The 15 Best Face Exfoliators For Clear and Soft Skin (2024)

Enlarged pores? Breakouts? Dullness? If you want an all-in-one skincare exfoliator that works for every skin type (yes, even yours) this product is an excellent choice. Not only does it gently exfoliate your skin without any scrubbing, but it’s also gentle enough for sensitive skin, and hydrates to boot.

Key ingredient: salicylic acid

If you want the glow that normally only comes from a facialist’s office, give this dupe a try. It’s an intense experience, so proceed cautiously–but when applied correctly, the effects are glowing, smooth, acne-free skin.

Key ingredients: glycolic acid, lactic acid, and salicylic acid

If you love the feeling of scrubbing away dead skin cells, swap out your abrasive scrub for this gentler version. It comes as a powder, but when you add a few drops of water, it transforms into a deep cleanser that leaves the skin feeling silky soft.

Key ingredients: rice bran and lactic acid

People with sensitive skin can be justifiably wary of using chemical exfoliators, but this toner was made to be gentle. It exfoliates the skin, while giving it plenty of moisture and antioxidants. You won’t feel even the slightest tingle, but notice how pores, blemishes, and dullness fade away with time.

Key ingredients: mandelic acid, salicylic acid, and gluconolactone

Basically a facial in a bottle, this serum targets enlarged pores, acne, and hyperpigmentation, without irritating the skin. In addition to its chemical exfoliators, this serum also uses a slew of soothing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, green tea, and aloe vera to treat redness.

Key ingredients: lactic acid and gluconolactone

For smooth skin that’s free of dark spots, this toning liquid makes a huge difference in not much time. Instead of wrecking your skin barrier with too-powerful acids, this brand believes in calming your skin and treating hyperpigmentation, without adding stressors.

Key ingredient: glycolic acid

We’ve all heard horror stories of scrubs that wreak havoc on sensitive skin. This is the alternative: a gentle, incredibly fine cleanser that was created for sensitive skin in mind. No more micro-tears, only soft, fresh skin.

Key ingredients: Glycerin, antioxidants

Intense results await with help from this packet of exfoliator-soaked towelettes. In this two-step system, the skin is given a dose of chemical exfoliators, and then followed up with a soothing pad that stops the acid process and leaves the skin feeling calm. It’s a great choice for anyone who’s looking to treat scars, fine lines, or persistent acne.

Key ingredients: glycolic acid, lactic acid, and salicylic acid

Normally, it’s recommended to only use a physical exfoliator once or twice a week, but this version was created to be gentle enough for daily use. The beads are incredibly small and non-irritating, making it a great cleanser for sensitive skin that needs a little help treating blackheads, oiliness, or dullness.

Key ingredients: salicylic acid and phytic acid

When skin overproduces oil, it can lead to clogged pores, blackheads, and white heads. This cleanser gently exfoliates the skin, allowing pores to stay clear and cleansed. It can be used a few times a week, and promises to not increase skin sensitivity.

Key ingredients: glycolic acid and salicylic acid

Glowing skin can be hard to achieve, but this toner uses chemical exfoliants to make your skin beam like you’re wearing the world's best highlighter. If you’ve ever wanted to go makeup-free and still had that radiance, this toner can get you there.

Key ingredients: lactic acid and azelaic acid

For fine lines, texture, and clogged pores, this product uses a mix of chemical and physical exfoliators to give the skin some radiance and smoothness again. It also contains jojoba oil and aloe vera to soothe the skin and add a boost of moisture. It’s best used sporadically as a treatment to avoid over-exfoliating the skin.

Key ingredient: lactic acid

Instead of the spot treatments of ye olde days, which mostly dried out the skin, this product actually treats blemishes. Applied a few times a day, oil is controlled, the skin is exfoliated, and any gunk is exposed and absorbed. The best part is, you can wear this underneath makeup, so your plans can continue uninterrupted.

Key ingredients: succinic acid and salicylic acid

Every now and then, a good scrubbing session is called for. There’s a ton of product in this tube, so when used a once a week, it’ll last quite a while. The effects are instantaneous: smooth, clear skin that glows.

Key ingredient: soy extract

This intense wash-off treatment uses a combination of physical and chemical exfoliators to banish blackheads, unclog pores, and reveal glowing skin. Simply apply, massage into the skin, and wash off after two minutes. To avoid any sensitivity, this product also contains aloe vera, honey, and vitamin E to calm the skin.

Key ingredients: lactic acid and salicylic acid

Desiree Stordahl, Director of Applied Research & Education at Paula's Choice

Dermatologist Dr. Karan Lal

Why is it important to exfoliate your face?

“When we’re young, skin is able to shed effectively on its own without any help,” says Stordahl. “The problem is this natural shedding process slows down and becomes faulty over time due to the toll sun damage and other stressors take on skin.” Dr. Lal adds, "Exfoliation helps skin cells turn over faster. It also helps your products get into your skin more efficiently.”

“One of the most obvious benefits you’ll notice right away is how soft and smooth skin feels,” says Stordahl. “You will also notice skin’s naturally healthy glow comes through more radiantly as the dead layer sloughs away. Chemical exfoliation can even help wrinkles look less exaggerated due to the removal of built-up dead cells. If you’ve experienced any amount of sun damage (which let’s be honest, we all have) you’ll see a visible difference in skin’s overall tone and youthful appearance.”

What kind of exfoliants do you recommend?

“I am a fan of both chemical and physical exfoliants for the face,” says Dr. Lal. “There is a risk of damaging the skin with physical exfoliants if you are extremely aggressive, which is why most dermatologists recommend chemical exfoliants for the face. However, most popular facial exfoliating scrubs often have both physical and chemical exfoliants.”

“Alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) and polyhydroxy acid (PHA) chemical exfoliants can also hydrate skin while they work their exfoliating magic on skin’s surface, which is a unique advantage,” says Stordahl. “Beta hydroxy acid (BHA) exfoliants have the added benefit of penetrating the pore, where they can de-clog congestion and help reduce breakouts and blackheads.”

Can people with sensitive skin use exfoliators?

“People with sensitive skin can absolutely exfoliate—it’s all about finding the right formula,” says Stordahl. “BHA (commonly known as salicylic acid) is the preferred exfoliant for sensitive skin due to its inherent anti-inflammatory properties, which helps calm redness and soothes signs of compromised skin. Those with sensitive skin can experiment with up to 2% concentrations and should start out by introducing it slowly. Make sure the formula is free of unnecessary irritants like added fragrance, SD/denatured alcohol, and menthol—that’s sound advice for anyone, not just those with sensitive skin.”

For people with extremely sensitive skin, try avoiding aggressive scrubs, says Dr. Lal. “I want to maintain the skin barrier, not disrupt it.”