Exfoliating your body can help remove dead skin cells and leave your skin looking healthier. However, how often you should exfoliate depends on your skin type and the method you use. Here are some guidelines to follow:
For the body:
- Normal skin or combination skin: You can use either physical or chemical exfoliation two to three times a week.
- Dry skin or sensitive skin: Exfoliate once or twice weekly with an enzyme or a glycolic acid. If you have particularly dry or sensitive skin, you may want to exfoliate no more than once a week.
- Oily skin: You can exfoliate two to three times a week if your skin can tolerate it. Use a tea tree oil face serum or salicylic acid for deep exfoliation.
Remember, the goal is glowing skin, not irritated skin. If you see any signs of irritation, reduce the frequency of exfoliation. Also, avoid exfoliating if your skin is already injured or irritated from sunburn, laceration, rashes, or other products like chemical peels.
For the face:
- Normal skin: 2 to 3 times a week generally offers a safe starting point. You can exfoliate more frequently if your skin tolerates it well.
- Oily skin: Even daily exfoliation may be just fine.
- Sensitive skin: Aim to dial back the exfoliation to once weekly, at most. If your skin is particularly sensitive, you might even want to skip it entirely.
When exfoliating, use a soft face brush, sponge, or washcloth to massage into your skin with gentle circular motions for around 30 seconds, then rinse with cool or lukewarm water. If you’re using a chemical exfoliant, stick to the directions on the label, since every product is different. Exfoliation, when combined with certain ingredients, could dry skin further or lead to breakouts.
If youre still unsure how often you should exfoliate, a dermatologist can offer more personalized advice.
