How Often Should You Exfoliate? The Answer Most People Get Wrong

Over exfoliation is the most common self inflicted skin problem in Pakistan right now, and it disguises itself well. Shiny tight skin gets mistaken for glow, and sensitivity gets blamed on the weather.

The signs you have crossed the line: stinging when you apply anything, shiny but rough texture, new sensitivity to products you used for years, persistent redness, and skin that feels tight right after moisturising.

Sensible frequency depends on the acid and your skin. A 2 percent salicylic acid on oily acne prone skin can be nightly. Glycolic acid at moderate strength suits two or three nights a week. Physical scrubs with rough particles suit nobody, and are best replaced entirely.

If you use a retinoid, it counts toward your exfoliation budget. Retinoid four nights plus acid three nights is not a routine, it is a slow barrier demolition.

Recovery is simple but slow. Stop all actives for ten to fourteen days. Cleanser, moisturiser, sunscreen only. The barrier repairs itself if you leave it alone, and most people are shocked by how much better their skin looks with nothing on it.

Then reintroduce one active, at half the previous frequency, and hold there for a month. Skincare rewards the patient far more than the enthusiastic. Which face wash suits your skin type is covered here: https://eltessa.com/blogs/news/face-wash-for-skin-type-pakistan

EL TESSA glycolic acid toning solution is dosed for two to three nights a week rather than daily use: https://eltessa.com/products/glycolic-acid-toning-solution