Category: How To

Years ago, your only option for exfoliating your face was using a washcloth. Nowadays, the beauty industry has exploded with various skincare products and tools that can be used to exfoliate your face. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the pros and cons of six different ways to exfoliate your skin: cleansing with a face wash, using a scrub, applying a leave-on treatment or serum, trying a wash-off mask, using a traditional washcloth, and upgrading to a cleansing brush. If you’re new to exfoliating, be sure to check out our guide that explains how often you should exfoliate, plus other tips for exfoliating your skin. And don’t forget to browse our selection of tried-and-true skin exfoliators!

How to Exfoliate Skin with an Exfoliating Wash

Exfoliating washes are facial cleansers that contain alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), and polyhydroxy acids (PHAs). These chemical exfoliators work to dissolve the bonds between dead skin cells to wash them away. Some exfoliating washes also incorporate capsules or granules that physically brush away dead skin cells, although this is more common in face scrubs than washes (more on that in a minute).

Exfoliating washes are a good choice if you are looking to simplify your skincare routine and want to skip a separate exfoliating step. They are also a great choice for people with sensitive skin who find that other, stronger exfoliating treatments irritate their face. Because exfoliating washes are only on your face for about 60 seconds at a time, they may be less irritating than other options on this list. Some people can even tolerate using an exfoliating wash every day, while most other treatments can only be used one to three times a week.

To exfoliate your skin with an exfoliating wash, start by removing your makeup and sunscreen completely with a makeup remover. Once your face is clean and bare, dispense roughly a dime-size amount of the exfoliating cleanser into your palm and work it into a lather in between your hands. Then gently massage it over your face for one minute total, paying special attention to any areas where you have more pronounced dry patches. Don’t open your eyes, as the exfoliating wash will make them burn. Once the minute is up, rinse your face off with warm (not hot) water and proceed with the rest of your shower or skincare routine.

How to Exfoliate Skin with a Scrub or Polish

Scrubs are one of the most popular ways to exfoliate your skin. Scrubs have a rough texture that harnesses the power of physical exfoliation to clear away dead skin cells. Some of them also contain AHAs, BHAs, PHAs, and fruit enzymes so that you get the benefits of chemical exfoliation as well. For example, all of our Lancer Skincare polishes combine both physical and chemical exfoliation for very effective results.

Scrubs are very effective and simple to use, but they may be too harsh for extremely sensitive skin. You should also skip scrubs (and, really, any kind of exfoliation) if you have any open cuts, scrapes, or acne lesions, since the exfoliation can cause them to become irritated or infected. Scrubs can be used between one to seven times a week, depending on your skin tolerance.

To exfoliate your skin with a face scrub, start by removing your makeup and washing your face with a non-exfoliating cleanser. Depending on the product directions, you may apply the scrub directly to wet skin, or you may need to pat your face dry first. If the product can be applied to damp skin, you may find it easier to use the scrub in the shower so you can just rinse it away without worrying about getting messy.

Dispense about a nickel’s worth of product into your palm, and then gently spread it across your face, rubbing in small circles. Don’t put too much pressure on your skin or scrub too hard, and avoid the eyes and lips. Massage the scrub into your warm for a minute or so, and then rinse off the product with warm (not hot) water. Pat your face dry and follow it up with a nourishing serum and moisturizer.

Try a Face Peel

How to Exfoliate Skin with a Leave-On Treatment

Leave-on exfoliating treatments and serums have exploded in popularity within the past few years. These skincare products use AHAs, BHAs, and PHAs to dissolve dead skin cells through the power of chemical exfoliation. Because they are designed to be left on the skin overnight, they typically contain lower concentrations of these ingredients than a wash-off mask or scrubs.

Leave-on exfoliating serums are available in all different formulas, from super-potent glycolic acid toners that work for oily skin to very gentle mandelic acid serums that for sensitive skin. If you are new to the world of leave-on chemical exfoliants, it’s best to start with a lower concentration and a gentler ingredients (such as polyhydroxy acids) that have a lower risk of irritating your face. If your skin does well, then you can work on building your tolerance for higher concentrations and stronger ingredients over time.

To exfoliate your skin with a leave-on treatment, start by removing your makeup and washing your face with a non-exfoliating cleanser, and then dry your face off completely. You can either apply the exfoliating serum directly to your bare skin, which will result in the most effective exfoliation, or you can put down a hydrating serum first if you have very sensitive skin. Apply a thin layer of serum all over your face, and then follow it up with a moisturizer to seal it in.

