22 Top Face Exfoliators Recommended by Dermatologists 2024

Choosing the right face exfoliator for your skin type can revolutionize your skincare routine. While exfoliating seems simple, its benefits extend far beyond mere cleansing: “Exfoliation eliminates dead skin cells, promoting skin radiance, fading hyperpigmentation, refining skin texture, and accelerating cell turnover,” explains Dendy Engelman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Shafer Clinic in New York City, to Glamour. “It also aids in debris removal and pore clearance after cleansing, resulting in clearer skin.” To uncover the top face exfoliators beloved by both testers and dermatologists, we consulted experts.

At a Glance: The Best Face Exfoliators Best Overall: Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel Pads, $92 Best Budget: E.L.F. Cosmetics Gentle Peel Exfoliant, $10 Best Drugstore: CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser, $10 Best for Sensitive Skin: Sunday Riley Good Genes All-in-one Lactic Acid Treatment, $85 Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Glo Skin Beauty Beta-Clarity Pro 5 Liquid Exfoliant, $58 Best for Oily Skin: Natureofthings Clarifying Facial Polish, $65 Best for Dry Skin: RéVive Enzyme Essence Daily Resurfacing Treatment, $115 Best for Combination Skin: Dr. Loretta Resurfacing Enzyme Polish, $60 Best for Mature Skin: Peter Thomas Roth Retinol Fusion PM Night Serum, $65 Best for Blackheads: IS Clinical Cleansing Complex Polish, $48 Best Tool Brush: Spa Sciences Nova Sonic Facial Brush, $38

Choosing the Right Exfoliator for Your Face Michael I. Jacobs, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and associate professor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College, emphasizes that the ideal exfoliation method depends on your skin type. Dr. Engelman notes that oily skin types can tolerate stronger alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs). For dry skin, exfoliation can aid in removing debris and buildup, facilitating skin healing. While both experts agree that everyone benefits from chemical exfoliants, Dr. Engelman suggests that sensitive skin types may fare better with gentle enzyme exfoliators instead of BHAs or AHAs, which can be harsh. Physical exfoliants like face scrubs are best reserved for body use to avoid potential irritation and micro-tears. If in doubt, conduct a patch test on your wrist before use.

How Often to Use a Face Exfoliator While exfoliation offers numerous benefits, overdoing it can harm the skin’s natural oils and damage the skin barrier, warns Dr. Jacobs. He recommends exfoliating a maximum of twice a week, although frequency depends on the formula and your skin’s sensitivity. The best face exfoliators incorporate moisturizing ingredients to safeguard the skin barrier against potential damage.

Signs of overexfoliation include redness, irritation, inflammation, increased sensitivity, flakiness, and peeling, notes Dr. Engelman. Paradoxically, acne can indicate overexfoliation. In such cases, pause exfoliation until the skin returns to normal.

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Best Overall: Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel Pads 1/22 Best Overall: Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel Pads $153 DERMSTORE

$92 SEPHORA

These peel pads are favored by multiple individuals for their effectiveness, earning them the top spot. “I always keep a few in my bag,” says Glamour contributor Sarah Y. Wu. “One contains a blend of five acids to instantly smooth the skin, while the second is rich in antioxidants that prevent overexfoliation and maintain hydration and radiance.” Dr. Engelman highlights their suitability for sensitive skin, making them accessible to all. Glamour contributor Macaela MacKenzie also praises them, saying, “I have super-sensitive skin, but miraculously, these deliver instantly noticeable results without irritation. I use them once a week (twice in summer) on my face and neck before bed, followed by a thick moisturizer.”

Pros: Easy to use; difficult to overdo Cons: May cause purging in acne-prone individuals Exfoliant type: Chemical Size: Available in 30 or 60 treatments

Best Budget: E.L.F. Cosmetics Gentle Peel Exfoliant 3/22 Best Budget: E.L.F. Cosmetics Gentle Peel Exfoliant $9 AMAZON

For those finding traditional peels harsh or irritating, this mild version could be the solution. “It can be used a couple of times weekly for gentle yet effective smoothing,” says Dr. Jacobs, who appreciates the formula. Free of typical acids, it utilizes papaya enzymes for exfoliation.

Pros: Gentle; affordable Cons: Contains fragrance; subtle results Exfoliant type: Chemical Size: 3.04 oz.

Best for Sensitive Skin: Sunday Riley Good Genes All-in-One Lactic Acid Treatment 4/22 Best for Sensitive Skin: Sunday Riley Good Genes All-in-One Lactic Acid Treatment $122 SEPHORA

$122 NORDSTROM

Sunday Riley serums are renowned for their efficacy and gentleness. The lactic acid in this treatment dissolves bonds between skin cells, revealing brighter skin while reducing dark spots, fine lines, and wrinkles, explains Corey L. Hartman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Birmingham, Alabama. The addition of prickly pear extract minimizes redness, making it well-suited for sensitive skin. MacKenzie attests to its gentleness, saying, “I use this daily. When I skip it for a week, I immediately notice duller skin. A makeup artist once advised me to apply this before primer for smooth foundation application, and I’ve never looked back.”

Pros: Suitable for all skin types Cons: Not highly moisturizing Exfoliant type: Chemical Size: 1.7 oz.

Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant 5/22 Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant $35 AMAZON

During pregnancy, MacKenzie turned to Paula’s Choice for relief from dry, sensitive skin, crediting the Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner. Postpartum, she relies on this BHA-based exfoliator for its gentle yet effective results on dull, sleep-deprived skin. Recommended by both Dr. Arora and Dr. Chang, it sheds built-up skin layers with beta hydroxy acid, particularly beneficial for acne-prone skin, according to Dr. Chang. BHAs penetrate pores deeply without causing excessive irritation, she adds.

Pros: Gentle; lightweight; non-sticky texture Cons: Strong scent Exfoliant type: Chemical Size: 4 oz.

Best for Oily Skin: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Clarifying Solution Acne Toner 6/22 Best for Oily Skin: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Clarifying Solution Acne Toner $17 AMAZON

This toner offers gentle exfoliation for oily skin, combining salicylic acid and glycolic acid to eliminate pore-clogging debris and refine skin texture, according to Navin S. Arora, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and clinical assistant professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine.

Pros: Affordable Cons: May be too harsh for sensitive skin Exfoliant type: Chemical Size: 6.76 oz.

Best for Dry Skin: RéVive Enzyme Essence Daily Resurfacing Treatment 8/22 Best for Dry Skin: RéVive Enzyme Essence Daily Resurfacing Treatment $120 DERMSTORE

$115 NORDSTROM

This dual-phase treatment exfoliates while moisturizing, with papaya, pineapple, and cranberry enzymes removing dead skin cells in one phase, and squalane, meadowfoam, and jojoba seed oils providing nourishment in the oil phase. “With cooler, drier weather, I’ve switched to this as my daily exfoliant,” says Glamour contributor Deanna Pai. “It feels nourishing on my skin, never drying, but has the slip of an oil.”

Pros: Hydrating; gentle; little goes a long way Cons: May feel oily on skin Exfoliant type: Chemical Size: 4.6 oz.

Best for Blackheads: iS Clinical Cleansing Complex Polish 9/22 Best for Blackheads: iS Clinical Cleansing Complex Polish $46 AMAZON

$48 DERMSTORE

Glamour contributor Lisa DeSantis appreciates the brand’s facial cleanser, making her enthusiastic about this scrub version. “Surprisingly gentle for daily use, yet effective against the pesky blackheads on my nose,” she says. Salicylic acid clears pores and blemishes, while jojoba beads buff away dead skin.

Pros: Suitable for daily use; non-drying Cons: Challenging to rinse off Exfoliant type: Chemical and physical Size: 4 oz.

Best for Mature Skin: Peter Thomas Roth Retinol Fusion PM Night Serum 10/22 Best for Mature Skin: Peter Thomas Roth Retinol Fusion PM Night Serum $65 ULTA

$65 NORDSTROM

Retinol promotes collagen production and accelerates cell turnover, resulting in smoother, even-toned skin, says Dr. Hartman. This serum, featuring 1.5% encapsulated retinol, is stable and well-tolerated by many, with added vitamins E and C for moisturizing and skin tone improvement, respectively.

Pros: Encapsulation reduces irritation; rich in antioxidants Cons: May be too irritating for sensitive skin Exfoliant type: Chemical Size: 1 oz.

Best for Uneven Skin Texture: SkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser 11/22 Best for Uneven Skin Texture: SkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser $48 DERMSTORE

$48 AMAZON

Andrea Navarro, Glamour commerce writer, considers this her go-to for tackling rough texture. It offers gentle exfoliation with a blend of AHAs, salicylic acid, and jojoba beads, while citrus oils control excess oil.

Pros: Generous amount of product; oil control Cons: Pricey Exfoliant type: Chemical and physical Size: 6 oz.

Best Physical Exfoliant: SkinCeuticals Micro-Exfoliating Scrub 12/22 Best Physical Exfoliant: SkinCeuticals Micro-Exfoliating Scrub $35 SKINCEUTICALS

$35 DERMSTORE

This facial scrub stands out for its gentle yet effective exfoliation, sloughing off dead skin cells and impurities without irritation, notes Dr. Engelman. Hydrated silica exfoliates gently, while aloe and glycerin cool and hydrate the skin.

Pros: Easy to use; minimal irritation risk Cons: Subtle effects Exfoliant type: Physical Size: 5 oz.

Best Chemical Exfoliant: Neostrata Smooth Surface Glycolic Chemical Peel 13/22 Best Chemical Exfoliant: Neostrata Smooth Surface Glycolic Chemical Peel $78 DERMSTORE

For an at-home chemical peel comparable to professional treatments, Dr. Chang recommends Neostrata’s two-step exfoliator, featuring 10% glycolic acid. It exfoliates, improves texture, and reduces pigmentation, delivering noticeable results.

Pros: Professional-grade results at home Cons: May be too harsh for sensitive skin Exfoliant type: Chemical and physical Size: 36 pads

Best Face Peel: The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution 14/22 Best Face Peel: The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution $8 THE ORDINARY

$8 ULTA

This at-home chemical peel offers immediate effects, brightening the skin and lightening acne scars with regular use, according to Glamour contributor Jenny Singer. However, it’s potent and may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

Pros: Affordable; potent Cons: Potential irritation for some skin types Exfoliant type: Chemical Size: 1 oz.