Are you addicted to exfoliating? Why exfoliating can actually make your skin worse…

That smooth, fresh-faced feeling of skin exfoliation can feel addictive. Whether it's acids, physical scrubs, harsh tools or even certain beauty treatments - read our owner Nicola's blog about why you need to step away from the exfoliation!

Everyone is constantly exfoliating. For years it’s been touted as the main way to quickly transform your skin, especially all over social media. However, exfoliating is actually nearly always far too harsh for our skin. I always say, “If your skin is working in a healthy way then any form of abrasive exfoliation isn’t needed!”

Why you shouldn’t be exfoliating:

The unfortunate truth about aggressive exfoliation is that, over time, it does the exact opposite of what you intend. Instead of enhancing your skin, it can lead to premature aging, dryness, dullness, and even increase the risk of skin cancer.

The stratum corneum, or outermost layer of skin, is just two-hundredths of a millimeter thick and can be easily removed. Even a light scratch can strip it away. Despite its fragility, the health of our skin is entirely dependent on this delicate layer.

Misconceptions about dead skin cells:

Many people mistakenly believe that the surface of the skin is covered with dead, useless cells that make the skin look dull, prevent it from “breathing,” and clog pores. They think that scrubbing these cells away will make the skin brighter and fresher.

In reality, these so-called “dead” cells are the mature, functional cells of the skin, serving an essential purpose. Even the skin cells that have died or flattened still have a job or a role to perform. They form our acid mantle which protects from bacteria, funguses, and viruses, they reflect UV light, they form our waterproof barrier helping our skin to retain moisture, and they are also a major part of our skin microbiome.

While your skin might seem healthier and more radiant immediately after exfoliation, you are exposing immature cells to environmental hazards long before they are equipped to handle them. These cells, shocked by sudden exposure, cannot fully protect the skin, leading to a loss of hydration and making the skin dry and dull within a few days. The cycle of damage often continues as you feel compelled to exfoliate again to regain that temporary glow. Dermaplaning is an example of an extremely damaging view of dead skin cells. The concept of scraping off our dead skin cells with a razor is something that, in ten years’ time, we will think was crazy!

The impact of exfoliation on your skin:

Exfoliating significantly thins the stratum corneum, stripping away your skin’s natural protective barrier. This leaves your skin more vulnerable to damage from light rays, free radicals, and environmental pollutants, and increases the risk of photo-aging and skin cancer. Your skin becomes dehydrated as water escapes through the compromised barrier, and harmful chemicals can penetrate more easily, putting your skin in a state of emergency. This interferes with your skin’s natural processes, leaving it more susceptible to damage.

Why your skin looks healthier, plump and glowing after exfoliation:

After removing the “dead” layer of skin through procedures like microdermabrasion, the newly exposed immature cells appear plump, moisturised, and healthy. However, these cells are not yet fully developed and lack the necessary protection to survive in a dry atmosphere, leading to dehydration and dullness a few days later. It takes about a week for the stratum corneum to fully recover.