The Ultimate Guide to Healing Over-Exfoliated Skin: Remedies and Tips

Published October 16, 2023

Exfoliation is one vital way of keeping our complexion looking and feeling its best. It is an essential part of everyone’s skincare regime. Dead skin cells can accrue on the surface of our skin. Layers of them can make it hard for us to absorb moisture and skin care products. Their removal is indispensable if we are to maintain a healthy complexion. 

Exfoliation can decrease the appearance of fine lines. Regular practice of it will diminish many skin dilemmas. It includes dark spots and blemishes. It’s a ritual that will keep us looking fresh and glowing. 

Yet, too much of it is also a bad idea. There exists a valid concern, which is called over-exfoliation. It is as bad as not having a skincare routine at all. It can highly irritate our complexion. It can introduce problems that otherwise would not exist if we do not do it. 

In this article, we’ll talk about everything. We’ll guide you to what is over-exfoliated skin. We’ll dive into the best remedies for it. We’ll reveal all the skincare tips for healing it. Also, we’ll discuss all the relevant concerns associated with it. We’ll have you educated about your skin at the end. Let’s start. 

The Problem With Having an Over Exfoliated Skin: What Is Over Exfoliation?

Over-exfoliation is exfoliating too much, too often, and too harshly. Our dead skin cells do not build up overnight. If one exfoliates nightly, it will likely irritate their freshly revealed complexion. It severely compromises our skin’s natural protective barrier. 

What Does an Over-Exfoliated Skin Look Like?

An over-exfoliated skin is prone to irritation. It displays redness and peeling. One may seem flushed. It also shows signs of dehydration and dullness.

Signs of Over Exfoliation: What happens if I over-exfoliate?

One of the challenging things about exfoliation is that the signs of overdoing it are often the very skin conditions that you’re trying to exfoliate away in the first place. 

1. Skin irritation 

An over-exfoliated complexion is likely to be itchy and irritated. When you exfoliate, you remove dead cell buildup to reveal new skin. This new skin is not used for chemical exfoliation and abrasive tools.

When you exfoliate more than expected, the new skin is exposed to exfoliators long before it’s ready. It then triggers irritation that can be uncomfortable. Your skin will be itchy, dry, and tight. 

2. Redness 

Irritated skin is usually easy to spot. It is due to it being red. Many times, dry skin is itchy and flushed. 

You may also see redness simply because of blood circulation. If it persists and increases after you exfoliate, the redness can communicate that something is wrong. You may be doing exfoliation too hard. 

3. Dryness 

As your over-exfoliation worsens, you’ll leave your complexion dry and flaky. Dry skin builds up dead skin cells faster. You’re more likely to see a layer of them over the surface. 

It can cause your skin to look very dull. You may also spot more redness than usual. You may also feel skin tightness. When touched, it may also be uneven. 

4. Uneven texture 

Dry skin, acne, and blemishes can lead to uneven skin texture. When dead skin cells pile up and start to flake, you may feel patches of scaly skin. It is among the patches of smooth ones. 

It is mainly the cause for those with a combination complexion type. If you have it, you are more prone to experience dry and flaky patches. Usually, you’ll have them around your cheeks and chin. 

5. Breakouts 

Over-exfoliation can also trigger breakouts. It is because your skin is sensitive and irritated. Also, because it is highly dry. When your skin becomes stripped and dry, sebum production increases. It leads to excess sebum and breakouts. Over-exfoliating can also cause your complexion to become inflamed. It can also cause breakouts. 

While exfoliating is one great cure for blemishes, going overboard will exacerbate them. 

The Best Remedies for Over Exfoliated Skin

1. Stop exfoliating 

The best remedy is often the most obvious one. Simply stop exfoliating if your skin is over-exfoliated. Take an exfoliation break for at least four weeks. 

Our skin regeneration cycle takes about a month. Your skin will carry on to be extra sensitive during the course. 

2. Switch to a milder cleanser. 

It’s not just exfoliation that can mess with your skin’s protective barrier. Harsh cleansers can have this effect, too. 

Your priority right now should be letting your skin heal as fast as possible. Swap any harsh cleansers for milder substitutes. 

3. Steer clear of harsh ingredients. 

Skin irritations are usual for over-exfoliated skin. You may have been using the same products for years. Yet, if it has even a tiny number of harsh ingredients, your skin will yield an adverse reaction. 

To prevent this from occurring, it’s time to take a stock check of all those products in your beauty regime. Below are the ingredients list you may consider to put down until your skin is healed: 

• Parabens 
• Formaldehyde 
• Fragrance 
• Sodium lauryl sulfate
• Triclosan 

4. Keep your skin moisturized. 

Over-exfoliation disrupts our skin’s protective barrier. 

That barrier serves two important purposes: 

• It keeps moisture locked in the skin. It prevents it from evaporating. In doing so, it keeps the skin hydrated and moisturized. 
• It prevents impurities and allergens from the environment around you from entering your complexion.

Our skin becomes highly vulnerable when that barrier is damaged for a while. The best way to keep it protected on a daily course is by aiding proper moisture. A moisturizer creates a thin protective barrier of its own. 

