How To Exfoliate Your Skin (and Why)

Raise your hand if you once thought the St. Ives Apricot Scrub was the height of skincare???? We’ve all been there–scrubbing away with crushed walnut shells, only to realize (a little too late) that harsh exfoliation can do more harm than good. Thankfully, we’ve evolved. Today’s exfoliation game is all about working with your skin, not against it.

Here’s how to exfoliate smarter, not harder.

What Is Exfoliation?

Exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells from the surface of your skin. This helps reveal the fresh skin underneath and encourages healthier cell turnover. It can be done using physical tools (like scrubs or brushes) or chemical ingredients (like AHAs and BHAs).

For a look at how I layer exfoliation into a full routine, check out My Skincare Routine and Skin Cycling blog post.

Why Should I Exfoliate?

Exfoliating regularly can:

• Improve skin texture

• Unclog pores

• Minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles

• Fade discoloration or uneven tone

• Help other skincare products absorb better

Skipping this step can lead to dullness, breakouts, and a rough texture– especially as we age and our natural cell turnover slows down.

How Often Should I Exfoliate?

This depends on your skin type:

• Dry or sensitive skin: Once a week

• Oily or acne-prone skin: 2–3 times a week

• Normal or combination skin: 1–2 times a week

More isn’t always better– over-exfoliation can lead to barrier damage, redness, breakouts, and increased sensitivity.

You can also try Skin Cycling to create a balanced routine that incorporates exfoliation and retinol without irritating your skin. This is one of the most effective things I’ve done for my skin.

What Type of Exfoliation Should I Use?

Okay, we’re going to go down the rabbit hole here. If you don’t want to dig into all the nitty gritty details, I’d recommend buying an AHA serum (like the Oliveda F81 AHA serum) and a gentle enzyme + phsycial exfoliator, like the Oliveda Honey Enzyme Mask or Colleen Rothschild Dual Enzyme Mask.

But if you really want to hone in on the best type for your skin type and goals, keep reading. So, first what’s your skin type? Dry, oily, combo, normal? What are you hoping to improve? Clogged pores? Flaky skin? Uneven texture? Dullness? Fine lines? Then choose the exfoliation method that best supports your goals as outlined below.

There are two types of exfoliators – chemical and physical. I much prefer chemical exfoliators since they’re gentler and less prone to wrecking your skin (if you choose the right one and don’t over use them).

Chemical Exfoliation

Chemical exfoliation uses active ingredients to dissolve the bonds between dead skin cells, allowing them to be gently sloughed off without the need for scrubbing. Unlike physical exfoliation, which manually removes surface buildup, chemical exfoliants work at a deeper level to promote smoother, brighter, and healthier skin over time..

Here’s a breakdown of the most common chemical exfoliants:

Glycolic Acid (AHA):

Derived from sugarcane, glycolic acid has the smallest molecule size of the AHAs, allowing it to penetrate deeply. It’s great for improving texture, fading hyperpigmentation, and reducing fine lines—but it can be irritating for sensitive skin.

• Best for: Normal, oily, or mature skin types.
• Top pick: The Colleen Rothschild Glycolic Acid Peel Pads are a great option when I want a quick, no-fuss exfoliation. They’re pre-soaked with a 10% blend of glycolic and lactic acids, which helps smooth texture, even out tone, and prep my skin to absorb serums more effectively. I reach for these when my skin feels a little rough or congested—they’re strong but not harsh and super convenient to use.

Lactic Acid (AHA):

Milder than glycolic acid and derived from milk, lactic acid exfoliates while also helping the skin retain moisture. It’s less likely to irritate and can even help plump the skin.

• Best for: Dry or sensitive skin, and beginners to exfoliation.
• Top Pick: Oliveda F81 AHA Serum – this is my most-used exfoliant; it’s a powerful yet gentle exfoliating treatment. It combines glycolic acid with lactic acid plus hydroxytyrosol (Oliveda’s signature antioxidant) to exfoliate, brighten, and smooth without irritating my dry, sensitive skin.I use it 1–2 times a week at night, and I always wake up with fresher, glowier skin. It’s one of the only exfoliating serums I trust to give me results without compromising my skin barrier.

Mandelic Acid (AHA):

Made from bitter almonds, mandelic acid has a larger molecule size, meaning it penetrates the skin more slowly and gently. It also has antibacterial properties, making it great for acne-prone skin.

