Exfoliation can make a routine feel instantly productive, which is exactly why it is easy to overdo. One exfoliating night does not need to become a greatest-hits album of acids, retinoids, scrubs and spot treatments.
Quick Take
Pick one main exfoliating step, follow its directions, keep the rest of the routine calm, and use sun protection the next day. More intensity is not the same thing as better results.
What exfoliation is trying to do
Exfoliation helps remove built-up surface cells and can improve the look and feel of rough texture. The useful part happens with consistency. The unhelpful part begins when too many strong products are stacked together and the skin barrier becomes irritated.
A cleaner exfoliation-night structure
- Cleanse gently and let skin dry.
- Use your chosen exfoliating product exactly as directed on its label.
- Skip extra strong actives that night unless the product instructions or your dermatologist specifically say otherwise.
- Finish with a simple moisturizer if your routine calls for one.
- The next morning, protect exposed skin with sunscreen.
The SESH option
Simply Renew - Weekly Peeling solution is positioned as a weekly peeling treatment for surface and deeper exfoliation, with a focus on rough and bumpy texture and uneven-looking skin. Because it is already a dedicated peeling step, there is no need to turn the same night into an active-stacking contest.
Do not forget the morning after
Freshly exfoliated skin can be more vulnerable to irritation from sun exposure, so sunscreen belongs in the plan. More Than Sunscreen Whitening Cream Gel SPF50+ is a high-protection SPF 50 PA++++ option in the current SESH range.
When to back off
Persistent burning, unusual sensitivity, redness or flaking are signs to simplify and give the skin a break. If irritation is significant or does not settle, speak with a dermatologist.
Hero photo: Pexels, Pavel Danilyuk.
Start here: Acne, Blackheads & Pores: A Routine for Oily, Congested Skin — our main guide to Acne, Blackheads & Pores.
