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Exfoliating your body too much is more common than not exfoliating enough — and harder to spot, because the symptoms (rough, dull, reactive skin) are exactly what prompt people to exfoliate even more. The right frequency depends on your skin type, the area of the body and the product you use.
Frequency by Skin Type
- Normal — 2 to 3 times a week
- Dry — 2 to 3 times a week. It may seem counter-intuitive, but removing dead skin cells significantly improves the absorption of the moisturiser applied afterwards
- Oily — 3 times a week
- Sensitive — Once a week, using very fine grains or oats
Frequency Varies by Area
The body is not uniform. Elbows, knees and heels are keratinised areas — they have a much thicker stratum corneum and can tolerate more frequent and more intense exfoliation, up to 3 times a week on dry skin. The chest, inner arms and abdomen have thinner, more reactive skin: once a week is sufficient.
The face is a case apart. Facial skin is about four times thinner than that of the body — the exfoliating granules used on the legs can compromise the facial skin barrier. For the face, chemical exfoliation is almost always the right choice.
For the face, the 10% Lactic Acid Serum renews the skin without mechanical abrasion — and contains hyaluronic acid in its formula, so it moisturises at the same time.
Lactic Acid Exfoliating Serum →When NOT to Exfoliate
- Active sunburn — wait for it to peel naturally
- Within 24 to 48 hours after waxing, shaving or using a razor
- Skin with wounds, cuts or visible irritation
- Active eczema or psoriasis — consult a dermatologist before exfoliating at all
- On recent tattoos, until they have fully healed
How to Tell if You’re Exfoliating Too Much
The signs appear in this order: a tight feeling on your skin after a shower, redness that takes a long time to fade, a stinging sensation when using moisturisers you used to tolerate, and finally, skin that feels thin and shiny to the touch. If you recognise two or more of these, stop for two weeks. The skin’s barrier will regenerate on its own if you let it.
The Step Most People Skip
Moisturising immediately afterwards isn’t optional — it’s half the result. Exfoliation temporarily removes the lipid layer that retains water in the skin. In the minutes that follow, the skin is both more permeable and more vulnerable: it absorbs whatever you apply more effectively, and loses more water if you apply nothing.
On skin that’s still damp, straight after a shower, the Body Cream with 5% Urea + 2% Panthenol makes the most of this window of opportunity — urea is both a humectant and a keratolytic, which prolongs the effect of exfoliation without repeating the abrasion.
5% Urea + 2% Panthenol Body Cream. Moisturises and softens keratinisation — the step that makes the exfoliation last.
Body Cream →Frequently Asked Questions
Can I exfoliate my body every day?
No. Daily exfoliation removes corneocytes before they have fulfilled their barrier function, and the structural proteins need time to regenerate. The result is more reactive skin, not softer skin.
Does exfoliation help with ingrown hairs?
Yes, and it’s one of the areas where it makes the biggest difference. Exfoliating 2 to 3 times a week in areas where you remove hair keeps the follicle unblocked. But never within 24 to 48 hours immediately after hair removal — during this time, it worsens irritation.
Should I exfoliate before or after using shower gel?
Afterwards. Cleansing removes sebum and residue first; the exfoliator works on skin that’s already clean and softened by warm water, requiring less friction.
Does exfoliation reduce cellulite or stretch marks?
No. Both are structural issues — cellulite involves fibrous septa in the hypodermis and stretch marks are tears in the collagen fibres of the dermis. Exfoliation acts on the outermost layer and improves texture and radiance, which may make them appear less noticeable. It is not a treatment.
Should people with dry skin exfoliate less often?
Not necessarily — you should exfoliate with a gentler product and moisturise more thoroughly afterwards. The build-up of dead skin cells on dry skin prevents the moisturiser from penetrating, creating the cycle of ‘I apply cream and it still feels rough’.