How often should you exfoliate?
Face and body, by skin type, with the signs you're overdoing it and a simple weekly schedule.
More exfoliation isn't better exfoliation. Skin needs time between sessions to rebuild its surface, and the smoothest skin usually comes from a steady rhythm rather than enthusiasm.
01By skin type
| Skin | Face | Body |
|---|---|---|
| Normal | 1–2× a week | 2–3× a week |
| Dry | 1× a week | 2× a week, then moisturise well |
| Oily | 2× a week | 2–3× a week |
| Sensitive | Once a week at most, very gently | 1–2× a week |
| Eczema, rosacea or active acne | Ask a pharmacist or dermatologist first | Avoid affected areas |
02Signs you're overdoing it
If you notice any of these, stop exfoliating for a week, keep to a gentle cleanser and moisturiser, then restart at half the frequency.
03A simple weekly schedule
| Day | Face | Body |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Scrub, then moisturiser | Scrub in the shower, then moisturise |
| Tuesday–Wednesday | Moisturiser | Moisturise |
| Thursday | Moisturiser (or scrub if skin is oily) | Scrub, then moisturise |
| Friday–Sunday | Moisturiser | Moisturise; optional third scrub on Saturday |
Our Icelandic Volcano Face & Body Scrub is designed for exactly this rhythm. Follow it with our Retinol Alternative Moisturiser on the face and, on dry skin, a few drops of our Nourishing Facial Oil. For a comparison with acids, read scrub or acid exfoliant?
04Your questions, answered
Can I exfoliate every day?
Not with a scrub. Daily scrubbing tends to leave skin red and sore. Two or three times a week is plenty.
Should I exfoliate before or after shaving?
A gentle scrub a day before or on the day, before shaving, helps. Don't scrub freshly shaved skin.
Do I need to moisturise after exfoliating?
Yes, every time, while skin is still slightly damp.
- Fluhr J.W., Darlenski R., Surber C. Glycerol and the skin. Br J Dermatol 159(1):23–34, 2008.
This article is for general information and isn't medical advice. Cosmetic product: all claims describe the appearance of skin.
