Healing Over-Exfoliated Skin: How to Treat Over-Exfoliation
6 min read
May 27,2024
LIFE STYLE
Healing Over-Exfoliated Skin: How to Treat Over-Exfoliation
6 min read
May 27,2024
LIFE STYLE
If you’re working on healing over-exfoliated skin, remember this: it’s a marathon, not a sprint. In fact, it may take several weeks for your skin to bounce back from the wear and tear of over-exfoliation. During this healing phase, your best bet is to pamper the affected area with a gentle, restorative skin care product. Here’s how you can switch up your skin care routine to keep your skin's well-being in mind and prevent further exfoliation damage.
If you’re working on healing over-exfoliated skin, remember this: it’s a marathon, not a sprint. In fact, it may take several weeks for your skin to bounce back from the wear and tear of over-exfoliation. During this healing phase, your best bet is to pamper the affected area with a gentle, restorative skin care product. Here’s how you can switch up your skin care routine to keep your skin's well-being in mind and prevent further exfoliation damage.
01
Healing and Repairing Over-Exfoliated Skin
Exfoliation works by removing the dead skin cells on the outermost layer of skin, revealing living skin cells that are better able to absorb nutrients. Because you’re removing layers of skin, however, it's easy to overdo it, and it's important to moisturize after exfoliatingThe two types of sunscreens are based on theiThe first step toward caring for this damaged skin is putting a full stop to exfoliating. Continuing to exfoliate the skin with a compromised skin barrierWhen your skin is over-exfoliated, it's vulnerable and more susceptible to irritation from many sources, even non-exfoliants. Therefore, it's important to avoid skincare products that can further irritate or damage the skin barrier. Primarily, this means avoiding products that dry out your skin until it’s fully recovered. This can include harsh chemical exfoliants, products containing alcohol, retinol, and acids such as salicylic acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid, alpha hydroxy acids). But this can also include additional hidden irritants like fragrances
to replenish lost moisture and support skin health. Exfoliation exposes cells that may not be equipped to deal with environmental exposure, which can lead to irritation, dryness, and flaky skin.1
Over-exfoliation often means that the stratum corneum, the outermost layer of skin, which may only be 10 to 30 layers thick, has been completely stripped away.1This layer takes time to grow back meaning that depending on the severity of your symptoms, age, and genetic factors, the effects of
over-exfoliation can last from several weeks to over a month.2,3
Care for Over-Exfoliated Skin
means risking increased irritation and even permanent scarring or premature signs of aging.4To provide additional relief for your skin type, consider using anti-inflammatory treatments like hydrocortisone cream or natural remedies such as aloe vera.
Freshly damaged skin should be protected with a lightweight gentle facial moisturizer like OS-01 FACE to fortify the skin barrier and soothe the skin.* In more severe cases your skin may need products like petroleum jelly to create a physical barrier that keeps irritants out and prevents the exposed skin from drying out.4 In either case, we recommend consulting a dermatologist or physician to determine which course of action is best for you. Over-exfoliated skin exhibits signs of sun sensitivity as the layers most protective against the sun's radiation are gone or damaged. This makes sunscreen a necessity but make sure to choose one guaranteed to be gentle on the skin. We’re big fans of
mineral sunscreen for the face and body.5
active ingredients, and include chemical sunscreens and physical (or mineral) sunscreens. Chemical sunscreens work by absorbing high energy UV rays and emitting them at low energy levels as heat. Mineral sunscreens work by forming a physical barrier that blocks UV rays from penetrating skin cells. Products to Avoid
and essential oils that can cause unnecessary stress to the damaged skin.6
01
Healing and Repairing Over-Exfoliated Skin
Exfoliation works by removing the dead skin cells on the outermost layer of skin, revealing living skin cells that are better able to absorb nutrients. Because you’re removing layers of skin, however, it's easy to overdo it, and it's important to moisturize after exfoliatingThe two types of sunscreens are based on theiThe first step toward caring for this damaged skin is putting a full stop to exfoliating. Continuing to exfoliate the skin with a compromised skin barrierWhen your skin is over-exfoliated, it's vulnerable and more susceptible to irritation from many sources, even non-exfoliants. Therefore, it's important to avoid skincare products that can further irritate or damage the skin barrier. Primarily, this means avoiding products that dry out your skin until it’s fully recovered. This can include harsh chemical exfoliants, products containing alcohol, retinol, and acids such as salicylic acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid, alpha hydroxy acids). But this can also include additional hidden irritants like fragrances
to replenish lost moisture and support skin health. Exfoliation exposes cells that may not be equipped to deal with environmental exposure, which can lead to irritation, dryness, and flaky skin.1
Over-exfoliation often means that the stratum corneum, the outermost layer of skin, which may only be 10 to 30 layers thick, has been completely stripped away.1This layer takes time to grow back meaning that depending on the severity of your symptoms, age, and genetic factors, the effects of
over-exfoliation can last from several weeks to over a month.2,3
Care for Over-Exfoliated Skin
means risking increased irritation and even permanent scarring or premature signs of aging.4To provide additional relief for your skin type, consider using anti-inflammatory treatments like hydrocortisone cream or natural remedies such as aloe vera.
