Plus the most important things to know about exfoliating your face, straight from the pros.
Exfoliating your face can be tricky. If you overdo it or use the wrong exfoliator, your face will likely freak out. But if you exfoliate a few times with a formula that's suited to your skin type and concerns? Your face will freaking glow. That's because a good face exfoliator removes dead skin cells, which helps smooth your complexion, brighten your skin tone, and keep your
pores clear, explains licensed aesthetician Jordan Samuel Pacitti.
So to save you from a risky game of trial-and-error, I researched, tested, and reviewed hundreds of different face exfoliators, from glycolic acid cleansers to exfoliating toners, and then rounded up the 19 best options below. Here's a quick preview of my favorites:
Best Face Exfoliator Overall
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant
Paula's Choice just dropped this exfoliator, but I've had the pleasure for testing it for the last month and I'm obsessed with the results. The combo of mandelic acid and lactic acid work together to smooth fine lines, fade dark spots, and improve the overall look of my skin and tone and texture but with legit zero irritation. I use it just like a toner after cleansing in the morning and at night and my skin is honestly glowing.
Formula: Leave-on liquid
Skin types: All
Chemical or physical exfoliator? Chemical
Key ingredients: Mandelic acid, lactic acid, yarrow extract
Glowing customer review: "I’ve been really enjoying this exfoliant! It’s gentle enough for daily use and leaves my skin feeling buttery. It helps to prep for my hydration steps and overall my skin texture has been so smooth and plump."
Best Chemical Face Exfoliator
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel
These peel pads from Dr. Dennis Gross are one of my holy grail face exfoliator. The two-step system is super effective and easy to use (swipe step one all over your face, wait two minutes, and then repeat with step two). They're made with a blend of AHAs and BHAs to minimize breakouts, fade dark spots, smooth uneven texture, and make your skin look supremely glowy. I personally use the Universal Daily peel shown here, but they come in a gentle version for sensitive skin and an extra-strength version for seasoned exfoliator veterans too.
Formula: Peel pad
Skin types: All (depending on the intensity you choose)
Chemical or physical exfoliator? Chemical
Key ingredients: Glycolic acid, lactic acid, resveratrol, green tea extract
Glowing customer review: "I just finished my first box of 35 and my skin is smoother and clearer than ever," writes one tester. "I use them twice a week and the stubborn bumps and blackheads on my forehead are gone."
Best Physical Face Exfoliator
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Face Polisher
Cosmo beauty editor Beth Gillette has tested countless face exfoliators, and this pick with rice powder and enzymes is one of her all-time favorites. "Call me old fashioned, but I love a proper scrub down," she says, adding that "this Peach & Lily exfoliator is super gentle. I just pour a lil bit of the powder into my face wash in the shower a few days a week, and it helps keep my skin majorly smooth and clear."
Formula: Powder
Skin types: Dry, combo, oily, dull, acne-prone
Chemical or physical exfoliator? Physical
Key ingredients: Rice powder, allantoin, green tea extract
Glowing customer review: "Makes your skin feel so clean a refreshed! I was using everyday and it did dry me out a bit so I cut back to three days a week and that's worked perfect for me! Definitely will keep purchasing."
Best Face Exfoliator with Enzymes
Naturopathica Pumpkin Purifying Enzyme Peel
Not only does this exfoliating face mask smell delicious—literally just like a spicy pumpkin latte—it's excellent for unclogging pores and giving skin a nice, even glow. It uses pumpkin enzymes to eat away away at dulling dead skin cells along with lactic acid to gently resurface skin. I personally love using it once or twice a week during the winter months, when my skin is a bit more dry and sensitive than usual and my stronger face exfoliators may be too intense.
Formula: Rinse-off mask
Skin types: All
Chemical or physical exfoliator? Chemical
Key ingredients: Pumpkin enzymes, lactic acid
Glowing customer review: "I don't recommend eating this mask, but it's hard to resist given how good it smells. I use this weekly to give my skin a nice glow. It's easy to apply and washes off with warm water with little to no residue. Love having it in my rotation."
Best Face Exfoliator for Uneven Skin Texture
Dr. Loretta Resurfacing Enzyme Polish
This 2-in-1 face exfoliator is one of the more powerful picks on our list, but if your skin is accustomed to regular exfoliation and not prone to sensitivity, you should 100 percent give it a try. The combo of enzymes and physical exfoliators eat away at dry, dead skin cells and polish your skin's surface for baby soft texture and smoother lines and wrinkles. And thanks to hydrating glycerin and conditioning oils, the formula won't destroy your skin barrier or leave your skin feeling stripped and dry.
