For better skin, you need the perfect balance of exfoliation and the application of corrective products in order to reach your goal.
In healthy skin, the cells in the top layer of skin are developing and shedding at a normal rate. In problem skin the cells are developing at an abnormally rapid rate – called hyperkeratosis – and when the body can’t keep up with this over-proliferation of cells then it is necessary to intervene, so we exfoliate!
Our skin has an important function – to protect us! So if you exfoliate too much by scrubbing or using harsh products, the natural balance of your skin is compromised. Now your skin has lost the ability to protect you and it will definitely react.
The most common reaction is a rashy-type breakout with pustular bumps. People, this is not acne and you should NOT try to dry it out! This is an indication that the skin barrier has been compromised. The best way to deal with this is to use products that will rapidly replace and restore that barrier function and reduce the inflammation.
Over the counter 1% hydrocortisone cream used 2-3 times a day for 2-3 days is an easy fix. In addition, many skin care lines have special products with active ingredients for exactly this purpose. These are usually called “post-treatment” products and are specifically used to restore barrier function. These ingredients include: Oat Beta Glucan, Centinella Asiatica, Aloe, Chamomile, etc, etc. Once your skin returns to normal then you can go back to your home care products.
I know it is counter-intuitive to use a heavy cream or ointment product on breakout prone skin, but it will only be for a couple of days until the irritation is gone. Your skin has just given you a signal that the exfoliation you had been doing was too much of a good thing!
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