5 Mistakes You’re Making With Exfoliation That Could Wreck Your Skin | Dr Sam Bunting 

#1- overdoing physical exfoliation #2- trying to combine physical and chemical exfoliation #3- physical+physical exfoliation (facial brushes & scrubs) #4- combination of retinoids and acids #5- avoid physical exfoliation everyday

Every beauty editors, bloggers and so called experts and gurus should watch this.

I agree - sometimes people ask me about their routine and I wonder how on earth they still have any skin left on their face with the amount of exfoliation (brush + scrub and then an acid daily) they are doing!

I have been on tretinoin for 15 plus years and never felt The need to exfoliate. This series will be great to hear.

I’m here from Wayne’s channel and I’m loving your content!

Oh boy have I sinned 😩. I learned the hard way. I was just trying to get rid of the dry Tretinoin skin! 🙈

this is so true, once.i stopped exfoliating for a while I became compliments on my skin.. it should be done sparingly. What a glowing dr. by the way. wish she could look at my skin

Thanks for your videos, they are so organized in the playlist. I'm about to binge

I used to use a physical exfoliant - a microdermabrasion paste with salt and sugar as key ingredients. I used to really scrub my skin with it thinking I was helping! Man, I'm glad I gave that up after finding you and Dr. Dray to steer us all in the right direction! Thank you for this!!! ❤

I use a prescription Tretinoin nightly and once a week I use the CeraVe SA cleanser to exfoliate Looking forward to learning more!

Thank you. Looking forward to the next download.

Watching your videos has changed my skin cleansing routine; I use lactic acid as my main exfoliant once a week and if I absolutely have to, a washcloth to gently spot-exfoliate for those extra flaky areas.

Great information Doctor! 🙏🏽

I love your content! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. I soak it all up and try to pass it on to my friends who have fallen into the marketing traps/skin myths.

You’re very straightforward and I love the way you explain. First year estie:)

This is so fascinating-thank you so much for sharing! There is a particular medical grade skincare brand that promotes using a polish, a glycolic/salicylic acid pad, and then a retinoid daily...all at once! I was told my skin is "waking up" and the reaction I had was wanted. I couldn't take the redness, endless breakouts and stopped. My skin then improved!! Ahh!!

It is easy to do too much in skincare. It feels like "more is more," but it is not. When my most gentle products like Cerave start stinging, that it one of my first clues that I have gone too far again. I used to tolerate BHA every day, but now I don't need it with tretinoin .05%

Yes plz...... more in depth info on different type of exfoliating for different age groups, skin types, skin conditions .......

Hi Doc!! Pls do a video talking about which would be the benefit of using a chemical exfoliator by day and a retinoid by night. As I understand retinoids already exfoliate by acelerating skin cells turnover, is it really necesary? Also it would be nice another one talking about the comparative benefits of different AHA such as glycolic acid, mandelic, lactic, etc. Thanks and love from Argentina ❤

Thank you again Dr. Sam! This is such an important topic because many of us tends to over exfoliate. I am on my 7th week of using my Retinoid ( Flawless Nightly Serum ) still using it every other night and my best friend Azeleic Acid ( Paula's Choice ). We love you so much. Can't wait to try Flawless Lip! 😍😘

Currently 42 but I use to use the St Ives apricot scrub. 😩 luckily i got smarter in my mid to late 20’s and really started focusing on good skin care and sunscreen. Growing up I was never taught anything about taking care of my skin. Changing that with my 8 & 9 year olds.

Thank you, excellent video.