We recommend applying a leave-on exfoliator only at night, since it can make your skin much more sensitive to sun damage during the day. You should not use a leave-on exfoliator in the same routine as other powerful active ingredients, such as vitamin C and retinol, which will greatly increase your odds of irritating your skin. Some itching and tingling are normal when you first apply the product, but if your face burns or hurts, then you should immediately rinse off the product and discontinue use. If you’re looking for a more simple routine outside of a leave on treatment, our Gentle Exfoliating Peel Pads are another great way to exfoliate your skin! These pads are gentle and easy to use and are perfect if you’re travelling or on the go. 

How to Exfoliate Skin with a Wash-Off Mask

Exfoliating masks and face peels are potent products that use chemical exfoliation to provide quick, effective results. These wash-offs masks can contain 30% or more AHAs and BHAs. Because the concentration is so high, they are typically designed to be used no more than once a week and left on for no more than 10 minutes at a time.

Exfoliating masks can’t get the same results as an in-office chemical peel offered by a dermatologist, but they are usually the strongest at-home exfoliating products available. As such, they are best used by veteran skincare aficionados who know that their skin has a high tolerance for exfoliating products. People with sensitive skin or those new to exfoliating should try a scrub or gentle leave-on serum first to get a better gauge of their skin’s tolerance.

To exfoliate your skin with a wash-off face peel like our Caviar Lime Acid Peel, start by removing your makeup and washing your face with a non-exfoliating cleanser. In most cases, you will need to dry your face off completely before applying the mask, but read the package directions to make sure. Apply a thin layer of product all over your face, avoiding the eyes and lips completely.

Never leave an exfoliating mask on for longer than the package directions state. If you have never used the product before, to prevent irritation we recommend leaving it on for as little as one minute before rinsing it off. Over time, you can build your tolerance until your skin can handle leaving the mask on for the full amount of time. When you’re done with the mask, thoroughly rinse off your face with warm (not hot) water and pat it dry. Follow it up with a nourishing serum and moisturizer to soothe your skin.

Browse All of Our Skincare Products

How to Exfoliate Skin with a Washcloth

Washcloths were basically the original exfoliating treatment; the rough surface of the fabric wipes away dead skin cells using physical exfoliation. While there are plenty of more advanced treatments available today, some people prefer the old-school method of using a washcloth to exfoliate. Washcloths are inexpensive, and most people already have them lying around the house, so they are very accessible.

For best results, use a clean washcloth every time to avoid contamination with germs. If possible, we recommend having dedicated washcloths that you only use for your face if you are set on using a washcloth to exfoliate your face. Washcloths are also an awesome option for exfoliating your body (which is less sensitive than your face), but it’s better to use separate washcloths for that.

To exfoliate your face with a washcloth, start by removing your makeup and sunscreen completely with a makeup remover. Once your face is clean and bare, put some face wash on the washcloth and gently move it in circles on your face. Don’t press too hard or scrub vigorously; your movements should be gentle and soft. Do this for about 60 seconds, moving all over your face and concentrating on the most pronounced dry patches. Once the minute is up, rinse off your face with warm (not hot) water and rinse out the washcloth.

How to Exfoliate Skin with an Exfoliating Device

Exfoliating devices are basically the modern-day, high-tech version of a washcloth’s physical exfoliation. Our Microdermabrasion device features a patented 180 degree swivel neck effective for targeting hard to reach areas and 3 vacuum suction settings for customized exfoliation on different areas of the face and body. Our device also comes with 200 disposable filters to trap dead skin and keep the device in optimal condition, tweezers for replacing filters and one travel pouch. Maintaining your device will ensure maximum exfoliation and use. 

To exfoliate your face with our exfoliating device, start by removing your makeup and sunscreen completely with a makeup remover. Once your face is clean and bare, apply a small-size amount of face wash to the head of the brush and turn it on. Move the brush gently around your face, starting on your forehead and working your way down. Keep the brush away from your eyes and lips, which are very delicate. Do this for about 60 seconds total, and then turn off the brush and rinse both your face and the brush with warm (not hot) water.

Looking to add an exfoliating product to your skincare routine? Check out our skincare sets, which feature our polishes and face peels. All Lancer Skincare products come backed with our 30-day money-back guarantee, plus all U.S. orders come with free and fast shipping, no order minimum required. Shop today to start your journey toward smooth, glowing skin with our exfoliating products.

