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Best Practices for Moisturizing After Exfoliating

Best Practices for Moisturizing After Exfoliating
Spending time outside is a natural way to boost mood and overall longevity, but without proper protection, you can end up with sun spots. Sun spots are a form of hyperpigmentation and are among the most common signs of skin aging. Also referred to as age spots, liver spots, or solar lentigo, sun spots are characterized by discolored and darkened patches on the skin, and are usually a result of sun damage.
01

Purpose of Moisturizing After Exfoliation

When you exfoliate skin, whether through mechanical exfoliation like a body or facial scrub, or chemical exfoliation with an acids exfoliator (e.g., salicylic, glycolic, alpha hydroxy acids), you're stripping away the outermost layer of dead skin cells. This reveals fresher skin beneath and removes a portion of the skin barrier. Exfoliating tootoo aggressively can lead to over-exfoliated skin, characterized by redness, irritation, and sensitivity .1Β  This layer is critical for the retention of moisture, and thus all exfoliation should be followed with the application of your preferred moisturizer .2Β  By hydrating the skin, you not only fortify your skin barrier but also soothe the freshly exposed skin. Moreover, moisturizers play a vital role in healing over-exfoliated skin and restoring the outermost lipid matrix, which is often compromised during exfoliation .3 These lipids are essential for maintaining the barrier's integrity and preventing transepidermal water loss (TEWL) .4Β  Many moisturizers contain these lipids or similar compounds, which integrate into the skin barrier, replenishing its natural lipid content and enhancing its protective function. By reinforcing this barrier, moisturizers help keep essential hydration locked in and protect against external irritants.
02

Benefits of Moisturizing Post-Exfoliation

Moisturizing after exfoliating can prevent over-drying and reduce the risk of irritation. For those with sensitive or dry skin types, this is an especially beneficial step as their skin is more prone to experiencing discomfort after exfoliation. Moisturizing can also enhance the effects of exfoliation by promoting optimal skin hydration, in turn leading to smoother, more radiant skin .5 As new cells are dependent on water for their development, proper hydration ensures that they have the necessary environment to thrive, improving overall skin texture and tone .6
03

Timing of Moisturizing After Exfoliation

It may seem obvious, but it’s worth stating that the optimal time to apply moisturizer after exfoliation is usually immediately following the cleansing and exfoliating process. This ensures that the moisturizing skin care product can penetrate deep into the skin, providing maximum hydration and soothing effects. However, it's important to be mindful of the type of exfoliant used as different exfoliants have varying aftercare needs. For instance, if using a chemical exfoliant with active ingredients like glycolic acid or salicylic acid, waiting a few minutes before applying moisturizer can prevent potential irritation. To ensure your skin is at its healthiest, be sure to listen to its needs and respond accordingly.
04

Benefits of Moisturizing with OneSkin After Exfoliation

OneSkin's topical supplements are particularly beneficial for post-exfoliation care because they’re formulated with the OS-01 peptide, which has been clinically validated to improve the strength of the skin barrier 7Β  and scientifically proven to increase epidermal thickness .8Β  This enhancement in barrier function is crucial for maintaining hydration levels and ensuring that the skin remains protected against environmental stressors. In 12-week clinical studies, OS-01 FACE, OS-01 EYE, and OS-01 BODY have shown significant improvements in skin barrier strength, making these products ideal choices for post-exfoliation moisturizing .7,9,10

Our topical supplements not only offer these scientifically proven benefits but also contain additional soothing and hydrating ingredients such asΒ hyaluronic acid, lactic acid, andΒ glycerin. These components work synergistically to attract and retain moisture, further enhancing the skin's resilience and appearance after exfoliation. Whether you haveΒ dry skin,Β oily skin,Β sensitive skin, or some skin type in between, incorporatingΒ OneSkinΒ into your post-exfoliation routine can provide significant benefits, ensuring your skin remains healthy, hydrated, and radiant.

Key Takeaways:
  • Nurturing your skin: Exfoliation is essential for removing dead skin cells and promoting the growth of new, healthy skin, but it can leave the skin vulnerable.
  • Preventing over-drying and irritation: Post-exfoliation moisturizing is particularly beneficial for those with sensitive or dry skin, reducing discomfort and enhancing the skin's texture and tone through optimal hydration.
  • Immediate application: Moisturizing just after exfoliating is crucial to ensure deep penetration of the moisturizer for maximum hydration and soothing effects, though waiting a few minutes after using chemical exfoliants can help avoid any unforeseen interactions.
By Felix Tajanko: Felix is studying Bioengineering at the University of California - San Diego and is passionate about scientific writing as well as the research of menopausal endocrinology and microhemodynamics.


Last Updated April 23, 2025

Reviewed by

Alessandra Zonari

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.