• Best for: Sensitive, acne-prone, or rosacea-prone skin.
• Top Pick: Colleen Rothschild Mandelic Acid Radiance Serum is a gentle yet effective AHA that brightens and smooths complexion without irritation—perfect for sensitive or acne-prone skin.It subtly evens skin tone and helps prevent breakouts, all while keeping skin calm and hydrated.

Salicylic Acid (BHA):

Oil-soluble and derived from willow bark, salicylic acid gets deep into pores to clear congestion and reduce blackheads and breakouts. It also has anti-inflammatory properties.

• Best for: Oily and acne-prone skin.
• Top pick: Colleen Rothschild Clarifying Solution – my husband uses this and it’s been a game-changer for keeping his pores clear and breakouts under control. It’s gentle, effective, and doesn’t dry out his skin like other salicylic acid toners have.

Fruit Enzymes (e.g., papaya, pineapple):

Natural enzymes that gently break down dead skin cells without disrupting the skin barrier. They offer a super gentle exfoliation. 

• Top Pick:  Oliveda F76 Honey Enzyme Face Mask—it uses papaya enzymes and honey to gently exfoliate without irritating my skin. It always leaves my face feeling soft, smooth, and glowy, and it’s one of the only exfoliants I trust when my skin feels extra sensitive.
• Best for: Very sensitive skin, or anyone new to exfoliation.

PHA (Polyhydroxy Acids): 

A newer generation of acids with larger molecules, PHAs exfoliate the surface of the skin without penetrating too deeply. They’re also humectants, meaning they draw moisture into the skin.

• Best for: Extremely sensitive skin, barrier repair routines, or post-treatment care.
• Top Pick: REN Clean Skincare Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic is a gentle yet potent blend of lactic acid, salicin (BHA), and azelaic acid precursors that instantly brightens, tightens pores, and smooths skin tone—without irritation—making it a top clean-ish pick with glowing user reviews. I haven’t tried this one but many users rave about its ability to refine texture and deliver a healthy, dewy glow even on sensitive or combination skin.

Which chemical exfoliant is best for me? 

Physical Exfoliation

Physical exfoliation uses texture—either from particles, fabrics, or tools—to manually slough away dead skin cells. It delivers instant smoothness and a satisfying clean, but can be too harsh if overdone—especially on the delicate skin of your face. Many people overuse physical scrubs, thinking more is better but scrubbing too often (or too hard) can actually damage your skin barrier and lead to irritation, breakouts, or increased sensitivity.

Here’s a breakdown of common types and when to use them:

Face Scrubs (with Fine Particles)

These scrubs typically include sugar, rice powder, jojoba beads, or finely ground seeds to manually exfoliate.

• Best for: Normal to oily skin, or spot-treating dry patches (like around the nose or chin).
• Use with caution: Facial skin is thinner and more delicate than the body—limit use to 1–2x a week and apply only light pressure.
• Top Picks:
  • Oliveda Olive Core Face Peeling – It uses finely ground olive stones in a creamy base and feels more like a treatment than a scrub. Best for dry or sensitive skin.
  • Crunchi I Am Polished – My favorite if I want a more invigorating, squeaky-clean feeling. It’s got a grittier texture with bamboo and cranberry fibers and gives you that polished, glassy-skin finish. Great for normal to oily skin.
• Honorable mentions: Colleen Rothschild Dual Enzyme Polish combines chemical exfoliation with lactic acid and gentle fruit enzymes to gently dissolving dead skin cells, along with a light physical exfoliation from micro-polishing particles that buff the surface of your skin. This blend makes it perfect for a smooth, glowing finish—just remember to massage it in gently to avoid over-exfoliating!

Dry Brushing

A pre-shower ritual that uses a firm-bristled brush to exfoliate, stimulate circulation, and support lymphatic drainage.

• Best for: Full-body exfoliation and boosting circulation.
• Top Pick: The Skinny Confidential Dry Brush – It’s firm but not scratchy and makes such a difference in how smooth my skin feels.
  

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Exfoliating Mitts or Towels

Textured gloves or cloths used with cleanser to manually exfoliate.

• Best for: Keratosis pilaris, ingrown hairs, or prepping for self-tanner.
• Top Pick: I keep a mitt in my shower for weekly use—especially helpful for tan prep or rough patches.They’re cheap and work well.
  

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Body Scrubs

These tend to use larger particles (like sugar or salt) suspended in an oil or gel base.

• Best for: Legs, arms, and areas prone to dryness or buildup.
• Top Pick: Primally Pure Body Scrub – I love how this one smells and feels. It’s rich, effective, and makes my skin feel baby-soft after a shower. I use it weekly on arms and legs.
  

