First of all, your type of skin should directly influence any method you use. For example, if you have dry skin, exfoliating often will not do you any good. On the contrary, it will bust it up. Each type of skin carries the characteristics of the region it lives in. Genetically. Meaning if you’re a Scandinavian, using Indian or African cleansing recipes will do you absolutely nothing. Because the skin is different, and what one PH thrives on may be harmful to another one.
Basically, exfoliating is a rub down cleansing of the sin with rough agents. But do not use sand and hard water. You need to make this as gentle as possible, because after exfoliating your skin is prone to damaging agents from the outside, as it left unprotected because of that layer you scrub down.
There are few methods that are suitable to every one. Olive oil