable oil will do in a pinch) and mix to a paste
• Add 1 teaspoon of nutmeg and mix
• Apply it to your wet face by rubbing in a circular motion
• Rinse well when finished

Best Treatments to Remove Dead Skin 

If you’re not interested in exploring home remedies or you’ve tried them and found them wanting you want to indulge in professional treatments instead, here are a few of the most popular exfoliation treatments:

• Dermaplaning - With this treatment, the dermatologist or clinician actually scrapes away the outermost layer of skin. When done right, it’s one of the most effective ways yet devised for ensuring comprehensive exfoliation. Dermaplaning also removes "peach fuzz." 

• Microdermabrasion - Microdermabrasion is the process of using countless tiny crystals to basically sandblast the face. The process removes any dead or dying skin cells as well as any damaged skin and allows a clean, healthy layer of skin to shine through. 

• Dermarolling - The derma roller is a roller with hundreds of tiny needles protruding from it. These poke at the skin dislodging dead cells and inducing collagen growth. 

“Strive to have healthy looking skin, NOT perfect looking skin.” - Stephanie Lahart

Best Products That Can Remove Dead Skin

Dermaclara Beauty clarapulse $39.99

Clarapulse is an advanced skincare product designed to reveal your skin’s best layer. Clarapulse gently but effectively removes all dead skin cells, makeup residue, and environmental pollutants while unclogging pores and enhancing their ability to absorb beneficial nutrients. 

Exfoliating regularly with Dermaclara Beauty clarapulse will help your skin retain its firmness and tone while ensuring proper hydration. It’s our top choice for its all-around effectiveness. 

Pros 

• Contains the highest quality ingredients
• Provides short and long-term results
• Exfoliates while moisturizing

Cons 

• None

Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion Skin Exfoliant $79 

This exfoliant has received a lot of positive buzz. It’s infused with aluminum oxide crystals that do an outstanding job scouring your face of dead skin cells. Its exfoliating feature is ramped up by the inclusion of lactic acid. If you haven’t exfoliated in a while, this is a good choice too. 

Pros 

• Does a great job of removing dead skin
• Packed with aluminum oxide crystals
• Enhances absorption

Cons 

• A bit harsh for those with sensitive skin
• Expensive

Eminence Blueberry Soy Exfoliating Cleanser $42

Eminence Blueberry Soy Exfoliating Cleaner puts the power of lactic acid to work, removing dead skin cells, and adding a supple sheen to your skin. It achieves that by using a natural humectant that draws moisture to the surface of the skin after it’s been cleared of dead cells, dirt, and pollutants. There’s also milk soy to help fight wrinkles. 

Pros 

• Really deep cleans the skin
• The blueberry acts as a natural astringent

Cons 

• Can irritate if used too often

Where Can I Buy Products to Remove Dead Skin? 

The above-listed products can be purchased through the manufacturer's website or through Amazon. They’re also available at most large scale pharmaceutical chains like Walgreen's or Boots or at Sephora, where you can purchase them either online or at any of their branches. 

Clarapulse, however, can only be purchased via the official Dermaclara Beauty website. This way, you can be sure of the quality of the product you purchase, and you'll get the best available price.

Top Expert Tips on How to Remove Dead Skin 

We asked some top experts in skincare the following common questions to elicit their opinions. Here’s what they had to say:

What’s the Best Dead Skin Removal Cream for Face? 

The best dead removal solution was determined to be clarapulse by Dermaclara Beauty. While there was some divergence of opinion among our experts, a majority recommended it for its overall effectiveness as well as its ability to restore a radiant luster to exfoliated skin.

Is There a Way to Remove Dead Skin Permanently? 

The way to remove dead skin permanently is to exfoliate. Any dead skin cells you remove during exfoliation are gone forever, replaced by brand new, healthier cells. If the question is whether there’s a way to stop your body from producing more dead skin cells in the future, then the answer is "no." 

Skin cells typically live about two or three years before they die off and are replaced. The only cells in your body that last your whole life are your brain cells.