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.
Ideally, you should exfoliate your face about two to three times a week, and no more. A great routine to shoot for is using an acid serum two to three nights a week, plus a weekly mask or peel.
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.
While you might want to have glowing, freshly-exfoliated skin every day, over-exfoliating can cause damage to your skin and its natural barrier. Exfoliation should only occur once or twice a week and always moisturize afterward! This provides your fresh new skin with moisture and protection from the elements.
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.
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.
Should a person cleanse or exfoliate first? Cleansing washes away dirt, makeup, and other skin impurities. Exfoliation removes dead skin cells that can clog pores and lead to acne breakouts. Cleansing first may remove surface-level dirt, allowing for better access to dead skin cells when exfoliating.
And don't use exfoliants if you have acne, open sores or a sunburn. “Your skin is already injured, and exfoliation may lead to further irritation, darkening or lightening of the skin, and even scarring,” he says.
"Nothing happens if you don't exfoliate — you just walk around with bumpy or slightly dry skin, which is inconsequential except for cosmetic reasons," Dr. Reynolds says. "No one has to exfoliate, but it can be helpful to exfoliate the arms and legs," she adds.
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.
There are long-term benefits to exfoliation, too. For one, long-term exfoliation can help increase collagen production. If you want to avoid wrinkles for as long as possible, then collagen is definitely something you want more of in your skin.
Toners are applied after cleansing, in the morning and at night. They help balance the skin's pH and remove excess dirt, oil, makeup, and other impurities. All skin types can benefit from including a gentle, hydrating toner in their daily routine.
“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.
Below are dermatologist-recommended and NBC Select staff-favorite products that contain exfoliating ingredients like AHAs and BHAs and are in line with experts' guidance. Although some of these products may be safe for daily use, experts recommend exfoliating one to three times a week.
It depends on the product you're using and the ingredients. Generally, chemical exfoliants are applied to dry skin and then washed off with warm or cold water. If you're using a physical exfoliant on your body in the shower, exfoliating wet skin is much easier.
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.
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.
“Double cleansing means cleansing your face twice, first with an oil-based product and then followed by a water-based cleanser,” explains Dr. Wu. The first step of using an oil-based cleanser is helpful when it comes to removing waterproof makeup and sunscreen.
Moisturizing can also enhance the effects of exfoliation by promoting optimal skin hydration, in turn leading to smoother, more radiant skin. As new cells are dependent on water for their development, proper hydration ensures that they have the necessary environment to thrive, improving overall skin texture and tone.
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 ...