How Often Should You Really Exfoliate Your Skin?

For some people: more often. For most people: less often. Here’s how to tell:

Is your routine up to scratch?

First, know this: how often you should exfoliate depends on your skin type, climate, skin concerns, and the other products and treatments in your routine. Some people do not need to exfoliate at all.

Next, be aware of how the different kinds of exfoliation work, for example:

• Mechanical exfoliation: scrubs, washcloths, exfoliating brushes, body mitts, shaving, dermaplaning, and microdermabrasion physically remove surface cells through friction.
• Chemical exfoliation: ingredients such as glycolic, lactic, mandelic, and salicylic acids loosen the bonds between dead skin cells. Salicylic acid is oil-soluble, allowing it to penetrate into your pores and help with blackheads, whiteheads, and acne.
• Retinoid (indirect) exfoliation: topical retinoids such as retinol and retinaldehyde don’t directly exfoliate, but they do speed up epidermal cell maturation and shedding, which can reduce the need for additional exfoliation (since your skin cells will be hopping off of their own accord).

Be wary of stacking exfoliants, especially of the same kind: shaving followed by glycolic acid and then salicylic acid, for example, can create excessive irritation. In other words, pay attention the cumulative exfoliation from everything you use.

The best thing to do with any exfoliant is to begin gently and assess whether your skin actually benefits. Once or twice a week can be enough if it gives you the desired results without irritation. And certainly, only introduce one kind at once.

Finally, watch for overexfoliation: burning, stinging, redness, flushing, increased sensitivity, worsening acne, or aggravated rosacea can indicate that you are exfoliating too much. It can be tempting to try to get rid of it by exfoliating more, but that’s not the answer.

What to do if you realize you’ve overexfoliated: stop exfoliating temporarily and simplify your routine. Focus on gentle cleansing, richer moisturizing or barrier creams, and moisturizing sunscreen during the day. Hydrating products containing ingredients such as niacinamide or licorice root can also help soothe sensitivity.

For more on all of this plus visual illustrations, enjoy:

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Want to learn more?

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Body Scrubs: Benefits, Risks, and Guidance

Take care!