This Is Why You Should Add a Facial Exfoliator to Your Skin-Care Routine (2024)

In skin care, there are few things as challenging as trying to refine rough, bumpy texture—but the best face exfoliators can provide a smoothing solution. Whether you’re a self-proclaimed skin minimalist with a regimen composed of single-digit products or cherish your lengthy ritual, experts say proper exfoliation is essential for maintaining an even tone—especially as the cycle of cell production and replacement slows down with age. Los Angeles-based celebrity facialist Angela Caglia breaks it down like this: “When we are babies, our cell turnover can happen in as little as 3 to 5 days. In our 20s every 28 days, up to 45 days by our 30s and up to 60 days in our 40s.” So, face exfoliating products can make all the difference.

Read on to discover the best face exfoliators—along with important ingredient callouts and application best practices.

Our Top Picks

• Best Scrub: SkinCeuticals Micro-Exfoliating Scrub, $32
• Best Pads: Anua Heartleaf 77 Toner Pads, $23
• Best Korean Toner: Beauty of Joseon Green Plum AHA BHA Toner, $17
• Best Acne Treatment: Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant, $35
• Best Mask: Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask, $68
• Best 2-in-1 Treatment: Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment, $78
• Best Exfoliating Device: Dermaflash Luxe+, $199

In this article:

• Why you should exfoliate
• What Ingredients to Look For
• What to Look for in a Face Exfoliator
• Is it possible to over-exfoliate?
• How often should I be exfoliating my face?
• Meet the Experts

Best Scrub: SkinCeuticals Micro-Exfoliating Scrub

• Why We Love It: This exfoliating scrub is infused with hydrated silica, glycerin, and aloe leaf extract to physically slough away dead skin cells while boosting hydration and softness.
• Key Ingredients: Hydrated silica, glycerin, aloe leaf extract
• Size: 150 mL
• How to Use: Suitable for daily use, massage in this smoothing polish followed by serums and moisturizer.

Best Mask: Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask

• Why We Love It: Pomegranate enzymes, white willow bark, beetroot extract, and calendula are at the heart of Tata Harper’s Resurfacing Mask, which uses a blend of 18 ingredients to improve skin’s radiance and skin texture.
• Key Ingredients: Pomegranate enzymes, white willow bark, beetroot extract, calendula
• Size: 1 fl. oz.
• How to Use: Up to three times per week, leave a thick layer of the mask on for 20 minutes for an unmatched glow-up.

Best Acne Treatment: Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

• Why We Love It: “I recommend Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant for heavy, blemish-prone skin,” says Caglia. A TikTok darling for its affordability and efficacy, this pairs salicylic acid and green tea to smooth pores and wrinkles while soothing skin.
• Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, green tea
• Size: 118 mL
• How to Use: Start by applying this toner every other day, just be sure to apply sunscreen following.

Best 2-in-1 Treatment: Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment

• Why We Love It: Thanks to its powerhouse cocktail of silica, fruit enzymes from papaya, pineapple, and pumpkin, along with lactic and salicylic acid, this coveted treatment by Kate Somerville pairs the best of chemical and physical exfoliation.
• Key Ingredients: Silica, fruit enzymes from papaya, pineapple, pumpkin, lactic acid, salicylic acid
• Size: 60 mL
• How to Use: Post cleanse, massage in the treatment for 30 seconds and leave on the skin for two minutes. Then, rinse to reveal a soft, bright, youthful-looking complexion.

Best Korean Toner: Beauty of Joseon Green Plum AHA BHA Toner

• Why We Love It: K-beauty has us by the neck right now, and for good reason; so many of the products are both effective and affordable. This toner contains a blend of salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and 25% green plum water to remove dead skin cells without irritating your skin—you can even use it twice a day! And we mean it—this toner is gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin types, so you don’t have to worry about redness or drying out your skin.
• Key Ingredients: Green plum water, mung bean extract, salicylic acid, glycolic acid
• Size: 150 mL
• How to Use: After cleansing in the morning and evening, moisten a cotton pad and gently wipe your skin from the inside out. Alternatively, place a sufficient amount on the palm of your hand and dab lightly to absorb.

