07 Jan How Often Should You Exfoliate

How Often Should You Exfoliate

Exfoliation is the removal of dead skin cells from the surface of your skin. If you never exfoliate, this can lead to clogged pores which are secondary to a build-up of dead skin. The process of exfoliation itself actually keeps the skin looking healthy and one of our frequently asked questions is How often should I be exfoliating? 

Everyone’s skin is different so how often you exfoliate depends on your tolerability. For sensitive skin, exfoliation may lead to increased sensitivity and dryness. In that case, you may want to skip exfoliation or exfoliate with a gentle exfoliant once a week. For acne-prone skin, using a chemical exfoliant that contains a beta hydroxy acid (i.e. Salicylic acid) would help increase cell turnover. For normal skin, we recommend exfoliating twice a week. Ingredients like Glycolic acid have been a favorite amongst our patients. Anything more than twice a week can lead to over-exfoliation which can in turn cause irritation to the skin. That exfoliation can be chemical or manual (or physical). 

Manual/ physical exfoliation utilizes a scrub, loofah, or device to help remove dead skin cells. Our Serenity Gentle Exfoliating Polish is the perfect fusion of chemical and physical exfoliants, removing dead skin cells. It contains salicylic and glycolic acids to treat blemishes and brighten your skin. 

Pro tip: Never scrub or squeeze cystic acne, as that can spread the bacteria and increase the number of pimples and breakouts on your face. 

Chemical exfoliation utilizes oil-soluble chemicals like alpha hydroxy acids (glycolic acid) or beta hydroxy acids to remove dead skin cells and aid in cell turnover. Two of our favorite chemical exfoliants are our Serenity Clarifying Pads and the AlumierMD Bright & Clear solution Retinols are also a form of chemical exfoliants as they increase cell turnover.

So, to answer the question how often should we exfoliate? It depends on the person’s skin condition. Another thing to consider when deciding the frequency of exfoliation, is age, hydration, skin discoloration, and the weather. 

Pro caution: Do not use a chemical exfoliant and a physical (manual) at the same time. 

Lastly, remember to always wear sunscreen.