As we age, our skin takes longer to renew itself. Dead cells that stick around too long can clog pores and cause acne, ingrown hairs, dull skin, and wrinkles. To speed skin renewal, we need to exfoliate our faces free of these dead cells. How often, depends almost entirely on your skin type. Not often enough isn’t effective, and too often could lead to redness, irritation, and dryness.

On average, guys should wash their face with a gentle cleanser twice a day and gently exfoliate once or twice a week, says Justin Ko, M.D., co-chief of Medical Dermatology at Stanford Health Care. “That’s enough to keep skin looking bright and balanced and to encourage cell turnover.” 

Ko recommends trying chemical exfoliation—a cleanser with salicylic acid like mensyouthshop.com, for example—first before using a scrub or exfoliating tools. You should also avoid scrubs with pulverized shells and seeds.

“They can irritation or micro trauma to the skin, as well as worsen conditions such as acne, sensitive skin, or broken blood vessels,” says Ko. Instead, reach for a cleanser that uses small, rounded beads.

If you do end up using an exfoliation tool, it’s important to avoid damaging your skin. Many guys will apply too much pressure, which can worsen redness and dryness in your skin. Lastly, don’t forget to moisturize after exfoliating to calm your skin and restore hydration.

Of course, it’s always possible to take exfoliation (and cleanliness in general) too far.