{"id":174332,"date":"2022-04-04T12:24:40","date_gmt":"2022-04-04T19:24:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/?p=174332"},"modified":"2022-04-04T12:25:39","modified_gmt":"2022-04-04T19:25:39","slug":"how-often-should-you-exfoliate-your-face","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/how-often-should-you-exfoliate-your-face\/","title":{"rendered":"How Often Should You Exfoliate Your Face?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have you ever exfoliated your face and exalted in the fresh tingle you get afterward? Exfoliating your skin removes dead skin cells and other debris from the surface, leaving your skin clean and refreshed. But, exfoliating too often can be harmful to your skin, whether you&#8217;re using a physical or chemical exfoliator.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, how often should you exfoliate your face to strike the right balance between bright and irritated skin?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unfortunately, there isn\u2019t a set frequency that works for all faces. Depending on your skin type, the answer may be as little as once a week or as often as three times per week. Let\u2019s dive in.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Exfoliating 101: The Basics<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Did you know that your skin sheds over 500 million cells <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">per day<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">?<sup>1<\/sup><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Many of those cells can get left behind on your face, leading to a dull appearance and even breakouts from clogged pores.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To avoid a loss in shine, you can exfoliate\u2014the process of removing these dead cells to leave behind a smooth surface. If your skin is prone to redness or dryness, opt to exfoliate no more than once a week. However, if you have normal, combination, or oily skin, you can benefit from exfoliating a few times a week.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Types of Exfoliants\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are two types of exfoliating products you can use:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Chemical<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 Chemical exfoliants such as serums, peels, and gels often contain alpha-hydroxy acids or beta hydroxy acids.<sup>2<\/sup><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> When applied to your face, chemical exfoliants penetrate the skin to dissolve dead cells.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Physical<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 Physical exfoliants are harsher than their chemical cousins because they require scrubbing or rubbing to be effective. Scrubs, pumice, brushes, and other products that can remove the surface layer of cells are physical exfoliants. Many of these are too abrasive to use safely on your face.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ultimately, your skin type plays a role in determining how to exfoliate your face. It also dictates how your skin responds to exfoliation. For example, dry or sensitive skin is more prone to irritation and may not benefit from exfoliation as much as oily or normal skin. But whether using a physical exfoliant or a chemical exfoliant, when done safely, the process evens out the skin tone and promotes radiant, healthy skin.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>How to Exfoliate Your Face Safely<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The biggest concern isn\u2019t necessarily <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">how often should I exfoliate my face<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014instead you should focus on exfoliating properly. Proper exfoliating can help brighten your skin. However, you can go overboard. Over exfoliating can damage your skin and exacerbate some of the problems you want it to solve.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you think <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/youre-exfoliating-wrong\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">you&#8217;re exfoliating wrong<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, The American Academy of Dermatology suggests the following steps to ensure that your exfoliation efforts are beneficial to your skin.<sup>3<\/sup><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Step #1: Choose the Right Product for Your Skin<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Individuals with sensitive or very dry skin should avoid using harsh exfoliants. These products can actually make skin irritation worse, rather than help improve tone and texture. When shopping for exfoliating products, consider the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do any of the products you already use have exfoliating properties?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Does your skin react negatively to certain ingredients?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are you prone to red or blotchy skin?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do you take any medications containing retinol or benzoyl peroxide?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A quick check of your current skincare lineup is a must. Adding a new exfoliant when your cleanser or moisturizer already has an exfoliating ingredient can lead to:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Skin irritation<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Redness<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dry, flaking skin<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Breakouts<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finally, it\u2019s always wise to start slowly. Try using the product just once per week and wait to see how your skin responds before upping your usage.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether it&#8217;s a product with alpha hydroxy acid, glycolic acid, beta hydroxy acid, or a scrub, it might take some trial and error to find your product. But don&#8217;t feel overwhelmed, it only means that you&#8217;re finding what works best for your unique skin.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Step #2: Use Your Exfoliating Product Gently<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Exfoliating products don\u2019t require a significant amount of muscle to work. Nor do you need to use an excessive amount of exfoliator for it to do its job, especially when using physical exfoliators. Instead, you should always strive for a gentle approach that won\u2019t leave your skin raw and red.