How to Exfoliate Your Face Without Overdoing It

Start with gentle chemical exfoliants once or twice weekly, watch your skin's response, and stop immediately if you see redness or irritation.

Most people think more equals better, but exfoliation is like seasoning—a little goes a long way, and you can always add more but you cannot take it back.

1. Choose your weapon wisely. Start with a gentle BHA (salicylic acid) or AHA (glycolic or lactic acid) at low concentration. Physical scrubs are harder to control and easier to overdo. Your skin should feel smooth after, not raw.
2. Test the frequency. Begin with once weekly application on clean skin. If your skin tolerates it well after two weeks, you can increase to twice weekly. Never daily unless your skin is exceptionally resilient.
3. Watch the signs. Good exfoliation gives you smoother texture and brighter skin. Bad exfoliation shows as redness, stinging, flaking, or increased sensitivity. Stop immediately if you see any warning signs.
4. Follow the rules. Always apply on clean skin, follow with moisturizer, and use SPF the next day. Never layer multiple exfoliating products, and avoid retinol on the same nights you exfoliate.