Image Credits

Rolling Stones/Shutterstock.com

Tatevik Bagdasaryan/Shutterstock.com

Exfoliating is one of the key steps to a weekly skincare routine, but you have to be careful with how much you exfoliate. If you don’t do it enough, then you won’t see the benefits — but if you do it too often, you’ll end up with redness, irritation, and a damaged skin barrier. So how are you supposed to know how often you should exfoliate with a face peel? In this ultimate guide, we’re exploring how often you should exfoliate, how to choose the perfect exfoliating product for your skin, how to get started exfoliating at home for the first time, and more. Here’s everything you need to know about exfoliating your face and body to reveal smooth, glowing skin all year round:

How often should you exfoliate?

How often you should exfoliate depends on a variety of factors, including your personal skin type, the current weather and climate, other skincare products that you are using, and more. Here are some general guidelines for how often various skin types can consider exfoliating:

• Sensitive and/or skin: One to two times a week to prevent over-drying the skin
• Normal or combination skin: Two to three times a week; so roughly every other day
• Oily skin: Anywhere between three to seven times a week depending on what products they use

Certain exfoliating products are designed to be used more frequently than others. For example, some face washes use such a low percentage of alcohol that they are suitable for people with oily skin to use every day. Meanwhile, more intensive wash-off peels should only be used weekly or every other week. It will probably take some trial and error to discover how often you should use a particular exfoliating product with your particular skin type. The climate and weather will also affect how often you can safely exfoliate. Most people can tolerate more frequent exfoliation during the summer, but need to cut back in the winter in order to avoid over-drying their skin. People living in humid climates can also typically exfoliate more frequently than people living in dry climates.

Browse Lancer Skincare Facial Exfoliators

What exfoliating products can you choose from?

There are many possible kinds of exfoliating products that you can choose from in order to suit your skin’s needs. Exfoliating products typically fall into two broad categories: physical and chemical. Physical scrubs use small particles to abrade away dead skin cells. Chemical exfoliators use alpha hydroxy and beta hydroxy acids to dissolve the bonds between dead skin cells so that you can wash them away. You can also get combination face exfoliators that combine physical and chemical actives for a truly effective exfoliation experience. You can find both physical and chemical exfoliating actives in many different formulations, including:

• Facial cleansers: These are designed for oil control and gentle everyday exfoliation. They are applied to the skin just like a regular facial cleanser and then washed off.
• Toners: These leave-on treatments offer a thin texture that soaks in quickly. They may be intended for daily oil control or to provide deeper exfoliating effects two to three times a week.
• Serums: These leave-on treatments are typically thicker in texture than toners and also more effective. They are designed to be used two to three times a week in most cases.
• Masks and peels: These more intensive wash-off treatments are designed to be used once a week or every other week as needed to provide deeper exfoliation.
• Scrubs: These wash-off treatments function similarly to masks but provide even more exfoliation.

When choosing what exfoliating products to use, it’s usually best to start with just one, especially if you are new to exfoliating or have sensitive skin. Doubling up on different products — for instance, following up an exfoliating wash with an exfoliating toner — can strip the skin of necessary oils and damage your skin barrier. Even some products that don’t specifically bill themselves as “exfoliating” may still contain acids, so check the label before applying a new product to your face.

How should you get started with exfoliating?

There are so many exfoliating products on the market now that it can be overwhelming to decide where to get started with exfoliating for the first time. If you are new to exfoliating, we recommend picking one single exfoliating product to start off. Toner and serums are a great place to start since they are typically less intense than masks and scrubs, and many people already have a face wash they are using.

If you are mostly looking at chemical exfoliants, look for a toner or serum with a lower percentage of acid to reduce the chances of stressing out your skin. If you have sensitive skin, you might also wish to seek out acids that have a reputation for being more gentle, such as mandelic and lactic acid. Before applying the exfoliating product, remove all your makeup and wash your face with a gentle cleanser. Pat it completely dry, and then apply the exfoliating product to your skin as directed. Follow a leave-on treatment with hydrating serums if you’d like, and then seal everything in with an anti-aging moisturizer.

Leave a wash-off treatment on your skin for no longer than the time listed on the instructions. These treatments are typically more intense, so many people have success with leaving one on for a minute or two at a time to get started, and then slowly increasing their tolerance until they can leave it on for the full amount of time. It’s normal to experience some mild stinging or tingling when you first apply the exfoliating product, and that will usually fade within a few minutes. However, a strong sensation of burning or pain is not normal; nor is unusual redness or splotches. You should immediately wash off the exfoliator if you experience any of these symptoms or think that you might be having an allergic reaction.

