Want to know how often to exfoliate? Skin cell turnover and your skin type both play a role in exfoliation. Let’s chat best practices, skin safety, and how to get those silky-soft results without disrupting your skin barrier.
There’s always a trendy new exfoliating tool entering the skincare world. From sugar scrubs to exfoliating mitts, it’s the quickest route to silky-soft skin. But the practice of exfoliation itself is nothing new. Actually, it dates all the way back to ancient Egypt, where it was first recorded.
Today, the benefits of exfoliation are widely recognized, and nearly every culture has a signature method. In Scandinavia, there’s the dry brush. In the Middle East, they use a specially woven glove. And in West Africa, they prefer a locally grown sponge.
No matter how you do it, regular exfoliation helps to cleanse, soften, and prep the skin for moisture. It’s an ancient self-care practice that connects our minds and bodies with deep intention. But too much of a good thing can be damaging, which is why it’s important to understand how often to exfoliate for best results.
How Often Should You Exfoliate?
For balanced skin, it’s best to exfoliate once or twice every week. That said, there are different rules for different skin types.
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Balanced skin (twice a week) — Using a gentle tool (a dry brush or body polish), try exfoliating twice a week. If you notice that your skin feels bumpy and patchy in between sessions, you may add a third weekly session.
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Sensitive or dry skin (once a week) — Using a gentle tool (a dry brush or body polish), exfoliate once each week. Take care around sensitive areas and dry patches. Add in a second weekly round of exfoliation if your skin tolerates this well.
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Oily skin (three times a week) — Using a gentle exfoliating tool, try the practice three times a week. You could also experiment with more abrasive exfoliating tools (sugar scrub or a body mitt) twice a week, too. Ideally, you’ll want sebum levels to return to balance, so you can resume a twice-weekly practice.
We Prefer Natural Exfoliating Tools (Here’s Why)
Put simply, they have a better track record. Natural exfoliating tools like the dry brush, exfoliating mitt, natural sponges, pumice stone, and sugar were used by our ancestors for thousands of years. Modern chemical face peels and laser treatments often include toxin exposure, higher risk factors, and a medical expert. They also just haven’t been tested for the same length of time.
This isn’t to say all chemical exfoliating methods are bad (we love AHA fruit acids). They just require more research and aren’t beginner-friendly. You can also get nearly the same results from ancestral tools and ingredients you have in your pantry.
Is It Bad to Exfoliate Every Day?
It’s not recommended. The goal of exfoliation is to remove dead skin cells. These cells have about a two-week lifecycle, where they die off and are replaced with fresh cells. That means daily exfoliation is unhelpful and can damage the skin barrier. You’re using a rough tool on fresh cells, which won’t achieve the same glowing results.
Ranking Ancestrally Approved Tools for Natural Exfoliation
Light, medium, or deep exfoliation. If you want to experiment with how often to exfoliate, you need to understand your tool. Light tools can be used more often, while medium and harsh tools need bigger gaps in between uses.
Dry brush (light exfoliation)
Made with natural materials like boar bristles, the dry brush is a light exfoliating tool. When you use it, you don’t just remove dead skin; you increase blood circulation and lymphatic flow, too. You might even notice a jolt of energy kick in after your dry brushing practice. This tool is safe for sensitive skin and best used before you shower. Rinse off the dead skin cells and then finish with a tallow moisturizer.
Pumice stone (light to medium exfoliation)
Pumice is a type of volcanic rock that’s been used as an exfoliating tool for centuries. The stone is naturally lightweight and porous, and can target rough patches, like elbows, knees, and feet. If you use a pumice stone by itself, you’ll experience a medium level of exfoliation. That said, it’s common to mix pumice powder with other ingredients, like grass-fed tallow and olive oil. If this is the case, you’ll notice a lighter exfoliation that’s safe for the whole body.
AHA fruit acids (deep exfoliation)
Naturally occurring acids from fruit and milk, AHA fruit acids are considered a mild form of chemical exfoliation. Think of these as the modern version of bathing in sour milk and honey (Cleopatra’s beauty secret). Fruit acids gently remove dead skin cells without any physical scrubbing. This is a great option for people who don’t want their exfoliating routine to include elbow grease, and it’s pretty effective.
Body polish (light exfoliation)
A body polish is slightly different from the more traditional body scrub. Its main focus is hydration with a bit of exfoliation. That makes it our first choice for sensitive skin and beginners. Using slightly abrasive sugar mixed with tallow balm, you’ll refresh your skin easily without risking any damage or over-exfoliation.
Body scrub (medium exfoliation)
The more traditional body scrub uses higher levels of sugar, salt, or clay to rub away dead skin cells. When you scoop out your body scrub, you’ll notice that it’s thick and grainy. Body scrubs are easy to make at home or to buy from a trusted clean beauty brand. Use this if you need a deep cleanse, and follow up with a moisturizer.
Revive Winter Skin with Body Polish
One of the best ways to prevent winter dry skin is with exfoliation. This regular practice removes dead skin and moisturizes the fresh cells underneath, delivering nutrients exactly where they’re needed. Exfoliate often and follow up with a quality moisturizer. Or, for best results, use our Tallow Body Polish to do it all at once.