Yahoo Lifestyle Get Glowing Skin Fast with These 22 Best Face Exfoliators
- 1/24
Get Glowing Skin Fast with These 22 Best Face Exfoliators
Feeling like you're missing glowy, light-reflecting skin? Wanting to get that social media-loved "glass skin" effect? Try exfoliating your face! Your skin naturally exfoliates itself, but "exfoliants step in when this regenerative process is slowed down and dead skin cells accumulate," says Good Housekeeping Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab Senior Chemist Sabina Wizemann. This can create a thick, rough layer of skin that causes it to appear dull and dry. "The over-accumulation of dead skin can also lead to acne, clogged pores and premature signs of aging," she adds.
Wondering what to exfoliate your face with? There are two types of exfoliants: physical and chemical, so you'll want to choose between those two. Chemical exfoliators, such as alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), polyhydroxy acids (PHAs) and enzymes, "work by breaking down the bonds between skin cells to increase cell turnover," says Carmen Castilla, M.D., a dermatologist and clinical instructor at Mount Sinai in New York City. Physical exfoliators are products like face scrubs and polishes that mechanically "lift and remove dirt, pollution particles and cells simply by friction," explains Wizemann.
The Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab has tested face peels and scrubs, both of which can exfoliate your face. In these two tests, our scientists evaluated a combined total of nearly 3,000 data points to find the best on the market. Ahead, we've rounded up the 22 best face exfoliators for every skin type from oily to dry and mature to sensitive, including top performers from those tests, dermatologist-recommended products and editor-loved picks.You can read more about how we evaluate face exfoliators in our Lab and consumer tests — plus everything you need to know to shop for the best one for you — at the end of this guide. Looking for more ways to get bright, radiant skin? Check out our guides to the best natural, homemade face scrubs and the best vitamin C serums for your money.
Courtesy of Ulta, Amazon, and Dermstore - 2/24
1) Rapid Reveal Peel
Dermalogica
amazon.com
$79.00
Looking for professional-grade results from a peel without having to leave the house? Turn to this Beauty Lab test-winning peel from Dermalogica. It earned top scores for improving skin tone, smoothing skin, brightening skin, improving wrinkles and making pores less visible, with an impressive 100% of consumers agreeing that their skin tone was more even and their skin was smoother and brighter. Meanwhile, 75% of consumers agreed fine lines, wrinkles and pores were less visible. However, some testers found the tubes difficult to open.
Dermalogica - 3/24
2) Brightening Facial Scrub
Acure
amazon.com
$7.99
GH Beauty Lab testers found this scrub performed best for not causing excessive skin irritation, making it a great pick for those with sensitive skin. The Lab test winner also provided the deepest cleanse and was best at making skin look brighter and more radiant. "Love that it gives a deep feeling of clean but leaves my skin feeling soft and moisturized," a tester raves. Take note: The rich color of this scrub can stain your sink, so it may be a bit messy to use.
Acure - 4/24
3) Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub
St. Ives
walmart.com
$4.97
St. Ives' classic creamy scrub is a multitasking Lab test winner: In testing, it effectively removed dirt, oil and other impurities, reduced the appearance of pores and effectively cleansed and removed makeup. "It made my skin feel clean, moisturized, smooth and healthy," a tester reports. "It gave my skin a glow and made my makeup go on smoother." Note that the coarse particles of this physical exfoliant may be too irritating for some.
St. Ives - 5/24
4) Exfoliating Polish
Zo Skin Health
zoskinhealth.com
$68.00
A GH Beauty Lab test winner and ranked best for making skin feel smooth and having the ideal level of exfoliation, Zo Skin Health's exfoliating polish performed well in Lab testing across the board. It also scored high for making skin feel soft and look bright as well as removing oil, dirt and other impurities. "Good exfoliation without being too rough," a tester shares, so you can try this on even sensitive skin. However, take note that some consumer testers share it left their skin feeling dry.
Zo Skin Health - 6/24
5) Microdelivery Triple-Acid Brightening Peel
Philosophy
macys.com
$73.00
In the Beauty Lab's peel test, this at-home pick from Philosophy was the only product to show visible wrinkle improvement via the Visia Complexion Analyzer machine, making it a standout for those with mature skin. Testers also enjoyed that this Lab test winner didn't excessively irritate; it improves skin texture, brightness and tone and diminishes fine lines. "After each use, my skin looked brighter," a tester shares. "It also felt softer and smoother." The scent of this product was polarizing to testers, though.
Philosophy - 7/24
6) GinZing Refreshing Scrub Cleanser
Origins
ulta.com
$25.00
With a fresh citrus scent, Origins impressed GH Beauty Lab consumer testers for its ability to cleanse skin without causing irritation. One tester said it's the perfect combination face wash and gentle scrub, while another tester who has clogged pores and oily skin shared they saw a visible change after just one week of use. "My face is so soft; I haven't had a soft face in years," one tester raves. Testers noted its light exfoliation, so if you're looking for something deeper, then this may not be for you.
