How to Increase Skin Cell Turnover Naturally

It’s no secret that old, damaged skin cells can lead to dull, lackluster-looking skin. That’s why so many customers come to us asking how to increase skin cell turnover naturally. The faster this skin renewal process occurs, the smoother and more radiant your skin looks regularly! 

We’ll share tips on how to speed up skin cell turnover naturally, including:

• Making time for regular exfoliation
• Supporting cell turnover with retinoids
• Feeding your skin the nutrients it needs for renewal
• Prioritizing hydration for natural shedding
• And other lifestyle habits that boost skin renewal

Learn more about skin cell turnover below and how our formulas here at Naturopathica can support it. Whether you need an enzyme peel facial, Retinol and Bakuchiol, Vitamin C skincare products, or anything in between, you’ll find it here in our catalog. Shop now!

“I feel like I have new skin on my face. A fresh start.” - Susan

“The Pear & Fig Polishing Enzyme Peel leaves my skin with a beautiful, healthy glow and so smooth. I can feel it working on my skin by the tingling feeling.” - Wendy

“Great product to supplement my other skin care products from Naturopathica. Non-irritating, helps skin feel rejuvenated after use.” - Ingrid

What is Skin Cell Turnover?

Skin cell turnover is the natural process where fresh cells form in the deeper layers of your skin and gradually work their way upward until they shed from the surface, making way for new cells to take their place. It’s no different from how your hair is constantly shedding.

In this case, though, skin turnover is what keeps your complexion looking healthy. The process removes build-up, smooths out rough texture, and makes room for healthier, brighter-looking skin.

Unfortunately, this cycle can often slow down as a result of poor skincare practices, lifestyle habits, or environmental factors. This leaves old cells lingering on the surface longer than they should, which causes:

• Dullness
• Clogged pores
• Uneven tone
• A rough feel

A steady turnover rate keeps everything functioning the way it should. We’ll show you how to increase skin cell turnover naturally in a moment - but how often is this supposed to happen?

How Often Does the Skin Renew Itself?

Most people cycle through a full renewal every 28-40 days. That’s quite the range, and it shifts based on age, lifestyle, and skin health. Younger skin tends to move through the cycle a little quicker, while mature skin takes more time. Sun exposure, dehydration, and stress can drag the process out even further.

How can you tell if your skin cell turnover rate is healthy? It’s actually easier to watch out for the signs that your turnover rate is a bit slower than it should be. You’ll notice dark spots hanging around longer than expected, exfoliation feeling ineffective, or makeup settling unevenly.

Fortunately, there are strategies you can use to speed things up. Let’s get into how to increase skin cell turnover naturally below.

How to Increase Skin Cell Turnover Naturally

A sluggish renewal cycle is actually more common than you might think - and it’s pretty easy to address with a few adjustments to your skincare routine and your day-to-day lifestyle. 

The best part? None of this involves harsh routines or extreme products. Here’s how to speed up skin cell turnover naturally. 

Use Gentle, Consistent Exfoliation

Exfoliation clears away the old cells sitting on the surface - in turn, signaling to deeper layers that it’s time to start producing new ones.

You don’t need gritty scrubs or aggressive acids to make this happen, either. Gentle chemical exfoliation works best, which is why we recommend formulas that rely on enzymes or light AHAs. These loosen dead cells without scratching or inflaming the skin.

Take our Pear & Fig Polishing Enzyme Peel, for instance. It’s loaded with nourishing ingredients like hydrating Fig, smoothing Jojoba Beads, and exfoliating Pear Puree. A quarter-sized amount spread evenly over the skin is all it takes to unlock glowing, polished skin. Let it sit for 3-5 minutes, then wipe it away with a soft cloth and rinse thoroughly.

You can try our Glycolic Acid Pads as well. These are powered by AHA Glycolic Acid but rounded out with soothing Aloe Vera. A few swipes address uneven texture and dullness, revealing a smooth, supple, like-new complexion.

Consistency matters more than intensity when it comes to exfoliation. 1-3 times a week is plenty for most people, depending on skin type. Less is more.

