Every day, our bodies create new cells and shed old ones. It’s an incredible built-in renewal system that keeps our skin healthy and radiant.
If our bodies are doing exactly what they’re supposed to, all the dead skin cells would shed on their own. Then, our skin would be flawless and perpetually blemish free. But . . . we know that’s not how it works, right?
The natural turnover process doesn’t always work perfectly. Dehydration, stress, sun exposure, harsh products, and even aging can slow everything down—leaving dead skin cells sitting on the surface way longer than they should.
And when they hang around, the skin shows it. Our complexion can look dull, uneven, and textured instead of smooth, dewy, and glowing.
Luckily, there are plenty of ways we can give our skin a little nudge. To help you out, we’re breaking down exactly how to exfoliate, remove dead skin cells safely, and keep your skin polished and radiant.
How to Get Rid of Dead Skin Cells for Polished, Radiant Skin
In this post, we’ll explain what dead skin cells are and exactly why they’re a problem. It’s true they may dull our appearance, but that’s not the only way they can hinder our skin health.
Once we’ve helped you understand why skincare is so important, we’ll get into all the ways you can shed dead skin cells and find your glow.
Here’s what you need to know:
What Are Dead Skin Cells?
Our bodies are constantly pushing fresh, new cells to the surface. It’s how the skin stays healthy and how our body stays protected. Since skin is our first line of defense, having a strong, healthy outer layer is essential for overall wellness.
As this happens, the old, outermost cells are supposed to shed naturally. (Emphasis on are supposed to.) Sometimes, they just… don’t. Instead of flaking off, they stick to the surface of the skin and hide the fresh, healthy cells underneath.
That’s what dead skin cells are—old, stubborn cells that hang on longer than they should. When they build up, they mask your fresh, radiant skin, keeping you from reaching your skincare goals.
Which Layer of the Skin Contains Dead Cells?
Dead skin cells live on the very top layer of your skin, called the stratum corneum. AKA, the outermost part of the epidermis—which is the word for the protective layer you can actually see and touch.
The stratum corneum acts like a barrier against irritants, bacteria, pollution, and water loss. In the skincare world, we usually call this “the moisture barrier.” It’s essential not only for healthy skin, but a healthy body, too!
When everything is working properly, dead skin cells naturally shed off the moisture barrier and get replaced with new ones from the layers below. When they don’t, buildup happens—leading to dullness, rough texture, and congestion.
What Do Dead Skin Cells Look Like?
How Dead Skin Cells Show Up on the Body
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Dry, flaky patches
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Rough, sandpaper-like texture (especially on arms and legs)
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Strawberry skin or KP-like bumps on arms or thighs
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Dull, ashy appearance
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Ingrown hairs after shaving
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Itchy or tight-feeling skin
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Patchy self-tanner application
How Dead Skin Cells Show Up on the Face
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Dullness and lack of radiance
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Flaky patches around the nose, chin, or eyebrows
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Makeup that pills, cakes, or sits unevenly
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Clogged pores or tiny bumps (closed comedones)
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Rough texture you can feel more than see
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Patchy absorption of skincare products
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Emphasis of fine lines because skin looks dry or tight
What Happens When Dead Skin Cells Build Up?
Clogged Pores
Old skin cells mix with oil and debris, blocking our pores. This is what leads to breakouts, blackheads, whiteheads, and congestion!
When pores can’t breathe or drain properly, everything gets super backed up, which is why your skin suddenly feels bumpy or congested.
Dullness
Buildup sits on the surface and prevents light from reflecting evenly, making the skin look flat instead of radiant.
Even if you’re using great skincare products, your healthy complexion can’t come through because it’s literally covered by dead skin.
Uneven Skintone
Patchy shedding can make dark spots, redness, and discoloration look more noticeable. It’s basically highlighting everything you don’t want to stand out.
Rough Texture
Layers of dead cells create a bumpy, gritty texture rather than smooth, even skin. You’ll often feel it more than you see it. That said, it becomes more visually obvious when applying skincare or makeup.
Dryness
Buildup interferes with product absorption and traps flaky patches, making skin feel tight or dehydrated. You can moisturize all you want, but if dead cells are blocking the way, that hydration can’t sink in.
Exaggerated Wrinkles
Fine lines look deeper when dry, dead cells sit on top of the skin. It basically emphasizes the creases. Sometimes lines you think are “new wrinkles” are actually just dryness from buildup.
Irritation
Excess buildup disrupts that moisture barrier we were talking about. This can make your skin more sensitive, red, and irritated.
Without efficient shedding, skin becomes more reactive to everything! That includes products, weather, and even washing your face.
How to Remove Dead Skin Cells
Chemical Exfoliants (AHAs + BHAs)
Chemical exfoliation is the most popular type of exfoliation. It’s effective on both your face and your body, and it’s pretty gentle for all skin types.
Chemical exfoliants are usually beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) like salicylic acid, alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) like glycolic acid. (Or a combination of both.)
You incorporate them into your skincare routine a few times a week, and they work wonders on dead skin cells.
