When to Give it a rest
If your skin looks excessively shiny and almost too glowy, it might be a sign of over-exfoliation. While this can initially appear radiant, over-exfoliation often leads to dryness, rough patches, and rashes.
Proper exfoliation should subtly enhance your skin’s smoothness and health. Overdoing it, however, can cause irritation and expose underlying skin prematurely.
How Often Should You Exfoliate?
Exfoliating one to two times a week is usually sufficient to boost skin cell turnover. Excessive use of acids and retinol can harm the skin over time. Many people find their skin over-exfoliated from too many peels or harsh scrubs. For oily or acne-prone skin, weekly or bi-weekly peels are generally recommended.
Signs of Over-Exfoliated Skin
Over-exfoliation can result in peeling, irritation, redness, inflammation, and heightened sensitivity to other products. If your regular hydrating toner starts to sting, your skin might be over-exfoliated.
What to Do if Your Skin Is Over-Exfoliated
- Stop Exfoliating: Give your skin a break to recover. Avoid applying additional products until it returns to its normal state.
- Simplify Your Routine: Use a gentle pH-balanced cleanser, hydrating creams, SPF, and repair creams. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, zinc oxide, CoQ10, squalane, shea butter, and glycerin.
- Soothing Raw or Red Areas: For severe irritation, hydrocortisone cream can help soothe the skin.
For immediate relief apply a cold compress to reduce burning and inflammation. Aloe vera or cucumber slices can also provide cooling and calming effects. For significant discomfort or if the skin feels raw, consulting a professional may be necessary.