Best Peel: Eadem Cashmere Peel

• Why We Love It: What does the word cashmere—a fabric reserved for coastal elites to wear over their shoulder blades—have to do with this skincare peel? We’re glad you asked. The marketing team was working overtime with this one; it uses a blend of lactic, azelaic, and tranexamic acids to reveal baby-soft skin. Cashmere soft, some would say. Safe for all skin types, you’ll be amazed by how glowy your skin looks afterward.
• Key Ingredients: Lactic acid, azelaic acid, tranexamic acid, panthenol, rice water, colloidal oatmeal
• Size: 150 mL
• How to Use: After cleansing, sweep a saturated cotton pad over the face and neck. Do not rinse off.

Best At-Home Facial: Charlotte Tilbury Super Radiance Resurfacing Facial

• Why We Love It: “This formula combines exfoliating acids including AHA, like glycolic acid, BHA like salicylic acid and PHAs, including hydrating polyglutamic acid to help brighten the skin without leading to irritation,” says Garshick, building that “it also incorporates exfoliative, a natural extract from the prickly pear cactus.” “Together [these ingredients] help to improve the overall appearance of the skin and are meant to be used once weekly,” she says.
• Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid, salicylic acid, hydrating polyglutamic acid, prickly pear cactus
• Size: 50 mL
• How to Use: Use once weekly.

Best Toner: Biologique Recherche Lotion P50

• Why We Love It: Often cited as a facial in a bottle, P50 garnered quite the cult-following. Powered by a cocktail of AHAs, BHA, PHA, vitamin B3, and horseradish extract, this is lauded for its ability to balance your skin’s pH and erase dark spots. While this French find is known to be a staple for many, including actor Laura Harrier, it’s important to remember that it can be quite strong for certain skin types, so best to apply to a damp cotton pad then glide over the face and décolletage in upward strokes.
• Key Ingredients: AHAs, BHA, PHA, vitamin B3, horseradish extract
• Size: 250 mL
• How to Use: Apply to a damp cotton pad then glide over the face and décolletage in upward strokes.

Best Night Treatment: Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment

• Why We Love It: “Sunday Riley Good Genes is a very good lactic acid serum that I recommend to some,” notes Caglia. Along with the AHA, it features a cocktail of licorice, lemongrass, arnica, prickly pear extract, and aloe to improve radiance and reduce the appearance of discoloration—all without irritation.
• Key Ingredients: AHA, licorice, lemongrass, arnica, prickly pear extract, aloe
• Size: 50 mL
• How to Use: This leave-on treatment can be applied to clean skin day or night; though, if you have sensitive skin, the brand recommends applying it as a face mask (for 15 minutes).

Best K-Beauty: Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30Days Miracle Toner

• Why We Love It: This Korean skin-care find is acclaimed for its supercharged blend of acids, as well as papaya and witch hazel extract to exfoliate and boost cell turnover. What’s more, tea tree water extract, adenosine, and niacinamide are also infused to target inflammation and wrinkles.
• Key Ingredients: Blend of acids, papaya, witch hazel extract, tea tree water extract, adenosine, niacinamide
• Size: 150 mL
• How to Use: Douse a cotton pad with this toner and apply post-cleanse daily.

Best Water-Activated: Tatcha The Rice Polish

• Why We Love It: Powered by Tatcha’s Hadasei-3 complex of fermented Japanese superfoods (green tea, rice, and algae), The Rice Polish is infused with rice bran, papaya enzymes, and silk to gently exfoliate away dead skin cells while minimizing dryness. Once activated with water, this transforms into a creamy foam that leaves skin soft and nourished—making it ideal for combination to dry skin types.
• Key Ingredients: Japanese rice bran, silk, papaya enzymes
• Size: 60 g
• How to Use: Begin with wet hands and face. Pour ½ teaspoon of powder into hands and rub together to create a creamy foam. Gently massage onto face for 15 seconds, avoiding the eye area. Rinse with warm water.

