When we first craft our skincare routines, we focus on the basics: cleanser, moisturizer, SPF—that sort of thing.
These are skincare products we use every day, and they have a huge impact on how our skin looks and feels. However, a truly “complete” routine includes not just day-to-day maintenance, but weekly targeted treatments.
If you never exfoliate your skin or apply a face mask, you’ll struggle to reach your skincare goals. Even though they're not daily practices, they’re still essential.
But why? If you don’t know what exfoliation is for and why it’s important, it’s easy to skip it. Or you may do it incorrectly—and miss out on one of the most effective ways to improve your skin’s tone, texture, and overall glow.
Want to know more about why you need exfoliation in your skincare routine? Keep reading:
What Does Exfoliating Do and Why Do You Need to Do It?
Our skin has a natural renewal process. Every month or two, dead skin cells shed away, and new, healthy skin cells take their place. Think of it as a natural conveyor belt, constantly dumping old cells and bringing in new ones.
This process keeps our skin smooth, clear, and balanced. That said, a lot of factors can disrupt the speed or efficiency of that conveyor belt. Sun exposure, dehydration, poor diet, stress, lack of sleep, and even your least favorite skincare factor—age—can all slow things down.
Thankfully, there’s a lot we can do to support proper cell renewal and get that healthy, youthful, radiant skin we’re all after. You just need to add exfoliation to your beauty routine.
And if you’re still questioning why it matters, here’s what happens if you don’t exfoliate your face.
What Does Exfoliate Mean?
Exfoliating is the practice of removing dead skin cells from the surface of your face. This clears away buildup, letting your skin’s natural renewal process do its thing. The result? Bright, smooth, even skin that looks fresh and healthy.
For more, read our post, “What Does Exfoliation Remove and Deplete?” It’ll help clear up exactly what’s going on when you exfoliate!
How Does Exfoliation Work?
You can exfoliate using two methods: chemical exfoliation and physical exfoliation. They both have their place in your skincare routine. However, it’s important you know the difference and how to incorporate each individually:
How Does Chemical Exfoliation Work?
Certain skincare products contain exfoliating ingredients, like AHAs, BHAs, PHAs, or enzymes. Each of these dissolves dead skin cells by breaking down the bonds that hold them together.
This is a form of gentle exfoliation that’s great for the face, where people naturally have more sensitive skin. It doesn’t require any friction to flake off the dead skin cells—you just apply and wait. Usually, you’ll see results in about 10 days.
For best results, aim to use some kind of exfoliating skincare product on your face one to three times per week. Over time, this helps support your skin’s natural cell renewal process, revealing a smoother, clearer, and more radiant-looking complexion.
How Does Physical Exfoliation Work?
Physical exfoliation works by manually removing dead cells from the top layer of your skin. Using friction from scrubs, brushes, or textured tools, this exfoliation method physically buffs away buildup.
When physically exfoliating, you’ll get instant results—which is super satisfying. However, it’s harsher on the skin than chemical exfoliants. Ideally, you’ll want to use this method on the body, where the skin isn’t as sensitive.
Aim to exfoliate your body two to four times per week using a physical exfoliator. Along with smoother, more radiant skin, it can also support circulation, reduce puffiness, and leave your body feeling more refreshed and energized.
What Does Exfoliation Do?
Smooths Skin Texture
Of course, the main benefit of exfoliation is smoother skin. Dead skin cells naturally build up on both your face and body, creating a rough, uneven texture. The result? Skin that feels dry and looks dull.
Exfoliation helps shed that top layer, revealing softer, more refined skin underneath and giving you that buttery smooth finish.
Evens Skin Tone and Fades Dark Spots
If you have acne scars or other areas of discoloration, exfoliation helps even things out over time. As you shed layers of dead skin, those darker, damaged cells gradually fade away and are replaced by newer, brighter ones.
The result is a more even, balanced-looking skin tone.
Unclogs Pores and Prevents Breakouts
Gunk gets caught in pores and causes breakouts—that’s where acne comes from. However, exfoliation helps clear out that buildup by removing dead skin cells, excess oil, and debris sitting in your pores.
Keeping pores clear is one of the easiest ways to reduce breakouts and maintain clearer skin. For more help in this department, read our skincare routine for acne-prone adults.
Brightens Complexion
When dead skin cells sit on the surface, they can make your skin look dull and tired. Exfoliation removes that buildup, allowing fresher skin to come through and reflect light more evenly.
This is what gives your skin that natural, healthy glow.
Improves Product Absorption
Dead skin buildup can act as a barrier, preventing your skincare products from absorbing properly. When you exfoliate, you remove that layer so your serums and moisturizers can actually penetrate and do their job.
This makes your routine more effective and helps you get the most out of every product.
How to Properly Exfoliate Skin
Our Guide to Exfoliating Your Face
Step One: Schedule exfoliation 1-3x per week at night without other strong actives.
When mapping out your skincare routine, pencil in exfoliation one to three times a week. Start slow and see how your skin responds. Chemical exfoliants can be irritating (especially if your skin is naturally sensitive), so overdoing it or using the wrong formula can seriously backfire.
To achieve the best results when exfoliating, it’s important to do so at night. It can temporarily leave your skin more vulnerable and slightly compromise your barrier, making you more susceptible to UV damage. Doing it in the evening gives your skin time to recover before sun exposure.