Support Cell Turnover With Retinoids

Retinoids - whether Bakuchiol vs Retinol - work deeper in the skin, which is why one of the best pieces of advice we have to offer on how to increase skin cell turnover naturally is to add them to your routine. 

These ingredients help improve rough texture, dullness, dark spots, and fine lines because they influence the renewal process at its earliest stages. 

We have some great formulas in store for you here at Naturopathica, too. Our Retinol Wrinkle Cream features Argan as well, and these ingredients work in synergy to smooth, firm, and visibly lift skin - leaving it looking more youthful.

Use it every night after cleansing for best results. A nickel-sized amount is more than enough. Massage it onto the skin in upward and outward motions. Finish with short, upward strokes on the neck and décolleté.

Feed Your Skin With the Nutrients It Uses to Renew Itself

There are a few nutrients your skin needs most for the renewal process. The cycle will slow to a halt if the skin is deficient in any of these:

• Vitamin C for brighter, stronger-looking skin.
• Niacinamide to steady oil flow and reinforce barrier function.
• Essential fatty acids (Argan, Safflower, Jojoba) to support cell structure.
• Antioxidants like Vitamin E and botanical extracts help protect new cells as they form.

Our blog has more resources on the types of Vitamin C in skincare if you’d like to learn more, or the differences between Vitamin C vs Niacinamide. But the key takeaway on how to speed up skin cell turnover is that you need to include these ingredients in your routine.

Not sure where to start? Add our Vitamin C Lotion for Face to your ritual! It’s light enough for daily use and can fight off the visible signs of aging and improve elasticity. It has not just Vitamin C but also Kudzu extract along with Rose and Orange Oils.

Keep the Skin Hydrated to Improve Natural Shedding

Dehydrated skin holds on to dead cells longer than it should, making everything from texture to tone look uneven. Improving hydration helps the surface shed more easily and makes it more receptive to exfoliants and retinoids.

Layering Hyaluronic Acid, lightweight gels, or soothing creams gives the skin plenty of water for healthy turnover. This practice also minimizes the irritation that sometimes comes with exfoliation or retinoids.

There are so many great formulas worth trying at Naturopathica, but two of our personal favorites are our Marshmallow Moisturizer or our Manuka Honey Moisturizer. They feel so soft and luxurious, like an at-home spa day you can indulge in daily!

Lifestyle Habits That Boost Skin Renewal

Most of what we’ve discussed on how to increase skin cell turnover naturally involves the products you put on your skin. But healthy cell turnover isn’t just about topical products. Your daily habits can have a profound impact on your skin:

• Adequate sleep lets skin-repair hormones work their magic. This is when your skin repairs itself, after all.
• A nutrient-rich diet (especially omega fatty acids and antioxidants) supports cell structure.
• Regular movement improves circulation so your skin gets the oxygen and nutrients it needs to thrive.
• Stress management helps prevent hormonal shifts that can slow renewal or create inflammation.

The thing is, these habits just lead to better health overall. They won’t overhaul your skin overnight, but you’ll notice a difference in more ways than one if you’re consistent!

Sun Protection and Its Indirect Impact on Turnover

There’s one final word of advice we have on how to speed up skin cell turnover: shield your skin from the sun. UV exposure slows renewal dramatically. It thickens the skin’s outer layer, creates stubborn pigment clusters, breaks down collagen, and prevents the skin from shedding evenly.

Wearing SPF daily protects new cells and preserves the work your skincare is doing. Unprotected sun exposure can undo progress within days, even if you’re exfoliating regularly and using retinoids.

Our Lavender & Turmeric Protective Moisturizer SPF 17 is a great addition to your daily routine. It not only guards the skin from UVA/UVB damage but simultaneously calms irritation and soothes the senses. It’s reef-friendly, too!

Final Words on How to Speed Up Skin Cell Turnover Naturally

That does it for our guide on how to increase skin cell turnover naturally. These aren’t quick fixes. The techniques and products we’ve discussed above will slowly but surely clear away dead cells, nourish the deeper layers, and protect new ones as they form.

Small changes add up, and the more consistently you care for your skin, the better it responds. So what are you waiting for? Start your renewal routine with Naturopathica and give your skin what it needs to thrive!