How Often Should You Exfoliate Your Face, Dermatologist Advice for your Skin Type

Find out how often you should exfoliate your face based on your sensitive skin type and the advice of dermatologists. Learn the best approach for your skin's needs.

Exfoliation is a crucial step in any skincare routine, as it helps slough off dead skin cells and reveal a brighter, smoother complexion.

The frequency of exfoliation and the type of exfoliant used can vary greatly depending on your skin type.

In this article, we'll explore the benefits of exfoliation, how often you should exfoliate, and the best exfoliants for different skin types.

What exactly does exfoliating do?

Dead skin cells can accumulate on the surface of the skin, leading to a dull and uneven complexion. Exfoliating helps to remove these dead cells, allowing for better absorption of skincare products and promoting overall skin health.

Dermatologists recommend incorporating exfoliation into your skincare routine to improve the texture and appearance of your skin. When it comes to how often you should exfoliate, it largely depends on your skin type.

Those with oily or acne-prone skin may benefit from more frequent exfoliation, while those with sensitive skin should be more cautious and gentle with their exfoliation routine.

There are a variety of exfoliants available, including physical scrubs, chemical exfoliants, and enzyme exfoliants. Each type has its own set of benefits and considerations, so it's important to choose the right exfoliant for your skin type.

A gentle exfoliator into your skincare routine can help to improve skin texture, reduce the appearance of pores, and promote a more radiant complexion for those with sensitive skin.

It's always best to consult with a dermatologist to determine the best exfoliation routine for your specific needs. They can provide personalized recommendations and help you avoid any potential pitfalls, such as over-exfoliation or using the wrong exfoliant for your skin type.

Gentle Exfoliators That Will Transform Your Sensitive Skin Routine

Taking care of sensitive skin can be a delicate balance, especially when it comes to exfoliation. However, with the help of dermatologist-approved gentle exfoliators, you can transform your sensitive skin routine and achieve a smoother, healthier complexion.

When it comes to sensitive skin, it's important to choose exfoliators that are specifically formulated for delicate skin types. Look for products that are free of harsh chemicals and abrasive particles, and instead opt for gentle chemical exfoliants like salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and lactic acid.

These ingredients can effectively dissolve dead skin cells and unclog pores without causing irritation. It's also crucial to exfoliate no more than twice a week to avoid over-exfoliating, which can lead to redness, dryness, and overall skin irritation. For those with dry skin, consider using a hydrating exfoliant that contains moisturizing ingredients to prevent further dryness.

If you have oily or acne-prone skin, a clarifying exfoliator with salicylic acid can help to reduce excess oil and prevent breakouts. Physical exfoliants like scrubs and brushes can also be effective for sensitive skin, but be sure to choose products with smooth, rounded particles to avoid micro-tears in the skin.

We've found some fantastic products that are perfect for all different skin types, whether you're oily, dry, or a combination of both. We've also considered your level of sensitivity and any specific skin concerns you might have, like acne or dark spots.

Plus, our team has gone the extra mile to ensure that all our products are approved by dermatologists! This means that you can use them with complete peace of mind, knowing that they are safe for your skin.

We've done the research so you don't have to!

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AVEENO Calm + Restore Nourishing PHA Facial Exfoliator, 4 fl. Oz

Daily for Sensitive Skin, Fragrance-Free & Non-Abrasive Oat Formula to Gently Exfoliate & Cleanse Skin, Hypoallergenic

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Aveeno Calm + Restore Nourishing PHA Exfoliator facial cleanser, specially designed for sensitive skin. This amazing cleanser gently exfoliates and cleanses, leaving your skin feeling moisturized and incredibly smooth.

Now you can use a daily facial cleanser that is here to help renew your skin's surface and reveal a refreshed complexion. With its hydrating PHA and nutrient-rich Oat Oil formula, it respects your skin's natural moisture barrier and leaves it feeling perfectly hydrated.

What sets AVEENO exfoliating cleanser apart is its use of Polyhydroxy-Acid (PHA), a non-abrasive liquid exfoliant that is perfect for sensitive skin. This gentle formula effectively removes dirt and impurities, leaving your skin clean and refreshed.

