How to Heal over Exfoliated Skin
Detect over-exfoliated skin., Apply cool compresses., Press on aloe gel., Take an anti-inflammatory pain reliever., Use a gentle cleanser., Pat your skin dry., Moisturize your skin., Dab on a hydrocortisone cream., Consider a vitamin C cream., Layer...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Detect over-exfoliated skin.
If you suspect you applied the wrong strength product, applied too much pressure, or used too many exfoliators at once, look for symptoms of over-exfoliated skin.
These may include:
Redness Flaking Irritation Burning sensation -
Step 2: Apply cool compresses.
Gently press a cool, clean washcloth on skin you have over-exfoliated.
Hold on your skin for a few minutes or until your skin feels less irritated.
Avoid rubbing the washcloth over your face, which can make irritation worse.
Repeat doing this as necessary., Gently dab on a thin layer of aloe gel.
This can soothe irritation and promote healing of areas you over-exfoliated.Keep the aloe gel in your refrigerator for added cooling and soothing benefits. , Use a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, or NSAID, medication if your over-exfoliated skin causes you pain.
NSAIDs can ease your discomfort and may minimize any inflammation on your skin.
Follow your doctor’s instructions or the dosing recommendations on the packaging.
The most common over-the-counter NSAIDs you could use are:
Aspirin Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) Naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn) , When you wash your face each day, use a gentle and non-foaming cleanser.Use lukewarm or cool water and lightly work the cleanser over your skin.
This can minimize the risk of further irritation and clear away bacteria or germs that could cause infection.
Use a gentle, non-foaming cleanser to wash your face.
Avoid using anti-aging creams.
Avoid products with exfoliants, fragrances, or retinols because they can irritate or exfoliate your skin even more.Allow the skin to heal completely before beginning your new, toned-down exfoliating regimen. , Rubbing your skin dry can easily irritate already fragile skin.
After you’ve cleansed your skin, gently pat it dry with a clean towel.
This can prevent further irritation., Apply a thick moisturizer to your skin after cleansing.
This can calm your skin and promote healing.Avoid creams with fragrance or exfoliating ingredients such as retinoids.
These can further irritate and exfoliate your skin., Put a 1% hydrocortisone cream on top of moisturizer twice a day.
Focus the cream on irritated areas for up to two weeks.
Hydrocortisone cream can ease irritation and inflammation.
It can also get out any red on your skin and provide a barrier from bacteria or germs., Use a mild vitamin C cream instead of hydrocortisone if you prefer something more natural.
At a concentration of about 5%, vitamin C cream may soothe your skin and help it heal faster.Avoid exposing any area with vitamin C cream to the sun.
Vitamin C creams and lotions can make you especially sensitive to the sun.
Covering yourself up can protect you from sunburn and further irritation and inflammation. , Gently apply a thin layer of vitamin E oil on your over-exfoliated skin.
This can keep your skin moisturized, soothe any discomfort, and promote healing., If you’ve over-exfoliated, you took off not only dead skin cells, but new ones as well.
This can expose delicate, new skin that is prone to sunburns.
Protect your skin and promote healing by staying out of the sun if possible.
Wear sunscreen or sunblock even if you’re just running errands.
This can minimize the risk of sunburn, further inflammation and irritation, and hindering the healing process., Wait a few days to a week to return to your normal skincare and makeup routine.
This gives your over-exfoliated skin time to heal completely before you apply anything with chemicals on it.
It can also minimize irritation and speed up the healing process., If you notice your irritation worsening or it won’t go away after a week, make an appointment with your dermatologist.
They can determine if you have severe damage or an infection on your skin.Depending on their exam, you may receive a prescription for a stronger cortisone cream or a prescription barrier repair cream. -
Step 3: Press on aloe gel.
-
Step 4: Take an anti-inflammatory pain reliever.
-
Step 5: Use a gentle cleanser.
-
Step 6: Pat your skin dry.
-
Step 7: Moisturize your skin.
-
Step 8: Dab on a hydrocortisone cream.
-
Step 9: Consider a vitamin C cream.
-
Step 10: Layer on vitamin E oil.
-
Step 11: Avoid the sun or wear sun protection.
-
Step 12: Go au-natural.
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Step 13: See a dermatologist.
Detailed Guide
If you suspect you applied the wrong strength product, applied too much pressure, or used too many exfoliators at once, look for symptoms of over-exfoliated skin.
These may include:
Redness Flaking Irritation Burning sensation
Gently press a cool, clean washcloth on skin you have over-exfoliated.
Hold on your skin for a few minutes or until your skin feels less irritated.
Avoid rubbing the washcloth over your face, which can make irritation worse.
Repeat doing this as necessary., Gently dab on a thin layer of aloe gel.
This can soothe irritation and promote healing of areas you over-exfoliated.Keep the aloe gel in your refrigerator for added cooling and soothing benefits. , Use a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, or NSAID, medication if your over-exfoliated skin causes you pain.
NSAIDs can ease your discomfort and may minimize any inflammation on your skin.
Follow your doctor’s instructions or the dosing recommendations on the packaging.
The most common over-the-counter NSAIDs you could use are:
Aspirin Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) Naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn) , When you wash your face each day, use a gentle and non-foaming cleanser.Use lukewarm or cool water and lightly work the cleanser over your skin.
This can minimize the risk of further irritation and clear away bacteria or germs that could cause infection.
Use a gentle, non-foaming cleanser to wash your face.
Avoid using anti-aging creams.
Avoid products with exfoliants, fragrances, or retinols because they can irritate or exfoliate your skin even more.Allow the skin to heal completely before beginning your new, toned-down exfoliating regimen. , Rubbing your skin dry can easily irritate already fragile skin.
After you’ve cleansed your skin, gently pat it dry with a clean towel.
This can prevent further irritation., Apply a thick moisturizer to your skin after cleansing.
This can calm your skin and promote healing.Avoid creams with fragrance or exfoliating ingredients such as retinoids.
These can further irritate and exfoliate your skin., Put a 1% hydrocortisone cream on top of moisturizer twice a day.
Focus the cream on irritated areas for up to two weeks.
Hydrocortisone cream can ease irritation and inflammation.
It can also get out any red on your skin and provide a barrier from bacteria or germs., Use a mild vitamin C cream instead of hydrocortisone if you prefer something more natural.
At a concentration of about 5%, vitamin C cream may soothe your skin and help it heal faster.Avoid exposing any area with vitamin C cream to the sun.
Vitamin C creams and lotions can make you especially sensitive to the sun.
Covering yourself up can protect you from sunburn and further irritation and inflammation. , Gently apply a thin layer of vitamin E oil on your over-exfoliated skin.
This can keep your skin moisturized, soothe any discomfort, and promote healing., If you’ve over-exfoliated, you took off not only dead skin cells, but new ones as well.
This can expose delicate, new skin that is prone to sunburns.
Protect your skin and promote healing by staying out of the sun if possible.
Wear sunscreen or sunblock even if you’re just running errands.
This can minimize the risk of sunburn, further inflammation and irritation, and hindering the healing process., Wait a few days to a week to return to your normal skincare and makeup routine.
This gives your over-exfoliated skin time to heal completely before you apply anything with chemicals on it.
It can also minimize irritation and speed up the healing process., If you notice your irritation worsening or it won’t go away after a week, make an appointment with your dermatologist.
They can determine if you have severe damage or an infection on your skin.Depending on their exam, you may receive a prescription for a stronger cortisone cream or a prescription barrier repair cream.
About the Author
James Clark
Professional writer focused on creating easy-to-follow organization tutorials.
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