 Cleansing Brushes (Manual or Electric)

Tools that enhance your face wash by adding gentle physical exfoliation.

• Best for: Oily, congested, or combination skin.
• Note: Be gentle and avoid using daily, especially if you’re incorporating active ingredients like AHAs, BHAs, or retinol.
• Top Pick: PMD Clean Smart Facial Cleansing Device

Retinol is another powerful exfoliating ingredient worth mentioning. While not technically an exfoliant, it increases cell turnover and works beautifully alongside gentle exfoliation. I like to use a chemical exfoliant one night and retinol the next – never at the same time – to prevent irritation. One of my favorite retinols for dry, aging skin is the Kahai Elixir from Oliveda. It’s a plant-based retinol alternative that nourishes deeply while improving texture over time. I explain more on why I love that particular one in my full Oliveda Skincare Review.

My Favorite Exfoliators for Dry, Aging Skin (I’m 40)

If your skin is like mine–dry, prone to dullness, and looking for hydration alongside exfoliation–these are my go-to products:

• Enzyme Exfoliant: Oliveda Honey Enzyme Mask (gentle and effective)
  
• Chemical Exfoliant: Oliveda AHA Serum (brightens without irritation)
  
• Physical Exfoliant (Face) – Kora Organics (brightens and hydrates)
  
• Physical Exfoliant (Body): Primally Pure Body Scrub (smells amazing and leaves my skin so soft)
  
• Retinol Alternative: Oliveda Kahai Elixir (moisturizing, anti-aging, and pregnancy-safe)

How to Exfoliate Your Face by Skin Type

Dry Skin

Use a lactic acid serum at night and follow with a hydrating moisturizer. Be wary of scrubs. Many people think that when they have flaky skin, they need to use a scrub to remove it, but that can make things worse. If you do have visible flakes on your skin, use a washcloth to gently remove your cleanser and let that act as your physical exfoliant. (The Collen Rothschild cleansing balm is my favorite cleanser and has to be removed with a cloth, making it the perfect solution for dry, flaky skin.)

Oily Skin

Try a salicylic acid (SA) toner to help with congestion and oil control. You could use this a few times a week, once a day or even twice a day depending on how oily your skin is. This has a lower percentage of SA than the harsh astringents of our youth, so don’t worry about that burning feeling!

Combination Skin

Glycolic acid and/or a physical scrub can help even texture but balance with hydrating products. These Colleen Rothschild toner pads combine glycolic acid with a gentle physical exfoliation from the texture of the pads, making it a perfect solution for combo skin. They also contain Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide to help hydrate and protect your skin’s moisture barrier.

Sensitive Skin

Stick to fruit enzymes or mandalic acid once a week max.

Normal Skin

Use an AHA serum 1-2x a week, and follow the next morning with a gentle physical exfoliating cleanser or gentle exfoliating polish.

If you aren’t sure of your skin type, these Barefaced toning pads work well for almost everyone since they have multiple types of acids at low percentages for max benefits with no irritation.

How to Exfoliate Your Body

Arms and Legs

Use a body scrub 1–2 times a week or a chemical body lotion to target rough patches. If you don’t like the feeling of an oily finish with most body scrubs, try an exfoliating bar or exfoliating mitt.

Feet and Hands

Use a pumice stone or thick scrub on feet, and try an exfoliating hand treatment weekly. If you’re prepping for one of my favorite self tanners, exfoliating beforehand can make a huge difference in how evenly your tan applies.

The Best Tools for Exfoliation

• Dry brush (The Skinny Confidential is my fave!)
  
• Soft washcloths
  
• Muslin Cloths
  
• Silicone facial brush
  
• Chemical exfoliant pads or serums

Extra Tips to Keep in Mind

• Don’t exfoliate daily (your barrier needs time to recover)

• Avoid exfoliating after facials

• Always apply SPF after exfoliating (your skin is more sensitive to UV) – my favorite non-toxic sunscreens here and my go-to tinted moisturizers here.

• Apply chemical exfoliants to dry skin unless directed otherwise

• Exfoliate at night so your skin can repair while you sleep

Exfoliation can absolutely transform your skin’s texture and glow–as long as you do it with intention. Start slow, pay attention to your skin, and always follow up with hydration and SPF.

Let your skin guide you–not TikTok trends.

Related Posts to Check Out:

• My Skincare Routine

• Oliveda Skincare Review

• Oliveda F59 Review

• Skin Cycling

• Self Tanner Tips

• My Makeup Routine