What should I do if I over exfoliated my face?

What should I do now?

1. 1Wash gently with warm water and a mild, soap free, fragrance free cleanser. Hot water strips natural oils efficiently, which is a talent no face asked for.
2. 2Rinse the cleanser off rather than massaging for a long time. Your cleanser does not need a full minute of overtime; massage it on and rinse.
3. 3Pat your face dry, then apply moisturizer promptly, ideally within five minutes of washing. Reapply if your skin remains dry.
4. 4Pause exfoliation, including scrubs, brushes, sponges, pads and chemical exfoliants such as alpha hydroxy acids and beta hydroxy acids. Flakes are not a new assignment for the scrub brush; they are a reason to stop exfoliating.
5. 5Do not exfoliate while using retinol, prescription retinoids or benzoyl peroxide, which can make skin more sensitive or cause peeling. If your face is dry or irritated, leave retinol out until it settles.
6. 6Wear sunscreen every day while you keep your routine gentle.

How long should I stop exfoliating after over exfoliating?

Let the irritation, not a countdown, set the pause. Wait until redness, tenderness, flaking and stinging have settled before considering exfoliation again. Skin barrier repair can take three to four months to start showing benefits, so a quick return to exfoliating is not a useful deadline. When you do restart, be gentle and use it less often; more aggressive exfoliation needs a less frequent schedule.12

What moisturizer should I use after over exfoliating?

Choose a fragrance free facial moisturizer with ceramides, fatty acids or lipids, which are components of the skin barrier. There is no single best moisturizer for everyone: lotions are lighter, creams are richer, and ointments are the most occlusive and can feel greasy. Apply moisturizer after washing and use it again as needed while your face is dry. If a product causes persistent burning or makes a rash worse, stop using it and ask a pharmacist for advice.14

Can I use retinol after over exfoliating?

Wait until your skin is no longer dry or irritated before restarting retinol. Retinol can dry and irritate skin, and exfoliating while using retinol, prescription retinoids or benzoyl peroxide can worsen dryness. If you restart a nonprescription retinol, patch test first, follow the product directions and start slowly. One general approach is a thin layer every other night for the first couple of weeks, followed by moisturizer. If you use a prescription retinoid, ask the prescriber before changing its schedule.235

When should I get medical advice?

Speak to a pharmacist if the reaction is troubling you. See a doctor if symptoms are severe, persistent or keep returning, or if the irritation is interfering with daily life. Blistering, dryness and cracking can occur with contact dermatitis, so get medical advice if those symptoms develop.6