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There Is Such a Thing as Too Much Exfoliation

And the results aren't good

by Melanie Rud Chadwick  |  COMMENT

PHOTO 2/9
How will I know if I've overdone exfoliation?
How will I know if I've overdone exfoliation? In the case of the first two scenarios, you'll most definitely know. The irritation from too much scrubbing looks similar to how your skin looks post-wax -- red and raw. If you use too strong of a chemical exfoliant, the result is a chemical burn, which may even start to blister, notes Schultz. And if the excessive exfoliation occurs overtime rather than in one hit, your complexion will simply gradually start to look and feel red, dry, and flaky. "Too much exfoliation strips away the lipids and proteins that are essential for keeping the skin barrier intact and locking hydration in and irritants out," points out Mona Gohara, M.D., associate clinical professor of dermatologist at Yale School of Medicine. "If you've overdone it, your skin will start to become easily irritated by every minor little thing."

Image via Getty

SEE NEXT PAGE: Clogged pores can be a sign, too.
 

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