How often you exfoliate ultimately depends on your skin type and the sort of exfoliant you’re using. For example, if you have dry or sensitive skin, exfoliating once or twice a week with a mild acid may suffice, says Dr. Chang. Meanwhile, “for those with oily or acne-prone skin, people may tolerate light daily exfoliation with ingredients like salicylic acid,” she says.
Ultimately, the strength of your exfoliant plays a large role. “Higher strength exfoliants should be used less frequently, while very gentle exfoliators could be used daily in those who tolerate it well,” says Dr. Chang. If you’re using a Korean exfoliant, then it’s likely gentle enough to use daily or every other day (but again, that depends). Ultimately, she says, “the key is to monitor for signs of over-exfoliation—like stinging, redness, flaking, or tightness—and adjust the frequency accordingly.”