One last thing: don’t combine exfoliation with other strong actives. If you’re using ingredients like retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, vitamin C, or prescription treatments, skip them on exfoliation nights. Too many actives at once can overwhelm your skin and do more harm than good.
Step Two: Start with a gentle double cleanse.
You’ll want to exfoliate on clean skin. So, as with any skincare routine, start with a gentle cleanse. We recommend double cleansing by first using a face oil (like jojoba) to break down makeup, sunscreen, and excess oil. Then, follow with a water-based cleanser to remove sweat, dirt, and anything else left behind.
For more info, here’s how to do a double cleanse and why we love it.
Step Three: Choose the right exfoliant for your skin type.
The perfect exfoliating product for you depends on your skin type—and what you’re specifically trying to accomplish. Here’s a quick guide:
-
Dry skin: lactic acid, mandelic acid, urea
-
Sensitive skin: gluconolactone, lactobionic acid, papaya enzyme
-
Oily skin: salicylic acid, glycolic acid
-
Acne-prone skin: salicylic acid, azelaic acid
-
Normal/combination skin: glycolic acid, lactic acid, mandelic acid
Choosing the right exfoliating product for your skin makes all the difference in getting results without irritation.
Step Four: Apply to dry skin (unless directed otherwise).
In most cases, exfoliating products work best on dry skin because there’s no water to dilute the formula. This allows the active ingredients to make full contact with your skin and work more effectively. That said, always follow the instructions on your specific product, since some brands design formulas for damp skin.
Step Five: Use a light hand and don’t overdo it.
More is not better when it comes to exfoliation. Using too much product or applying too much pressure can irritate your skin and trigger inflammation. Stick to a thin, even layer and let the product do the work.
Step Six: Follow with hydration and barrier support.
After exfoliating, your skin needs nourishment. Use a hydrating serum followed by a moisturizer to lock in hydration and restore your skin barrier. This helps prevent dryness, soothe irritation, and keep your skin balanced.
Step Seven: Protect your skin with daily SPF.
Exfoliation makes your skin more sensitive to the sun, which can lead to damage. And with UV damage comes more dark spots, rougher skin texture, and a dull complexion. This is why you need to take sun protection so seriously!
At the end of any skincare routine (but especially after exfoliating), apply a broad-spectrum mineral SPF. We recommend TSC Caffeinated Sunscreen because it not only blocks harmful UV rays, but also soothes, sculpts, and nourishes your skin.
We take sun protection very seriously around here, thanks to our founder, Lauryn Bosstick. Read Get the F*ck Out of the Sun to learn exactly why this step matters so much. You can also listen to the Get the F*ck Out of the Sun podcast to hear Lauryn interview trailblazers in the skincare community!
Our Guide to Exfoliating Your Body
Step One: Dry brush 2–4x per week on dry skin before showering.
Now for the body! You may not have a routine at all for the skin beyond your face, but you definitely should. For a strong template, read our body skincare routine guide.
As mentioned earlier, the skin beyond our faces is a lot more resilient. It can handle physical exfoliants! (And even benefit from them.)
So, plan to exfoliate 2–4 times per week right before you shower. While there are plenty of physical exfoliators out there, we definitely recommend a dry brush. It delivers multiple benefits at once, making it a true multi-tasking skincare tool. Plus, it works on dry skin and isn’t nearly as abrasive as gritty scrubs or harsh exfoliating gloves.
Step Two: Start with a clean, dry brush with natural bristles.
Yes, there was a time when many of us early adopters were literally using dish brushes as exfoliators. But we’ve come a long way! Now there are plenty of high-quality dry brushes out there. Ensure you look for something with natural bristles. They’re firm enough to exfoliate, but super gentle on the skin.
The Skinny Confidential Butter Brush is by far the best product for your regular body exfoliation ritual. It uses high-quality natural bristles and an ergonomic design, delivering controlled, effective exfoliation every time. Get ready for the softest skin of your life!
Step Three: Use long, upward strokes toward the heart.
Always brush upward, starting at your feet and moving toward your heart. This technique helps support circulation and lymphatic flow. It also makes sure you’re exfoliating evenly across your entire body.
For more ways to maximize your results, here are lymphatic drainage hacks from the professionals.
Step Four: Focus on rough areas like elbows, knees, and thighs.
Spend a little extra time on areas that tend to get dry or textured. These spots benefit the most from exfoliation and will feel much smoother with consistent dry brushing. Just keep your pressure controlled—no need to be aggressive.
Step Five: Shower after to rinse away dead skin cells.
Once you’re done brushing, hop in the shower to wash away any dead skin cells and buildup you’ve loosened.
You could do a quick rinse, but consider making this an everything shower! You’ve already prepped your skin, so it’s the perfect time to go all in and elevate your entire routine.
Step Six: Follow with body oil or moisturizer while skin is still damp.
After showering, apply a body oil or moisturizer while your skin is still a little damp. This helps lock in hydration and leaves your skin feeling soft, smooth, and nourished.
For a more detailed guide, read "How to Exfoliate Body with a Dry Brush."
Exfoliation sheds away dead skin cells to leave your complexion clear, even, and bright.
Exfoliation is one of those small shifts that can completely change how your skin looks and feels. It’s less about doing more, and more about doing it right.
Once you find the right rhythm for your skin, everything just looks more polished, smooth, and put-together. Keep it simple, stay consistent, and let the results speak for themselves.
