Stop Over-Exfoliating Your Skin!
Your Skin Needs A Break
First of all, we don’t disagree that exfoliating can be good for skin. There are numerous benefits of (gently) exfoliating regularly. It can brighten skin and prevent acne by sloughing off dead skin and bacteria.
However, like all things in life, everything should be in moderation. With all the hottest new skincare trends filled with Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA), Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA), Retinols, scrubs and cool gadget brushes – we’ve been seeing an incredible amount of new clients coming to us with sensitive skin caused by over-exfoliation. In fact, our team is inundated with similar stories of people who didn’t use to have sensitive skin, but now do.
It’s no small matter: Over-exfoliation can cause inflammation and even bacterial infection of the surface skin cells. Consequently, your skin could become chronically inflamed, with rashes and pimples popping up. This often misleads people into thinking they need more exfoliation, so they make it worse by buying more exfoliating products.
How do you know if your skin is over-exfoliated?
Here are a few signs and symptoms you can look out for:
- Your skin is easily irritated (becomes sensitive)
- You are starting to experience rough/flaking skin regularly (keeps coming back)
- Your skin is getting oilier for no distinct reason
- You are getting more breakouts than usual
- Dry patches but very oily T-zone (sebum production imbalance)
If you’re experiencing these symptoms and your current skincare routine isn’t helping – it is likely that your skin barrier is compromised.
Good News: Don’t panic, it’s not permanent and can be fixed!
But it will take some time for your skin to regain its barriers (roughly 2 to 8 weeks for most).
STEP 1
First off, STOP exfoliating! Drop it – scrubs, peels, brushes, acids.
STEP 2
Nourish your skin – use natural, moisturizing and soothing ingredients to fight inflammation (aloe vera, nourishing facial oils), check the ingredients label of everything in your cabinet!
Avoid synthetic fragrances, dyes, parabens and especially any acids ie. AHA
STEP 3
Give make up a break (tough, we know) – try to use less make up or go make up free as much as you can for a month. Stick to light BB creams (the less synthetics the better) and organic powders, there are lot of great natural make up brands out there!
STEP 4
Use only natural, low comedogenic oils to remove make up. Jojoba oil is great. Micellar water can strip skin of its natural oils – if you’re afraid of make-up residue, wash thoroughly with a gentle cleanser afterwards.
STEP 5
Change your skincare routine to focus on what your skin needs – a gentle cleanser, an irritant-free, absorbent moisturizer, nourishing serums and hydrating sheet masks.
Our answer to clients who need help?
Our Japanese Cherry Blossom & White Tea Smoothing Mask is designed to help rebuild skin barriers and repair texture damage.
