What Causes Acne From Over Exfoliation
Exfoliation is a popular skincare step that removes dead skin cells to reveal smoother, brighter skin. It can help prevent clogged pores and reduce breakouts when done right. But over exfoliation, which means scrubbing or using chemical peels too often or too harshly, can backfire and actually cause more acne.
Your skin has a natural protective barrier, like a shield made of oils and cells that keeps out bacteria and locks in moisture. When you over exfoliate, you strip this barrier away. This makes your skin vulnerable, allowing bacteria to get in more easily and spark new pimples[2][5].
Without its barrier, skin gets dry and irritated. To fight back, it starts producing extra oil to rebuild protection. This surplus oil mixes with dead cells and bacteria, clogging pores and leading to acne breakouts[2].
Over exfoliation also triggers inflammation, a red, swollen reaction in the skin. This keeps existing pimples from healing and can create even more spots as the irritation spreads[1].
Physical exfoliants like gritty scrubs or rough brushes can cause tiny tears in the skin if used daily or too aggressively. These micro injuries lead to redness and sensitivity, worsening acne[3][4].
Chemical exfoliants, such as acids like salicylic or glycolic, dissolve dead cells without scrubbing. They work well for oily or acne prone skin but cause problems if layered or used every day without breaks. Multiple strong ones together amplify the damage[3][4].
Signs you might be over exfoliating include tight, flaky skin, stinging from other products, and sudden new breakouts. Oily skin types may exfoliate a bit more often, up to two or three times a week, but everyone needs to listen to their skin and ease up if it feels off[3].
Sources
https://featuringyouspa.com/blogs/news/over-ex
https://evanaturals.com/blogs/news/how-to-avoid-over-exfoliating-your-skin
https://www.oreateai.com/blog/navigating-the-dangers-of-overexfoliation-finding-balance-for-your-skin/457b88c585f404a958cf98b00c745a09
https://ebanel.com/blogs/skincare/understanding-over-exfoliation-signs-symptoms-and-solutions
https://worldofasaya.com/blogs/skincare/over-exfoliation-everything-you-need-to-know