Formula: Rinse-off mask
Skin types: Dry, combo, oily, dull
Chemical or physical exfoliator? Both
Key ingredients: Bio-fermented polish, pomegranate enzymes, glycerin, niacinamide, panthenol, coconut oil
Glowing customer review: "Love the resurfacing enzyme polish…not too harsh on skin but does an excellent job of removing dead skin. Leaves a nice finish and a glow to skin."
Best Daily Exfoliating Face Cleanser
TRNR Skin Glycolic Gel To Foam Cleanser
The secret to this cleanser's glow-boosting magic? Glycolic acid, a derm-favorite AHA that dissolves dead skin cells to reveal a brighter, smoother complexion. I personally like to wash with it in the morning (and then apply my antioxidant serum and moisturizer with SPF) to give my skin a nice little glow to start the day. But if you're using it at night, I recommend starting with a cleansing oil or balm first to breakdown any makeup first since in my testing experience it doesn't fully remove long-wear or waterproof makeup.
Formula: Cleanser
Skin types: All
Chemical or physical exfoliator: Chemical
Key ingredient: Glycolic acid, grapeseed extract, green tea extract, aloe leaf juice
Best Weekly Exfoliating Face Cleanser
SkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser
This face wash is the ultimate exfoliating multitasker. It contains little jojoba beads to mechanically buff away dead skin cells without tearing your skin, AHAs like lactic acid, glycolic acid, and malic acid to improve skin texture, and salicylic acid to decongest pores and provide additional exfoliating benefits. A win-win-win folks.
Formula: Cleanser
Skin types: Dry, combo, oily, acne-prone, dull
Chemical or physical exfoliator? Both
Key ingredients: Glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, jojoba beads
Glowing customer review: "I love that this cleanser has AHAs and BHAs. They're a badass combo when it comes to pursuing a smooth and blemish-free skin.
Best Extra-Strength Face Exfoliator
Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial
Drunk Elephant's Baby Facial is one of my favorite face exfoliators, but it definitely isn't for exfoliating newbs, so if you haven't exfoliated before or have sensitive skin, skip this one. The powerful formula contains a blend of 25 percent AHAs to eat away at dead skin cells, brighten your skin tone, and soften lines and wrinkles plus 2 percent BHAs to dissolve any build up in your pores. I like to use it once a week on Sunday nights as a way to resurface my skin before the week ahead. Just be sure to leave it on for 20 minutes max and apply a gentle face moisturizer after you rinse it off to avoid any potential dryness or irritation.
Format: Rinse-off mask
Skin types: Combo, oily, acne-prone, dull
Chemical or physical exfoliator? Chemical
Key ingredients: Glycolic acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid
Glowing customer review: "Absolutely love this product!!! After wearing it for 20 mins, my skin is seriously like baby skin. I just wish the price was lower but would definitely recommend!
Best Cult-Favorite Face Exfoliator
Sunday Riley Good Genes All-In-One AHA Lactic Acid Treatment
I've never met an editor or skincare expert who doesn't love Sunday Riley's Good Genes. The cult-favorite formula has won dozens of industry awards and accolades and is loved for its ability to gently exfoliate and give skin a dewy glow. The magic? Lactic acid (a gentle type of AHA), brightening licorice extract, soothing prickly pear, all of which work together to smooth lines, minimize the look of pores, and fade discoloration without causing irritation.
Format: Face serum
Skin types: Dry, combo, oily, dull, sensitive
Chemical or physical exfoliator? Chemical
Key ingredients: Lactic acid, licorice extract, prickly pear
Glowing customer review: "I was really surprised to see an overnight difference! I actually got this product as a sample and last night I had bad hormonal acne. So why not try it? The acne really calmed down! Skin texture smoother!"
Best Inexpensive Face Exfoliator
The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Exfoliating Peeling Solution
You won't find a better face exfoliator than The Ordinary's Peeling Solution for the price. At $9.50, the active-packed formula is an absolute steal. It's great for treating and preventing acne, minimizing the look of dark spots and marks from old breakouts, and unclogging pores, thanks to AHAs and BHAs.
Format: Rinse-off liquid
Skin types: Combo, oily, dull, acne-prone
Chemical or physical exfoliator? Chemical
Key ingredients: Glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid
Glowing customer review: "This product has made my skin feel so smooth! It is super easy to apply and I have already noticed changes in my skin's texture :)"
Best Face Exfoliating Pads
YSE Beauty Your Favorite Ex Exfoliating Pads
Another favorite of Cosmo beauty editor Beth Gillette's, these exfoliating face pads are soaked with AHAs and PHAs to help smooth skin texture and improve your skin tone too. "The actual pads themselves are quite large to cover my entire face. Plus, they have a lil spot to stick your fingers in to make swiping them across your face a bit easier, which def encourages me to pull them out more often," says Beth.