5. Look for products containing restorative properties 

The skin products that you are using should contain ingredients that promote restoration. It should leave it feeling healthy. 

Shop for great healing ingredients such as: 

• Hyaluronic acid 
• Peptides 
• Ceramides 
• Amino acids 
• Antioxidants 

6. Use Vitamin C

Aside from the above ingredients you should be using for your over-exfoliated skin, vitamin C is another excellent substance. 

Vitamin C is a huge help when our body is trying to recover from our illness. The same applies to our skin, too. Vitamin C has antioxidant properties that help repair and regenerate damaged skin cells. It will aid in the healing process of over-exfoliated skin. 

Vitamin C has skin-brightening properties. Over-exfoliation can leave the skin looking dull and uneven. It will aid in bringing back the lost healthy glow of our complexion. Also, vitamin C strengthens the skin’s barrier function. 

7. Protect your skin from the sun 

You should consciously try to fully cover your skin with sunscreen if you are dealing with over-exfoliation. Sun will cause even more damage with an over-exfoliated skin.

UV rays are detrimental to the skin in a lot of ways. They destroy our skin’s protective barrier. It harms even those protein fibers that lie deeper within our skin. These are all things that you should try to strengthen rather than weaken. 

For this reason, daily sun protection is a must. It should be applied even on cloudy and overcast days, even on sunny days. Ideally, use an SPF 30. Reapply every two to three hours.

How to Exfoliate the Right Way

After four to six weeks, you should hopefully see signs of your skin improving. The symptoms of over-exfoliation will start to die down. You’ll see your complexion take on a healthier and brighter appearance. At this point, you should consider introducing exfoliation back into your regime.

 Once your skin has fully healed, only exfoliate once a week. Do this for a few weeks. Then, increase it up to twice a week. You shouldn’t need to increase the frequency any more than two. 

Bi-weekly exfoliation tends to be enough for all skin types. Yet, if you have sensitive skin, just exfoliate once a week. 

Can Over Exfoliated Skin Cause Rash?

Over-exfoliated skin can potentially trigger a rash. Excessive and aggressive exfoliation can lead to irritation, redness, and dryness. These symptoms may manifest as a rash-like texture or patchy red blotches on the skin. 

It is why it’s critical to maintain a balance in dead skin cell removal to prevent such reactions. 

Can Over Exfoliating Cause Acne?

Over-exfoliation can also potentially cause acne. When the skin is over-exfoliated, it can become irritated. Also, sensitive and prone to breakouts. 

Over-exfoliation can disrupt the skin’s natural balance. It leads to excessive oil production. This excess oil then clogged the pores. It contributes to the development of acne. 

Also, excessive exfoliation can introduce irritation and inflammation. It makes it more susceptible to acne formation. The skin’s barrier may also be compromised. It allows bacteria to enter and trigger breakouts. 

Choosing the Right Exfoliating Products for Your Skin

Exfoliants can be split into two primary kinds. 

1. Chemical exfoliants. These contain acids that dissolve like glue-like substances. They hold dead skin cells to the surface of the skin. Then, you wash them off. 
2. Physical exfoliants. These make use of an abrasive substance to physically remove dead skin cells from our skin. 

Because of the word chemical in chemical exfoliation skincare, people often assume it is the harsher one. Yet, this thinking is simply wrong. 

Chemical exfoliants are much gentler than their physical substitutes. They do not need you to scrub and pull at the skin. Both often end up causing more harm than good. 

There are many chemical exfoliants out there. It is best to choose one that suits your skin type best. 

Those with normal and combination skin may go for glycolic acid. It is known for being the most powerful. Those with dry or sensitive skin would be better off with a milder formulation. For one, lactic acid. 

Before trying a new exfoliating product, always perform a patch test first. In doing so, you ensure your skin will properly tolerate the new product. It will save you from having to deal with any face-wide reactions. 

Exfoliation Aftercare

1. Rinse thoroughly 

After exfoliating, rinse away the product and any dead skin cells thoroughly. Use lukewarm water to cleanse and remove any residue. 

2. Pat dry gently 

As an alternative to rubbing your skin with a towel, gently pat it dry. Doing so will help you in avoiding skin damage and irritation. It will also help maintain moisture balance. Further, avoid unnecessary friction. 

3. Apply a moisturizer 

Exfoliation can sometimes leave your skin feeling dry. Also, it is stripped of moisture. It’s critical to replenish the moisture barrier by using a hydrating moisturizer. 

4. Protect with sunscreen 

Exfoliating can make your skin more vulnerable to the sun’s harmful UV rays. To protect, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF. It will safeguard you from sun damage. 

5. Avoid harsh products 

Following exfoliation, give your skin some time to rest and recover. Stay away from using abrasive skincare products following it. Opt for a gentler cleanser and mild, soothing skincare ingredients. Look for those that will support your skin’s healing process. 

6. Listen to your skin.

Everyone’s skin is unique. Thus, pay attention to how your skin reacts after exfoliation. Consider using calming ingredients if you experience redness, irritation, or discomfort. Also, consult with a dermatologist.