Thankyou Dr. Sam for explaining the different types of exfoliation 🧐

Thank you for addressing this element of skin care - I really value your analysis :) I'm 65 years old - aging skin with some pluses. My skin has always been oily down the T, very few pimples over the years. Basically pretty problem free! I've been applying sun screen since 1984 (I was born in 1954) mostly because of a terrible burn I suffered at the beach and my aunt's stern advice (she's a now retired ER nurse). In my late '30's I visited a dermatologist here in Victoria BC Canada because of a rash on my breast which he misdiagnosed - a later visit to a dermatologist for a plantars wart on my foot said the rash was something completely different :) I realized skin problems are difficult to diagnose! The first dermatologist in answering my question, "What creams should I be using on my face now I'm in my late '30's?" He said, "I've got just the right cream for you and it's cheap!" I was all ears :) He dashed out of the room and came back in with one of his textbooks and turned to photos of Brigid Bardot in her fifties I believe who had always been a "sun worshipper" and I was just shocked! Having grown up with Brigid Bardot's very famous beauty I honestly didn't recognize her in these photos. She looked like a mummy dug up from an Egyptian tomb. "Sun block and avoiding the sun will be the best thing you can do. If you use fancy creams on your face but go unprotected into the sun they will all be to waste." After that I was more diligent than ever never to go into the sun without protection and I never sat in the sun or even walked down the sunny side of the street. I wore hats all year round and sometimes would carry an umbrella. I think parasols should come back! I've seen how the sun has changed over the past 30 years as well. It's much stronger, brighter, hotter. I've always had a relatively easy routine but have always used decent facial care products - cleanser and moisturizer and sometimes toners. "Exfoliation" was never in my vocabulary until I started seeking advice for aging skin :) I started using the Clarisonic brush which I love to be honest. And I have a Foreo too. I do use some AHA's and occasionally do a "mild peel" but if any of these causes burning I take them off immediately and put peptide rich serum on to sooth and avoid AHA's for days. I do use a very mild retinol (the Ordinary or Garden of Wisdom Granactive) 3 X per week. I have to say that these "ramped" up processes have done wonders for my skin. It glows and looks rather luscious. I certainly do have wrinkles but it does seem as though some of the finer ones have done down or disappears. My colour is more even across my face - I don't wear foundation but I do sometimes mix a BB or CC SPF with my SPF which gives me a slightly more even skin tone. I do think the more attention I've paid to my skin has paid off. People have commented that I'm looking, "Amazing!" so it's not just me :)

This is so helpful.

Excellent video! 🌷

WE LOVE YOU

Great advise!! After years of fighting retinA flakes with Clarisonic, scrubs, and microdermabrasion... I finally found chemical exfoliation and never looked back. Pixie Glow Tonic Daily and a weekly Ordinary AHA/BHA treatment mask....no more peelies! Just smooth, glossy, glowy skin ❤️❤️❤️

I started using a stronger tretinoin prescription 2 weeks ago and use an enzyme peel (Theraderm) once a week to help with flaking skin. As long as I’m careful rubbing with my finger pads this routine has worked for me. Exfoliating definitely helps my moisturizers penetrate better.

I have scarring from mechanical exfoliation together with tretinoin. Small, shallow, line atrophic scars that look like ice-pick acne scars. My skin never acclimated to daily usage of 0.05 tretinoin, and i kept on trying to "gently" remove peeling skin 9 months after using tretinoin. I got used to irritation so much that i felt like my skin got used to it, then i noticed scarring on cheeks, informed my dermatologist and we jumped from daily usage of tretinoin to every other night on top of cerave moisturizer. No more irritation, very little peeling and my skin texture is still "exfoliated" and smooth, gentle because of tretinoin. But the scars are still there to stay unfortuantely. Luckily they are not big and i learned my mistakes: no exfoliation at all for me anymore, only tretinoin and sunscreen with moisturizer. I think it's great you talk about this, there is too much on the internet in skincare, and exfoliation seems to be the biggest nonsense, especially with all the advertised walnut and other harsh scrubs. It's like "detox" hoax in health.

Thnx Dr Sam!! Love your products! Can you please share some info about facial tools like the Nuface and Conture? Is there data showing these can actually benefit the skin? And what is the best treatment against sagging skin?

Great video very clear

I use exfoliating three times a week. An acid night, with aha toner from Ordinary and bha from Dr Jelte Ultee or Paula’s choice. Both with soothing ingredients. Then i end with a rich hydration. For the nescesarry TLC. Seldom i use my clarisonic with softest brush, although it feels great afterwards. 😎

Excellent video. Agree 2020 I’m exfoliating a lot less. Focus on other actives.

At 62, with melasma and hyperpigmentation post 2 children, living in the tropics and now menopause, exfoliation (Andalou's wonderful fruit enzyme once a week, glycolic once a week) seems the only thing that makes my skin glow now. Vit C (GoW) in the morning definitely works slowwwwwly to diminish those problems. But nothing's getting rid of them (6 months of consistent routine now). And I'm not sure if that's what's given me what looks awfully like pilaris keratosis (tiny pimples and red blotchy skin) or if that's simply another delight of ageing! However, the advice about physical exfoliants is so welcome. My flannel is going out! Great idea for a series!

