Exfoliation | March 2025

Skin Renewal: What is it and its benefits for skin

Aligning with the body's ever-changing nature, skin renewal involves replacing old skin cells with fresh ones from beneath the surface. This comes with numerous advantages in skincare, from softer skin to a glowing complexion.

Understanding the science of this natural process can help you incorporate new products into your skincare routine with more intention to achieve a well-nourished glow.

What is skin renewal?

Skin renewal is a continuous process where old skin cells are shed, revealing fresh, new cells beneath. This cycle repeats endlessly as the skin works to regenerate itself. Often used interchangeably with the term 'skin regeneration', it refers to the complete replacement of worn or damaged tissue with new, healthier cells.

The outermost layers of skin, known as the epidermis, are mainly responsible for this renewal. As the skin cells are replaced, they leave behind smoother skin that contributes to a more radiant, youthful complexion.

What is the skin renewal process?

Our skin renews in the following way:

• New cells begin to form in the epidermis
• Older skin cells start to die and shed away
• The new cells are revealed

How long is the skin renewal process?

It's estimated that the epidermis generally renews every 28-42 days, depending on your age. The newer skin cells form in the lower epidermis and migrate upwards—a process that takes time.

As we age, the skin renewal process slows down. This typically begins once we reach the age of 30, with a more drastic decline in our fifties.

What does skin renewing mean in skincare?

In skincare, skin renewing refers to the process of accelerating the natural turnover of skin cells.

Slower cell turnover can cause your skin to look dry or emphasize the appearance of fine lines or wrinkles. As this natural process slows with age, many turn to skin renewal skincare solutions as part of their anti-aging efforts. The right combination of products and lifestyle factors can promote skin cell turnover and combat signs of aging, from wrinkles and fine lines to dullness.

What is skin renewal treatment?

The skin renewal process contributes to skin healing and is the reason why scars can fade over time as newer cells replace old, damaged ones. New skin cells also help strengthen the skin barrier, enhancing its ability to protect against impurities and retain moisture more effectively.

Other key benefits of skin cell renewal include:

• Smoother skin texture
• Brighter complexion
• Reduced appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• Reduced risk of clogged pores
• Improved appearance of discoloration

What can I do to encourage skin renewal?

We age in two ways: intrinsic aging and extrinsic aging.

Intrinsic aging is determined by genetics, while extrinsic aging is influenced by environmental factors, including day-to-day habits and lifestyle. While we can't influence intrinsic aging, we can take steps to slow extrinsic aging and boost skin regeneration.

Lifestyle factors

Where possible, reduce daily stress, which contributes to intrinsic aging. Additionally, you should protect your skin from UV rays, pollution, and other external stressors, which can cause extrinsic aging.

Lifestyle choices you should embrace include exercising regularly to improve circulation so oxygen and other nutrients are delivered to your skin. Eat a diet with plenty of nutrients, too—especially protein. Protein is key for supporting damaged tissue, and the body uses it to replace cells in the renewal process. Drinking plenty of water and staying hydrated will also help to keep your skin cells functioning as they should.

Skincare

When building a skincare regimen that enhances skin renewal, you'll need to look for the right ingredients. These include:

• Vitamin B3 (niacinamide)
• Hyaluronic acid
• Retinol and retinoids
• Ceramides
• Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA)
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin E

A form of vitamin B3, niacinamide supports cell metabolism and helps to renew and restore the skin's surface, while retinol helps to restore healthy cell turnover, encouraging the body to develop smoother skin at a faster rate. Antioxidants like vitamin C and vitamin E can help to protect cells from free radicals.

Incorporating a good sunscreen to protect against UV rays, while cleansing and toning effectively will help to keep your skin clear of impurities. When done correctly to reduce irritation, physical or chemical exfoliants can also assist by removing dead skin cells to reveal smoother, softer skin.

ZO's Radical Night Repair is a high-potency retinol treatment to help with skin smoothness while diminishing the appearance of fine lines + wrinkles. Our Exfoliating Polish gently removes dead skin cells to instantly reveal smoother, softer, glowing skin, while the Brightalive® formula includes niacinamide to help reduce the appearance of uneven skin.

You should use skincare products consistently to see results over time. Always make sure you check which ingredients should be combined before adding them to your regimen. Speak to a dermatologist if you're ever unsure.

Discover skin renewal solutions from ZO®

Incorporating products that support the skin renewal process into your regimen can result in a smoother, more radiant complexion. Use our Regimen Finder to identify the products best suited to your skin type and concerns. For expert advice, find your nearest ZO® Authorized Partner, or get in touch with our team of experts.