How do you know when to stop exfoliating?

Author: Francesco Macejkovic MD  |  Last update: Monday, October 13, 2025

In an interview with Cosmopolitan magazine, Dennis Gross, M.D. and cosmetic dermatologist, said: "The [tell-tale] signals that you're using your exfoliator too much include: excessive dryness, irritation, redness, and sensitivity.

How do I know if I am over exfoliating?

Esthetician Taylor Worden adds there are other signs your skin is over-exfoliated, including redness, dryness, burning, peeling, rashes, breakouts, inflammation, tenderness, and stinging.

How do I know if I'm not exfoliating enough?

and here are signs that you may be. under exfoliating. first of all. if your skin's very and dry. you may need to just sloth off. that dead skin. and second and third of all. is that you're getting lots of blackheads. and clogged pores. it's basically sebum and dead skin. that you need to sloth off. to conclude.

What does an over-exfoliated face look like?

As your over-exfoliation worsens, your skin can become dry and flaky. Dry skin builds up dead skin cells faster, so you're more likely to see a layer of dead skin over the surface of your skin. This layer of dead skin can cause dry skin to look very dull. You may also see more redness than usual with dry skin.

How long does it take to recover from over-exfoliation?

After four to six weeks, you should hopefully start to see signs of your skin improving. The symptoms of over-exfoliation should begin to die down, and your skin will slowly take on a healthier and brighter appearance. At this point, you can start to consider introducing exfoliation back into your skin care routine.

How to really remove blackheads at home in 7 days (+No matter your skin type)

How should your face feel after exfoliating?

Think about how good the skin feels after you've exfoliated it. It feels smoother, softer, and more supple than before. That's because exfoliating removes the “gunk” built up from dirt, excess oil, and bacteria that clog pores and give your skin a duller appearance.

How often is too much exfoliation?

At our Skin Health Experts Clinic in the heart of Hollywood, we recommend our clients exfoliate two to three times a week is the recommended regimen. Once you reach a clean base of unclogged pores, it's often easier to maintain and you may be able to reduce your exfoliation frequency to once or twice a week.

What does it look like when you don't exfoliate?

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.

What do clogged pores look like?

Clogged pores can look enlarged, bumpy, or, in the case of blackheads, dark in color. The more oil that a person's skin produces, the more likely it is that their pores will become blocked. A person can use skin care techniques and products to manage or clear clogged pores.

What happens when you stop exfoliating?

What if you don't exfoliate? Well, your skin naturally sheds dead skin cells on its own, but sometimes they can pile up on the surface, which can cause a handful of skin irks like dullness, dryness, and clogged pores.

What is the black stuff when I rub my skin?

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.

What exfoliate do dermatologists recommend?

Size: 1.7 oz.
  • Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Paula's choice skin perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant. Courtesy of brand. ...
  • Best for Oily Skin: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Clarifying Solution Acne Toner. ...
  • Best for Combination Skin: Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser. ...
  • Best for Dry Skin: RéVive Enzyme Essence Daily Resurfacing Treatment.

What not to do after exfoliating?

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.

How long does it take to see results from exfoliating?

For people with acne, it may take up to 8 weeks to see an improvement in the condition of their skin. For anti-aging benefits, it may take even longer to see the results. In general, consistent and regular exfoliation is important for maintaining the benefits of exfoliation.

Why do I still have dead skin after exfoliating?

Irregular or improper cleansing can prolong the presence of dead skin cells by leaving oils and cosmetics on the skin. Exfoliating only needs to be done either once or twice a week, not daily.

What does too much exfoliation look like?

Over-exfoliation triggers the inflammatory response, leading to a compromised lipid barrier that won't function properly, a sensitized skin condition, and accelerated premature aging. Tell-tale signs of over-exfoliated skin include: noticeable dehydration. patchy areas of dryness.

What comes off when you exfoliate?

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 ...

What skin types should not exfoliate?

Those with dry, sensitive or acne-prone skin may prefer just a washcloth and a mild chemical exfoliator, as mechanical exfoliation may be too irritating for this skin type.

Is it better to exfoliate in the morning or night?

There are a few general rules to follow, though. 1) It's good to exfoliate at night in order to encourage skin repair while you sleep—but if you use harsh and irritating ingredients like retinol at night, opt for exfoliating in the morning. 2) Watch out for red, irritated skin and little bumps.

How do you recover from over exfoliating?

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.

What happens if you exfoliate regularly?

In the case of those with particularly sensitive skin, excessive exfoliation can even result in damaged blood vessels beneath the skin. Over-exfoliated skin will lose elasticity and seem dry, rough, and flaky.

What happens if you don't moisturize after exfoliating?

Flaky skin can be made worse by not applying a moisturizing product after exfoliating. If you only remove the dead skin without protecting the new skin underneath, it can lead to rough skin and uneven texture. Some people even experience peeling skin because the texture is so dry and rough.

What comes next after exfoliating face?

After exfoliating, it's important to remember to moisturize your skin that night and wear sunscreen the next day. Post-exfoliation skin is more sensitive than usual, so taking care of it by using products and tips from the best dermatologist in Delaware is imperative to keep your skin glowing and youthful for longer.

What are the disadvantages of exfoliating your face everyday?

If you have a sensitive skin one can also have allergic reactions to the chemicals present in the synthetic scrubs as well. 2. Over scrubbing can result in open pores which are exposed to pollution and UV rays at the same time. It also leaves your skin more prone to infections and tanning.

Previous article
Does the stair stepper make your thighs smaller?
Next article
Why is my 4C hair so thin?