Just about any skin-care expert will tell you that exfoliating is essential if you want smooth, bright, clear skin. If you don’t want to add a tedious step to your routine but your skin would benefit from exfoliation, we highly recommend trying exfoliating pads. They’re quick and easy to use, and deeply satisfying to look at when all the debris leaves your skin and clings to the pad. Whether you’re just now jumping on the bandwagon or looking to try a new brand, these are the products we recommend for smoother, brighter skin at the swipe of a pad.
The Best Exfoliating Pads
2 / 8
This bestseller, dermatologist favorite and NewBeauty Award winner from Molly Sims’ YSE Beauty is the one you keep going back to, just like your favorite ex. The pre-soaked pads gently exfoliate with glycolic acid and PHAs for brighter, smoother skin. It’s non-irritating and doesn’t come with an off-putting scent. Plus, we love the pocket for our fingers that makes application easy.
BUY ON YSE BEAUTY - $75
BUY ON SEPHORA - $75
3 / 8
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare and exfoliating pads are peas in a pod, as the brand has become well-known for its peel pads over the years. The two-step process begins with gentle exfoliation to boost radiance, minimize pores, reduce fine lines and even out tone and texture. The second step neutralizes acidity, hydrates skin and delivers anti-aging ingredients.
BUY ON DERMSTORE - $92
BUY ON NORDSTROM - $92
4 / 8
SkinMedica knows its way around an exfoliating product and these treatment pads are a prime example. They exfoliate and brighten skin without any irritating alcohol in the mix. It’s the perfect way to add radiance to dull skin and prep your complexion for prime absorption of other products.
BUY ON DERMSTORE - $60
BUY ON BLUEMERCURY - $60
5 / 8
These exfoliating pads are one of the most commonly searched for. Glycolic acid retextures and resurfaces skin while combating breakouts. Hyaluronic acid and blue daisy soothe and hydrate skin to prevent any irritation.
BUY NOW - $20
6 / 8
Wipe your way to smoother skin with Elemis' expertly formulated exfoliating pads. After four weeks, 100 percent of users found their skin tone and texture visibly improved, leaving them with a glass skin finish.
BUY ON AMAZON - $65
BUY ON ULTA - $65
7 / 8
Don’t just take our word for it, check out the brand’s impressive before and after images with noticeable reductions in texture, dullness, pores and blackheads. “My skin has never felt so soft and looked so clear,” writes one reviewer. Another notes that it helped clear her cystic acne in a month.
BUY ON AMAZON - $45
BUY ON ULTA - $45
8 / 8
Glow is the name of the game here. These powerful yet soothing exfoliating pads feature 20 percent glycolic acid to resurface, smooth and brighten skin. Rose water and aloe vera ensure that they’re well balanced and don’t irritate skin. “Keeps congestion at bay, and I notice changes in my skin when I don’t use it. This is the best product I’ve ever bought and the only one I’ve seen with such a high percentage of glycolic acid,” writes one reviewer.
BUY ON AMAZON - $22
BUY ON TARGET - $22
