How often should you exfoliate your face?

So, how often should you exfoliate your face?

For most skin, one to three times a week is a sensible range. Think of it as a starting point rather than a rule to obey. Where you land inside that range comes down to two things: your skin type, and the method you choose. 

Chemical exfoliants are generally gentler and can often be used a little more frequently. Physical scrubs are best kept to an occasional, more mindful moment rather than a daily habit. Whichever you favour, consistency matters far more than intensity. 

There’s no prize for rushing, either. Skin renews itself gradually, over weeks, at its own pace. Exfoliation lends a hand with what’s already on the surface, so a gentle approach will always outdo a hard scrub. 

Physical or chemical: two ways to buff away dead skin

Exfoliants fall into two broad families, and knowing the difference makes it easier to choose what suits you. 

Physical exfoliants – the scrubs, grains, and cloths – lift dead cells from the surface through gentle friction. They’re satisfyingly tactile and leave an instant smooth feel. The trade-off is that they need a light hand. Our Polishing Exfoliator is built on that idea: a soft cream with fine bamboo particles that sloughs away dead skin and impurities, leaving skin soft and luminous. 

Chemical exfoliants sound more clinical than they are. They use acids and enzymes to loosen dead cells so they slough away on their own. AHAs, such as glycolic and lactic acid, work on the surface and are known for leaving skin looking brighter and smoother. BHAs, such as salicylic acid, are oil-loving and known for helping keep the look of pores clear. Fruit enzymes are the gentlest of the lot, a kind option for skin that flushes at the first hint of grit. 

So which one’s right for you? Let comfort and skin type lead. If your skin is reactive, lean towards enzymes or a mild acid; if it runs oily or congested, a BHA may suit you. 

Your skin type sets the pace

The same routine that leaves one face glowing can leave another tight and pink, so the smartest move is to match how often you exfoliate to your skin type. 

One principle holds across all of them: start low, and build up only if your skin stays comfortable. You can always do a little more next week. Which camp do you fall into? 

Dry or sensitive skin

Once a week, at most twice, is plenty. Favour a gentle enzyme or lactic acid, and skip gritty scrubs that can leave delicate skin feeling raw. If you’re using retinoids or other strong actives, ease off further still and give your skin room to settle. Always follow with rich moisture to keep everything feeling soft and cushioned. 

Oily or combination skin

Oily skin can usually handle two, sometimes three, times a week, as long as it stays happy. Salicylic acid, a BHA, loves oil and helps keep pores looking clear, making it a natural fit here. If your skin is combination, you don’t have to give your whole face the same attention; focus on your oilier zones, often the forehead, nose, and chin, and go lighter elsewhere.

Normal or mature skin

Normal skin is the lucky all-rounder. Two to three times a week suits it well, with the freedom to move between scrubs, acids, and enzymes depending on your mood and the season.

Mature skin tends to prefer gentler chemical exfoliants, around twice a week. Because renewal slows over the years, a little regular exfoliation helps your skin look brighter and more even. Keep it gentle and consistent, and reduce at the first sign of irritation.

Signs you’ve overdone it

Your skin is surprisingly good at telling you when to pull back, once you know what to look out for.

Over-exfoliation often appears as tightness, redness, flaking, or a stinging sensation when you apply your usual products. Sometimes it shows up as unexpected shine or fresh breakouts, as skin overcompensates. If any of that sounds familiar, it’s a sign to step back.

Under-exfoliation is more subtle, but just as telling. Think dullness, a rough or uneven texture, congestion, or the feeling that your serum and moisturiser are sitting on top of your skin rather than sinking in.

The way back, either way, is gentleness. Pause exfoliating for a week or two, keep your routine short and soothing, and put your energy into moisture and barrier comfort. When your skin feels like itself again, reintroduce exfoliation slowly, one session a week to begin with. For more on caring for a stressed complexion, our dermatologist-approved skin tips are worth a read.

How to exfoliate your face, step by step

Once you’ve settled on how often, the method itself is short. Here’s how we’d approach it: 

One more thing: acids can leave skin more sensitive to daylight. That’s why we favour exfoliating in the evening, and pairing it with sun protection the next morning.

Where exfoliation sits in your routine

Exfoliation isn’t a daily step, and it doesn’t need to be. It’s the occasional flourish that helps the rest of your routine work a little better.

On the nights you exfoliate, the order is straightforward: cleanse, exfoliate, then layer on the nourishing steps that follow. This is the moment to reach for our face serums and a good moisturiser. Make it a moment you look forward to rather than a box to tick. 

There’s also a clean line to draw between your face and the rest of you. The skin on your body is tougher and can take firmer, more frequent scrubbing than the delicate skin on your face. We cover that in full in our guide to body exfoliation, so each gets the pace it deserves.

Your exfoliation questions, answered

A few questions come up again and again, so here are our straight answers.

Is it OK to exfoliate your face every day?

For most people, no. Daily exfoliation can leave skin tight and irritated rather than smooth. Some skin can handle a gentle chemical formula with more frequent use, but most faces are happier with a few sessions a week.

Should you exfoliate on wet or dry skin?

It depends on the type. Physical scrubs suit damp skin, so the grains glide rather than drag. Many chemical exfoliants prefer clean, dry skin. Whichever you use, cleanse first so you’re starting fresh.

When is the best time to exfoliate – morning or night?

Evening suits most people, especially when acids are involved, since your skin can be more sensitive to daylight afterwards and you can follow with moisture overnight. If you prefer a fresh start to the day, morning works too, as long as you pair it with sun protection.

How often should more mature skin exfoliate?

Usually a gentle chemical exfoliant twice a week is the sweet spot. Renewal slows over the years, so a little regular exfoliation helps skin look brighter and smoother. Ease off at any sign of irritation, and let comfort guide you.

What should you put on your face after exfoliating?

Moisture and comfort. A hydrating serum followed by a nourishing face cream helps support your skin’s barrier and leaves it feeling soft. If you’ve used acids, add sun protection the next morning. Skip other strong actives on the same night to give your skin a calm evening.

The rhythm that suits you

So, we’re back to where we started, one to three times a week – but now it’s shaped around your own skin, not a generic average. Trust how your skin feels over any fixed number.

If you take one thing away, let it be this short routine: 

Find the rhythm that suits you, keep it gentle, and let your skin set the pace. That’s the whole practice, and your complexion will thank you for it.