Redness, Flaking, Tightness? Your Skin Might Be Over-Cleansed – Here’s How to Fix It
Redness, Flaking, Tightness? Your Skin Might Be Over-Cleansed
Have you ever felt that “squeaky clean” feeling after washing your face… only to notice tightness, redness, or dry patches a few hours later?
You’re not alone. Many of us think the cleaner the skin, the better—but in fact, too much cleansing can harm your skin rather than help it.
This is especially true in the Nordic climate, where cold air, wind, and dry indoor heating already put a lot of stress on our skin.
Let’s take a closer look at how over-cleansing damages your skin—and how you can bring it back to balance with gentle care and Kajo’s nature-meets-science formulas.
How to Know If You're Over-Cleansing
Your skin is smart. It usually tells you when something’s not right. These are common signs that your skin may be over-cleansed:
Redness – Especially around the nose, mouth, or cheeks.
Flaking or Dry Patches – Skin feels rough or starts peeling.
Tightness After Washing – Like your skin is stretched too much.
Stinging or Sensitivity – Products that used to feel fine now irritate.
More Breakouts or Eczema Flare-Ups – Damaged skin can’t protect itself properly.
What’s going on behind the scenes? Over-cleansing removes important natural oils and weakens your skin’s protective barrier. It also affects your skin microbiome—the healthy bacteria that keep your skin calm and balanced.
Why Does Over-Cleansing Happen?
It often starts with good intentions—but the wrong habits. These are the most common causes:
❌ Using harsh cleansers (especially ones with sulfates or a high pH)
❌ Washing your face too often—more than twice a day is usually too much
❌ Using hot water, which dries out and irritates the skin
❌ Over-exfoliating with strong acids or scrubs
Your skin wants to protect you. But when we strip it too much, it can’t do its job.
How to Heal Over-Cleansed Skin (And Keep It Healthy)
Don’t worry—your skin can bounce back! With the right care, you can repair your skin barrier and bring back that healthy, calm glow.
1. Switch to a Gentle Cleanser
Look for something that cleanses without removing natural oils.
Kajo Tip: Try our Probiotic Revitalizing Cleanser. It’s made with green tea extract and probiotics to calm your skin and support your microbiome—without that dry, tight feeling afterward.
2. Simplify Your Routine
Now is not the time for strong actives or too many steps. Let your skin breathe.
Focus on hydration and repair.
Kajo Recommends: Arctic Moisturizing Cream with squalane and sea buckthorn oil. These ingredients mimic your skin’s natural lipids and help calm redness.
3. Lock In Moisture With the Right Ingredients
Look for:
-
Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): Strengthens your skin barrier and calms irritation.
✅ Found in Kajo’s Stem Cell Anti-Aging Cream -
Hyaluronic Acid: Deep hydration that plumps the skin.
✅ Found in Bakuchiol Face Serum -
Jojoba Oil: Helps balance oil production without clogging pores.
✅ Found in Hydrophilic Cleansing Oil
4. Be Kind to Your Skin
Use lukewarm water—never hot.
Pat your face dry—don’t rub.
Always wear SPF—even in winter.
Why Kajo Works for Over-Cleansed Skin
We design every product with your skin barrier in mind. Our formulas combine Nordic nature with gentle science:
Probiotic Mist with yogurt extract soothes irritation and keeps your skin’s microbiome happy.
Calendula and Bisabolol (in our Bakuchiol Serum) calm redness and reduce inflammation.
Cleansing Oils with tsubaki and sweet almond dissolve makeup and dirt without drying.
Prevention Tips for Nordic Skin
Cleanse once per day in the evening (unless you’re wearing makeup).
Try double cleansing: first oil, then probiotic cleanser.
Listen to your skin—if it feels tight or tingly, pull back on exfoliants and focus on soothing.
Final Thoughts: Gentle is Powerful
Caring for your skin shouldn’t feel like a battle. At Kajo, we believe in balance—not stripping, not scrubbing, not fighting your skin.
Healthy skin doesn’t feel squeaky clean. It feels soft, strong, and calm. If your skin has been over-cleansed, it’s time to press reset—and let nature and science work together to support your glow.
Kajo’s Gentle Heroes
For dry skin: Arctic Moisturizing Cream
For redness: Bakuchiol Face Serum
For sensitive skin: Probiotic Revitalizing Cleanser
For hydration boost: Probiotic Facial Mist
