In winter, exfoliate less—and skip the physical scrubs.

In winter, exfoliate no more than once or twice a week, and stick with chemical exfoliants like lactic acid or PHA instead of physical scrubs.

Your skin is already working overtime because cold air strips its moisture barrier. Flaking doesn’t mean your skin is full of dead cells that need scrubbing—it usually means the barrier is damaged. Hitting it with a gritty scrub is like sanding peeling paint. You’ll just make it worse.

Chemical exfoliants (lactic acid, PHA, or even a gentle glycolic) are way better here. They dissolve the bonds between dead cells without the friction, and some (like lactic acid) even add a bit of hydration. Physical scrubs—think walnut shells, sugar, even those silicone pads—are too harsh when your skin is already compromised.

Frequency? Start at once a week. If your skin feels fine after a week, bump it to twice. If it stings or feels tight, back off. And always follow up with a rich moisturizer. The goal is to smooth things out, not strip the barrier