Format: Peel pads
Skin types: Dry, combo, dull, sensitive
Chemical or physical exfoliator? Chemical
Key ingredients: Glycolic acid, gluconolactone, ectoin
Glowing customer review: "I have always suffered from hyperpigmentation and been struggling with fading the marks. However, this product truly brightened and smoothed my skin and gave me the confidence back that I needed."
Best Face Exfoliator with Salicylic Acid
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
Salicylic acid is one of the best ingredients for treating breakouts and inflammation, and this cult-favorite face exfoliator from Paula's Choice happens to be packed with 2 percent of it (the highest concentration of salicylic acid you can get over-the-counter). Apply it to clean skin nightly to minimize blackheads, whiteheads, and angry red pimples.
Formula: Leave-on liquid
Skin types: Combo, oily, acne-prone
Chemical or physical exfoliator? Chemical
Key ingredient: Salicylic acid
Glowing customer review: "Paula’s Choice entered the chat and changed my skin forever. It’s so light on my skin I had no idea it was scrubbing my pores inside out. My skin was visibly more even after the first use with not a pore in sight. It deeply exfoliates without leaving my skin dry and tight."
Best Face Exfoliator Scrub
La Roche-Posay Ultra-Fine Scrub for Sensitive Skin
I'm reluctant to recommend most face scrubs (they tend to be overly harsh and can create tiny micro tears in the skin), but this one from drugstore skincare brand La Roche-Posay is an exception. It's made with super-fine pumice particles to gently remove dead skin cells and buildup along with glycerin to keep skin plump and hydrated.
Formula: Face scrub
Skin types: Dry, combo, oily, dull
Chemical or physical exfoliator: Physical
Key ingredients: Pumice particles, thermal spring water
Glowing customer review: "I normally avoid exfoliating scrubs because I have sensitive skin with rosacea, but this one gave my skin a nice glow and very soft feel. I use it just one a week with very light pressure and have no irritation. Love this stuff!"
Best Face Exfoliating Serum
Shani Darden Skin Care Lactic Acid AHA Exfoliating Serum
The beauty brainchild of celebrity facialist Shani Darden, this face serum is an excellent alternative for anyone who can't handle using a traditional retinol in their nightly skincare routine. It uses lactic acid and PHAs to gently resurface your skin and refine it's texture (just like a retinol), plus it contains soothing ingredients like aloe vera and green tea extract to minimize irritation.
Formula: Face serum
Skin types: Dry, combo, sensitive
Chemical or physical exfoliator? Chemical
Key ingredient: Lactic acid, gluconolactone, hyaluronic acid
Glowing customer review: "My sensitive skin can't handle a physical exfoliant, so I need to go something a little more low-key like this to get rid of dead skin cells and debris. It's just enough to refine, tone, and visibly improve my skin’s texture."
Best Powder Face Exfoliator
Tatcha The Rice Polish Foaming Enzyme Powder
As soon as you mix this powder with water, it turns into a rich, creamy foam that exfoliates skin without causing irritation. The powder is made with Japanese rice bran (a non-abrasive physical exfoliant), lactic acid (a gentle type of AHA), and skin-conditioning silk proteins. Use it three times a week in place of your regular face wash for skin that freaking glows.
Formula: Powder
Skin types: Dry, combo, oily, dull
Chemical or physical exfoliator? Both
Key ingredients: Japanese rice bran, green tea extract, lactic acid
Glowing customer review: " I keep this in my shower for the days I feel like I need to buff away some dead skin and oil. It doesn't make my combo skin feel dry or irritated like other exfoliators, and when I wash it away, my skin feels so smooth."
Best Face Exfoliator for Sensitive Skin
Cetaphil Healthy Radiance PHA Cleanser
Exfoliating can be tricky if you have sensitive skin—if you use one that's too strong you can literally burn your face off and if you don't exfoliate at all, well, hello clogged pores and dullness. Enter Cetaphil's Healthy Radiance Cleanser—it uses PHAs (think of them as AHAs less-intense cousin) to gently dissolve dead skin cells for a mild exfoliation that's perfectly safe for easily irritated skin types.
Formula: Cleanser
Skin types: Dry, combo, sensitive, dull
Chemical or physical exfoliator? Chemical
Key ingredients: Polyhydroxy acid, niacinamide
Glowing customer review: "I have tried every exfoliator for my dry and acne-prone sensitive skin and nothing has worked besides this," reads a review. "It has helped my skin so much—I will definitely repurchase again and again."
Best Face Exfoliator for Dark Spots
Hyper Skin Hyper Even Fade and Glow AHA Mask
If you're dealing with hyperpigmentation (like dark spots, sun spots, or melasma) this is the face exfoliator mask for you. It uses a combo glycolic acid and mandelic acid to nix dulling dead skin cells and fade discoloration for an overall brighter, more even looking skin tone.
