And What Your Skin Is *Really* Trying to Tell You
We love a good exfoliation moment. That baby-smooth, just-scrubbed feeling? Instant gratification. But when exfoliating goes from “refreshing” to “raw and red,” it’s time to pump the brakes.
At Barris Laser & Skincare, we’re all about helping you glow—without wrecking your skin barrier in the process. Over-exfoliating is one of the most common skincare mistakes we see (even from the most devoted skincare lovers).
So let’s break down the top 4 signs you’ve gone too far with exfoliation—and what you can do to get back to healthy, happy skin.
1. Redness and Irritation That Just. Won’t. Quit.
We’re not talking about a cute little post-facial flush—we mean skin that stings when you apply your usual products, or reacts to anything with a tingle. That’s your skin’s way of telling you its protective barrier has been compromised.
What to Do:
Pause all exfoliating (yes, even your gentle toner). Focus on calming, restorative ingredients like aloe vera, niacinamide, oat extract, and centella asiatica. And say yes to *lots* of hydration.
💡 Barris Glow Tip: When your barrier breaks down, your skin becomes more vulnerable to environmental stressors like UV rays and pollution—leading to premature aging and inflammation. Protect your glow with SPF and barrier-boosting skincare.
2. Dry, Flaky, or Peeling Skin That Wasn’t There Before
You exfoliated for smoothness… but now your skin is flaking like pastry dough. Over-exfoliation speeds up your skin’s natural shedding process, which means it can’t replenish fast enough—leaving you with dryness, sensitivity, and texture.
What to Do:
Hydration is your new BFF. Layer a hyaluronic acid serum, follow with a ceramide-rich moisturizer, and seal everything in with a nourishing oil or balm. Keep your skincare routine simple and soothing until things calm down.
💡 Barris Glow Tip: Apply hydrating products while your skin is slightly damp to lock in moisture and support barrier repair.
3. Breakouts That Seem to Come Out of Nowhere
Here’s the plot twist: Over-exfoliating can actually cause more breakouts. Stripping away too much of your skin’s natural oils throws off its balance, triggering excess oil production and leaving pores open to bacteria.
What to Do:
Take a break from any active ingredients (including retinol and acids). Use a gentle, non-foaming cleanser, a balancing toner, and ingredients like green tea, zinc, or panthenol to calm inflammation.
💡 Barris Glow Tip: Overdoing it can also disturb your skin’s microbiome (aka its good bacteria). A healthy microbiome = fewer breakouts and more glow.
4. Your Skin Looks Shiny… But Not in a Cute Way
If your skin looks tight, overly shiny, or feels “squeaky clean,” it’s not actually clean—it’s stripped. This is a telltale sign that your skin is missing its natural oils and moisture barrier. That plasticky look? Not the vibe.
What to Do:
Swap out harsh cleansers or scrubs for creamy, pH-balanced cleansers. Add a barrier-repair serum or balm to bring back softness and elasticity. You want your skin to feel supple—not stretched.
💡 Barris Glow Tip: A healthy barrier isn’t just about comfort—it’s your skin’s first defense against premature aging, dehydration, and irritation.
How Often Should You Exfoliate, Really?
- Normal/Combo Skin: 2–3x per week
- Dry or Sensitive Skin: 1–2x per week (start low and go slow)
- Oily or Acne-Prone Skin: Up to 3x per week if your skin can tolerate it
The key? Don’t layer too many actives at once (looking at you, AHA + retinol + vitamin C crew). Listen to your skin—it will always tell you when it needs a break.
Over-Exfoliated? Let’s Fix That.
At Barris Laser & Skincare, we specialize in Restoring Facials and custom skincare plans that gently bring your skin back to balance. Whether you’re recovering from a scrub too far or just want a pro to assess your routine, we’ve got you.
Let Your Skin Heal and Glow—The Right Way
Exfoliation should bring your glow to life—not burn it out. So if your skin’s sending SOS signals, trust us: less is more. Come in, and we’ll help you build a routine that brings out your radiance without the redness.