How often should you really exfoliate your skin? In this video, dermatologist Dr. Dray explains how often to exfoliate, the difference between chemical and physical exfoliation, and how to tell when your skin is being over-exfoliated.
Exfoliation can help improve rough texture, clogged pores, keratosis pilaris, flaky skin, and the appearance of uneven skin tone. But exfoliating too frequently or combining multiple exfoliating methods can disrupt the skin barrier and lead to dryness, burning, stinging, redness, peeling, and worsening of certain skin conditions.
Dr. Dray explains why everyday habits such as shaving, using a washcloth, and cleansing can contribute to the overall amount of physical stress on the skin, even though they may not be thought of as traditional exfoliation. She also discusses the importance of regular moisturizing for supporting the skin barrier and normal shedding of dead skin cells.
The video also covers how exfoliation needs can change with aging and menopause, when skin may become drier and rougher but also more sensitive and fragile.
Topics covered:
0:00 Introduction
0:34 What Does Exfoliation Actually Do?
1:38 Chemical Exfoliation
3:10 Mechanical Exfoliation
5:02 How Often Should You Exfoliate?
6:15 The Benefits of Exfoliation
6:51 When Exfoliation Becomes Too Much
7:37 Don't Stack Exfoliants
8:11 Don't Forget Moisturizer
10:33 What About Menopause and Aging?
12:12 What Should You Do If You've Over-Exfoliated?
12:41 Final Points
Whether someone uses glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, a facial scrub, a washcloth, or simply shaves regularly, the ideal exfoliation routine depends on the individual and how their skin responds.
Key takeaway: There is no universal answer for how often to exfoliate. Some people may benefit from exfoliating once or twice a week, while others can tolerate more frequent exfoliation. Some people may not need to exfoliate at all. Paying attention to skin sensitivity and maintaining a healthy skin barrier are essential.
#Exfoliation #Skincare #Dermatologist #SkinBarrier #ChemicalExfoliation #PhysicalExfoliation #AgingSkin #KeratosisPilaris
FTC: This video is not sponsored. Links are commissionable, meaning I may earn commission from purchases made through links.
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Disclaimer: This video is not intended to provide diagnosis, treatment or medical advice. Content provided on this Youtube channel is for informational purposes only. Please consult with a physician or other healthcare professional regarding any medical or health related diagnosis or treatment options. Information on this Youtube channel should not be considered as a substitute for advice from a healthcare professional. The statements made about specific products throughout this video are not to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.
Have you ever wondered if you’re exfoliating too often? Your skin can give you some pretty clear signs when it’s had enough. What type of exfoliation do you use, and how often? 👇 I’d love to hear what works for you!
Amlactin is my favorite product for exfoliating my body. Not only does helps with exfoliation but keeps my skin moisturized. 💙
I stopped exfoliating completely after destroying my skin barrier.
@drdayzday, have you tried any of the Restorsea products? May you please give a review. Thank you very much!
Me too!
The Cerave Psoriasis Cleanser is sooo underrated! It has urea, glycolic acid, salicylic acid and lactic acid. I use it everyday on my face and body and it is the best thing I’ve ever used for my seborrheic dermatitis and keratosis pilaris!!! Please review it and make sure Cerave never stops making it!! Its my holy grail
Happy Wednesday Dr Dray so excited to be here i live for this have a nice day ❤️
Morning!
Shaving legs everyday…that is alot of razors! ;0) It’s funny how when we were youth, and even young adults, we just took care of our hygiene and did it, without paying too much attention to it and we were fine! Being older sucks! ;p
Dr.Dray!!!!
Hello from Singapore ❤ I always stay up till midnight to watch your informative YouTube.
Thanks for watching!
I have sensitive skin. I wish I was able to tolerate glycolic acid so that I can get that collagen building benefit!
I was the same way. I thought I had to! I even just did lactic acid. But a little while ago I just stopped all that. I just do a little gentle manual exfoliation
You may try lactic acid at a low concentration (5%) followed by moisturizer, at night once every 10 days. And see how it goes.
@auroramoreno7651good suggestion. Low concentration.
I use my cerave SA cleanser & retinal every night. I love it! ❤ No harsh face scrubs for me.
Hi from Poland. Zgadzam się z każdym słowem. Jedni używają peelingów ciągle, inni nie muszą wcale.
Pozdrawiam serdecznie.
I love exfoliating but my skin cannot take it more than once per week. It gets red so easy sadly. So I say less is more.
Shout out to drinking enough water consistently. My flakes are so bad when I’m not on top of my water intake.
I find some perimenopausal my face feels tight..started HRT over a month ago and it’s slightly better but still feels a bit tight.
I exfoliate once a week with 20% Glycolic acid!! I am 74 and have had no issues!! Of course, everyone is different. I use the 20% glycolic pads!!
She must have read my mind cause I have overdone it.
We’ve all been there ❤
I have a whole playlist of dr dray videos for when I’ve overdone it woops 😂
Every week is different in my older age .. it’s easy to over do it .. when u know when I know ur skin
Girl. 🤦♀️understood
Same here now I’m like ohhhh that explains why I’m dealing with it cause I’m over doing it when I thought it’ll get better later while it worst now
Your hair looks great in this vid! Love the side flip!
Thank you for your educated advice. It’s so tempting to over-exfoliate. My skin is better when I don’t exfoliate.
Yep, I tend to get too aggressive at times and it ends up backfiring with skin irritation. Thank you for the reminder.
Just thought of this today as I exfoliated. I only do it once a month at most with the dermatologica exfoliant.
Omg they look amazing!
I switched from using a body scrub in the shower to just using a washcloth. I’m trying to save money and reduce waste and i realised I just didn’t need an extra product. It’s working super well for me. I do it once pee fortnight . I always wash the cloth immediately afterwards and have a fresh one every time. Then I follow up with a gentle fragrance free lotion.
My body feels soooo smooth and soft afterwards! It’s crazy. In fact, this video has reminded me that I’m due to do it again.
I also use the Ordinary peeling mask on some rough, bumpy, oily and acne-prone skin on my chest. That works beautifully too.
basic, vanilla 12% ammonium lactic has been 100% for me