It takes not one but multiple steps to build an effective skincare routine. Each step is pretty important in its own way, and exfoliation is one of the most crucial skincare steps. Exfoliation is one of the main keys to healthy and glowing skin; one should indulge in regular exfoliation in order to achieve smooth and radiant skin. Aside from removing dead skin cells from the skin, regular exfoliation also helps eliminate dirt and impurities from the surface, leaving behind bright, even-toned and glowing skin.
Exfoliation can help your skin in multiple ways, but when done incorrectly, it can lead to several skin issues, which will only make things worse for you. Ideally, one should exfoliate their skin just twice or thrice a week, going overboard with it can cause some serious damage to your skin, and the extent of damage can vary from person to person. Over-exfoliation won’t do your skin any good, in fact, it will only cause more harm to your skin, hence it’s essential to strike a balance between the two in order to keep your skin happy and healthy.
Listed below are 5 signs that indicate you have been over-exfoliating your skin.
Redness and irritation
Over-exfoliation can lead to issues like redness and irritation, and if you are experiencing these even hours after you have exfoliated, then take it as a sign that you have over-exfoliated your skin. Going overboard with exfoliation can end up damaging the top layer of your skin, which in turn leads to inflammation. The best way to deal with these issues is by taking a short break from exfoliation, and you can also consider applying aloe vera gel on the affected areas to calm and soothe your skin.
Dryness
Dryness is yet another common issue that can arise with over-exfoliation. Exfoliation helps slough away dead and dry skin from the surface, but if your skin fails to feel softer and glowing even after exfoliating and rather looks drier and flakier than it looked before, then take it as a sign that you have been over-exfoliating your skin. The best way to deal with excessive dryness caused due to over-exfoliation is by slathering on a thick and hydrating moisturizer on your face.
Excess oil production
Going overboard with exfoliation can easily result in excessive oil production. Over-exfoliation causes your skin to become dry, and in order to compensate for the lost hydration, your skin overproduces sebum, which in turn, leads to excessive oiliness. The easiest way to deal with this issue is by using a lightweight moisturizer, it won’t only help provide hydration to your skin but will also keep sebum production in check.
Acne breakouts
Acne is a common skin woe, and there’s always a reason for them to appear. But if you feel you have been doing everything right and are still struggling with acne, then chances are you are over-exfoliating your skin. The sudden appearance of acne can be associated with over-exfoliation. Since over-exfoliation leads to excess sebum production, it ends up clogging your pores, and clogged pores result in acne breakouts. In order to prevent this issue, you should include a gentle detoxifying face wash in your skincare routine. Washing your face with this face wash won’t only help remove excess oil from the skin but dirt and impurities as well.
Puffiness
If your face is looking puffy post-exfoliation, then there are chances that you have gone overboard with exfoliation. Over-exfoliation ends up disrupting your skin’s natural barrier, making it easier for external factors like dirt, germs, and pollutants to harm your skin, which in turn leads to inflammation. You should definitely consider taking a break from exfoliation if you are experiencing puffiness to avoid causing more damage to your skin.
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