Rest assured, this exfoliating cleanser has been tested on sensitive skin and is hypoallergenic. It is also non-comedogenic, so it won't clog your pores. Plus, it's free from fragrances, parabens, sulfates, alcohols, dyes, and phthalates.

Trust Aveeno to take care of your sensitive skin with our nourishing and gentle exfoliating cleanser. Your skin deserves the best!

PROS

• Polyhydroxy-Acid (PHA), Non-abrasive liquid exfoliant
• Hypoallergenic
• Non-comedogenic

CONS

None

BEST CUSTOMER REVIEW

I absolutely love the non-abrasive formula of AVEENO. My dermo recommended it to me and I have been using it for over 3 years. It effectively cleanses away dirt, oil, and impurities while providing gentle exfoliation. It leaves your skin feeling smooth and moisturized.

Doctor Rogers Restore Natural Face Wash, 5 fl Oz

Daily Face Cleanser, Plant-Based & Hypoallergenic, Dermatologist Created Skin Care

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Introducing Doctor Rogers Restore Natural Face Wash! Our daily face cleanser is not only dermatologist-created, but it's also plant-based and hypoallergenic. It's gentle yet effective, effortlessly removing makeup, sunscreen, and grime without stripping your skin of its natural protection.

They've designed this face wash to deeply cleanse your skin while maintaining its natural balance. With a pH of 5.25, this formula is perfectly balanced to help maintain your skin's natural barrier function. This means that it creates the optimal conditions for your skin to function and protect itself from environmental stressors.

What's even better is that their face wash is safe for all skin types, including sensitive skin! It's great for healing and post-procedure skin treatment without causing any irritation. Plus, its vegan formula makes it a sustainable choice for your skincare routine.

No matter what your skin's needs are, this face wash is here to meet them. Try Doctor Rogers Restore Natural Face Wash today and experience the gentle yet effective cleansing your skin deserves!

PROS

• pH of 5.25 formula
• Vegan formula
• Hypoallergenic

CONS

None

BEST CUSTOMER REVIEW

I absolutely love using Doctor Rogers Restore Natural Face Wash as my daily face cleanser! It's so gentle and nourishing, and it always leaves my skin feeling so refreshed, rejuvenated, and restored. I highly recommend giving it a try!

Differin Face Scrub Daily Brightening Exfoliator, 6 Fl Oz

Improves Tone and Texture for Acne Prone Skin, Dual-action facial scrub gently exfoliates skin and helps improve tone, texture and clarity

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Dealing with adult acne can be a real bummer, but we've sourced Differin Brightening Exfoliator for you. The perfect addition to your skincare routine for a smoother and brighter complexion.

This exfoliator is super gentle on your skin, so you don't have to worry about irritating your active breakouts. It contains amazing ingredients like water soluble jojoba beads, niacinamide, and aloe to improve the tone, texture, and clarity of your skin. It's like a boost of radiance in a bottle!

It is an exfoliator that is great at removing pore-clogging impurities to minimize the appearance of pores. You will find it gently nourishes and soothes your skin with the antioxidant power of white tea and aloe. So, no matter what your day throws at you, your skin will keep on glowing.

And the best part? This formula is suitable for all skin types, even if you have active breakouts. It's oil-free, non-comedogenic, paraben-free, and dermatologist tested, so you can feel confident in using it every day.

Say hello to smoother, brighter skin with Differin Brightening Exfoliator. Give it a try and see the difference it can make for your skin. You deserve to feel confident and radiant every day!

PROS

• Oil-free, non-comedogenic
• Boosts radiance
• Contains jojoba beads and antioxidant blend

CONS

Teeny-tiny blue micro plastic pieces exfoliate your skin and end up going down the drain. Not the best for the environment, right?

BEST CUSTOMER REVIEW

This exfoliator isn't too harsh, but it leaves your skin feeling incredibly smooth to the touch! I absolutely love it!

Neutrogena Skin Perfecting , 4 fl. oz

Daily Liquid Facial Exfoliant with 7% AHA/PHA Blend with HA to Smooth, Exfoliate & Replenish Dry Skin, Leave-On Face Exfoliator, Oil and Fragrance-Free

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The Neutrogena Skin Perfecting 7% AHA/PHA Blend and HA Daily Liquid Facial Exfoliant for Dry Skin! This amazing product is designed to complement your skin's natural renewal process and gently sweep away dead, dry surface skin, revealing fresh and soft skin.

