Do You Actually Need an Eye Cream (or Is It a Total Scam?)
I’m breaking down when an eye cream is just clever marketing, when it truly earns its spot in your routine, and how to tell the difference—so you can stop guessing...
How Often Should I Exfoliate (Without Overdoing It)?
When most people think of exfoliation, they picture something we do to our skin.
Scrubs. Acids. Peels. Tools. The whole nine yards. But here’s the truth: your skin already exfoliates on its own. Every day.
It’s a natural, built-in process, and like a lot of things in skincare, it works beautifully… until it doesn’t.
My job (and yours!) isn’t to take over the process. It’s to gently support it when things slow down or get off track. And that starts with understanding what skin’s natural exfoliation cycle actually looks like.
How Skin Exfoliates on Its Own
Your skin is constantly renewing itself through a process called cell turnover. New skin cells are made in the deeper layers, slowly rise to the surface, and eventually shed on their own.
That last part — shedding — is the key. When skin is functioning optimally, it looks something like this:
Dead skin cells release evenly
The surface stays smooth and light-reflective
Pores stay clear, so you’re less likely to deal with congestion or breakouts
In young, healthy skin, this cycle takes about 28–30 days. But as we age, or when stress, inflammation, or environmental damage enters the picture, things slow down.
That doesn’t mean your skin is “failing.” It just means it could use a little backup.
When Skin Needs a Nudge
If those dead cells don’t shed properly, they start to pile up and compact.
This is when skin can start to feel (and look) off... dull, rough, easily congested. Even if you can’t see it on the surface, that buildup can:
Block pores and trap oil
Interfere with how well your products absorb
Make skin look dull or uneven
Cause rough skin texture
What’s tricky is this isn’t always something you see or feel right away. Sometimes it shows up as dullness or random breakouts, long before your skin ever feels truly textured.
Where Exfoliation Comes In
Exfoliation’s role isn’t to force skin into overdrive — it’s to clear away what’s overstayed its welcome, so the skin can get back to doing its thing.
This is why I’m such a believer in gentle, consistent exfoliation. Not the overly harsh, every-night scrub (we’ve all been there). But the kind that works with your skin, not against it.
Two ways I personally like to do this:
Tonic: This is my daily exfoliation step, but without the harshness most acids come with. It uses a gentle blend of lactic, glycolic, salicylic, mandelic, and phytic acids to keep skin smooth, pores clear, and complexion glowing. It’s basically a facial in a bottle — and yes, it has a cult following for a reason.
Triple Action Exfoliator: I haven’t always loved exfoliating scrubs, but this one is truly different. What sets it apart is actually what it doesn’t do — it doesn’t leave your skin feeling tight, squeaky, or stripped, which are usually signs your natural lipids and microbiome have been disrupted (leading to irritation, breakouts, and premature aging). Instead, it exfoliates with barrier-friendly ingredients and postbiotic support, so your skin feels smooth, balanced, and glowy… not raw. (I use this scrub 1-2x a week.)
A Few Quick Tips for Exfoliating the Right Way
Whether you're using a toner like Tonic or a treatment like Triple Action Exfoliator, a few best practices can make a big difference:
Start with clean skin so the product isn’t fighting through sunscreen or makeup
Damp skin is ideal for even spreading and a gentler touch
Let the product do the work—you don’t need pressure or scrubbing
Follow up with your favorite hydrator and barrier support — like HA HydraSerum+ and Creme de la Blair.
So… How Often Should You Exfoliate?
Tonic makes it easy to stay consistent without overdoing it, while Triple Action can be rotated in when your skin needs that deeper refresh.
If you’re ever unsure, err on the side of less—you can always build up from there.
The Bottom Line
Exfoliation isn’t about being aggressive. It’s about tuning in to what your skin actually needs and supporting it in a thoughtful, balanced way.
When your skin is exfoliating well, it looks brighter, feels smoother, and allows your products to work better.
How Often Should I Exfoliate (Without Overdoing It)?
Exfoliation is often treated like an extra step in your routine — but it’s actually a process your skin is already doing on its own. We're breaking down how skin...
Why Your Skin Is Red (and How to Soothe It)
Redness doesn’t just “happen.” It’s often your skin’s way of asking for a pause. From inflammation to overdoing actives, we’re breaking down the most common causes — and how to...
Is Your Nighttime Skincare Routine Missing This Key Step?
Most of us have a solid routine for our face — cleansers, serums, moisturizers — but our lips? They’re the step we skip without realizing it. We’re unpacking why lip...