Origins - 8/24
7) Cleansing Complex Polish
IS Clinical
dermstore.com
$48.00
GH's Beauty Assistant has used this IS Clinical cleansing polish throughout the winter without any skin irritation. With super smooth beads, this wash exfoliates but doesn't strip the skin. It also features salicylic acid as a chemical exfoliant. "My skin feels significantly softer after using this," she notes. "It's been gentle on my skin even when it gets dry throughout the winter." However, this is on the expensive side, especially for a face wash.
iS Clinical - 9/24
8) Acne Fighting Putty Primer
E.L.F. Cosmetics
ulta.com
$9.00
If you have active acne breakouts, you should avoid using a physical exfoliator that can irritate your skin further. Formulated with the chemical exfoliant salicylic acid, this primer fights breakouts and covers up blemishes at the same time to prepare your skin for makeup. "I like the thick putty texture for smoothing over pores, and it contains pore-blurring spherical powders," says GH Beauty Lab Reviews Analyst Chiara Butler. Some reviewers find the texture off-putting, leaving a greasy feeling on their face.
E.L.F. - 10/24
9) Silymarin CF
SkinCeuticals
dermstore.com
$166.00
With an impressive 15% vitamin C as well as exfoliating salicylic acid, SkinCeuticals' serum is made with oily, blemish-prone skin in mind. A 2022 GH Beauty Award winner, Beauty Lab data review shows that "this is effective for improving skin's clarity and texture,” says Wizemann. However, this pricey liquid is an investment.
SkinCeuticals - 11/24
10) TimeWise Repair Revealing Radiance Facial Peel
Mary Kay
marykay.com
$68.00
A top performer across categories in GH Beauty Lab testing, Mary Kay's at-home peel also holds the Good Housekeeping Seal. From earning the best scores for improving texture and minimizing the appearance of pores to achieving a perfect score for not causing redness, this chemical peel did very well in Lab testing, though it didn't stand out to our consumer testers as a favorite. It uses glycolic acid to exfoliate yet was least likely to sting in testing as well, so you can try this on dry, sensitive skin. "It did not irritate my skin," one tester explains. "It was easy to use and my skin looked brighter after one use."
Mary Kay - 12/24
11) Glow Tonic
Pixi
amazon.com
$17.68
Accelerate cell renewal with Pixi's glycolic acid exfoliating toner. This liquid is also one of Butler's favorites. "It's easy to incorporate in a nightly skincare routine to gradually exfoliate skin and prevent congested pores," she shares. It includes other soothing ingredients like aloe vera and urea to prevent irritation as well. Though there are many online reviewers who love this product and consider it their holy grail, some report breakouts after using the toner.
Pixi - 13/24
12) Clear Anti-Redness Exfoliating Solution
Paula's Choice
amazon.com
$34.00
Dealing with blackheads? Try this gentle Paula's Choice product, a multitasking salicylic acid treatment that helps to refine the appearance of pores, minimize breakouts and exfoliate the face sans redness. GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Danusia Wnek loves this toner, sharing that it "does a really good job of keeping blackheads at bay and minimizing the appearance of pores." Some online reviewers would like better packaging, noting that the bottle tends to leak, so make sure to screw the cap on tightly.
Paula's Choice - 14/24
13) Exfoliating Foaming Cleanser
Suki
amazon.com
$19.99
What's better than a fresh face? A fresh face that smells great. This citrusy cleanser does more than just wash your face. The sugary scrub is filled with naturally-derived botanical oils and extracts such as coconut, lemongrass, sweet orange, chamomile, calendula and lavender. GH Beauty Director April Franzino loves this wash, sharing that "this formula intensively buffs skin, leaving it baby-smooth." As a strong exfoliant, it may be best to start slow with this pick to avoid irritation.
Suki Skincare - 15/24
14) Seaweed Pore-Cleansing Exfoliator
The Body Shop
amazon.com
$18.00
Made with polishing jojoba beads, this GH Beauty Lab test-winning and expert-loved exfoliator earned the best consumer score for reducing the appearance of pores and not overdrying skin. "My skin felt so soft after I used it and I could look in the mirror and see a difference after the first use," one tester shares. "By the end of the week I felt like my skin looked brighter, tighter, clearer, smaller pores, smoother." Some testers didn't love the smell, though.
