The thing about skin is that it is constantly growing and dead skin is just like a remnant of your skin’s past life that you have to remove. Nothing feels more satisfying than having those old skin removed and moving on with a fresher and younger skin like a baby.

If you want to achieve healthier and brighter skin, you need to shed off those dead skin cells, allow new and younger skin to form, and clear your pores from all the deep-seated dirt that’s been covered by dead skin. These can be achieved through regular and proper exfoliation. 

Exfoliating is an essential part of any skincare regimen for a smooth and glowing complexion. Using exfoliating products can slough away the dead skin cells which are causing your skin to look dull and dry. Exfoliating offers anti-aging benefits as it can help stimulate collagen synthesis that generally improves the skin’s texture and keeps the skin looking plump and tight. Moreover, regular exfoliation allows your skincare products such as serums, essences, and moisturizers to penetrate more easily into your skin making them more effective. While exfoliating helps the skin get back to life, it shouldn’t be done daily.

Over-exfoliation is one skincare mistake that’s often done by many. Probably because exfoliating gives you that instant smooth skin, radiant glow, and clean feeling. However, overdoing so can strip your skin of its natural oils which disrupts the skin’s protective barrier and affects the moisture levels of the skin that can lead to dryness and breakouts. If you scrub too harshly, it may backfire big time. 

Too much of a good can also be damaging to your skin. Therefore, you need to do it in moderation. 

How often should you exfoliate according to your skin type? 

So how often should you exfoliate your face? 

Let’s look at the factors that determine how and how often should you exfoliate according to your skin type.

Apparently, how much you should exfoliate regularly varies according to your skin type. 

Dermatologists recommend that two to three times a week are enough exfoliating to get clear skin and not more than that. First things first—- identify your skin type. Then start by exfoliating once a week to see how your skin reacts and then gradually increase the frequency to two to three times a week according to the needs of your skin. 

If you have OILY SKIN: 

Your skin needs to exfoliate at least two to three times a week. Since excess sebum and dirt tend to build up more into your pores, you need more frequent exfoliation to completely strip off the impurities that your cleanser may not have been able to remove. This will leave your pores clean and fresh, reducing the chance for acne breakouts. 

If you have SENSITIVE SKIN: 

Since your skin is delicate, exfoliating once a week is recommended for your skin type. Choose exfoliating products containing mild ingredients such as plant-based enzymes and rice extract for gentle exfoliation. If you are to use physical exfoliators, choose one that is not too harsh on your skin to prevent breaking your skin barriers. 

If you have DRY SKIN: 

Since your skin tends to have dead and flaky skin buildup on the surface, exfoliating twice or three times a week is best for your skin type. After exfoliating, remember to choose products that are hydrating to the skin to avoid aggravating its dryness. 

If you have AGING SKIN: 

If you have aging skin, it is crucial not to over-exfoliate since it may facilitate skin aging even more. Exfoliating mildly two to three times a week can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and dullness of your skin.

If you have NORMAL TO COMBINATION SKIN: 

If you have this type of skin, you can keep the dead skin cells away without over-exfoliating by exfoliating two to three times a week. This will help clog your pores from oils and dirt that are not removed from cleansing. 

What to Do After Exfoliating

After exfoliating, take note that your skin will feel raw after all the scrubbing. Therefore, you need to do these two things: MOISTURIZE and PROTECT. 

When you exfoliate, the natural oils and moisture on your skin also get stripped away leaving it dry after repeated exfoliation. Since the skin’s barrier is disrupted, its moisture levels may decrease making it prone to redness and even breakouts without proper moisturization. To avoid dryness, always infuse your skin with hydrating products such as moisturizer or serum to replenish the lost moisture from your skin. 

Your skin is extra sensitive after exfoliation. Therefore, you must end your skincare routine with a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher to protect your skin from the harsh UV rays. Use it daily. 

The key to getting baby-soft, glowing skin is to exfoliate the right way. You need to listen to your skin as to how often you should be exfoliating.