I just purchawed a Trophy MD microdermabrasion tool. I have used it twice a week for a couple of weeks for the purpose of reducing fine lines and hyperpigmentation that dry brushing, salicylic acid, dark spot lighteners, etc, have not much helped. I do see a small change in all the areas in three sessions, and am surprised I have so little debris on the tool compared to those I've seen on others' tutorials, but that may be user error or beginners' sensitive skin setting which is most like what i have done on my own before this. I'm not a good candidate for more serious topical acid type treatments, and I've gotten 'religion' about layering sunscreens, reapplying them, and making sure I get enough natural vitamin D3 for all the other important reasons. Your caution about physical/physical exfoliation makes sense. I started dry brushing body skin in 1987, and face brushing probably 20 years later; keeping the hydration up has become easier as I forget to drink when i don't feel thirsty, but brain fogginess, depression and dull skin are my indicators of not enough good water to run the system and cool inflammation. I'm not a makeup maven (though I love watching tutorials) and just recently invested in a couple of things to minimize dark circles and discoloration. Simple has been my jam most of my life, but I find it so helpful to hear and see your reminders. I don't have moles or cancers, but any time i've had a zit or scratched an itch, i end up with a scar/freckle/discoloration that either takes years to fade or never goes away. Even fine white scars adorn my arms when I didn't break skin, just from bumping into a sharp edge. Some is probably hereditary, some may be related to gut issues I'm in the process of learning to maintain smart food choices about, and I added Great Lakes hydrolized collagen powder to my daily regimen about a year ago almost, and my nails, hair & skin have improved along with making sure I get enough ionic minerals. Glad I found you.

I was the queen of physical exfoliation, I cringe when I think about it! 😬😳

Great info ❤️🙏

Another great video Dr Sam. What woukd be the best approach though for congested skin in a 48 year old? Big thanks x

Thank you!!!

I am interested in learning your expertise on using enzymes for exfoliation.

Please Dr. Sam would you address how often one should use acid exfoliation?

I just started to get into body exfoliating and I only go into this routine when I want to treat myself or on a special occasion which it isn’t often because I avoid overdoing exfoliation First I exfoliate my whole body I cleanse my skin with dove soap Then I shave and just rinse and then I moisturize and that is it

Good work Dr. Sam!! I completely agree with this.. and it’s funny.. I have a video about this coming up related to acne! Love your content and your channel! ❤️

I'd be very interested in hearing about dealing with flaking skin, possibly as a response to tretinoin even when applied very gradually, sparingly, and with much moisturizing. Physical exfoliation becomes appealing in this scenario.

I feel I need it, but not too much

I'm so glad to hear you're doing a series on exfoliation. I used to use that St Ives apricot scrub for years, but have since been using a much gentler one from Yves Rocher. Once that's done I'll give lactic acid a go. I have The Ordinary 0.5% lactic acid. Your thoughts? Thanks for all you do 😙

I physical exfoliate only like 2-3 times a week, after I take a long showe/bath. On a daily basis I use a foam cleanser with thermal water, very gentle and it doesn't break my skin barrier. I use AHAs on a daily basis though

Can't tell u how much I loveeee ur videos, and u💕💕💕

I had a micro derma from GROUPON not needed and now my skin gets dryer now!!! Stay clear...

I have felt that my skincare game was not up to par because I do not exfoliate. I have rosacea and generally sensitive skin so I have found that physical exfoliation only causes problems. I am currently trying to incorporate tret into my routine, via Curology, at a current strength of .35. My skin seems shiny and clear so I'm reticent to add more actives. Thanks for tackling this topic.

Very interesting video-thank you. I am not a fan of exfoliation but I am getting older so I do a gentle chemical exfoliating mask twice a week.

Hi Dr Sam. I manually exfoliate & I love how my skin feels afterward however I am concerned about how this may affect the quality of my skin long term. What are your thoughts? Love your videos! From Australia x

Guy here. Work at a spa doing massage. Esthetically compliment my skin regularly. Dry washcloth exfoliate 2x week, straight razor shave, tweeze any ingrown, jojoba.

I do prefer to keep it simple. But I had combination skin and could never get rid of the blackheads. Then I discovered salicylic acid. Please don't underestimate the pure joy of looking into clean pores. I still have scarring but clean pores are life. I think the pressure on young people must be awful. Thank you and all the derms who give this advice.

AHA are good at giving combination and oily skin seborrheic dermatitis. That's where physical is much more preferable.

I recently got into exfoliation when I treated myself to a spa day last Saturday. My skin felt soo good. Now I am wondering how long I should wait for another treatment. A month, two weeks? As for chemical exfoliation, my skin hates it! I have combination oily sensitive skin. I find that mechanical exfoliation when done once in two weeks is the best for me.

