Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to exfoliate twice a day?

52 replies

MamaLazarou · 05/05/2014 14:12

Looking at some threads in Style + Beauty and people are advocating weekly exfoliation. I was in hospital recently, didn't exfoliate for 4 days and my skin was like an inch thick! How often do you exfoliate and is twice a day too much (gently, with a hot muslin cloth)?

OP posts:
TakeMeUpTheNorthMountain · 05/05/2014 14:13

You mean your face!!! Shock

sooperdooper · 05/05/2014 14:14

Twice a day sounds a lot to me, I think most exfoliation products are only designed to be used once a week

namechangenumber5 · 05/05/2014 14:14

OMG. I don't exfoliate "properly" I find using a washcloth is exfoliating enough.

ineedausername · 05/05/2014 14:15

Probably once a week on my body and 2/3 times for my face. Doesn't it just strip your skin of all natural oils? How about just moisturising sometimes?

StillStayingClassySanDiego · 05/05/2014 14:16

Twice a week depending on the exfoliater, Una Brennen does a daily one which is nice.

pinkdelight · 05/05/2014 14:18

I never exfoliate and my skin's fine. Can't imagine what you mean by it feeling an inch thick but presume that feeling comes of over-exfoliating! Seems a self-fulfilling prophecy to me, like many beauty products.

bragmatic · 05/05/2014 14:30

That's quite often. I use a retin A product, not daily though.

Interesting point: the microbeads (little plastic balls) in exfoliants (and other cosmetic products) are incredibly bad for the environment.

maras2 · 05/05/2014 14:34

Never done it in my 60 years.I do like a post bath/shower rub with a rough towel though.

Sallyingforth · 05/05/2014 14:34

Never.

whois · 05/05/2014 14:38

Never. Well, sometimes on my feet. Never on my body or face. I don't have 'inch thick skin' but I think I am quite lucky in that my skin is quite in balance without being mucked about with. But then maybe it's in balm ace because I don't slap loads of products on and then strip a later of skin off every day!

NannyLouise29 · 05/05/2014 14:44

I exfoliate every other day with a face pad and to be honest I wish I'd never started. I know that "inch thick" feeling and I do think it's a result of over exfoliation. I'm trying to wean myself off!

I am often complimented on my good skin but I was once at a beauty counter and the lady took one look at my face and told me I exfoliated too much. Twice a day would be overkill IMO.

Sizzlesthedog · 05/05/2014 14:44

On your face?

Depends on your skin type.

Oily skin once every 10days is fine otherwise it can stimulate oil production.

Dry skin, 2x a week is fine.

Depends on the product. If it's a cheap ineffective one, it'll feel like it needs it more.

OddBoots · 05/05/2014 14:50

What do you count? I wash my face with a hot cloth cream using a muslin cloth twice a day, is that what you mean?

bonzo77 · 05/05/2014 15:02

I have dry skin. 2x a week if I remember with an exfoliating cream in the shower. Twice daily seems excessive. You probably ought to wean yourself off it.

Caitlin17 · 05/05/2014 15:09

Never on my body. On my face occasionally when I remember and if there are any Clinique free samples left.

Original poster
MamaLazarou · 05/05/2014 15:11

Yes, OddBoots: with a muslin cloth. It does seem to suit my skin - it's smooth and I don't suffer from spots or blackheads like I used to before I started. But the inch-thick feeling made me suspect that I might be overdoing it.

Truly shocked that some people NEVER exfoliate!

OP posts:
Original poster
MamaLazarou · 05/05/2014 15:12

(As for my body, I dry-brush before a bath or shower about twice a week)

OP posts:
Pobblewhohasnotoes · 05/05/2014 15:19

Truly shocked that some people NEVER exfoliate!

Why? I never exfoliate, just moisturise. I survive.

Hedgehead · 05/05/2014 15:23

I started exfoliating my face about 2 months ago, but I never exfoliate the rest of my body. When I stopped using fake tan it was a lot easier. I am very pale and used to give myself a bit of a glow with fake tan, but when I stopped I didn't need to exfoliate. Just moisturise.

Caitlin17 · 05/05/2014 15:25

Truly shocked that some people NEVER exfoliate!

Also why? Because I've never found the need for it? Or that it doesn't make the slightest difference? Or that skin cells are shed naturally anyway?

EyelinerQueen · 05/05/2014 15:26

I used to exfoliate every day using this stuff. I loved the super clean feeling it left but realised that it was actually causing my breakouts so stopped.

I've switched all my skincare to La Roche Posay and now use this cleanser every day with a hot cloth and exfoliate once a week. My skin is bloody amazing. I haven't had a single spot or blemish in over a year Shock

coffeeinbed · 05/05/2014 15:27

Are you a rhino in disguise OP?

CluelessCrapParent · 05/05/2014 15:28

I don't know what you count as exfoliation really.

I wash my face at night with some balm cleanser and muslin cloth.
I wash my face in the morning with Aveda Tourmeline exfoliating cleanser with gritty bits (which don't seem to do that much), but this is a daily cleanser.

Does my routine count as exfoliating?

Fleta · 05/05/2014 15:52

Truly shocked that some people NEVER exfoliate!

Again why?

I do a routine that suits my skin - I use a gel cleanser in the evening, toner and moisturiser. In the morning I do a quick splash with cold water and moisturise.

I never exfoliate and survive quite happily

Sallyingforth · 05/05/2014 15:55

Truly shocked that some people NEVER exfoliate!
Also why here.
Skin wasn't designed to have the surface robbed off - it happens naturally.
I wash face and body gently with a soft facecloth. I don't clog up the pores with any sort of foundation so there is nothing to remove. After exposure to the sun I use a cheap moisturiser.