Start by exfoliating once a week to start. If that goes well, step it up to twice a week. You can eventually go up to three times a week if you think you need it. Once your skin adjusts to a regular exfoliation practice, you can consider incorporating a weekly or bimonthly mask for deeper exfoliation. People with exfoliation might also want to consider switching to a daily face wash or toner for oil control benefits.

What is the best time of day to exfoliate?

Once again, the answer to this question depends on your skin. Some people with very oily skin like to start off the day with an exfoliating wash or toner to help control shine until they get home. However, most people prefer to do stronger leave-on treatments and wash-off peels at night. This is because exfoliating makes your skin more sensitive to the sun, and doing it at night gives your skin time to recover without being immediately exposed to the sun.

Regardless of what time of day you exfoliate your face, you should always wear an SPF of 30 or higher during the day. While you should already be wearing sunscreen every day anyway, it’s especially important if you have a regular exfoliating practice since that makes you more sensitive to the sun and increases your likelihood of burning. Regular SPF use will ensure that you can continue to reap the benefits of regular exfoliation while minimizing your risk of side effects.

What are the signs of under- and over-exfoliating?

If you don’t exfoliate your skin enough, then your skin will start to look dull and may develop a rough texture. People who are acne prone may also develop clogged pores or breakouts as their pores become congested from the build-up of dead skin cells. Other skincare products might also be less effective due to increased difficulty in penetrating that top layer of dead skin cells.

If you exfoliate too much, your face will start to feel dry and tight, can develop redness and irritation, and may even start flaking. Excessive exfoliation can lead to more skin problems, including eczema, microtears, broken capillaries, infection, and more. Be extra cautious of over-exfoliating if you have sensitive or dry skin, which is more vulnerable to over-exfoliation.

What should you do if you have over-exfoliated?

If you are experiencing any signs of over-exfoliating, stop using all exfoliating products to give your skin a break and see how it does. You should also avoid putting exfoliating products in or around any cuts, scrapes, infections, and other openings in the skin. This will irritate your skin, delay the healing process, and potentially lead to scarring or other complications.

In addition to stopping your exfoliating products, you should also avoid foaming facial cleansers, retinol serums, and other skincare products that can have a drying effect on the skin. Instead, focus on using a mild cleanser and fragrance-free moisturizer to encourage your skin barrier to repair itself and avoid further irritation. If you have areas that are very red or raw, spot treat them with Aquaphor, aloe gel, hydrocortisone cream, or another soothing product.

Depending on how much you have damaged your skin barrier, it can take your face anywhere from a few days to an entire skin cycle (about a month) to repair itself. It’s really important not to start exfoliating your skin again until you are sure it’s entirely recovered. You will also need to slowly phase in your exfoliating once you start them up again to avoid stressing your skin out again.

Get the Lancer Anti-Aging Moisturizer

What about exfoliating the body?

Exfoliating the face gets a lot of attention, but exfoliating the body can be equally beneficial. There are many different products that you can use for exfoliating the body, including wash cloths, mitts, brushes, scrubs, body washes, and lotions. Just as with the face, exfoliating the body two to three times a week is a good goal to aim for.

Exfoliating during or after a shower is a great idea. Not only does the hot water soften your skin and open up your pores, but the water will also wash away dead skin cells as you exfoliate. Try to stand in the shower for at least five minutes or soak in the bath for 10 minutes before exfoliating to ensure that your skin is soft enough.

If your skin is sensitive, a wash cloth will be softer than a brush or scrubber while still providing an exfoliating effect. You may wish to pair it with a gentle exfoliating body wash if the wash cloth alone isn’t cutting it. Be sure to follow it up with a moisturizer to help nourish your skin after exfoliating and prevent moisture loss. You can also try a leave-on exfoliating lotion, which can have an exfoliating effect that runs from mild to intense based on what percentage of AHAs or BHAs they contain.

Looking for a high-quality exfoliating product to incorporate into your routine? Check out the selection of facial exfoliators and face masks and peels from Lancer Skincare. Developed by celebrity dermatologist Dr. Harold Lancer, all of our products are made with tried-and-true ingredients that are backed by evidence and which will deliver promising results. All of our Lancer Skincare products come with a 100% satisfaction guarantee and ship free within the U.S., so what are you waiting for? Order our products today to experience the difference in your skin!

Image Credits

MITstudio/Shutterstock.com

Daria Amari/Shutterstock.com

Juksy/Shutterstock.com

Zyn Chakrapong/Shutterstock.com

Cast Of Thousands/Shutterstock.com

Voyagerix/Shutterstock.com

TORWAISTUDIO/Shutterstock.com

JLco Julia Amaral/Shutterstock.com