Are You Ruining Your Skin with Exfoliating Products?

The 1960s had cold cream, the 1980s featured alcohol-based astringents, and now we have acids, enzymes and at-home chemical peels with potency unheard of just a few years ago. In the right hands, today’s treatments work wonders. But too many women (particularly young women in their 20′s and 30′s) are going too far, too often–when they think they are doing right.

Exfoliation = the removal of surface dry skin cells.  It’s considered one of the most important techniques that people can perform on their skin to resolve certain skin problems as well as achieve healthy, glowing and young-looking skin.

Never before have there been more potent and powerful gels, acids and peels available for skin care enthusiasts to keep their skin looking young. That’s the good and bad news.  While peels and exfoliants can work wonders for skin, too much of a good thing can cause major damage–and I see it often…

The benefits of exfoliation:

-open clogged pores

-stimulate lipid production to keep skin moist and the barrier intact

-promote cell turnover

-remove dryness and surface flakiness

-break up pigmented cells to reduce

-smooth the texture of the skin

-soften the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, chicken pox scars and acne scars

-make large pores appear less noticeable

-an increased sun sensitivity by 45% putting the skin at risk for sunburns

-encourage new collagen formation

These days, I’ve noticed the trend, “If it’s not burning or stinging, it’s not working.” Clients won’t come right out and say this to me, but I know they are thinking it. In the quest to look younger, people are doing too many aggressive exfoliating treatments (at home and in spa) that are actually injuring their skin.

Too much exfoliation can cause:

-a stripped barrier function causing dehydration, flaking, redness and inflammation

-dryness (moisture seeps out of cells)

-aging due to chronic and prolonged inflammation

-a destruction of healthy cells

-a stimulation of melanin activity resulting in an increase of hyperpigmentation

-products to sting and irritate the skin (due to stripped barrier function)

So, you’ve over-exfoliated…now what to do?

Here are some simple solutions to repair your skin:

-Make sure you always use as directed…it’s as easy as reading the directions

-Use facial scrubs with round grains that roll easily over skin and do not apply a lot of pressure (All Renée Rouleau scrubs used round grains only)

-Avoid toners containing alcohol (All Renée Rouleau toners are alcohol-free)

-Give your skin balance with a little of everything – not too much of one thing

-Look for ingredients like ceramides, hazelnut, rose hips seed oil, borage, jojoba, and soybean; they help to build up the skin s barrier and help it to keep it intact

-Avoid washing with harsh cleansers and opt for a baby washcloth that is gentler on skin

-Always wear a sunscreen 365 days a year – rain or shine to keep sun sensitivity at a minimum

-Avoid using Vitamin C serums that cause a tingly sensation on the skin (Use our gentle, no-sting Vitamin C&E Complex)

-Avoid using mint or menthol-based products that can cause a tingly sensation on the skin until the skin is repaired

-Discontinue using the Clarisonic brush until the skin is repaired (Read: Is the Clarisonic Brush Harmful or Helpful to the Skin?)

Bottom line: Go easy on your skin. Your intention to help your skin may in fact be harming your skin. Be sure to listen to your skin, as it will tell you when something is too much. If your skin is irritated, it will let you know and you have to respect that. Always work with Mother Nature, never against her.

Read: Must-Have Skin Care Ingredients for Those Who Exfoliate Regularly

Have a skin concern? Check out Skin Source—the A-Z guide on everything from acne, exfoliation and large pores to brown spots, sun protection and so much more!

Get products recommended for your skin type by choosing one of our nine skin types.

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Information courtesy of www.ReneeRouleau.com, a website with skin care tips, products based on nine skin types and advice from skin care expert and celebrity esthetician, Renée Rouleau.