Need help with skin problems - Over exfoliation?
jc asked:
Well up until about a month ago ive been using an exfoliator nearly everyday for a couple of years and recently i have been getting quite a few spots, my friend told me what exfolitors do and i stopped immidiatly, now im using a daily cream cleaner, a toner and a moisturiser. My skins got bad but not very bad - spots. I was wondering if this wouldve caused the problem and if so is not exfoliating anymore the way to repair the damage ? Im 17 btw,
Well up until about a month ago ive been using an exfoliator nearly everyday for a couple of years and recently i have been getting quite a few spots, my friend told me what exfolitors do and i stopped immidiatly, now im using a daily cream cleaner, a toner and a moisturiser. My skins got bad but not very bad - spots. I was wondering if this wouldve caused the problem and if so is not exfoliating anymore the way to repair the damage ? Im 17 btw,
Thank you
There was an article on how over exfoliation can be really bad for your skin and actually cause wrinkles. It was on yahoo earlier today. Give your skin some time to relax from the over exfoliating and continue to use a very light cleanser like Cetaphil. It is possible that your skin was irritated which resulted with extra pimples. Just continue with a light cleanser and see if that helps even a toner may be harsh for your skin. I was using a toner everyday and my skin became really irritated and dry because of the alcohol in it. Anonymous
This is definately a cause of over-exfoliating as exfoliating should be done no more than two-three times a week as it can damage your skin with excessive usage. When we exfoliate our skin looks bright and seems clearer because the exfoliator is removing the dead skin cells. If done to excess, the skin becomes weakened as it become dry and can be red due to dryness especially around the mouth area and t-zone and this causes the skin to create more natural oils as it is trying to protect the overly drying skin, hence the spots! Your natural oil production has increased to try to form a protective layer over the skin. I wouldn’t use a cream cleanser as this will block the pores further and create an increased oil production likely to result in more spots. Buy yourself an alcohol free toner, and light moisturiser, such as Olay Beauty Fluid or similar so that it’s not heavy on the skin. Wash your face with a good quality bar of soap and warm water, like Clinique or similar, and just use these three products on the skin for a month. You’ll find after a week or so a dramatic improvement in the skin. After a month your skin should be significantly stronger and a lot happier. After a month you should be able to use a very gently exfoliator once every two weeks, and then slowly introducing once a week if needed. And that’s it! Just make sure you exfoliate gently and infrequently. I suffered the same myself as I used to over exfoliate and my skin went spotty, oily, tight and looked very dull, but now, 8 months later, it looks better than it ever has!! I now exfoliate no more than once a week with a very gentle exfoliator and my skin looks so clear and healthy! I am now using a toner with alcohol in it (i have naturally combination/oily skin but don’t use this if you have a dry skin type, stick with alcohol free) and my skin looks so bright! With some patience your skin will recover and the spots will clear quickly. Mischa
I exfoliated mine with sea salt until it was red raw! The only thing that cured it for me was putting on plain natural yogurt on my face. The way I are
I have found some good tips in following link, It may be good for you too Sneha
Exfoliating your skin helps remove the dead cells quicker than your body can, exfoliate with only water and an exfoliating glove, do not rub the skin with force just gently over the skin, only use a toner once a month, make sure your moisturiser is non oily, exfoliate twice a week only, Gill