Best Daily Treatment: Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Extra Strength Daily Peel

• Why We Love It: This two-step peel pad from Dr. Dennis Gross’s collection is infused with a blend of seven acids (glycolic, salicylic, and lactic acids, primarily) to instantly reduce the look of fine lines, wrinkles, pores, and dark spots. There’s even hyaluronic acid and green tea extract to ensure skin is calm and hydrated, too. While the “Extra Strength” callout in the name may sound intense, this is suitable for daily use; and is housed in a convenient sachet to take with you on the go. Consider its Universal Daily Peel if you’re new to the world of exfoliators.
• Key Ingredients: Glycolic, salicylic, and lactic acids, hyaluronic acid and green tea extract
• Size: 30 treatments, 2.2 mL each step
• How to Use: For optimal results, use daily AM or PM. Massage Step 1 onto clean, dry skin until pad is dry. Wait two minutes. Repeat with Step 2 and allow to dry.

Best Night Serum: True Botanicals Repair Nightly Treatment

• Why We Love It: The True Botanicals Repair Nightly Treatment is infused with black willow bark extract, hyaluronic acid, and olive leaf extract to resurface skin (and combat breakouts) for a supple, hydrated appearance.
• Key Ingredients: Black willow bark extract, hyaluronic acid, olive leaf extract
• Size: 30 mL
• How to Use: Each night, apply a few pumps of the treatment just before moisturizer.

Best Exfoliating Device: Dermaflash Luxe+

• Why We Love It: The go-to tool for exfoliation. It’s incredibly user-friendly, making it a great option for dermaplaning novices (trust us, it looks way more intimidating than it is!). Think of this as a souped up razor, ridding you of any peach fuzz as well as any dead skin sitting atop your skin.
• Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, papaya enzymes, willow bark, niacinamide
• Size: N/A
• How to Use: First prep skin with the included PreFlash treatment, which features a blend of salicylic acid, papaya enzymes, willow bark, and niacinamide, to remove surface oil and soothe skin. Then, you can glide the dermaplaning device over the face to remove dead skin cells, peach fuzz, and impurities for soft, glowing skin. Just be sure to avoid the lips, eyelids, and nose.

Best Plant-Based: Beekman 1802 Smooth Booster Willow Bark Exfoliating Serum

• Why We Love It: “For more sensitive skin, I love Beekman’s 1802 Smooth Booster Serum with Willow Bark,” says Caglia. The serum features two BHA alternatives: willow bark, which is similar to salicylic acid, and caviar lime, as well as lactic acid to smooth skin texture and reduce the look of pores. One to two drops of this vegan concentrated serum can be applied on its own or with your favorite moisturizer in your morning routine.
• Key Ingredients: Willow bark, caviar lime, lactic acid
• Size: 0.5 oz
• How to Use: Apply 1-2 drops to clean, dry skin as part of your morning routine. Use it alone or with the moisturizer of your choice.

Best Pads: Anua Heartleaf 77 Toner Pads

• Why We Love It: Even the most intense skincare aficionados might dabble in laziness, and toner is often a step one might want to skip due to the extra effort of grabbing a cotton pad. Enter these toner pads, already infused with four plant-derived extracts, to reduce sebum and kiss blackheads, whiteheads, and breakouts goodbye. With mild ingredients, these toner pads can be used every day.
• Key Ingredients: PHA, anti-sebum P, heartleaf extract
• Size: 160 mL
• How to Use: Wipe with the embossed side to exfoliate and remove dead skin cells. Gently pat to boost absorption. Use after cleansing as part of both your morning and night skincare routine.

Best Polish: Lancer The Method Polish

• Why We Love It: There was a time when physical exfoliators like St. Ives reigned supreme, but over time they started to fade from the market. However, there are still some gems out there, like this physical and chemical exfoliator combo from 90210’s king, Dr. Harold Lancer. Pumpkin and pomegranate enzymes loosen dead skin, while magnesium crystals slough off dead skin, dirt, debris, and everything you ate for lunch but forgot to wipe away. There’s also a bit of winged kelp in there to hydrate, leaving you with the softest skin a 30-something can ask for.
• Key Ingredients: Pumpkin and pomegranate enzymes, magnesium crystals, winged kelp
• Size: 4.2 oz
• How to Use: Dampen the skin on your face, neck, and décolletage with warm water. Apply a small amount of the product to your fingertips and gently massage it over your face, neck, and chest in small, circular motions. Rinse thoroughly.

