5 Things That Happen If You Over-Exfoliate Your Skin

If you’re like many people, you probably exfoliate your skin in an effort to get it to look as bright and shiny as possible. In fact, dermatologists and other experts often recommend that you exfoliate your skin on a daily basis in order to prevent breakouts and improve the appearance of your skin.

However, there’s a lot that can go wrong with this common beauty ritual. In fact, if you’re exfoliating too much or too frequently, it could actually cause harm to your skin. Here are 5 things that could happen if you over-exfoliate your skin and how to avoid them.

1. If you’re constantly scrubbing away at your skin, it can cause inflammation and irritation that can lead to breakouts or even scarring.

The reason for this is that you’re breaking the surface layer of your skin, which is essential for keeping it hydrated and blemish-free. In order to keep your skin feeling smooth and supple, you need a healthy layer of smooth, new skin cells on the top of the skin, according to Healthline.

2. If you’re exfoliating your face too often, it can lead to micro-tears on the surface of your skin that can cause sun damage, wrinkles, and other issues.

This happens because exfoliating your face can remove the outermost layer of your skin and allow dirt and debris to be easily washed off. This is because the skin’s natural oil barrier can be damaged if it’s constantly exposed to dirt and debris from the environment, according to Dr. Garshick.

3. If you’re using an exfoliant that’s too harsh for your skin type, it can actually strip away the protective oils from your face and cause dryness, itchiness, and other problems.

This is why it’s important to know your skin type and what products will work best for you.

4. If you’re using an exfoliant or scrub that’s too harsh for your skin type, the product can cause dryness and itchiness on your face. This can worsen your eczema or other sensitive conditions, which could ultimately lead to more serious skin issues.

5. If you’re exfoliating your face with an acid-based product, it can actually cause chemical burns on your skin. This can occur if you use too much of the chemical, so it’s crucial to layer your products from light to heavy and never over-exfoliate your skin.

6. If you’re using an exfoliant and it’s causing redness or irritated skin, you can treat the area with a nutrient-rich emollient, such as aloe gel or Aquaphor ointment.

7. If you’re using an exfoliant for your body, it can make your skin feel tighter than usual.

In this case, it’s important to stop the use of the product or a different one until your skin heals completely.

8. If you’re using an exfoliant on your body and it’s causing your skin to look blotchy, you should also stop the use of that product.

These signs of over-exfoliation can be very itchy and uncomfortable, so it’s important to take care of them right away. In some cases, applying an ice cube to the affected area can help alleviate symptoms and give your skin a chance to recover.