Whether you have fair or dark skin, you'll love this oil-free face exfoliator. It's packed with skin smoothing acids that will polish your skin, while still being gentle and nourishing enough for daily use. You'll be amazed at how it leaves your skin feeling hydrated, conditioned, and replenished, giving you a fresh and glowing complexion.

Neutrogena's special blend includes glycolic acid, a powerful AHA that helps reveal brighter-looking skin, as well as gluconolactone, which acts as both an exfoliant and a moisturizing humectant, decongesting your pores and conditioning your skin. And of course, we couldn't forget about hyaluronic acid, an essential hydrator that already exists in your skin.

This product is specifically made for dry skin, containing moisture-binding humectants that will leave your skin feeling conditioned and hydrated. Plus, we've balanced the pH for optimal efficacy. And the best part? It's fragrance-free and formulated without alcohol, oil, sulfates, parabens, phthalates, and dyes.

Try out the Neutrogena Skin Perfecting 7% AHA/PHA Blend + HA Daily

PROS

• pH for optimal efficacy
• 7% AHA/PHA Blend and HA
• Contains moisture-binding humectants

CONS

I tried this product for the first time and unfortunately, it left a strange smell on my face - maybe it was rancid. It's quite disappointing, so I decided to get rid of it and look for an alternative option.

BEST CUSTOMER REVIEW

I'm really pleased with how this product has helped calm down the dry skin on my face. It's made such a difference! Plus, the best part is that it doesn't have any smell. I would definitely recommend this product to anyone dealing with flaky skin. And on top of all that, it's a great price too!

Microdermabrasion Facial Scrub and Face Exfoliator, 4 Oz

Exfoliating Face Scrub Polish Cream with Dermatologist Grade Crystals for Anti-Aging, Dullness, Wrinkles, and Pores

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The amazing Microdermabrasion Facial Scrub and Face Exfoliator! This fantastic exfoliating face scrub polish cream is packed with dermatologist-grade crystals, perfect for targeting anti-aging concerns, dullness, wrinkles, and pores.

But that's not all! They are proud to use clean, plant-based ingredients that are clinically proven to deliver results. This scrub effectively reduce blemishes and scars, but it also works to minimize pores and prevent blackheads. A big plus, is that it helps to increase skin elasticity for a youthful and radiant complexion.

So why wait? Try the incredible Microdermabrasion Facial Scrub and Face Exfoliator today and experience the benefits for yourself!

PROS

• Targeting anti-aging concerns
• Vegan
• Minimize pores and prevent blackheads
• Reduce blemishes and scars

CONS

Very mild for my skin and therefore no visible results.

BEST CUSTOMER REVIEW

I was a bit unsure about buying this product because I was worried that the beads might be dull and not worth the price. However, I just received it today and I have to say, I'm pleasantly surprised with the results! Not only does it smell amazing, but you can really feel the grit exfoliating your skin. And now my face feels incredibly smooth! I would definitely purchase this again!

TULA Skin Care So Polished Exfoliating Sugar Scrub , 2.9 oz

Face Scrub, Gently Exfoliates with Sugar, Papaya, and Probiotic Extracts for a Softer and Radiant-Looking Complexion

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Meet Dr. Roshini Raj, a wonderful gastroenterologist with over 20 years of experience. She had a lightbulb moment when she witnessed the incredible impact probiotics had on her patients' lives. Not only did they start feeling better, but their skin also seemed to have a radiant glow.

That's when the Tula sugar scrub was born - a magical combination of powerful probiotic extracts and skin superfoods to give you healthy, balanced, and glowing skin. Their products are not only clean and clinically proven, but they are also incredibly effective. Plus, they don't contain any live cultures. Tula's probiotic extracts work wonders in improving your skin's balance and soothing any irritation, while boosting hydration.

Tula's vision has always been to inspire confidence and promote skin positivity. They believe that beauty starts from within. And guess what? Tula's exfoliating sugar scrub, infused with the delightful scents of pineapple and papaya, will transport you to a tropical beach vacation.

