How to Notice Signs of Over-Exfoliation

When used in moderation, exfoliation gives your skin the healthy glow and soft touch we’re all looking for. It’s an important part of our skincare routine, and there’s no shortage of excellent exfoliants like Lactic Acid, AHA/BHA, and plant and fruit enzymes. But when used in excess, these exfoliants can create some unsettling side effects. Read on to learn more about how to spot and correct over-exfoliation.

Spotting Over-Exfoliation

Noticing any of the side effects below? You could be experiencing one or more signs from your skin that you should put down the exfoliant.

1. A compromised skin barrier, leading to redness and irritation where you typically don’t see it, and occasionally even a new case of dermatitis

2. The surface appearance of your skin is tight and shiny with fine lines, reminiscent of pulling saran wrap

3. Skin buildup that leads to a flaky or rough texture, your skin’s way of protecting itself

Tips For Correction

Luckily, our skin is extremely resilient and can bounce back with a little TLC. Try these tips for getting back to healthy skin.

1. Take a look at your products and notice any exfoliant or exfoliant-like ingredients and how often you’re instructed to use them. AHA, BHA, plant and fruit enzymes, and even retinol (a non-exfoliant that increases cell turnover and can impact skin when over-exfoliating) may all be present. For most skin types, one or two products with exfoliants is fine to use once at night when combining with a hydrating routine during the day. Only use this type of product daily if the instructions explicitly instruct you to do so.

2. Take an exfoliant fast before slowly reintroducing. It takes about 28 days for skin to fully turnover, so use that time to hydrate and restore nutrients. Once you’ve gone 28 days, start incorporating one exfoliating product twice a week.

3. Replenish the skin with nutrient-rich products like the Pure Argan Oil to help to repair your skin’s barrier function.