Formula: Rinse-off mask
Skin types: Dry, combo, oily, dull
Chemical or physical exfoliator? Chemical
Key ingredients: Glycolic acid, mandelic acid, niacinamide
Glowing customer review: "I am a skeptic when it comes to face masks—I have spent so much money on products that do literally nothing—but the combo of acids like make this feel more like a weekly chemical exfoliant treatment. I actually started seeing some of my dark spots fade after using it for a month."
Best Fast-Acting Face Exfoliator
Renee Rouleau Triple Berry Smoothing Peel
Very few skincare products can truly give instant results, which is why I always find this exfoliating face mask from facialist Renee Rouleau so damn impressive. Smear the berry-colored gel onto clean skin, let it sit for up to 10 minutes, rinse thoroughly, and then check yourself out in the mirror. I promise you'll be genuinely shocked at how clear, glowy and smooth your skin looks.
Formula: Rinse-off mask
Skin types: Dry, combo, oily, acne-prone, dull
Chemical or physical exfoliator? Chemical
Key ingredients: Glycolic, lactic, malic, mandelic, and tartaric acids
Glowing customer review "This berry-colored chemical exfoliant is magic for clearing out pores, resurfacing skin, and eliminating discoloration. I'm obsessed with it makes my skin look and feel."
Best Face Exfoliator Toner
Biologique Recherche Lotion P50
The OG liquid face exfoliator, P50 Lotion is loved by editors, facialists, and dermatologists alike and has inspired a whole wave of copycat products. The iconic French formula is full of exfoliating acids and has a cult-like following thanks to its ability to dramatically improve skin tone, texture, and clarity.
Formula: Leave on liquid
Skin types: Combo, oily, acne-prone, dull
Chemical or physical exfoliator? Chemical
Key ingredients: Lactic acid, malic acid, salicylic acid, gluconolactone, sulfur, phytic acid
Glowing customer review: "They weren’t lying when they called it a cult favorite," says a reviewer. "I can’t live without this product—it has completely transformed my skin. I had horrible acne, huge pores, and uneven texture and now my skin is so glowy, plump, and almost clear. I noticed a difference after about a month. It’ll change your life!!"
What is the best product to exfoliate your face?
The best product to exfoliate your face will always depend on a few things, including your skin type and condition, your current skincare routine, and your skincare goals, says Pacitti. Exfoliators can be found in various formats and formulas, from rinse- off cleansers and masks to leave-on serums and toners. In general, sensitive skin types may do better with rinse-off exfoliators that have shorter contact time with the skin, where skin types that are used to exfoliation will be able to tolerate a leave-on exfoliator.
What facial exfoliator do dermatologists recommend?
There are two main types of face exfoliators to choose from: chemical exfoliators and physical exfoliators. Chemical exfoliators use acids to break down the "glue" that holds together dead cells on the surface of your skin to reveal clearer, brighter skin. Physical exfoliators typically use little beads or particles to manually buff away dead skin cells, build-up, and debris. Both have their pros and cons, but dermatologists (including Dr. Wolinsky) tend to favor chemical exfoliators for the face over physical ones since they're less likely to tear skin or cause inflammation when used properly.
How often should you exfoliate your face?
In terms of how often you should exfoliate your face, Dr. Wolinsky recommends starting out exfoliating once or twice weekly and increasing to daily exfoliating if your skin can tolerate it. That said, there is definitely a risk of overdoing exfoliation, which leads to irritation and inflammation, warns Dr. Wolinsky, adding that "over-exfoliated skin often appears as red, itchy, painful, or splotchy skin."
And while we're on the topic of over-exfoliating, please know that you don't need to use multiple exfoliators at once and you definitely don't need to be using the strongest exfoliator you can find. The bottom line: when it comes to exfoliating, being kind to your skin in the process is key for the best results.
How to choose the best face exfoliator:
Choose your acids wisely.
Exfoliating acids for your face can be broken down into three groups—AHAs, BHAs, and PHAs—and each one is best suited for certain skin types and concerns. AHAs (like glycolic acid, lactic acid, and mandelic acid) are great for smoothing fine lines and wrinkles and fading discoloration. BHAs (aka salicylic acid) are great for oily and/or acne-prone skin types since they can help breakdown excess oil and debris that gets stuck in pores. PHAs (like gluconolactone) are best suited for sensitive skin types since they're the most gentle of the three.
Pay attention to the directions.
Overdoing it with your face exfoliator is a recipe for inflammation (inflammation = the root of all skin evil). So if you want to avoid a skin freakout, follow the directions on your specific exfoliator to a T and remember that less is more.