Freshly damaged skin should be protected with a lightweight gentle facial moisturizer like OS-01 FACE to fortify the skin barrier and soothe the skin.* In more severe cases your skin may need products like petroleum jelly to create a physical barrier that keeps irritants out and prevents the exposed skin from drying out.4 In either case, we recommend consulting a dermatologist or physician to determine which course of action is best for you. Over-exfoliated skin exhibits signs of sun sensitivity as the layers most protective against the sun's radiation are gone or damaged. This makes sunscreen a necessity but make sure to choose one guaranteed to be gentle on the skin. We’re big fans of
mineral sunscreen for the face and body.5
active ingredients, and include chemical sunscreens and physical (or mineral) sunscreens. Chemical sunscreens work by absorbing high energy UV rays and emitting them at low energy levels as heat. Mineral sunscreens work by forming a physical barrier that blocks UV rays from penetrating skin cells. Products to Avoid
and essential oils that can cause unnecessary stress to the damaged skin.6
02
Preventing Future Over-Exfoliation
When you notice that your skin is becoming over-exfoliated, it may be time to rethink your approach to skincare. Exfoliation is a useful tool, but only after giving your skin time to heal. Start by exfoliating only once or twice a week and work up to a level healthy for your skin. Your skin will react differently to exfoliation based on genetic factors, your environment, overall skin health, and age. This makes listening to your skin the best way to prevent over-exfoliation in the future.7
Exfoliators can be found in many skincare products leading to unintentional damage to the skin. If your skin gets dry and irritated after your skincare routine, this likely means you need to swap harsh exfoliators, scrubs, and cleansers for gentle skin care products that work with your skin, not against it. Whether you have over-exfoliated or sensitive skin, OneSkin’s products can help with gentle exfoliation. OneSkin’s proprietary OS-01 peptide is scientifically proven to boost skin cell turnover and clinically validated to fortify skin’s barrier.*8,9 OS-01 FACE is even proven to support a healthy
skin microbiome. Read more about integrating OneSkin’s topical supplements into your skin routine today.02
Preventing Future Over-Exfoliation
When you notice that your skin is becoming over-exfoliated, it may be time to rethink your approach to skincare. Exfoliation is a useful tool, but only after giving your skin time to heal. Start by exfoliating only once or twice a week and work up to a level healthy for your skin. Your skin will react differently to exfoliation based on genetic factors, your environment, overall skin health, and age. This makes listening to your skin the best way to prevent over-exfoliation in the future.7
Exfoliators can be found in many skincare products leading to unintentional damage to the skin. If your skin gets dry and irritated after your skincare routine, this likely means you need to swap harsh exfoliators, scrubs, and cleansers for gentle skin care products that work with your skin, not against it. Whether you have over-exfoliated or sensitive skin, OneSkin’s products can help with gentle exfoliation. OneSkin’s proprietary OS-01 peptide is scientifically proven to boost skin cell turnover and clinically validated to fortify skin’s barrier.*8,9 OS-01 FACE is even proven to support a healthy
skin microbiome. Read more about integrating OneSkin’s topical supplements into your skin routine today.Key Takeaways:
- Recovery from over-exfoliation is not quick; it may take several weeks for the skin to heal.
- The damaged skin is more sensitive; Immediately cease any exfoliation to prevent further damage and allow the skin to repair.
- Stay away from harsh chemical exfoliants, alcohol, retinol, acids, fragrances, and essential oils until the irritated skin has fully recovered.
- Replace harsh scrubs and cleansers with a gentle product and moisturizer that support the skin’s repair pathways and barrier function.
Key Takeaways:
- Recovery from over-exfoliation is not quick; it may take several weeks for the skin to heal.
- The damaged skin is more sensitive; Immediately cease any exfoliation to prevent further damage and allow the skin to repair.
- Stay away from harsh chemical exfoliants, alcohol, retinol, acids, fragrances, and essential oils until the irritated skin has fully recovered.
- Replace harsh scrubs and cleansers with a gentle product and moisturizer that support the skin’s repair pathways and barrier function.
Disclaimers
Disclaimers
By Felip Gerdes: Felip is an aspiring lawyer studying political science at UC San Diego. For more on Felip, check out his LinkedIn!
By Felip Gerdes: Felip is an aspiring lawyer studying political science at UC San Diego. For more on Felip, check out his LinkedIn!
Reviewed by Alessandra Zonari, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) and Co-Founder of OneSkin
Alessandra earned her Master’s degree in stem cell biology, and her PhD in skin regeneration and tissue engineering at the Federal University of Minas Gerais in Brazil in collaboration with the 3B’s Research Group in Portugal. Alessandra did a second post-doctoral at the University of Coimbra in Portugal. She is a co-inventor of three patents and has published 20 peer-reviewed papers in scientific journals.
Reviewed by Alessandra Zonari, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) and Co-Founder of OneSkin
Alessandra earned her Master’s degree in stem cell biology, and her PhD in skin regeneration and tissue engineering at the Federal University of Minas Gerais in Brazil in collaboration with the 3B’s Research Group in Portugal. Alessandra did a second post-doctoral at the University of Coimbra in Portugal. She is a co-inventor of three patents and has published 20 peer-reviewed papers in scientific journals.
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References
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