Because my acne-prone skin loves to produce excess oil and break out at the most inopportune times in the most unfortunate places (yay me), I have always been an exfoliation lover. Give me all the chemical exfoliating acids and let me try every gentle physical scrub to keep those pesky zits at bay and give my complexion a glow that will retire my favourite highlighter. But there is an art to how to exfoliate your skin without causing even more damage.
Why should you be exfoliating in the first place? As New York–based board-certified dermatologist Hadley King, MD, explains, exfoliating your skin can improve skin brightness, smooth out rough texture, unclog pores, reduce blackheads, smooth the appearance of fine fines and help fade post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation over time. As an added bonus, King says that exfoliating can help create a smoother surface for makeup application and enhance the penetration of your topical skin care.
Beyond choosing the best treatment for you, exfoliating is actually quite simple. Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology, says that it should be after you cleanse and on dry skin, and before serums and moisturiser. For physical exfoliation, Garshick says you’ll want to gently massage it onto damp skin using light pressure. Then you’ll rinse thoroughly and follow with a hydrating moisturiser.
Pro tip: Always use sunscreen if exfoliating during the day and avoid using strong exfoliating acids on the same night with other irritating actives.
Where people might get confused is how often you should be doing it, and that is dependent on certain factors. Garshick says, in general, it is recommended to exfoliate one to two times per week. Those with oily or acne-prone skin may tolerate exfoliating more frequently, whereas those with sensitive and dry skin may have to do it less. King adds that very gentle daily exfoliants like a low polyhydroxy acid or enzyme product may be used daily if your skin barrier is healthy.
King breaks it down like this:
- Sensitive or dry skin: 1 to 2 times weekly
- Combination skin: 2 to 3 times weekly
- Oily or acne-prone skin: 3 to 5 times weekly
Start out by following those guidelines and then work your way up or adjust based on how your skin can tolerate it. For any questions and concerns, be sure to see your dermatologist so you don’t end up with more problems. And with that, see below for the best exfoliants based on skin type.
Best exfoliants for sensitive skin
Dermalogica Daily Milkfoliant