Basically, the ingredients dissolve the “glue” holding dead skin cells together. As a result, the dead skin cells delicately flake away. It’s super effective and easy to implement.
Need exfoliator recommendations? We like Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel Pads and Dermalogica Milk Foliant. And if you really want to see how important this skincare step is, read “What Does Exfoliation Remove and Deplete?”
Retinoid
Retinoids aren’t technically exfoliants, but they absolutely act like one. They come from vitamin A and naturally speed up cellular turnover.
You’ve probably heard a lot of hype about them, and they’re definitely worthy of praise! If you don’t believe us, listen to the Him & Her Show episode where Dr. Chris Tomassian reveals whether the latest skincare trends are fact vs. fiction.
Using retinoids can prevent dead skin cells from accumulating at all, helping you maintain a smooth, polished complexion.
Retinoids have other benefits and uses, too, making them a great multi-tasking skincare product. But, know that retinoids can be pretty strong, especially if you have sensitive skin. So, start slow and make sure you always moisturize!
If you’re looking for a good option, choose a gentle over-the-counter retinol like SkinBetter AlphaRet Overnight Cream. You can also ask your dermatologist about prescription-strength formulas like tretinoin.
Enzyme Exfoliation
Enzyme exfoliants are perfect if you want something effective but ultra-gentle. Instead of dissolving the bonds between dead skin cells like acids do, enzymes actually “eat away” the dead cells on the surface.
You might think that process makes skin irritated, red, or inflamed. However, their only target is dead or damaged skin cells, so you usually don’t feel it at all. It’s one of the lowest-risk ways to get rid of stubborn buildup.
Most of what’s on the market are fruit enzymes like pineapple, papaya, or pumpkin—which feel and smell pretty amazing. You can use them anywhere on the body, too!
We like MARA Beauty Enzyme Cleansing Oil. And when we talked with skincare expert Jaime McGuire, she raved about PURIFY by Osmosis!
Physical Exfoliants
Physical or mechanical exfoliation is an exfoliation method that uses texture to manually remove dead skin cells. Think things like sugar, salt, beads, or buffing tools.
These naturally textured exfoliators instantly smooth rough patches and help reveal softer, brighter skin right away.
However, when using a physical exfoliator, it’s important to remember you’re flaking off dead skin cells using friction. It can be a harsh process!
The key is choosing formulas with fine, non-abrasive particles so you don’t scratch or irritate your skin. We also don’t recommend using physical exfoliators on your face. Instead, save them for the body, elbows, knees, feet, and any areas that tend to get rough or flaky.
Dry Brushing
For body exfoliation, the best method by far is dry brushing! When you use a high-quality exfoliating brush like The Skinny Confidential Butter Brush, you get instantly smooth skin.
But that’s not all . . . there are so many benefits to dry brushing. Beyond delivering butter-smooth results, dry brushing can also:
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Brightens your complexion
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Makes your skincare products more effective
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Minimizes the appearance of cellulite
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Reduces swelling and puffiness
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Enhances digestion and kidney function
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Promotes muscle recovery
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Boosts energy and focus
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Supports the immune system
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Relieves stress
Yep. All of that from one tool! It exfoliates by sweeping away dead skin cells on the surface while stimulating lymphatic drainage underneath. (Here’s more on how lymphatic drainage works.)
Each stroke lifts buildup, increases circulation, and encourages your body to move fluids more efficiently. This combo is what gives you that instantly smoother texture on the outside and all those wellness perks on the inside.
For more about how to make this skincare practice really effective, here’s how to use a dry brush.
What Kind of Exfoliator Do I Use for My Skin Type?
The exfoliation method that works for you depends on your skin type. Here’s a quick guide:
Normal Skin:
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Face: Chemical exfoliants, retinoids, enzyme exfoliation
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Body: Chemical exfoliants, physical exfoliants, dry brushing
Dehydrated or Dry Skin:
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Face: Enzyme exfoliation, gentle AHAs, retinoids
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Body: Dry brushing, gentle AHAs, enzyme exfoliation
Oily Skin:
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Face: BHAs, retinoids, enzyme exfoliation
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Body: BHAs, physical exfoliants, dry brushing
Combination Skin:
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Face: AHA/BHA combos, retinoids, enzyme exfoliation
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Body: Chemical exfoliants, dry brushing, physical exfoliants
Acne-Prone Skin:
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Face: BHAs, retinoids, enzyme exfoliation
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Body: BHAs, enzyme exfoliation, dry brushing
Sensitive or Reactive Skin:
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Face: Enzyme exfoliation, gentle AHAs, micro-dose retinoids
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Body: Enzyme exfoliation, dry brushing
Mature Skin:
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Face: Retinoids, lactic acid, enzyme exfoliation
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Body: Dry brushing, AHAs, physical exfoliants
Getting rid of dead skin cells is essential to your skincare goals.
Getting rid of dead skin cells is one of the easiest ways to make every part of your routine work better. When you clear that buildup, your products absorb properly, your texture smooths out, and your skin looks instantly more polished.
For more tools and resources to elevate your routine, head to The Skinny Confidential Shop. There, you’ll find our Limited Edition Dry Brush—and so much more!