Hi Dr Sam, Can you please do a video on Psoriasis and how best to treat it/what products to use? As it's something my Mum is plagued by. She can't use almost Anything on her skin, her face is often so inflamed and red it looks like burns, and she never leaves the house without make up, Would love to hear you talk about this subject as I think it would be so informative for so many people! =D all the best

Hi Dr Sam, I exfoliate every other day. One day it is a sonic device (like Foreo but the Amazon version £15), Paula's Choice 2% BHA and Indeed Lab. powder exfoliator and back to the sonic device. I really love your Flawless cleanser and your moisturiser is beautiful. I need to try the light version but will wait until spring. Shelley x

Hi there... please could you do a video elaborating on your view of microdermabrasion ... love your content

I’ve been using tretinoin for a while (9 months) and tolerate it ok even in the everlasting UK winter but still feel myself tempted by physical exfoliation as there is still some congestion and black and whiteheads and it feels like they need ‘agitating’ in some way

I pretty much stopped using physical facial exfoliants a few years ago. I like glycolic acid alongside hydrating ingredients. I have really robust, normal skin, so physical exfoliants don't irritate, I just prefer something more controlled.

During my college time, many of my friends start including physical exfoliator into their skincare routine every single day... which most of us believe that would help our skin looking brighter & flawless. Unfortunately, I never been better but worsen my oily + dry + eczema skin. What a poor thought of being whiten or brighten skin just because of exfoliator.

Thank you for helping me so far. I am a new subscriber I love your Channel! I have any using my retina a for 2 months now. My skin is slightly red but I have had no flaking at all. Not trying to brag I don't have a lot of wrinkles just some fine lines around my eyes and a little around my mouth and that is it. I would like to know more about exfoliation for myself. I am excited to learn more about this! I also joined your Facebook page.

I use tretinoin .05% every night and alternate a BHA/AHA toner every other morning, and do a clay mask 1x a week. That seems to be the right balance for me.

I only started skincare few months back, main skin concern is acne scars(deep ones), textured and uneven skin. I used vitamin C for 3 months and didn't notice anything. However I recently introduced an AHA (Cosrx Whitehead power liquid) and I have been using it for a few weeks 2-3 times per week. I noticed that the scars don't feel as deep now, so I am hoping that the improvement continues. I have introduced BHA (Cosrx blackhead power liquid) as well, but have only used it a couple of times. I am planning to incorporate AHA 3 times and BHA 2 times every week for a couple of months before I introduce my skin to Retinoids. (40 yrs old, South Asian Male).

How often should you chemically exfoliate with salysilic acid?

Hi Dr Sam What skincare would you recommend for rosacea patients? Is chemical exfolient too harsh as well?

I have used tretinoin 0.1% for many years and I dont feel that I need additional exfoliation. That being said, maybe once a month I might have a tiny bit of flaking around my chin especially in winter. I use a very soft microfiber baby washcloth in the shower when my skin is wet and soft and very very gently buff any loose hanging flakes off. That works fine and doesnt irritate my skin.

I wasn’t factoring in the use of my flannel along with my topicals! I have mild rosacea .....Guessing I shouldn’t use a cleansing flannel to remove my balm in the evenings and then follow with retinol serum? I do use Japanese enzymes to exfoliate however I’ve decreased their usage also....They become too harsh for my extremely sensitive skin! I also limit my use if ur Nightly serum to once a week, twice maximum because I’m fearful of exacerbating my rosacea. Xoxo 😘 Deborah

Would very much like more information.

I was really hoping the I wouldn't need to do a chemical exfoliation because of the cost. I guess I will just have to save some money. Thanks for the advice.

Help, I have extremely sensitive skin and rosacea, I am too scared to exfoliate and don’t know where to start!

Thanks for the video series, I still couldnt find the answer to my question though - So how many times per week should we exfoliate? (Normal skin, using retin-a every third evening) And I would like to use 10% Lactic acid, how many times per week would be optimal? Thank you:)

Hi Sam ,great video 👍🏻I wish I could go without a flannel,but I can’t do it lol.Can I ask do you still use moisturiser because Vit A xxx

I get RAPID TURNOVER from my 0.08% gel at night. I have very nice fresh moist dewy skin.I have to use salicylic acid face wash TWICE a day and about TWICE A WEEK a nice microdermabrasion scrub. And clean face with cold cream and a somewhat rough facecloth EVERY night. Things that cause peeling once I’m used to the tretinoin: sun, inconsistent tretinoin use, using it around nose and mouth, inconsistent exfoliation., inconsistency in any step. I always find balance after a few days if I over exfoliate. I don’t use soaps. I MOISTURIZE EVERY NIGHT and morning BEFORE applying anything else. I use grocery store everything. Retain A comes from Dr. In US.

