Ask the Skincare Expert: How Often Should I Be Exfoliating My Skin?

Although you know you should exfoliate, and you know how to properly exfoliate your skin, how often should you do it? Using a washcloth, scrub, or brush is beneficial for your skin every once and a while, but what exactly is too much exfoliation? Our certified estheticians can help quiet the confusion with the right answers, and be careful, it may change your skin regimen!

How much should I exfoliate?

Many dermatologists and skin care experts have different opinions about how often you should exfoliate, but the most common answer is once or twice a week. In most cases, you want to see how your skin reacts to exfoliation before you begin to increase the frequency. If you aren’t getting the smoother complexion you were hoping for, adding a day each week is ideal to avoid damaging your skin.

Also, make sure you pay attention to the reaction as the seasons change. During the summer months, you may notice you should exfoliate more often than during the winter, when our skin is drier and easily irritated due to the colder temperatures and dry wind.

How do I know if I’m exfoliating too often?

If your skin becomes red, flushed, sensitive, or tender after exfoliation, you may be exfoliating your skin too often or not gentle enough. On the contrary, if you don’t exfoliate your skin enough, your complexion will appear rough, dull, and any skin care products will find it difficult to absorb into the epidermis properly.

Exfoliation Methods:

Since there are different techniques for exfoliation, we’ll try and break it down to the most effective ways to get the smooth skin you were working towards:

• Rotating Brushes – If you have a rotating brush with stiff, rough bristles, you should only use this to exfoliate once or twice a week. Let the brush do the work. If you have softer bristles, the frequency may increase. —
• Washcloths – Although it may be a hassle with laundry, you can use a washcloth daily on your skin to cleanse away impurities.
• Chemical Peels – You should always consult with one of our estheticians before increasing use of chemical peels or chemical exfoliants.
• Scrubs – These formulas may provide more freedom since you can apply lighter pressure if you feel your skin being irritated.

Exfoliation Repair

Did you exfoliate too much and are left with red, irritated skin? Don’t worry; your skin repairs itself with time. However, you should take a break from exfoliating, and avoid some topical cleansers or medications since it may increase the irritation. Some suggest to apply hydrocortisone cream twice daily to help your skin heal.

In any case of exfoliation, it’s crucial to always use sunscreen daily to prevent further signs of aging and sun damage. If you would like more information about exfoliants, skin care methods, or you just want to renew your skin with advanced techniques, contact our estheticians today!