✨ The Truth About Exfoliation – Are You Helping or Hurting Your Skin? ✨

The Real Truth About Exfoliation, Custom Routines, and Tanning: What Works, What Hurts, and How to Glow Smarter

Exfoliation gets a lot of hype. It’s sold as the magic step that makes your skin glow, your products absorb better, and your spray tans go on flawlessly. But the truth is, not all exfoliation is good exfoliation—and too much of a good thing can actually backfire.

The right approach keeps your skin smooth and balanced. The wrong one can strip your barrier, cause breakouts, and ruin your tan before it even starts. Here’s how to tell the difference and how to exfoliate the right way for long-term skin health and glow.

1. What’s Actually Happening When You Exfoliate

Exfoliation removes dead skin cells sitting on the surface so your skin looks fresher, feels softer, and absorbs products more effectively. But there’s a fine line between a healthy glow and an irritated barrier.

There are two main types:

Physical exfoliation uses scrubs, mitts, or brushes to manually polish the skin. It can deliver instant smoothness, but overdoing it—or using the wrong products—can cause microtears, redness, and long-term damage.

Skip: thick, oil-heavy scrubs like Tree Hut or other sugar-based options from brands like Bath & Body Works. They leave a film that blocks pores and DHA (the active ingredient in spray tans), leading to breakouts and uneven results.

Instead: use a tan-safe exfoliating mitt with a gentle cleanser or body polish designed to rinse clean, not coat your skin.

Chemical exfoliation relies on AHAs, BHAs, and enzymes to dissolve dead skin cells. These can be more effective at smoothing texture and clearing pores—without the friction.

The best options balance performance with hydration, gently refining your skin instead of stripping it.

2. When “More” Becomes Too Much

We’ve all been there—chasing that ultra-smooth feeling only to end up with red, tight, or breakout-prone skin. That’s over-exfoliation. It happens when you remove too many protective cells, leaving your barrier exposed to bacteria and dehydration.

If your skin suddenly feels dry, shiny, or sensitive to touch, it’s a sign to slow down. Most skin types only need exfoliation one to three times a week, depending on your texture and routine. Always follow with a hydrating lotion or serum to rebuild moisture.

3. The Products That Do More Harm Than Good

Some products look luxurious but end up doing more damage than they fix. Here are a few common offenders:

• Peel-off masks and harsh scrubs (think GlamGlow or old-school St. Ives) can cause microtears and inflammation that lead to premature aging and uneven tone.

• Fragrance-heavy exfoliants often irritate sensitive skin and disrupt pH balance, especially before a spray tan.

• Charcoal and clay masks can be over-drying, especially during fall and winter when your skin already struggles to retain moisture.

The best exfoliators are the ones that feel gentle, rinse clean, and leave your skin feeling balanced—not tight or tingly.

4. How to Exfoliate the Right Way

A smart exfoliation routine doesn’t need to be complicated. The goal is consistency, not intensity.

• Exfoliate one to three times a week depending on your skin’s tolerance.

• Use fragrance-free exfoliants before a spray tan to avoid residue or buildup.

• Always rehydrate immediately after exfoliating to lock in moisture and protect your barrier.

If your skin ever feels raw or shiny, take a break for a few days and focus on restoring hydration instead.

5. Why Exfoliation Is the Secret to a Flawless Spray Tan

Smooth skin means smooth color. Proper exfoliation is what separates an airbrushed-looking tan from one that fades patchy or uneven.

Do this:

• Exfoliate 24 hours before your tan using a clean, gentle product.

• Moisturize afterward (not right before your tan) to create an even, supple base.

• Avoid heavy oils or scrubs within six hours of your appointment—they’ll block the tanning solution and cause streaks.

Don’t do this:

• Don’t exfoliate right before tanning—it can leave your pores open and lead to blotchy development.

• Don’t use oily scrubs; your tan won’t stick properly and will fade faster.

A little prep goes a long way. The smoother and more balanced your skin, the longer your glow lasts—and the better it looks while it fades.

The Takeaway

Exfoliation isn’t about scrubbing harder or using trendier products—it’s about treating your skin smarter. When you find that balance between clean, hydrated, and polished, your glow doesn’t just show up for a day—it lasts.

Because real glow isn’t about overdoing it. It’s about keeping things simple, consistent, and skin-first.

For my favorite tan-safe exfoliators and prep products, visit the Get Glowing Collection Shop to build a custom routine that keeps your skin radiant year-round