Overview

Regular exfoliation can give you a beautiful glow even after years in an environment where stress can affect your skin's health and appearance. When exfoliating, you remove dead skin cells that cloud your complexion and can cause your skin to appear blotchy and clog your pores. 

If you have dry, oily or combination skin, exfoliation should be an important part of your regular skincare routine to maintain a beautiful, radiant complexion. There are many ways to remove excess, depending on how your skin handles it and what you prefer for your personal routine. With normal skin, your skin should not have any complications if you choose an exfoliation method.

What is exfoliation?

Skin exfoliation is the process of removing dead cells from outer skin layers with an exfoliation - either chemical or physical - from the surface.

Exfoliation is the process of removing dead cells from the outermost layer of our skin’s surface, says Marisa Garshick, MD, FAAD a board-certified dermatologist and assistant clinical professor at Cornell.

Which types of skin exfoliators are available?

There are two types of exfoliators: physical exfoliators and chemical exfoliators. They both get the job done, but they go about it in different ways.

Physical exfoliation is the most common route, since it’s easy to execute in your shower. Using a mitt or a brush, and a product of your choice, Dr. Day says you can scrub away the dead skin cells. Depending on how coarse the bristles are and the size of the beads in an exfoliant, this can be a potentially damaging experience. The key is to start slow and gradually add pressure, applying small circles, without pushing too deeply into your skin. Though many people focus on their face, Dr. Day reminds us that the whole body needs attention.

Chemical exfoliation uses the power of certain ingredients such as beta hydroxy acids (AHAs), glycolic lactic acid, beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) and salicylic acid to dissolve the adhesive that holds the skin cells together. AHAs and BHAs are enzymes used to remove the adhesive-like substance that holds dead skin cells so that they can be removed in chemicals exfoliating the skin. 

Whether physical or chemical, exfoliation is a worthwhile addition to your skincare regime when smoother, radiant skin is your goal. 

Is it possible to exfoliate your skin too much?

There’s no exact limit on how much exfoliation will be too much because it depends on your skin type and the exfoliator you’re using. Farris says that people with oily skin may be able to tolerate daily exfoliation, for example. Be ready for some trial and error, and pay attention to how your skin responds. Is it red after exfoliation? Overly sensitive? Accompanied by a burning sensation? Those are signs you need to cut back.

When should I avoid exfoliating?

If your skin feels dry after exfoliation, use a moisturizer. Avoid exfoliating if your skin has cuts, open wounds or sunburns. If a person has acne-prone skin, it is advisable to avoid peeling because it can be too irritating to their skin type.

Takeaway

Though exfoliating is generally well tolerated once you find the right product and frequency, it’s not safe for people with inflammatory acne or rosacea. These people should consult with a dermatologist before starting an exfoliating regimen because certain exfoliators can make these conditions worse.