I think of exfoliation like hot oil treatments for hair you do it once in awhile to give your skin a boost! No more than twice a month at the very most once a week but that's pushing it.

I had good results the first time I had crystal microdermabrasion done. I’m debating a diamond microdermabrasion, what is your take on that?

So..at the momemt i use the bio-retinol serum from REN followed by the Exuviance Evening Restorative Complex in the evening with PHA - have sentive dehydrated skin. Should I stop that then?

I have super sensitive/eczema prone skin which is always dry/dehydrated. After over a year building up to it I'm now on tretinoin 0.05% for anti aging (I'm 48). I stopped using AHA's and vitamin c as my skin won't tolerate both and doesn't need both. If I feel I want to exfoliate due to flakes, I use a gentle lactic acid toner for one night and miss out my tretinoin that night. I do have a Foreo but it is the ultra sensitive version without nubs - this gives the sonic cleansing with no manual exfoliation. When I hear people using clarisonics (which definately manually exfoliate) with acids, scrubs, retinols, vit c and enzymes I cringe. They must have very thick skin for it not to be falling off. I think the really strong acids that seem to be increasing in popularity, can be potentially very damaging for some people and may cause real problems. Also all these active ingredients in products full of colourants and fragrances are going to cause real issues. Exfoliation can cause instant improvements in some situations, without the knowledge of long term repercussions. Sometimes the internet, although often a wonderful source of information can also be full of misinformation and cause a lot of skin issues. Best wishes.

How does Enzym Peeling help the Skin?

Can you please suggest ways to exfoliate body as well?

What would you suggest as an exfoliant in a safe effective way

I started using Tretinoin 0.05% 2 years ago at 26. And I've never experienced any redness, drying, peeling, etc. Is it still working for me? My sister used the cream as well, and she looked like her skin lifted off her face after 3 days.

Okay so can you please explain, how many days a week should i chemical exfoliate with Salycic acid- Cera ve? As well as can i apply vitamin C and suncreen for mornings, and retinoid at night?

The only times I use physical exfoliants is when I’ve had a flair of dermatitis, heals and than my whole face flakes. Doing it extremely gently, I’ve found its less abrasive on my skin than using my fingers tips with either cream or water. But its just for a second, never rub twice on the same area and barely pressing. Anything harder just flairs the flaking the next day

I have combination skin and my skin is very sensitive, however I don't know what exfoliant that will be suitable for my skin.

Hi Dr. sam. Would you recommend DCL penta peel for exfoliation?. Somewhat a form of chemical exfoliation

How can you repair your skin barrier that has been compromised by glycolic peels that were too strong?

What about exfoliating in the skin condition like keratosis pilaris?

I'm going to start using the gloves. I'm 64 and getting alot of dry flaky skin. I'll exfoliate gently,then use moisturizer. I think showering and exfoliating twice a week will be sufficient.

If you don’t care for microdermabrasion, how do you feel about the hydrofacials offered at some clinics? The hydrofacial machine feels like it’s using suction as well as a kind of rough tool that is supposed to put in hydration, etc., and suck out the pore gunk and dead skin cells. Is this good for my melasma or making it worse?

You say physical exfoliation is irritating to acne prone skin. But so is chemical! They are both just as irritating, chemical might even be more. Tingling, redness, more acne etc.

Huda Kattan's Yo Glow Enzyme scrub falls in the second category! 😬🙊

Could you talk about the ordinary pealling solutions please

I have rosacea and I am afraid of using Retinol. I bought Exuviance 1.0 but still can't commit using it. Maybe I should start slowly?

Oof physical exfoliation definitely always makes my acne/texture worse, even when it's a very fine exfoliant. But there was this face wash/scrub/clay mask in one and it was with plastic microbeads, I used to use it every day without much problem and it would help my acne for some reason but it got discontinued. I started using a hydrating face wash alone but it didn't work, my skin realllllly needed something more so I turned to chemical exfoliants and I'm slowly getting my skin back to normal

What do you recommend for strawberry legs ?

I find it challenging, and nearly impossible to exfoliate my skin because I have rosacea, a compromised skin barrier, and my skin is hypersensitive. My derm advises me to treat my like as I would a baby's skin. However, In the meantime, my skin is quite rough, very textured and dull. :/

Will wiping off your makeup with a soft washcloth or cotton pad and then using a retinoid after you wash your face contribute to over exfoliation? In the evening my routine is to remove my makeup and then use tretinoin. Thanks!