Is it Bad to Exfoliate Your Face Every Day? We Ask our Skincare Agony Aunt Dr Sonia
Image – Sergefilimonov/Stocksy
Dr Sonia Khorana is a GP with a special interest in dermatology and Live That Glow’s own skincare agony aunt. She is passionate about helping people feel confident in their own skin. Here, she advises a reader concerned about how often to exfoliate.
Is it bad to exfoliate your face every day and what sort of exfoliator should I use if I do?
Dr Sonia says:
Exfoliating helps to get rid of dead skin cells which helps your skin look more radiant and feel smoother. I would only advise exfoliating your face about two to three times a week max though as doing it more can lead to an impaired skin barrier.
There are a few different types of exfoliants and different ones may be suited to different skin types:
- physical exfoliants (like face scrubs and clay masks)
- chemical exfoliants (like acid serums and peels)
Which one you use will depend on your personal preference and if you prefer to use a chemical exfoliant they can be split into AHA’s, BHA’s and PHA’s.
AHA – glycolic, lactic, or mandelic acid – more for pigmentation and anti-aging
BHA- salicylic acid – suited to oily skin types/acne prone skin
PHA – gluconolactone – more suited to sensitive skin types.
Exfoliating is generally safe and effective, but it is important to choose the right type and avoid overdoing it. Make sure you pay attention to whether your skin is reacting to a new exfoliation routine and watch out for any sensitivity.
Get Glowing!
