How Often Should Teens Exfoliate? (Spoiler: Not Every Day)

A core step of many skincare routines is exfoliation. But if you are a teen who’s new to skincare, or a parent trying to guide your teen through a world that you may not be very familiar with, it may be confusing! How should you exfoliate? How often? When is the appropriate time to start? 

What Can Exfoliation Do For Your Skin?

Exfoliating definitely has many benefits! In the most simplest terms, exfoliating removes the outer layer of dead skin to reveal fresher, brighter skin underneath. Additionally, it can help clear out clogged pores, reducing the risk of acne and blackheads. This can keep your skin feeling smooth, clear, and glowy. Who doesn’t want that? Especially when entering the teen years, skin that is more oily or prone to frequent breakouts benefits from exfoliation as needed.

Are There Different Types Of Exfoliation? 

Yes, there are many different ways to exfoliate, and the best type depends on the person and their skin type. It might take a bit of experimenting to find what’s right for you, but soon you’ll be an exfoliating expert. 

Physical Exfoliators

Physical exfoliators are pretty self explanatory—these are things you can see and feel like exfoliating cloths, silicone pads, and brushes. There are also scrubs that have physical exfoliating agents, like sugar scrubs for example. These items essentially “buff” away the dead skin cells and contaminants. Think of it almost like a nail tech buffing away the outer layer of your nails.

Chemical Exfoliators

While chemical exfoliants may be harder to see and feel, they can be extremely effective. Instead of physically rubbing away dead skin cells, chemical exfoliants use ingredients like AHAs, BHAs, and enzymes to dissolve the dead skin.

How Often Should I Exfoliate?

In the case of exfoliation, the term “more is better” does not apply here. The more you exfoliate, the more new skin you expose, and that newer softer layer of skin isn’t always as resilient as the older layers. Continuing to scrub new skin that hasn’t had time to heal can cause severe irritation and even tiny micro-tears. This can cause irritation, redness, and increase your risk of getting infections, which is something you really do not want to deal with!

Your skin needs time in between exfoliating sessions to rejuvenate and heal. Also, there really is no point in exfoliating every day as not a lot of dead skin will have built up in just one day. So, how often should you be doing it?

The Golden Number For Exfoliation

The key to getting the perfect exfoliation routine is understanding that…there is no perfect key! It really does depend on your age, skin type, and lifestyle habits. Luckily though, there are a few guidelines that you can go off of. In general, 1-3 times a week for teens is plenty. If you have dry skin, you’ll want to stay on the lower side of that, and if you have more oilier skin, you’re probably safe to do it a few times per week. Some sensitive skin types may find that even once a week is too much, and using exfoliation every 10 days or so is best. Tweens and younger kids should avoid all harsh exfoliation and generally only need a gentle cleanser, moisturizer, and mineral sunscreen in their skincare routine. A great option is Girlyish Skincare’s Glowing Girly Routine!

As far as types of exfoliators, if your skin tends to be very sensitive and reacts strongly to products, you’re probably safest using products with a low concentration of chemical exfoliators as they tend to be gentler. If chemical exfoliators just aren’t doing it for you, then physical exfoliators may be right for you. And just remember—daily exfoliation is not recommended for anybody. It may take some experimenting, but you’ll find what works for you!

No Overdoing

There’s a lot to remember when it comes to skincare—especially when you’re new to it! But when it comes to exfoliation, less is more. Start small, and if you feel that your skin is handling it well, gradually increase until you find a happy medium. Once you’re old enough, experiment safely with physical and chemical exfoliators and find out which one your skin responds best to. You’ll be on your way to fresh, glowing skin in no time!