There are so many great exfoliating products out there that help remove dead skin cells to keep your skin looking fresh. But if you overuse them or overwash your face, it can lead to over-exfoliating your skin, and it can be a *process* to undo. Even if you think your current exfoliation routine is working, it's worth noting the weird sign that you may be over-exfoliating your skin—so you can try to avoid the issue entirely.To help you prevent over-exfoliation or to heal skin that's already been over-exfoliated, Parade consulted a celebrity dermatologist for some helpful tips and tricks. Dr. Michael Lin is a California-licensed physician and board-certified dermatologist with his own line of skincare products. He's also the founder of the Advanced Dermatology and Skin Cancer Institute at Unified Health and has previously appeared on shows like Keeping Up with the Kardashians and The Doctors. His years of experience mean that he knows exactly what can lead to over-exfoliated skin—and one of the sneaky causes may surprise you."Over-exfoliation often comes from the misconception that 'deeper cleaning' leads to healthier skin," Dr. Lin says, adding, "In truth, healthy skin thrives on balance. Be gentle, protect your skin barrier and let your skin naturally renew itself—you'll get a healthier, longer-lasting glow that way."To get that long-lasting glow, you need to make sure to notice and avoid this sign that you're actually over-exfoliating your skin.Related: 25 Best Facial Exfoliators for Mature Skin, According to Celebrity Estheticians
This Weird Sign Might Mean You're Actually Over-Exfoliating Your Skin, According to a Celebrity Dermatologist
"Many people believe that scrubbing until the skin looks red means it's 'clean,'" Dr. Lin says. "In reality, that redness is a sign that the skin barrier has been damaged. This kind of irritation makes skin more sensitive and increases the risk of inflammation or infection."
Other signs of over-exfoliation include skin that "becomes dry, tight and sometimes even cracked," Dr. Lin says, adding, "It may sting when exposed to warm water, and the surface can appear red or pink. These are signs that the skin's protective barrier has been disrupted."Related: Most People Aren’t Exfoliating This Body Part Enough—and It’s a Health Hazard
How To Treat and Heal Over-Exfoliated Skin
Once your skin has been over-exfoliated, Dr. Lin says, "The best thing you can do is stop exfoliating and focus on restoring moisture." He recommends a thick, protective ointment like Vaseline or Aquaphor "because they lock in moisture and protect the skin barrier."He adds that jarred creams "are the next best option" and pump-bottle lotions "are the lightest and least protective, so they're better suited for maintenance once the skin has healed."
To avoid the issue in the first place, Dr. Lin says it's important to be gentle with your skin. "Avoid hot water and harsh soaps, as they strip away natural oils," he warns, adding, "Skip physical scrubs altogether—your skin doesn't need to be scrubbed to be clean."If you do want to exfoliate, he recommends products with "gentle chemical exfoliants such as salicylic acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid and urea" which he says are "safer and more effective options."Related: Is ‘Skin Flooding’ Legit? A Board-Certified Dermatologist Weighs In
How Long Does It Take for Over-Exfoliated Skin To Heal?
If you have damaged your skin barrier with over-exfoliation, Dr. Lin says you can expect it to heal in one or two weeks "as long as the skin is left alone and well-moisturized." He adds, "The more you support the skin barrier, the faster it can recover."
"If redness or irritation lasts beyond a couple of weeks, or if the skin begins to ooze, feel warm, or develop pus, it could be a sign of infection," he says. "In those cases, it's important to see a doctor right away."
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Source:
Dr. Michael Lin is a California-licensed physician and board-certified dermatologist who has appeared on Keeping Up with the Kardashians. He has a line of skincare products to help people with acne, anti-aging and more. He's also the founder of the Advanced Dermatology and Skin Cancer Institute at Unified Health.Hence then, the article about the weird sign you might actually be over exfoliating your skin a celebrity dermatologist warns was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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