Do You Really Need To Exfoliate?

Exfoliation is one of the most important steps in your skincare routine. The way you incorporate this step can either improve your skin, or make it worse. In my experience, most people are either overdoing or under-doing, for fear of overdoing it.
Exfoliating the correct way can improve texture, hydration and sun damage. Doing it the wrong way can dry out your skin, make it more oily, red and irritated, flakey, clogged pores etc.
OILY SKIN
If you aren’t exfoliating, you’ll start to notice a lot of congestion build up on and around the nose and chin. If you are more on the oily side, you potentially will have congestion all over, resulting in blackheads, non-inflamed and inflamed acne.
Exfoliation Method: AHA/BHA/PHA chemical exfoliation or enzymes
Avoid: physical exfoliation **if you have active breakouts, this can spread the bacteria
DRY SKIN
If you aren’t exfoliating dry skin, it can appear dull, rough and flakey.
You might be slathering on the best hydrating serums and moisturizers, but if your skin is covered in a layer of dead skin cells, those products are just sitting on the surface, not doing much. Regular exfoliation clears the way, allowing your skincare to actually penetrate deeper and work its magic. This is why some exfoliating products will claim to be “hydrating”.
While acids and enzymes don’t directly hydrate the skin, they create the perfect environment for your hydrating products to absorb properly.
Exfoliation Method: AHA/PHA chemical, physical exfoliation or enzymes
Avoid: BHAs **this is more for controlling bacterial acne (such as salicylic or benzol peroxide)
OVER EXFOLIATION
Exfoliating can be a double-edged sword if you go overboard. While it’s great for sloughing off dead skin cells, excessive exfoliation can actually damage your skin’s protective barrier, leaving it dry and irritated. If. You already have oily skin, this overzealous exfoliation can trigger your skin to produce even more oil, leading to clogged pores, blackheads, and those pesky closed comedones.
With the rise of active ingredients like AHAs, BHAs, enzymes and retinol in so many skincare products, it’s easy to accidentally overdo it. These ingredients, while fantastic for exfoliation and resurfacing, can strip your skin if used too frequently. They key? Be intentional about your exfoliation routine. Pick one exfoliating product and use it on designated days – don’t mix too many actives into your routine at once. Your skin will thank you!
HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU EXFOLIATE
If you’re new to exfoliating, it’s important not to jump in headfirst. Start slow, maybe once a week for a couple of months, and then gradually increase the frequency to every 3-4 days depending on how your skin reacts.
In my professional opinion, daily exfoliation is a no-go. Just like your muscles need rest after a workout, your skin needs time to regenerate between exfoliation sessions. Overdoing it can strip your skin’s natural barrier, leaving it vulnerable to environmental stressors. This can lead to breakouts, irritation and redness. Balance is key to keeping your skin in check.
Do you think you’re exfoliating the correct way? Email us with any exfoliation questions at hello@loreskincare.co
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