Exfoliation really helps keep your skin smooth and fresh. All you have to do is use an exfoliator that usually contains tiny, sand-like particles to help remove dead skin cells and leave your skin softer and brighter. There are benefits of removing dead skin cells regularly, but this also leaves people wonder if you should exfoliate every day. Let's find out more about it.

Should You Exfoliate Everyday?

No, you should not. Exfoliating your skin is good but too much of anything can cause serious problems. You need to learn about your skin condition and consider your lifestyle to determine how much is too much. There is a fine line between doing it not often enough and exfoliating too often. Identify that to get the best results.

Exfoliating daily can cause several problems, including irritation, dryness, and broken blood vessels. The other extreme is not exfoliating enough, which can lead to a buildup of dead skin cells that can clog pores and result in all sorts of skin problems. To determine what is best in your case, you need to consider your skin type as well as the kind of exfoliator you are going to use. Usually, it is good enough to exfoliate once or twice a week to get rid of dead skin cells. It is important to find the right exfoliator for your skin but this may require some experimentation on your part.

How You Should Exfoliate with Your Skin Type

Should you exfoliate everyday? The answer is no. To get a better idea, you need to understand exactly why you should be exfoliating in the first place. You do it to get rid of old, dead skin cells that stay there after the production of new skin cells. Combined with environmental factors, these dead skin cells can clog your pores and result in breakouts. You exfoliate to slough off those skin cells and remove any dirt or debris accumulated on your skin. Just keep in mind that it is important to select an exfoliator keeping your skin type in mind.

1. Normal or Combination Skin

Some women find it difficult to select an exfoliator because they have combination skin, which usually means your cheeks are dry with a T-zone that is oily. If that is the case, you are likely to have large pores. You may experience breakouts more often, but you can resolve the issue by opting for a chemical peel that contains beta hydroxy and alpha hydroxy acids. These peels work great to eliminate oil through specific areas on your skin without drying out other areas on your skin.

2. Oily Skin

Contrary to popular belief, oily skin is not a problem for teenagers only. Anyone at any age can develop excessively oily skin. Should you exfoliate everyday if you have oily skin? Still no but you can exfoliate your skin more often, like 3 times a week. Look for a mild exfoliator though and use warm water instead of hot water to remove dirt and oil. A right type of detoxifying solution can penetrate deep into your oily skin to flush away debris and remove dead skin cells.

3. Sensitive Skin

Never use harsh scrubs and peels when you have sensitive skin or else you will end up dealing with excessive irritation. Get a gentle exfoliating cleanser and use it twice a week to remove dead skin cells. Your sensitive skin cannot handle harsh brushes, so it is better to use a washcloth instead of exfoliating tools. Just ensure that you are using a clean washcloth or else it may harm your skin.

4. Dry Skin

You may be under the impression that you should not exfoliate if you have dry skin. The thing is when your skin is naturally dry, you are more likely to develop a buildup of dead skin cells. Exfoliating is important in this case and enables your skin to shed cells at a normal rate. Be sure to use a mild exfoliating cleanser only and combine it with a cleansing brush. Do it twice a week to keep your dry skin hydrated and fresh.

What Ingredients to Look for?

Should you exfoliate everyday? There certainly are benefits of exfoliating, but you need to consider your skin type before determining how often you should be exfoliating. Moreover, it is equally important to understand what products will work fine for your skin. Here are some of the ingredients to have in your exfoliating product.

• Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs): You need AHAs because they normalize cell turnover in the epidermis and promote the formation of healthy skin. Experts believe that AHAs work on your skin from the inside out and boost skin exfoliation. Regular use of such products actually makes it easier to maintain a youthful glow on your skin.
• Salicylic Acid: This beta hydroxy acid is considered a powerful keratolytic agent that works by destroying any cellular bonds between hardened skin cells. This makes it easier to slough them away. This also helps loosen up scaly lesions, which in turn makes it easier for medications to penetrate deeper into the skin to produce good results. Research suggests that salicylic acid is relatively more effective than benzyl peroxide in the treatment of acne.
• Jojoba Oil: As it works like your skin's natural oils, it has to be an integral part of any dry skin treatment. Moreover, it has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, and analgesic properties that improve the overall health of your skin. It also regulates the production of sebum and keeps your skin smooth and free of blemishes.
• Retinoic Acid: You may consider finding a product that includes retinoid acid if your primary goal is to prevent acne breakouts. It helps improve discoloration in acne lesions. It is equally effective in treating inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne lesions. Talk to your doctor first if you have sensitive skin.