The Body Shop - 16/24
15) Cellular 3-Minute Peel
La Prairie
nordstrom.com
$285.00
Sometimes, the splurge is worth it. Case in point: La Prairie's pricey at-home peel, a GH Beauty Lab test winner. Aptly named, it's recommended to use this peel for three minutes once a week. In Lab testing, an impressive 100% of testers reported no peeling or flaking after application; the exfoliator also earned top scores for improving skin tone and radiance, as well as brightening and smoothing. The salicylic acid-based peel works quickly, with one tester reporting, "I saw immediate results — my skin looked smoother and brighter as soon as I washed off the product."
La Prairie - 17/24
16) Sweet Cherry Brightening Enzyme Peel
Naturopathica
amazon.com
$62.00
Naturopathica's cherry enzyme and lactic acid-based face peel promotes radiant skin without irritation, even for sensitive skin. Franzino loves this exfoliator as well, sharing, "This peel gives skin a brightening, smoothing refresh and is such at treat to use thanks to the fruity-sweet scent. Plus, it didn't irritate my eczema-prone skin." Some online reviewers looking for a stronger exfoliant feel they didn't see a significant change in their skin after using this.
Naturopathica - 18/24
17) Skin Perfecting Oily Skin Liquid Facial Exfoliant
Neutrogena
walmart.com
$16.32
Featuring both glycolic and citric acids, smooth on Neutrogena's liquid exfoliator to fight skin dullness and congestion. The GH Beauty Award winner helps even out skin tone over four weeks of daily use, according to Beauty Lab data evaluation. "My skin appears clearer and more even," shares an online reviewer. "Plus, my skin doesn't become overly oily. It also seems to be reducing my occasional breakouts." Some other reviewers say it leaves a residue on skin, so keep an eye out for that.
Neutrogena - 19/24
18) RevitaLift Bright Reveal Brightening Peel Pads
L'Oréal Paris
walmart.com
$17.99
Exfoliating has never been easier, thanks to this Beauty Lab test winner. Swipe one of these peel pads on your face for quick and convenient exfoliation. In Lab testing, L'Oréal Paris' brightening pads earned the best score for ease of use, as well as top scores for brightening skin and improving wrinkles. One tester shares that they were "incredibly easy to use, weren't harsh and there was no horrid smell. Love how smooth they make my skin feel." For some pads, they seemed to be overly wet, leaving a little too much product lingering on some testers' faces.
L'Oréal Paris - 20/24
19) AlphaRet Exfoliating Peel Pads
SkinBetter Science
skinbetter.com
$115.00
Make exfoliating easy with swipe-on, no-rinse pads like these from SkinBetter Science. "Exfoliating peel pads in general tend to be stronger than using a wash," Dr. Castilla says. However, this moderate strength peel pad "combines acids with a retinol without being overly harsh on the skin," she explains. The easy-to-use pads can just be swiped onto your face to exfoliate and remove dead skin cells. Note that for a pack of 30, this is a pricier option.
Skin Better Science - 21/24
20) Mild Gel Cleanser
Glytone
amazon.com
$36.00
Dr. Castilla recommends this Glytone face wash for those looking for a "very gentle cleanser," she says. It's "easy to incorporate into your skincare routine and works well for most skin types," she adds. The face wash is made with glycolic acid yet still feels gentle on skin according to many online reviewers, though some feel it's a bit drying.
Glytone - 22/24
21) Phat Glow Facial Mask
Ole Henriksen
sephora.com
$52.00
From famed aesthetician Ole Henriksen, this mask is like an exfoliating facial in a bottle. It "uses very gentle acids and works well for even sensitive skin," Dr. Castilla explains. Incorporating a variety of acids as well as pink bentonite clay, it draws out impurities and illuminates skin. Some online reviewers wish the bottle would pump out more product, though.
Ole Henriksen - 23/24
22) Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
Paula's Choice
amazon.com
$34.00
When you think of liquid exfoliants, it's easy to think of Paula's Choice. Another gentle exfoliator, this classic toner is safe on a variety of skin types. It "works well for acne-prone skin," Dr. Castilla says. She adds that this is also easy to incorporate into your skincare routine. Though many online reviewers love this product, some felt it wasn't super effective.
Paula's Choice - 24/24
23) How we choose the best face exfoliators
Throughout the decades, the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab has tested thousands of skincare products, including facial peels and scrubs, both of which can exfoliate your skin. For the most recent facial peel tests, the Beauty Lab analyzed testers' skin with a Visia Complexion Analyzer to track changes in pores, skin texture, visible spots, and wrinkles before and after two weeks of use to ultimately collect more than 1,500 data points.
For the face scrubs test, our Lab tallied 1,375 survey data points from testers, who gave feedback on multiple factors, such as ease of use (including the level of exfoliation), ability to remove dirt, oil and impurities and ability to make skin feel softer, smoother and look brighter. For this story, we chose top-performing products from those tests, as well as favorite picks from a dermatologist, Beauty Lab experts and editors.
Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab
