If you're exfoliating too much, you'll notice unmistakable skin irritation. "One of the first signs of any skin irritation, including over-exfoliation, is that your skin will burn or sting when applying lotions to it," says board-certified cosmetic dermatologist Robert Finney, MD, FAAD.
While getting rid of skin impurities on a regular basis is good, doing it too much can aggravate the skin. Over-exfoliation can lead to redness, irritation, and may leave the skin inworse condition than what you started with. To achieve clearer, brighter skin, exfoliation on a consistent basis is what works well.
But if you've overdone it, your skin will look shiny and artificial instead. Over-exfoliating will smooth your skin's natural texture too much, creating more of a waxy appearance. Removing skin cells and natural oils and exposing the underlying skin before that new skin is ready can cause the skin to look waxy.
As a general average, you should be exfoliating around three times a week. Generally enzyme exfoliants are gentle enough to be used everyday by most skin types, while physical scrubs should be used less frequently, not more than once or twice a week.
There are three main types of exfoliators: physical exfoliators, which use scrubs, brushes, or sponges to manually remove dead skin; chemical exfoliators, which rely on AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) or BHAs (beta hydroxy acids) to dissolve dead skin cells; and enzymatic exfoliators, which use natural fruit enzymes to ...
While one exfoliation won't completely strip your skin of all of its oil, it will remove most of it, leaving the surface dry. Therefore, exfoliating without applying a good moisturizer is guaranteed to leave the face drier than it was before exfoliation.
Stick to physical exfoliants like sugar, salt, and coffee grinds. Try to exfoliate your body at least once every 10 days, but we recommend one to two times a week if you have sensitive skin, and three to four if your chest and back are on the oily side.
After exfoliating, you can apply a hydrating serum followed by a great moisturizer for your skin type. Your hydrating products will absorb further into your newly resurfaced skin.
Your recovery routine should include a gentle cleanser, moisturizing creams, SPF, and repair creams that help to treat the skin barrier. Seek ingredients like hyaluronic acid, squalene, zinc oxide, shea butter, and glycerin. These ingredients are all hydrating and calming.
Over-exfoliation may have the opposite effect of beautifying your skin. This can come from either exfoliating too often or scrubbing too hard. This can remove too much skin, causing dryness or irritation. Exfoliating creams should be kept away from children.
If you use a scrub or chemical exfoliator, apply the product gently using small, circular motions. Do this for about 30 seconds, and then rinse off with lukewarm — not hot — water. If you use a brush or sponge, use short light strokes. Never exfoliate if you have open cuts or wounds or if your skin is sunburned.
Weakened skin moisture barrier
Excessive exfoliation can damage the outer layer of skin, the stratum corneum, and the moisture barrier protecting the skin. A weakened skin moisture barrier increases the risk of the skin being exposed to bacteria and environmental aggressors.
After peeling, your skin is even more sensitive. Therefore, avoid direct sun exposure, which can lead to even more visible signs of aging. If you must expose yourself to the sun, use a broad spectrum physical sunscreen. Avoid strenuous workouts, dry saunas and steam baths.
Those who don't regularly exfoliate can have skin that looks dull and patchy. You might notice this as you get older because aging, sun damage, and shifts in hormone levels can reduce the growth rate of new skin cells. When this is the case, you need exfoliating help more than ever.
When it comes to morning versus night exfoliation, you're going to reap the best benefits from exfoliating in the morning time. This is due to the oils your skin produces overnight. You'll be able to more smoothly remove all impurities, dead skin, and oils, when you exfoliate in the morning, rather than at night.
“The best practice is to avoid over-scrubbing because you want to maintain a healthy and intact skin barrier,” Dr. Khalifian notes. Going too hard can leave your skin red and irritated. Use it after cleansing, and always follow with moisturizer to lock in hydration.
You can exfoliate wet skin, as many people do with a loofah or a scrub in the shower, but the friction level is different when the skin cells are moist, Karen said. The dry method will help you to more effectively exfoliate, plus it's less messy, Gohara noted.
If you've gone in with a physical scrub, a hydrating, soothing moisturizer is your best bet. Look for ingredients like aloe vera, ceramides, or hyaluronic acid. For those who've ventured into the realm of chemical exfoliants, pick a moisturizer that's going to soothe and repair.
The “black stuff” when you rub your skin is nothing but dead cells, dirt and surface grime. It comes off due to friction caused by rubbing your skin.
You do it on dry skin, without water or any product. You can start at your ankles and work your way up your body, moving the brush upward in long, fluid strokes. If you have sensitive spots on your legs, avoid the area or lightly reduce the pressure you're applying to the brush.