How to Exfoliate Your Face Safely, According to a Dermatologist
Here’s the thing with exfoliation: it’s addictive. Anyone who has ever experienced the after-glow of a peel pad knows what we’re talking about here. A good exfoliation sesh gets rid of dead skin cells instantly, making pores appear smaller, spots look lighter and gives you an overall refresh better than most products can. So we get hooked. And we exfoliate. And we exfoliate some more, which can lead to a host of other issues like redness and sensitivity.
If you're wondering how to exfoliate your face without causing irritation, we enlisted the help of a board-certified dermatologist to walk us through the do's and don'ts of exfoliating.
Meet the Expert
Dr. Y. Claire Chang is a board-certified and fellowship-trained cosmetic dermatologist who provides comprehensive medical and cosmetic dermatologic care for her patients at Union Square Laser Dermatology in New York. Dr. Chang received her Bachelors of Science degree in Biology and her Doctorate of Medicine from the University of Pennsylvania. She completed her internal medicine training at the Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C., and subsequently completed a three-year dermatology residency at Boston University. Dr. Chang completed her American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS)-accredited Cosmetic Dermatologic Surgery Fellowship at UnionDerm, and she continues to perform research and run clinical trials at UnionDerm.
From Bumpy Arms to Scaly Legs, Here’s How to Exfoliate Every Part of Your Body
First, what is exfoliation?
To understand exfoliation, one must know what a keratinocyte is. Keratinocytes are skin cells that are found in the outermost layer of our skin (aka the epidermis). “As the skin continually renews itself, keratinocytes mature and are eventually shed off through a process called desquamation,” explains Chang.
“Exfoliation speeds up the removal of these dead skin cells from the outermost layer of the skin, which can help reveal newer skin cells and can have multiple benefits including brighter skin, improved brown spots, smoother texture, reduction of clogged pores, and improved penetration of other topicals,” says Chang. “However, exfoliating is not for everybody and may not be appropriate for every skin type,” she cautions. “It is important to exfoliate safely to minimize the risk of negative side effects, like redness, irritation, acne breakouts or scarring.”
How often should you exfoliate your face?
“Everyone’s skin has different needs and it’s also important to note that those needs can change over time,” says Chang. “In general, I recommend gentle exfoliation no more than two to three times per week.” Here's a general guide to how often you should exfoliate depending on your skin type and experience level:
When shouldn't you exfoliate?
“I would avoid exfoliating your skin if there is an open wound, active infection, or any inflammation like acne or an eczema flare,” warns Chang. “Also, if your skin becomes red, inflamed, irritated or peels as a result of exfoliating, stop and consult your dermatologist for alternative options.”
Another thing: Make sure you take any other skincare products you’re currently using (like retinoids or benzoyl peroxide) into consideration. These products, when combined with too much exfoliation, can disrupt your skin barrier, which keeps irritants out and is responsible for maintaining skin hydration and health.
What's the difference between chemical and mechanical exfoliation?
“There are two methods of exfoliation at-home: mechanical and chemical,” explains Chang. “Mechanical exfoliation involves using a cleansing tool or scrub to physically remove dead skin cells.” The most common forms of mechanical exfoliation are:
“Chemical exfoliation involves chemicals, like alpha and beta-hydroxy acids, to dissolve and loosen dead skin cells,” says Chang. The three main chemical exfoliators that are used are:
What are the best exfoliators to use?
Dr. Chang generally recommends chemical exfoliators over physical (or mechanical) exfoliators. “Physical exfoliators often cause excessive irritation and worsen skin conditions, like acne,” she explains.
Before you shop her top picks below, we’d like to offer a final tip on exfoliating: Make sure you use a daily sunscreen, as studies have shown that chemical exfoliants like alpha hydroxy acids can make the skin more sensitive to UV radiation.
Now, where were we?
1. No7 Laboratories Resurfacing Skin Paste
“This is a skin-transforming mask that contains an effective combination of AHA (glycolic acid) and PHA (gluconolactone) to gently exfoliate, brighten, and enhance the skin. It is also formulated with skin-soothing and repairing antioxidants like licorice,” says Chang.
To use, apply an even layer to clean skin, taking care to avoid the eyes, brows and skin around your lips. Wait up to 15 minutes (you may feel a tingling sensation) then soak a muslin cloth in warm water and gently remove the mask. Rinse with cold water to finish.
2. Skinceuticals Clarifying Exfoliating Cleanser
“This cleanser is formulated with a powerful combination of lipohydroxy acid, glycolic acid and salicylic acid to decongest pores and brighten the skin,” says Chang, which makes it a great option for people who are prone to clogged pores. Used twice daily, it removes dead skin cells and dissolves excess oils and any debris that can lead to future blackheads or breakouts.
3. Neostrata Bionic Face Serum
For a gentler option, try this lightweight serum, which features 10 percent polyhydroxy acid to exfoliate skin, while replenishing the moisture barrier at the same time so you don’t get any of the stinging or irritation that can come with other chemical exfoliants. Combined with vitamins A, C and E, it also protects against environmental damage and helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and hyperpigmentation with continued use.
4. Peter Thomas Roth Max Complexion Correction Pads
For oily or finicky skin, Dr. Chang likes these easy-to-use pads. “They contain both salicylic acid and glycolic acid to help exfoliate the skin, as well as aloe and allantoin to help calm the skin,” she says. We can attest that they’ve been especially helpful at keeping our maskne (that is, mask related acne) at bay these days. And the peach bellini scent is nice, too.
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