Best Oil Control: Cosrx AHA/BHA Treatment Toner

• Why We Love It: In the real world, alphas and betas might be in a constant power struggle, but in the world of skincare, they play together harmoniously. Glycolic acid and betaine salicylate combine forces to remove dead skin cells and control sebum production. It’s super easy to use too—just spritz a bit of the hydrating toner onto your skin like a beauty YouTuber or apply it with a damp cotton pad like the rest of us.
• Key Ingredients: Willow bark, apple water, glycolic acid, betaine salicylate
• Size: 5.07 oz
• How to Use: After cleansing, spray the toner onto a cotton pad and gently wipe it over your face, avoiding the eye and mouth areas. For daytime use, follow with a broad-spectrum sunscreen rated SPF 30 or higher.

Best French Pharmacy: Filorga Scrub & Mask Exfoliating Bubble Face Mask

• Why We Love It: Kids who studied abroad (Colin Bridgerton), brace yourselves. This scrub and mask duo from Filorga, a French pharmacy brand, might be the latest thing for you to brag about—“Everyone in Paris begged me to try it!” It’s fun to use; scrub it into the skin and watch as the texture transforms into a bubbly, smoothing mousse. Use it one to three times a week and bid adieu to dead skin cells.
• Key Ingredients: Perlite spheres, exfoliating enzymes
• Size: 55 mL
• How to Use: Massage onto clean, dry skin in circular motions, avoiding the eyes. After scrubbing, leave it on as it transforms into an active mousse. Micro-bubbles of oxygen are released, and after about 10 minutes, rinse off with water.

Why should you exfoliate?

“Exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells from the outermost layer of the skin surface,” says Garshick. “Exfoliating often leaves the skin looking brighter, more refreshed, and often helps people get the glow they’re often looking for in their skin.” Not only does the process improve dullness, but she also continues to explain that it can prevent pores from getting clogged (which leads to breakouts) and help other topical products better penetrate the skin.

Amin notes that how often you exfoliate depends on your skin type and method of exfoliation, which can fall into two categories: physical and chemical. “Physical exfoliation is done using granular scrubs with varying particle size, dermaplaning or microdermabrasion,” he says. “Chemical exfoliation leverages the power of enzymes and mild acids to loosen the bonds between cells of the superficial layers of the skin. Dissolving this “glue” helps the skin cells turn over and shed.”

Because physical exfoliating methods tend to be harsher, he recommends limiting it to one to two times a week. If you have sensitive skin, he notes it’s best to avoid physical exfoliants completely but rather reach for chemical exfoliants, which are typically more tolerable. Regardless of your skin type or the kind of formula you choose, Rouleau advises exfoliating no more than five times per week. “Your skin needs a critical number of protective layers to stay healthy and moist, so you definitely don’t want to over-exfoliate and strip away those layers, damaging your moisture barrier,” she explains.

What ingredients should you look for

In this evolving skin-care marketplace, there are an array of exfoliating ingredients to choose from and a plethora of products formulated with them to slough away dead skin. “Commonly used exfoliating compounds are salicylic acid, glycolic acid, mandelic acid, and lactic acid,” says Amin. “For acne-prone skin, salicylic acid is the best choice. Glycolic is a great choice for an overall glow.” The former penetrates deeper into skin, the latter provides a gentler, more surface-level exfoliation.

What to look for in a face exfoliator?

This depends on the type of skin you have and what you hope to achieve with your exfoliant, says board-certified dermatologist Ranella Hirsh.

Ingredients

If you have oily or acne-prone skin, you can likely tolerate more than someone with dry, sensitive skin. For oily skin, products containing salicylic acid, which specifically targets oil (being oil-soluble) to reduce it, tend to be a great option.