If you follow the advice of magazines such as Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, social media “skinfluencers,” or your favorite skin-care brands, you may have read that exfoliating — the process of detaching dead skin cells — is a vital step in achieving healthy skin. According to these sources, exfoliation can amplify the results of topical products such as serums, masks and moisturizers, boosting the skin’s “glow” and “radiance,” as well as cutting down on acne and signs of sun damage.
But if you ask dermatologists, they’ll tell you that not only is exfoliation usually an unnecessary step, many people overdo it.