How Much Exfoliation is Too Much?
The use of a coarse, granular, and wet substance or tool to peel the dead skin cells is exfoliation. Exfoliation is a natural way of shedding the topmost layer of skin to clean up the skin surface and spur new skin cells' growth.
If you have dead skin, scars, and uneven skin tone then you need to exfoliate your skin. But over-exfoliating your skin is too easy if you go overboard with exfoliation.
Skin exfoliation is important because it cleans the skin and helps remove dead cells that become a reason for clogged pores and acne. If the dead cells fail to come off, they mix with sebum to clog pores, and you want to avoid that for healthy skin.
But if you are going to slather on exfoliating acids and products daily, eventually your skin will want you to stop. Irritation, redness, and inflammation are the most common signs of over-exfoliation.
To get beautiful, healthy skin, you should exfoliate twice a week. Read on to know about the benefits of exfoliation and how often should you exfoliate. If you have over-exfoliated, how to make up for the damage.
Exfoliation can help increase collagen production. Collagen is a natural protein that makes skin and other connective tissues in our body. By increasing collagen production in the skin, you can get healthy and glowing skin.
Collagen can minimize the fine lines, tightens the saggy skin, and make the skin firmer. Skin exfoliation every once in a while, can allow you to massage your face and indulge in skincare to understand your skin.
Benefits of Exfoliation
Exfoliation is an amazing way of saying goodbye to the dead skin cells. It may feel a bit uncomfortable when you start exfoliating but after a little practice and experience, you will fall in love with it.
Regularly exfoliating your skin can keep your skin free of excess oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria which cause acne. Clear skin and pores are the secrets to flawless skin.
Exfoliating gently scrapes away the dead skin cells layer and makes it look better. If you have inflammation and suffer from acne, exfoliating once or twice a week can dramatically improve the health of your skin.
You will be able to notice that breakouts decrease as you move towards a better skincare routine but exfoliating daily or twice a day can do more harm than good.
How to Exfoliate
Exfoliation is easy and it does not require you to do much. All you have to do is get an exfoliating face wash or scrub. You can also use a sponge or a loofah with a regular face wash or body wash (for the whole body).
Gently rubbing your skin with a sponge or loofah or scrub can clean the dead skin cells from the top layer of skin. It can brighten up and even the skin instantly.
Remember to exfoliate the skin very gently. Rubbing your skin cogently can damage the moisture layer and cause irritation and redness afterward.
How much Exfoliation is too much?
Exfoliation has numerous benefits but going overboard with exfoliation is not a good idea at all. Exfoliation with scrubs, creams, and toners at once and repeatedly can make the skin dry and flaky. This can cause irritation and other problems.
It can be tempting to exfoliate, once you get a taste of exfoliation because of its amazing results and effectivity. But exfoliation is not safe for everyday skincare routine especially when you have sensitive skin.
Over-exfoliation can cause inflammation and burns which can become sensitive to touch. If you have sensitive skin you need to check if you have been exfoliating too much. The skin products contain exfoliating chemicals which is why exfoliating multiple times can lead to damaging the skin.
How to know if you are Exfoliating too much?
Naturally, healthy skin should be glowing, moisturized and hydrated. If your skin looks dry, flaky, cracking or peeling, then it is quite obvious you have over-exfoliated.
The symptoms of over-exfoliation can be mild like sensitivity after a shower. Dryness and discomfort can be a signal, you are exfoliating too much. You maybe exfoliating unknowingly, because skincare products that you sue, may have exfoliating chemicals.
It is quite common to over-exfoliate because exfoliators fall in love with exfoliation. The idea of new and beautiful skin cells regrowth is enough to allure you.
How to calm irritation, once you have over-exfoliated?
The first thing you should do is to wait for the skin to regain its balance. You should wait at least a month for new cells to grow and they discomfort to go away.
In the meanwhile, you have to avoid any acids or other products, that exfoliate the skin. Moisturize your face often and restore its hydration balance.
If the burning sensation does not seem to go away, dip a washcloth in icy water and place it over the area to reduce burning. Try using aloe vera gel, it can help decrease the redness and burn. Aloe vera has soothing properties and is an excellent way to moisturize and decrease irritation.
When to exfoliate again?
Just because of you over-exfoliated once, does not mean you cannot exfoliate again and should stay away from it. Once your skin has completely healed and it has been a month or one completed skin-cells growth cycle, you can start exfoliating 2 times a week.
To avoid over-exfoliation issues, take a break and do not exfoliate. If you notice irritation or redness, stop right away and increase the gap between each exfoliation.
Exfoliation is a great way to boost the skin cell regrowth but if done too much can become a problem. To get the best out of your skin exfoliation routine, remember to moisturize well.
If you have acne-prone skin than exfoliation can benefit you but over-exfoliation along with the treatment for acne, you may be damaging your skin too much.
Proper exfoliation should make the skin look fresh, healthy and cleansed. If you feel the opposite of it then you should stop exfoliating for a while.
Which Exfoliating Products to Use?
The products you should use for exfoliation should be light on the skin and should not have side-effects. A good exfoliating product such as scrub, cream, toner or serum is effective yet gentle.
The product should boost collagen growth and help remove blemishes and scars from the face gradually. Exfoliating Polish by Zein Obagi from the ZO skincare line is great for exfoliating the skin.
The exfoliation products by Zein Obagi are perfectly designed with refreshing and rejuvenating ingredients that gently wipe away the skin’s dead cells layer and give a flawless and smooth skin. The skin polishes help clear up the clogged pores, exfoliate and restore skin.
DIY Scrubs
If you are a person who likes to have natural and chemical-free products, you can make your own, DIY exfoliating scrub at home.
DIY scrubs can be made from natural, chemical-free ingredients and light on your skin. A DIY scrub can be made at home with the ingredients you have lying around the house.
Natural ingredients are gentle on the skin and do not have side-effects which makes them excellent to use regularly while being carefree.
To make a DIY scrub the two amazing ingredients you can use are coffee and brown sugar. Here are the instructions to make both of them:
- Coffee Scrub
To make coffee scrub mix 2 parts of brown sugar with one-part coffee grounds. Add some honey to make a thick paste or until the mixture comes together.
Take a generous amount of this scrub on both palms and rub it gently onto the face and neck or other parts of the body, you want to exfoliate.
Scrub the area for a few minutes. Do not apply pressure, keep your hand movements very gentle and circular in motion. Wipe with water and pat dry.
Store the leftover coffee scrub in the refrigerator after use. It can last a month in an air-tight container.
- Brown Sugar Scrub
Combine a few tablespoons of coconut oil and half a cup of brown sugar in a bowl. Add grounded cinnamon and mix the ingredients.
Apply the scrub gently onto your face and massage lightly all over the face and neck for a few minutes. Wash the face and neck with water and your skin will be naturally exfoliated and moisturized at the same time.
Store the leftover DIY scrub in the refrigerator and use it to exfoliate and moisturize twice a week.
- Daniel Robbins
