How Often Should You Exfoliate? What Dermatologists Say

In the hopes of attaining glowing, vibrant skin, sometimes we simply do too much. We try one too many trendy treatments, slather one too many masks, and add too many unnecessary steps. This isn't to say that experimenting with skin care or indulging in a longer routine is net negative—but it is to say you should know when you've gone too far. 

This is especially true of exfoliation. Scrubbing, peeling, and sloughing off skin cells can be an incredibly satisfying thing—and often comes with impressive results. But going overboard is extremely harmful to skin and can have some pretty serious repercussions. 

Here, we speak to derms about how often you should be exfoliating. 

"Exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells," says board-certified dermatologist Raechele Cochran Gathers, M.D.. "Exfoliation can improve skin circulation, encourage skin turnover, and improve the absorption of certain skin care products. Exfoliation can help brighten dull skin and might even help in conditions like acne."

The top layer of epidermis called the stratum corneum is actually a thin layer of dead skin cells. Your skin barrier actually uses these dead cells as a layer of protection (read: we want those skin cells there!).

This top layer is in a constant cycle of shedding. In fact, your skin naturally exfoliates itself every single day—you shed between 30,000 and 40,000 dead skin cells every minute. 

The problem arises, however, when this process slows due to age, weather, skin conditions, and so on. In these instances, the dead skin cells may accumulate too much—so the skin appears dull, pores clog, or acne forms.

But it's important to note that on the flip side, additional problems arise when you remove too much of that layer, as that will inhibit skin barrier function. That's why finding an appropriate balance for your skin is key. 

The amount you should exfoliate weekly will depend on your skin type, but anywhere between 1-3 times a week is ideal according to Ife Rodney, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Eternal Dermatology.

"Most people with normal or combination skin can get away with twice or even thrice-weekly exfoliation," she says. "Those with more mature, dry, or sensitive skin, may only want to exfoliate weekly."

If you have very oily or acne-prone skin, you might be able to tolerate more than thrice weekly.

In addition, those with inflammatory skin conditions (like eczema) or very sensitive skin may want to exfoliate once or twice a month—if at all.

But please remember, "the most important tip is that 'less is more.' You want to exfoliate just enough to increase cell turnover and reveal fresh new skin," she says. "But be sure to not scratch or damage your skin by overusing these devices or products."

Pay attention to how your skin reacts to the exfoliation cadence. If you find your skin is irritated, tight, breaks out, or even burns, that's a clear indication that you're exfoliating too much for your skin. Take a break until your skin is fully healed, then reintroduce the exfoliation at a lesser cadence.

For many people, regular exfoliation has some pretty major benefits. However, if you have oily skin, congested pores, dullness, or have aging concerns, you may benefit from exfoliation more than most. And on the flip side, if you have sensitive skin you should proceed with caution.

Here's what to know:

There are two main types of exfoliation. The most popular now-a-days are chemical, as physical can be too abrasive. Here's what to know about both.

"Physical exfoliation uses something abrasive," says board-certified dermatologist Amy Ross, M.D. tells us. A physical exfoliant (aka manual exfoliant) typically uses some type of granules to help buff and lift away dead skin cells.

Here are some examples of physical exfoliants:

Chemical exfoliants use chemicals to break apart and remove dead skin cells or dissolve lipids. "The strength of the acid can be adjusted to create safe, mild, and effective exfoliation for all skin types," Ross says.

Where many people trip up is where exfoliation fits into your routine.

Sure, swiping skin with a peel pad or grabbing an enzyme mask is pretty easy to identify as exfoliating your skin. But does one count a mud mask? Or what should you do about serums with acids? And how do face washes play into this?

It is true that exfoliation comes in a wide variety of forms, so in some cases you may be over-exfoliating without even realizing it. 

Here, how you can fit exfoliation into your routine: 

OK, remember how we said everyone is different? Well, just in the same way some people can handle lots of exfoliation, some can't handle it at all. "Exfoliation isn't for everyone," says Cochran Gather.

"People with certain skin conditions, very sensitive skin, or those who use certain sensitizing skin care products may become more irritated with exfoliation, so before exfoliating, it's important to know your skin type and be aware of any sensitivities that you may have," she says.

Another issue is that you can exfoliate too much initially and then need to take a break to let your skin come back to baseline.

"Over-exfoliation can strip the skin of its natural oils, which can lead to more breakouts, irritation, redness, and inflammation of the skin," says Cochran Gather. If you are experiencing any of these after introducing a new treatment, product, or device, consider easing up for a while until you go are able to slowly reintroduce it. 

Here's some signs you need to take a break or stop exfoliating altogether:

As for the body, you can generally use similar guidelines. If you tend to have dry skin, stick to once a week; everyone else can manage two or three times a week. 

The only thing to remember here is that you shouldn't conflate a body exfoliator and face exfoliator.

"Body exfoliators shouldn't be used on the face. They are often thicker in consistency and contain higher concentrations of acids and could be too irritating for delicate facial skin," says Cochran Gather. "Likewise, using a facial exfoliation on your body may not be strong enough to give you the results you're looking for."

Your skin requires a delicate balance of exfoliation. When you overdo it, you run the risk of damaging your skin barrier, resulting in irritation and inflammation. Don't do it enough, and you may be met with dullness or clogged pores. It may take a little guess-and-test, but the average person can handle two to three times a week.

Want more expert-approved tips for brighter skin? Check out our guide to combating dullness.