PROS

• Probiotic formula
• Polish, soften & renew your skin
• 'Beauty starts from within' concept
• Great smell

CONS

It has a pleasant scent and feels gentle on the skin. I feel that it's suitable for daily use, but if you're looking for a more intense or weekly scrub, I would recommend trying something else.

BEST CUSTOMER REVIEW

Tula Scrub is seriously one of the best scrubs I've ever tried, and trust me, it smells absolutely incredible!

Dr. Brandt PoreDermabrasion, 2 oz

Pore Perfecting Exfoliator that Refines the Appearance of Pores, Deep Cleans and Improves Skin Texture

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Dr. Brandts PoreDermabrasion, the ultimate solution for reducing the appearance of enlarged pores! This professional-grade treatment is perfect for all skin types and will leave your skin feeling smooth and flawless.

Say goodbye to clogged pores and hello to improved skin texture!  Salicylic acid works to remove impurities for a smoother, brighter, and more even complexion. Micro-size aluminum oxide crystals deep clean pores and improves skin’s texture.  A unique formula combines physical and chemical exfoliation to target impurities and remove dead skin cells, giving you visibly refined pores and a more even complexion.

Rest assured, this doctor-designed formula is not only safe but also incredibly powerful. With micro-size aluminum oxide crystals that deeply cleanse your pores and improve your skin's texture, and salicylic acid that helps remove impurities, you can trust that you're getting the best ingredients for your skin.

Try Dr. Brandt PoreDermabrasion today for smoother, brighter, and more beautiful skin!

PROS

• Reduces enlarged pores
• Salicylic acid
• Micro-size aluminum oxide crystals
• Powerful exfoliation, use intermittently

CONS

• Price for the product size is too high

BEST CUSTOMER REVIEW

If I have an event coming up, I like to use this powerful exfoliation product a few times a week for the two weeks leading up to it. It really helps my skin look and feel amazing by the time the event rolls around. Trust me, you won't be disappointed!

Last Thoughts

Exfoliation not only helps with sensitive skin or sensitive skin with acne, but it also promotes a brighter and more radiant complexion. By sloughing away dead skin cells, exfoliation reveals the fresh and healthy skin lying beneath. This can improve the overall texture and tone of your skin, giving you that coveted youthful glow.

Regular exfoliation can enhance the effectiveness of other skincare products by allowing them to penetrate deeper into the skin. So, if you want to maximize the benefits of your favorite serums and moisturizers, exfoliation is definitely the way to go.

Just remember to choose gentle exfoliants specifically formulated for sensitive skin to avoid any irritation or redness.

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1. How often should you exfoliate your face?

It depends on your skin type. For most skin types, dermatologists recommend exfoliating 2-3 times a week. However, for those with acne-prone skin or sensitive skin, exfoliating only once a week may be sufficient. If you have oily skin, you may need to exfoliate more frequently to prevent clogged pores.

2. What are the benefits of exfoliation?

Exfoliation helps in removing dead skin cells, promoting skin cell turnover, unclogging pores, and improving the absorption of skin care products such as serums. It also results in a more radiant complexion and can enhance the effectiveness of other cosmetic treatments.

3. Can exfoliating too often harm your skin?

Over-exfoliating can lead to irritation, dryness, and redness, especially for those with sensitive skin. Physical exfoliants can be more abrasive and may cause micro-tears in the skin. It's important to know your skin type and adjust your exfoliating routine

4. Should I use physical or chemical exfoliants for my sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, chemical exfoliants are generally preferred over physical exfoliants. Chemical exfoliants work more gently to shed dead skin cells without the potential risk of irritating the skin's surface.

5. Can exfoliating help with acne-prone sensitive skin?

Exfoliation can be a game-changer for those with acne-prone sensitive skin. Not only does it help to unclog pores, but it also plays a crucial role in preventing future breakouts. By gently removing dead skin cells and excess oil from the surface of the skin, exfoliation keeps those enlarged pores clear and free from debris. This reduces the chances of bacteria buildup and inflammation, which are often the culprits behind those stubborn pimples.