How To Tell If You're Over-Exfoliating Your Face (& Ways To Reverse The Damage)

Regular exfoliating is a must if we want to ensure smooth and supple skin, but going overboard can do more harm than good. It may seem natural to want to shed as much dead skin as possible, but dermatologist Dr. Hannah Kopelman exclusively shared with Glam when you need to back off on the scrubbing. "In my experience, one of the earliest red flags of over-exfoliating is that the skin starts to feel tight, dry, or unusually sensitive. Patients often tell me they notice redness, stinging, or even a burning sensation when applying their usual skincare products — even a simple moisturizer," she noted. Dr. Kopelman also advised that those who have over-exfoliated may "see more flaking, peeling, or even breakouts, which can sometimes be mistaken for 'purging' but is actually your skin barrier crying out for help."

Delving further into the ins and outs of facial exfoliation, the dermatologist shed light on the differences between the damage that physical and chemical exfoliants can do to your skin. "Overdoing it with physical exfoliants — like scrubs or brushes — often leads to microtears in the skin, causing roughness, irritation, and sometimes broken capillaries," she explained. "With chemical exfoliants, like AHAs, BHAs, or retinoids, the skin is more prone to becoming inflamed, red, and overly dry. In both cases, the end result is a weakened skin barrier, but the path to get there can look a little different depending on the type of exfoliant used." That doesn't mean you should shy away from either, and according to Dr. Kopelman, properly exfoliating depends on your skin type. You'll need to take that into consideration when planning out your exfoliation schedule, as a one-size-fits-all approach is one of the persistent myths about exfoliating you should stop believing.

We all love the look and feel of our skin after a good exfoliation sesh, but if you're reaching for your scrub on the daily, you need to step away. "For most people, two to three times a week is plenty. If someone has sensitive skin, I usually suggest once a week or even every other week," Dr. Hannah Kopelman exclusively told us. Her expert advice is to pay close attention to your skin — if you see any redness or irritation, cut back. "More is definitely not better when it comes to exfoliating," she warned.

If you do see signs of over-exfoliation, don't be alarmed, as the damage can be reversible. Dr. Kopelman's advice is to stop exfoliating until you replenish your skin's surface. "That means using gentle, hydrating cleansers, rich moisturizers, and products loaded with ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide," she stated. "Avoid anything with active ingredients like retinol or acids until the skin feels calm again." The dermatologist suggested overnight ointments or barrier repair creams to help with the healing process. Additionally, Dr. Kopelman advises against skimping out on sun protection, since your skin is more susceptible to UV rays when it's over-exfoliated. Therefore, one of the biggest mistakes you're making with sunscreen is not wearing it every day.