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To properly apply an exfoliating product, you should:<sup>3<\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use a small amount of product<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Massage gels and serums gently into your skin\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rinse scrubs and cleansers with warm, not hot, water<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Avoid abrasive scrubbing mechanisms<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You want the exfoliator to safely eliminate the dead cells, not remove the healthy ones. After you\u2019ve finished with the exfoliation process, there\u2019s one remaining step you should never skip\u2014moisturize.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Step #3: Follow with a Moisturizer<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One step that people often forget when they use an exfoliator is to moisturize after. Exfoliating removes all of those pesky, dead skin cells from your face\u2019s surface. This leaves you with a nice, clean slate to apply your moisturizer. It also allows your moisturizer to work more effectively since there isn\u2019t anything preventing the product from absorbing into your skin.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Exfoliation can strip away your skin\u2019s natural oils, leaving behind a dry, parched face. An effective moisturizer is also crucial because it replaces needed hydration for your thirsty skin.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As such, you should moisturize immediately after exfoliating for the best results and look for a moisturizer that contains one of the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Glycerin<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hyaluronic acid<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shea butter<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, while regular exfoliation can prevent dull skin and dead skin buildup in your pores and on your face, the way you exfoliate is just as important. Finding the right exfoliant for your skin type and protecting the skin with a moisturizer after will also make the process more effective. Following these simple steps will ensure you&#8217;re exfoliating safely.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Find Your New Favorite Skincare Products with FabFitFun<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Exfoliating can be beneficial for your face \u2014 as long as you don\u2019t go overboard. A gentle exfoliator will help remove dead skin cells and may give your skin a fresher, brighter appearance. However, you should be choosy about your exfoliating products. Avoid harsh chemicals and rough, abrasive scrubs. Don&#8217;t forget, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/you-should-exfoliate-your-body\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">you should exfoliate your body<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as well. The skin on your body should also be exfoliated safely, so look for the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/best-face-and-body-scrubs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">best face and body scrubs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or chemical exfoliants for healthy skin all around.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re in search of high-quality skincare products that will help keep your skin looking its best, check out FabFitFun. Our membership boxes introduce you to new, full-sized products from brands we know you\u2019ll love. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/get-the-box\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sign up for a membership today<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and enjoy top-quality products from top brands.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>Sources:\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">American Chemical Society. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Skinny on How Shed Skin Reduces Indoor Air Pollution. <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acs.org\/content\/acs\/en\/pressroom\/newsreleases\/2011\/may\/the-skinny-on-how-shed-skin-reduces-indoor-air-pollution.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.acs.org\/content\/acs\/en\/pressroom\/newsreleases\/2011\/may\/the-skinny-on-how-shed-skin-reduces-indoor-air-pollution.html<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PubMed. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Skin Resurfacing Chemical Peels. <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/31613532\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/31613532\/<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">American Academy of Dermatology Association. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to Safely Exfoliate at Home. <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aad.org\/public\/everyday-care\/skin-care-secrets\/routine\/safely-exfoliate-at-home\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.aad.org\/public\/everyday-care\/skin-care-secrets\/routine\/safely-exfoliate-at-home<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":"Have you ever exfoliated your face and exalted in the fresh tingle you get afterward? ...","author":7532304,"featured_media":174333,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[6,275,393],"tags":[],"thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/static.fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/31081349\/How-Often-Should-You-Exfoliate-Your-Face.jpg","thumbnail_url_middle_card":"https:\/\/static.fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/31081349\/How-Often-Should-You-Exfoliate-Your-Face-386x200.jpg","formated_date":"April 4, 2022","category_name":"Beauty","category_icon":"https:\/\/d3vodd1ws13xud.cloudfront.net\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/10113828\/beauty-1.svg","author_name":"The FabFitFun Team","trending":true,"sponsored":false,"random_color":"#d11804","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/174332"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7532304"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=174332"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/174332\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/174333"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=174332"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=174332"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=174332"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}