If you’re not exfoliating your face regularly, what are you doing? Exfoliation is a crucial step to getting the smooth, even skin we all desire. However, not all exfoliators are the same—some just aren’t as good as others. While finding the face exfoliator that’s best for you relies a lot on your skin type and concerns, we have a few general recommendations to help make your search easier.
The best face exfoliators on the market
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant Exfoliator ($66)
With over 6,900 five-star reviews on its site, this exfoliator’s success speaks for itself. In one use, this microfoliant smooths skin and reduces blackheads, and in just a couple of weeks, you’ll notice skin is brighter and dark spots are minimized.
OLEHENRIKSEN 10% AHA Lemonade Smoothing Scrub ($35)
This scrub is like running your face through a combo car wash and lemonade stand and emerging with smooth, polished skin. Enlarged pores and uneven texture meet their match with the lemon peel, AHAs and sugar in this refreshing formula.
EADEM Cashmere Peel AHA + PHA Toner ($42)
This milky formula is truly safe for sensitive skin types, so have no fear if your skin is easily irritated. Cashmere Peel pairs the hydration of a Korean essence with the exfoliating effects of a French toner. Plus, the brand's proprietary complex FastFade makes dark spots disappear.
Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant ($35)
Personally, I wouldn’t trust a list naming the best exfoliators if it didn’t include this icon. A continuous bestseller whose reputation precedes it, this formula is beloved for its ability to unclog pores, control oil and get skin glowing.
Peace Out Pore Perfecting Stick ($24)
This NewBeauty Award winner is the perfect exfoliating companion when traveling, but we love having it around at all times. The stick format makes exfoliating pores and reducing blackheads easier than ever—it’s basically a magic wand.
TULA Skincare So Polished Exfoliating Sugar Scrub ($34)
A fabulous facial scrub go-to for years, we’ve never turned our back on this classic. It softens and scrubs skin without irritation using probiotic extracts, superfoods and sugar. Plus, it’s one of the best smelling scrubs out there.
Furtuna Skin Triple Active Exfoliator ($115)
This triple exfoliator with natural plant enzymes, finely ground olive pits, PHAs and AHAs leave no pore unexfoliated. This Italian exfoliator not only smooths uneven texture but also wrinkles.
Grown Alchemist Polishing Facial Exfoliant ($65)
Just shy of 100 percent of people said their skin feels softer immediately after using this facial exfoliant. The powerful polishing abilities are thanks to finely milled bamboo particles, vitamins C and E, pink grapefruit, glycerin and camellia kissi seed oil.
OSEA Seaglow Resurfacing Scrub ($58)
This scrub uses the power of the ocean and flower acids to exfoliate skin and promote cell renewal for glowing, even skin. This is a must-try if you enjoy the satisfying sensorial experience of a physical exfoliant.
Eminence Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant ($55)
If you love a DIY moment, you’ll love this mini at-home chemistry project. Combine the powder dermafoliant with a bit of water , rub your hands together to create a paste, and apply to skin. Soon you'll notice smoother, more radiant skin.
SkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser ($48)
This resurfacing cleanser means business. Constantly recommended by dermatologists for a reason, it seriously sloughs away dead skin cells with salicylic, glycolic, malic, citric and lactic acids.
Lancer The Method: Polish ($40)
If you’re not familiar with The Method popularized by celebrity dermatologist Harold Lancer, MD, it’s time to study up. The Polish is the first step of The Method—smoothing and renewing skin with natural minerals and pumpkin and pomegranate enzymes so it’s prepped and primed for the next few steps.
SkinCeuticals Micro-Exfoliating Scrub ($35)
When in doubt, we tend to turn to SkinCeuticals. This scrub goes hard in the exfoliation arena, but thanks to the aloe leaf extract and glycerin, skin feels cool and refreshed, unlike with some other exfoliators that leave skin raw and red.
Shani Darden Lactic Acid Serum ($89)
Celebrity aesthetician Shani Darden knew what she was doing with this gentle exfoliating serum. It’s beloved for a reason—100 percent of users found their pores were less noticeable, skin tone was more even and their complexion was overall brighter and glowing.
Oak Essentials Renew Face Polish ($58)
Loaded with vitamins, this polish supports the skin barrier while exfoliating, so it’s a great option for sensitive skin. After four weeks, 100 percent of those polled said the texture of their skin improved.
