A good skincare routine is one of the most important things to establish in order to guarantee a graceful aging process and healthy, nourished skin, and it’s unlikely you would ever follow certain steps if you knew they may actually be harming your complexion. While there are some ingredients and products, such as SPF and retinol, which are undeniably beneficial for your skin in the prevention of signs of aging, there are some steps which may be doing more harm than good as you work to smooth and hydrate your skin and address the development of fine lines and wrinkles.
To get a clear answer on which common skincare step may be to blame for premature aging, we spoke with Dr. Lily Talakoub, board-certified dermatologist, fellow of the American Board of Dermatology, owner of McLean Dermatology, and founder/CEO of personalized skincare shopping platform, Derm to Door, and board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick, and this is what they want you to know before progressing with your existing beauty routine.
The Mistake: Over-Exfoliating
Exfoliation is a great skincare step to integrate into your beauty regimen, particularly in the colder winter months when you’re suffering from dry, flaky skin. This process allows for the removal of dead skin cells from the surface of your complexion, revealing smoother and healthier skin underneath. That said, while exfoliation can be an excellent tool for resurfacing your skin, there is such a thing as exfoliating too frequently, which may be the root cause of premature aging.
“Over-exfoliation can disrupt the skin barrier which can increase the potential for irritation or dryness of the skin. If the skin becomes dry, it can worsen the signs of aging, making fine lines and wrinkles more noticeable,” explains Garshick.
Even if you aren’t using an exfoliator, using toner too frequently could also cause your skin to be stripped of oil, creating the same effect. “If you want to exfoliate, use a gentle, lactic, mandelic or glycolic acid once a week (and not every day),” notes Talakoub. “I would recommend the Alastin Gentle Cleanser.” Negating the drying effects of a toner or exfoliant can be done by prioritizing adding moisture back into the skin, doubling down with an extra thick formula throughout the winter to prevent flaking and the appearance of fine lines.
While over-exfoliation may be detrimental to the skin, this process is still useful for smoothing your complexion, so Garshick recommends trying for one to two times a week so as not to overdo it. “If you do experience dryness or irritation, it is best to stop any active ingredients and stick with gentle skin care including a gentle cleanser and moisturizer,” she adds.
Try to look out for scrubs that are excessively harsh or abrasive as well, so as not to cause any damage to the exterior of your skin. Particularly if you have sensitive skin it’s important to look out for the ingredients you’re regularly using on your complexion.
As with everything in life, moderation is key and that same idea applies to exfoliating and skincare. It may be satisfying to regularly rid your complexion of the layer of dryness that often accompanies the winter months, but keeping exfoliation to once or twice a week and only using toner if you have oily skin will ultimately help to preserve your appearance for longer, avoiding premature signs of aging without exacerbating fine lines and wrinkles that may naturally develop with time. A well-rounded skincare routine is vital as you grow older, but make sure not to over-exfoliate or it may have the opposite effect on your skin than desired.
