Stepping into this one with you, “How Often Should You Exfoliate?” feels a bit like inviting you in for a casual chat about your skin in my treatment room. I’m Sevine Forster, and I’ve spent nearly 20 years working with all sorts of skin in London, Brisbane, and everywhere in between, and let me tell you, exfoliation‘s one of those things that’s often done wrong.
Get it right, and it’s like a mini facelift in a bottle, brightening, softening, and generally refining the look of your skin. But do it wrong, and it’s like trying to polish a car with a blowtorch; you’ll end up with a burned, irritated mess on your hands. Let’s try to get to the bottom of this so you can exfoliate with confidence, not a nagging sense of ‘am I doing this right?‘
Exfoliation‘s not some fad; it’s a natural process that’s been going on under our very noses all along. Your skin sheds those dead cells in a process called natural desquamation, which is part of the bigger picture of your skin just quietly chugging along. But of course, life gets in the way, age, hormones, heat, stress and all those products we love to pile on can slow it all down.
By giving your skin a little help, you can pretty much guarantee:
Overdo it, though, and let me tell you, your skin will be the first to let you know what’s going on, which is why many people start looking into what are common skin care mistakes when things go wrong.
Healthy exfoliation is all about giving your skin a little nudge in the right direction. Overdo it, and you’ll be doing more harm than good. Here’s what you’ve got to watch out for:
Brisbane clients often go a bit overboard with exfoliation in summer; they get the heat and the humidity mixed up and go for the stronger stuff on the shelf. Newsflash: it’s just sweat, not a reason to load up on the hydroxy acids or abrasive particles.
Every exfoliation routine starts with your skin type – not the latest TikTok trends. When I meet with clients at The Facial Hub, this is the first thing I look at.
These skin types often have a naturally thinner stratum corneum and a weaker skin barrier. Chemical exfoliants such as lactic acid or PHA-based moisturising chemical exfoliants are usually the safest treatment option here. Recommended frequency: 1× weekly, with plenty of hydration after.
This is where beta hydroxy acids like salicylic acid shine. They dissolve oil, remove dead cells inside pores, and help calm inflammatory acne without the harshness of a physical scrub. Recommended frequency: 2–3× weekly, depending on sensitivity and excess oil production.
Combination skin responds well to alternating alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) like glycolic acid and enzymatic exfoliants made from fruit enzymes. Recommended frequency: 1–2× weekly, adjusting with the seasons.
As we age, the epidermal renewal process slows, meaning dead cells linger longer. Gentle chemical exfoliation helps maintain radiance without damaging the barrier. Recommended frequency: 1–2× weekly, ideally using lactic acid or enzyme treatments.
Choose a product based on your skin type; it’s not about the latest trends, it’s about what your skin needs, whether that’s a gentle option like OrganicSpa Face Exfoliant or something more active.
These use hydroxy acids to gently and effectively get rid of dead skin cells without all the harsh scrubbing as seen in advanced formulations like Spaceuticals Resveratrol FX Exfoliate.
Some popular activities:
A chemical exfoliant can be a real game-changer when you pick the right one, especially with formulas like Thalasso Smooth Exfoliate designed for balanced renewal.
These rely on a bit of friction – think physical scrubs, exfoliating tools or finely milled powders, similar to controlled treatments like microdermabrasion. Just make sure to choose products with safe materials like jojoba beads. Stay away from anything containing harsh, sharp, abrasive particles that are going to rough up your skin and damage your barrier.
These use enzymes from fruit to get your skin looking smooth and healthy without all the harsh scrubbing. They’re also great for reactive skin or people recovering from a chemical peel.
| Ingredient | Type | Best For | Strength Level | Irritation Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lactic Acid | AHA | Dry, sensitive | Mild | Low |
| Glycolic Acid | AHA | Normal, mature | Medium–High | Medium–High |
| Salicylic Acid | BHA | Oily, acne-prone | Medium | Low–Medium |
| Fruit Enzymes | Enzymatic | Sensitive | Mild | Very Low |
| Jojoba Beads | Physical | Most skin types | Mild | Low |
| Harsh Nut Shell Scrubs | Physical | None | High | High |
Your skin will always let you know when something isn’t quite right – the trick is to learn to catch on quickly before it spirals out of control.
I had a client come to me once who thought she just needed to kick things up a notch with stronger acids. But what she really needed to do was stop laying on the hydroxy acids and mechanical exfoliation like a thick layer of icing on her skincare cake – using three different hydroxy acids and a scrub in the same week was just asking for trouble.
Here’s the way I’ve figured out to build a routine that gets results after years of working with clients, repairing their skin barriers and dealing with the aftermath of over-exfoliation (and I’ve been there too, trust me, during those wild hormonal fluctuations).
Help out your skin barrier by using hydrating products that are gentle on your skin, things like glycerin, aloe or even Kalanchoe extract. I’ve been hearing good things about that one lately, often combining professional ranges like Spaceuticals for better results.
Avoid using too many different things at once – this is a recipe for disaster. Try to avoid:
If you live in a place that gets really humid, like Brisbane, your skin is going to get a little more oily and slow down on the natural shedding front.
If you live somewhere really dry like Melbourne, mechanical exfoliation might be a bit too harsh on your skin in the winter.
Your skincare routine should change with the climate – it’s one of those simple things that can make a big difference.
Body skin is a bit thicker and generally needs a bit more TLC, so you can exfoliate it 2 to 3 times a week with a body scrub, chemical exfoliation or those lovely AHA/BHA body lotions.
This helps with:
Just avoid using anything too harsh – no sharp exfoliating tools or scrubs with jagged abrasive particles.
Exfoliation doesn’t have to be a headache. Once you figure out your skin type, what your lifestyle’s like, and get the whole skincare products thing right, it all just falls into place and becomes second nature, your skin stays healthy and looks its best.
If you need some help choosing the perfect treatment option, then just pop in and see me at The Facial Hub. I’ll help you make sense of all those scary-sounding bits like acids, scrubs, enzymes…you name it.
At The Facial Hub, I’m often asked, “How often should you exfoliate?” The answer depends on your skin type, sensitivity, and the type of exfoliation you’re using. From my clinical experience, most people benefit from 1–3 times per week, but over-exfoliating can damage the skin barrier and lead to irritation or breakouts. It’s about finding the right balance rather than following a fixed rule.
For me, effective exfoliation is about consistency, gentle methods, and choosing what supports your skin without overwhelming it.
— Sevine Foster
You can do damage if you try to exfoliate every single day, unless you’re using one of those super gentle AHA’s or a moisturising chemical exfoliant that’s really good for your skin.
You should exfoliate before you shave; it’ll help prevent those annoying ingrown hairs, and it’s especially good with a BHA chemical exfoliator.
Yes, if you do it regularly, you’ll notice your skin tone start to even out with time.
If you’re pregnant, then you’re best sticking to very mild AHAs like lactic acid, enzyme formulas or gentle physical exfoliators like jojoba beads. Always check it with your healthcare provider first.
There are a few reasons. It might be that you’re just purging, or the irritation could be from using too many hydroxy acids or being a bit too heavy-handed with the physical scrubs.
