How Often Should You Exfoliate? A Skin-Safe Guide

Exfoliation reveals fresher, smoother skin — but over-doing it is one of the most common causes of irritation and breakouts.

Physical vs chemical

Physical (scrubs): instant smoothness but easy to overdo; harsh grains can micro-tear skin.
Chemical (AHA/BHA): more even and controllable. BHA (salicylic) suits oily/acne-prone skin; AHA suits dull/dry skin. See acne ingredients.

How often by skin type

Oily/acne-prone: BHA 2–3× a week.
Normal/combination: 1–2× a week.
Dry/sensitive: once a week or less, gentle only.

Signs you're over-exfoliating

Redness, stinging, tightness, sudden breakouts or shiny "over-polished" skin. If you see these, stop and focus on moisturising and barrier repair. In Singapore's humidity it's easy to overdo — see our humidity routine.

Prefer to leave deeper exfoliation to a pro? A facial exfoliates safely and effectively.

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Common questions

How often should I exfoliate my face?

Oily/acne-prone skin: 2–3× a week with BHA. Normal: 1–2×. Dry/sensitive: once a week or less. Stop if you see redness or stinging.

Is chemical or physical exfoliation better?

Chemical (AHA/BHA) is usually gentler and more even than scrubs. BHA suits oily/acne skin; AHA suits dull or dry skin.