Redness, dry skin and flaking, as well as breakouts, can indicate that you've gone too far. And if you've really done a number on your skin, you may notice a burning or stinging sensation when you apply any product.
Exfoliating too often or too harshly can cause inflammation and irritation in the skin. This can lead to redness, dryness, flaking, and even breakouts. Additionally, when you scrub away at your skin you are removing its natural oils which can leave it feeling parched and vulnerable to infection.
Exfoliating too often or too harshly can cause inflammation and irritation in the skin. This can lead to redness, dryness, flaking, and even breakouts. Additionally, when you scrub away at your skin you are removing its natural oils which can leave it feeling parched and vulnerable to infection.
Give Your Skin Enough Time to Heal From Over-Exfoliation
For some, it takes just a few days. For others, it can take weeks. Meanwhile, for the unlucky few, they have a few months to wait. Either way, you need to give your skin as much time as it needs to heal.
It often results in flaky areas, dullness, and an unevenness in skin tone. Exfoliation isn't necessary as often since your skin lacks natural oils. You can benefit from adding it to your skincare routine once or twice a week.
Applying a soothing toner with skin-repairing ingredients after cleansing. Use a serum with omega fatty acids like Omega+ Complex Serum before your day and/or night cream. Mix a few drops of Moisture Renewal Oil Booster with a skin-strengthening night cream such as our RESIST Barrier Repair Advanced Moisturiser.
Aggressive scrubbing with harsh facial exfoliants can micro-tear the skin and exacerbate issues like acne and irritation. Choose formulas with gentle ingredients like alpha hydroxy acids or fruit enzymes to avoid over-sensitizing the 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.
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.
“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.
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.
The Risks of Over-Exfoliation
Too much exfoliation can also be harmful. Over-exfoliating can lead to skin irritation, redness, and sensitivity. It can worsen pigmentation issues or even cause new ones. Hence, it's essential to find the right balance in your exfoliation routine, tailored to your skin's needs.
Exfoliating Sponge: This offers some of the same benefits as other exfoliators but without irritation. Sponges help gently remove dead skin cells and are safe for all skin types. Many experts recommend using a konjac sponge, which is also great for removing makeup.
If you've been exfoliating more than usual or using several actives in one go (think acids, Retinols etc), you may experience certain symptoms that will point to over-exfoliation. The most obvious symptoms include redness and irritation at the skin's surface, which may also manifest through burning and inflammation.
It does that by helping dissolve the keratin plugs that can form and trap bacteria and dead skin cells inside the pores, which is the most common cause of acne. With far fewer dead skin cells on the surface of the skin, your skin will not only be much softer but also less prone to acne.
Dead skin cells are a natural part of the skin cell renewal process and the skin's natural life cycle. However, when too many dead skin cells accumulate, it can create dry, flaky patches. Dead cell buildup can make your complexion look dull and dry and lead to other skin health problems, such as acne.
If you squeeze sebaceous filaments out from your skin, a waxy, threadlike structure may pop out of your pore. If you squeeze blackheads out from your skin, the dark, waxy plug may pop out of your pore.
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.
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.
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.
Scrubbing too hard or using an exfoliator that is too harsh for your skin can cause micro-abrasions, causing breakouts.
Signs of a Damaged Skin Barrier
General skin sensitivity when exposed to certain products or environmental allergens, irritants, and aggressors. Frequent inflammation or swelling of skin. Skin redness and discoloration that occurs frequently. Dry, itchy, or generally irritated skin.
Take an ordinary washcloth and moisten with warm water, then use this to rub the skin gently in small circles. Cleansing the face before exfoliating may also be beneficial as this helps in cleaning the skin's pores. A natural sponge can work well to get rid of dead skin cells on the face.