Are You Over-Exfoliating? Signs Your Skin Needs a Break
Quick answer: If your skin suddenly feels tight, looks red or shiny, or stings when you apply products, you may be exfoliating too often. Pause scrubs and exfoliating acids for a week or two, switch to a gentle cleanser, and focus on hydration with a simple serum and moisturiser, such as Thin Lizzy Hyaluronic Acid Serum. Then bring exfoliation back slowly, once or twice a week.
Exfoliating can leave skin looking smoother and brighter, so it's tempting to do it more. But there's a point where more stops helping. With scrubs, peels, exfoliating acids and cleansing brushes all easy to buy, many of us exfoliate more than we realise. Here's how to tell if you've overdone it, and how to get your skin feeling comfortable again.
What Does Exfoliating Do?
Exfoliating lifts away dull, dry surface skin, so your complexion looks smoother and more even. There are two main types: physical exfoliants such as scrubs, cloths and brushes, and chemical exfoliants such as AHA and BHA acids in toners, serums and peels. Both are useful in moderation.
The outer layer of your skin also helps hold moisture in. Exfoliate too often or too harshly, and skin can lose moisture more easily, which is when it starts to feel tight and uncomfortable.
Signs You May Be Over-Exfoliating
- Tightness: your skin feels tight or dry soon after cleansing.
- Redness: your face looks pinker or blotchier than usual.
- Stinging: products that never bothered you before now sting or tingle.
- A shiny, "stretched" look: skin looks shiny but feels dry rather than oily.
- Flaky or rough patches: dry patches that don't improve with moisturiser.
- Makeup won't sit well: foundation clings to dry patches or looks patchy.
If your skin is very sore, swollen or doesn't settle within a couple of weeks, talk to your GP or pharmacist.
How to Get Your Skin Back on Track
- Stop all exfoliants: pause scrubs, cleansing brushes, peels and exfoliating acids for one to two weeks.
- Cleanse gently: use a mild, non-foaming cleanser and lukewarm water. Pat your face dry rather than rubbing.
- Simplify your routine: cut back to cleanser, a hydrating serum, moisturiser and sunscreen. Put strong actives on hold for now.
- Hydrate: apply a hyaluronic acid serum to lightly damp skin to help it feel more comfortable and look plumper.
- Moisturise morning and night: choose a fragrance-free or gentle moisturiser to help lock hydration in.
- Wear sunscreen: finish your morning routine with a separate sunscreen.
- Reintroduce slowly: once your skin feels comfortable again, add exfoliation back once a week, then build up to twice a week if your skin is happy.
How Often Should You Exfoliate?
For most people, once or twice a week is plenty. Dry or sensitive skin often prefers once a week or less, and oily skin may be comfortable with two or three times. Use one exfoliating product at a time, rather than a scrub, an acid toner and a peel all in the same week.
Our Picks
Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Best for: skin that feels tight and dry and needs simple, gentle hydration.
An intensely hydrating serum with hyaluronic acid that helps skin look plumper and smoother. It's an easy, no-fuss step to keep in your routine while you take a break from exfoliating.
- With hyaluronic acid (sodium hyaluronate)
- Intensely hydrating and moisturising
- Apply to lightly damp skin, morning and night
Real Complexion Cream
Best for: a hydrating moisturiser step that also helps redness and uneven tone look less noticeable.
An 8-in-1 cream with hyaluronic acid that drenches skin in hydration, so it feels silky soft and looks more even. It absorbs quickly and can be worn alone or under makeup, day and night.
- With hyaluronic acid
- Wear alone or under makeup
- Use day and night
Building a gentler routine? See the best skincare routine for dry skin and our top 10 foods for glowing skin.
What Customers Say
"Lovely feeling on your face. My skin feels nice and soft. Would definitely recommend it."
Julie S., verified customer (Hyaluronic Acid Serum)
"Nice feeling- definitely apply to lightly damp skin."
Shelley R., verified customer (Hyaluronic Acid Serum)
"Lovely cream delivered in a unique push button top. I use it under foundation daily as it absorbs fast. Also use it at night."
Deslie S., verified customer (Real Complexion Cream)
Read all Hyaluronic Acid Serum reviews →
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I'm over-exfoliating?
Common signs are tightness, redness, stinging when you apply products, a shiny but dry look, and flaky patches. If you notice these, take a break from all exfoliants.
How long does it take for skin to feel normal again?
Many people find their skin feels more comfortable within one to two weeks of stopping exfoliants and keeping their routine simple. If it doesn't settle, see your GP or pharmacist.
Can I wear makeup while my skin settles?
Yes, but keep it light. Hydrate and moisturise first, and remove makeup gently at night without scrubbing.
Is it better to use a scrub or an acid exfoliant?
Both can work. Whichever you choose, use only one exfoliating product at a time and stick to once or twice a week.
Can I buy Thin Lizzy skincare in stores?
Yes. Thin Lizzy is available at Priceline, TerryWhite Chemmart and Wizard Pharmacy stores across Australia. The range can vary by store, so the easiest way to get the full range, bundles and online deals is to shop online. See our FAQ page for stockist details.
Looking for a deal? Many of our best sellers are available in bundle offers from time to time. See our current Bundle Offers →
Final Thoughts
When it comes to exfoliating, less is usually more. If your skin feels tight or stings, give it a break, keep your routine simple and hydrating, and reintroduce exfoliation slowly. Your skin will look and feel better for it.
