1. Start slowly
   For most people, exfoliating 1–2 times per week is a reasonable starting point. Your ideal frequency depends on your skin and the product you’re using.
3. Consider your skin type
   • Sensitive or dry skin: Start with once a week or less.
   • Normal/combination skin: 1–2 times per week may be suitable.
   • Oily skin: You may tolerate exfoliation more frequently, but avoid overdoing it.
4. Choose the right type of exfoliant
   Chemical exfoliants such as AHAs and BHAs can loosen dead skin cells without physical scrubbing. Physical exfoliants use particles or tools to remove surface cells.
6. Check the product instructions
   Different exfoliants have different strengths and recommended frequencies. Follow the manufacturer’s directions rather than assuming stronger or more frequent use is better.
7. Don’t exfoliate irritated skin
   Avoid exfoliating when your skin is red, painful, sunburned, cracked, or unusually sensitive. Give it time to recover.
8. Watch for signs of over-exfoliation
   Burning, persistent redness, excessive dryness, peeling, tightness, or increased sensitivity can indicate that you’re exfoliating too often.
9. Moisturize afterward
   Apply a gentle moisturizer after exfoliating to help maintain the skin barrier. If you’re exfoliating during the day, finish with broad-spectrum sunscreen.
10. Adjust based on your skin’s response
    If your skin remains comfortable, you can continue at your chosen frequency. If irritation develops, reduce frequency or stop temporarily.

Bottom line: There’s no universal schedule. Start with once or twice a week, observe how your skin responds, and adjust rather than exfoliating every day.