Last updated on: January 30, 2026
Like most of us, I’m always chasing that healthy, natural glow — the kind that makes you feel like you just stepped out of a spa. And everywhere I look lately, people are talking about exfoliation. Beauty influencers swear that exfoliating more often can clear breakouts, brighten dark spots, and make your skin baby-soft in just a few weeks.
So, I thought… why not try it?
I decided to exfoliate every other day for one month to find out if it would give me the kind of skin confidence we all crave — or ruin my skin barrier forever. And what I learned might help you decide how often you should be exfoliating too.
Why I Even Tried This
My skin is a mix — sometimes oily, sometimes dry patches, and dullness that loves to show up right before events. I’ve always exfoliated once a week, but I wondered:
✔ Would more exfoliation help my makeup look smoother?
✔ Could it fade old acne marks?
✔ Would it stop my pores from clogging up every other day?
The curiosity was too real.
What Experts Say (in simple human language)
Dermatologists say exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells that build up on the surface. When those cells just sit there, your skin can look:
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Dull
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Bumpy
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Dry
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Breakout-prone
There are two types of exfoliation:
| Type | What It Does | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Physical | Scrubs away dead skin using tiny grains or tools | Face scrubs, exfoliating brushes |
| Chemical | Dissolves dead skin using gentle acids | AHAs like glycolic acid, BHAs like salicylic acid |
Experts usually suggest exfoliating 1–3 times a week depending on your skin type.
So yeah… I was definitely pushing the limits.
My Before Routine
Before the experiment, my skincare looked like this:
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Cleanser
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Moisturizer
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SPF (most days… let’s be honest)
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Exfoliation just once a week
The change? I started exfoliating every other night, rotating between a gentle scrub and a BHA toner.
Week-By-Week Results (The Real Tea ☕)
Week 1 — The Honeymoon Phase
After just a couple exfoliating nights, my skin felt so smooth. My makeup looked better, and I kept touching my cheeks because I couldn’t believe it was my skin.
I was already thinking, “Why didn’t I do this sooner?”
But then… Week 2 arrived.
Week 2 — The “Uh-Oh” Stage
I woke up one morning and my skin felt tight around my nose and mouth. A little red. Just a touch itchy.
Still, I pushed forward. We’re often told beauty is pain, right?
But I noticed:
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A tiny breakout on my chin
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Makeup clinging to dry patches
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Some burning when applying products
This is when I realized my skin might be trying to tell me something.
Week 3 — My Skin Started Talking Back… Loudly
This was the turning point.
My skin felt sensitive to everything — even water. I layered moisturizer like it was my job, but my face still looked slightly irritated and shiny at the same time. Not a cute combo.
I finally switched to only chemical exfoliation and added a hydrating serum to calm things down.
Slowly… very slowly… my skin started behaving again.
Week 4 — Finding the Balance
My skin finally settled. The glow returned. The texture improved. And the breakouts? Almost gone.
But I could clearly see the difference:
My skin was smoother
Dark marks looked lighter
I looked more fresh and awake
The key wasn’t exfoliating constantly — it was listening to my skin and adjusting along the way.
The Benefits I Loved
Even though the journey wasn’t perfect, there were some amazing changes:
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Glowy skin that didn’t look tired all the time
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Smaller-looking pores around my nose
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Makeup went on like a dream
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My face felt softer than it has in years
Honestly? The glow alone made me feel more confident — even without foundation.
But Here’s What No One Warns You About
Over-exfoliation is real. And it’s not fun.
Signs my skin gave me included:
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Redness
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Itchiness
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Shine but dryness underneath
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Stinging when applying moisturizer
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A few random breakouts
When you exfoliate too much, your skin loses the protective oils it needs. That can lead to more breakouts and irritation — the exact opposite of what we want.
So if you’re reading this thinking, “I’ll exfoliate every day!” — don’t. Please.
What I Learned About Skin Types
Different skin types handle exfoliation differently:
| Skin Type | How Often You Should Exfoliate |
|---|---|
| Oily / Acne-Prone | Every 2–3 days with BHAs |
| Dry | Once a week with a gentle AHA |
| Sensitive | Every 7–10 days, super mild formula |
| Combination | Adjust by area — oily T-zone, dry cheeks |
| Mature Skin | AHAs 1–2 times/week for glow |
There is no one-size-fits-all. Your skin is unique.
My New Routine (What Actually Works)
After a month of experimenting, here’s what I’m sticking with:
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Exfoliate twice a week
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Choose chemical exfoliants over scrubs
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Always follow with:
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A calming moisturizer
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SPF in the morning (very important!)
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This keeps my skin glowing without crossing the line into irritation.
So… Should You Exfoliate Every Other Day?
Here’s the truth:
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If you have thick, oily, or acne-prone skin → maybe.
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If you have dry or sensitive skin → no, don’t do it.
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If your skin starts burning or turning red → stop immediately.
You know your skin better than anyone. Trust it.
Final Thoughts
Exfoliating every other day was a rollercoaster. It gave me the glow of my dreams — but also a few weeks of irritation I could have lived without.
What I learned?
More isn’t better.
Consistency is better.
Balance is everything.
So if you’re curious about upping your exfoliation routine, do it gently — and listen to your skin. It will always tell you what it needs… sometimes very loudly.
And remember: skincare isn’t about perfection. It’s about feeling good in your skin — glowing or not.
