The warning signs of OVER-Exfoliating

When done correctly, exfoliation gently lifts away dull, dead skin cells to reveal a brighter, smoother, more radiant complexion. But there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. Over-exfoliating can strip away your skin’s natural protective barrier, leaving it vulnerable, irritated, and anything but glowing.

To help you keep your skin in the safe zone, here are some of the most common warning signs of over-exfoliated skin:

Skin Irritation and Redness. Skin irritation and Redness are one of the earliest signs of over-exfoliation. It’s normal for your skin to turn slightly red after exfoliation but, if your skin remains red for hours or days after you exfoliate, you’re probably over doing it.

Flaky Skin. Over-exfoliation can lead to flaky, dehydrated skin. This usually means your over-exfoliated skin has lost its ability to absorb or retain moisture.

Dehydrated skin is a  sign of over-exfoliating. If you have rough, flaky skin, use a hydrating moisturizer after you exfoliate and reduce the number of times you exfoliate.

Increased Oil Production. Your skin might produce excess oil as a way of compensating for lost oils due to over-exfoliation. It does this to hydrate and protect itself.

Every skin type is prone to damage if its natural oils are lost. Be sure to hydrate after exfoliation to prevent the loss of these oils.

Skin Acne. Regular exfoliation (2-3/week) will clear the debris from your pores and prevent pimples. However, when you over-exfoliate, you weaken the skin and damage its defense. This makes it easy for acne-causing bacteria to get into the skin and cause pimples to breed.

Over-exfoliating active acne spreads the bacteria to the rest of the face, causing stubborn acne that lasts a long time. Over-exfoliation also causes inflammation, which keeps the existing acne from healing and triggers the formation of even more acne. If you develop breakouts, you need to reduce the amount of exfoliation to prevent your acne from worsening.

Tight and Dry Skin. Once your skin is stripped of its natural oils, it might lose its natural lubrication. Over-exfoliating will make your skin feel tight and dry.

Shiny Skin. If you have shiny, translucent skin after exfoliating, it may mean you have done some damage. The shininess shows after your skin has been stripped of its original texture. It also means that the skin barrier has been weakened, making its appearance seem unnatural.

Exfoliating 2–3 times per week works best for most skin types—but only if you’re using the right product and keeping the right balance. Sloughing away dead skin buildup can keep your complexion clear, bright, and healthy… but overdoing it can do the exact opposite.

Want to make sure your routine is working for your skin, not against it?  Click here to discover the essential Exfoliating DO’s and DON’Ts, and the products that deliver real results without irritation.

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