Naomi Jamieson
Tackling everything from dullness to congested pores and unwanted texture, the best facial exfoliators are an effective step to have in your skincare routine, but with a few iterations out there - from physical scrubs to chemical exfoliants - finding the right formula is key.
Like that of the best cleansers and best face moisturiser, an exfoliator is regarded by many to be one of the cornerstones of an effective skincare routine. They're designed to slough off dead skin to reveal brighter, even and smoother-looking skin, unclog pores and even reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles. Plus, they're also fairly low-maintenance and easy to incorporate into your regime, as most of us only need to exfoliate twice a week - as any more so can be too intensive.
That said, with the sheer amount of formulas out there, from granular scrubs to AHA-powered toners, finding a facial exfoliator that aligns with your skin type is no easy feat. Thus, our team have tested an array of options to bring you the six best...
The best facial exfoliator products, as chosen by our beauty experts
When it comes to the question of how to exfoliate your face, there are two types of exfoliation, mechanical and chemical, and while they vary in their process, each can reward you with similar benefits.
Mechanical or physical exfoliation removes dead skin cells with a little help from a tool (think brush or sponge) or a scrub. Then there's chemical or enzymatic exfoliation, which gently dissolves dead skin cells with the help of PHA skincare, AHAs or BHAs, such as lactic or glycolic acid.
With this in mind, our beauty team have tested an array of options from gentle scrubs to BHA-powered toners, to help you find the best facial exfoliator for your skin type and needs....
RRP: from £14.99 | Type of exfoliator: chemical | Key ingredients: glycolic acid, glycerin and licorice root
Reviewed by: Fiona McKim
Acid toners are everywhere, but that was not the case in 2000 when Alpha H launched this. I think you could accurately call it the OG glycolic exfoliator. Aside from being well ahead of the game, this is also just a brilliant product - I've used it on and off for the last decade. It's a simple swipe-on job with enough AHAs to feel mildly, satisfyingly tingly and give an instant skin-smoothness boost. I use mine a couple of times a week, in the evening, and follow with a good scoop of hydrating cream. If you have a party coming up, do it the night before, and you'll see why I'm so dedicated.
Reasons to buy: multi-tasking, easy to use, and offers an instant smoothing boost and feel
Reasons to avoid: those with oily or breakout-prone skin might be better off using a BHA product (like an exfoliator with salicylic acid), rather than an AHA
RRP: £35 | Type of exfoliator: Chemical | Key ingredients: salicylic acid and green tea extracts
Reviewed by: Lucy Abbersteen
I can probably count on one hand how many times I use a physical scrub on my face in an average year; I much prefer liquid chemical options for breakout-busting or dead skin cell-sloughing. Paula's Choice's 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant is arguably the product that put this ingredient, AKA beta-hydroxy acid, onto the radar of the masses. A liquid exfoliant with a 2% concentration of said BHA, it works to break down the gunk that gets lodged in our pores to help dislodge it and, in turn, decongest the skin. Over the many years we've been friends, it's helped me to clear up breakouts and keep my blackhead-prone pores clearer.
I will say that it does have a slightly (slightly) greasy consistency when you first sweep it across the skin, but this is necessary for the efficacy and doesn't hang around or affect anything that's layered over the top.
Reasons to buy: Good option for oily or congested skin, thanks to the salicylic acid
Reasons to avoid: Can feel initially greasy on the skin and those with very sensitive skin might find this a bit harsh, and maybe cause the skin to purge
RRP: £18 | Type of exfoliator: chemical | Key ingredients: glycolic acid, ginseng and aloe vera
Reviewed by: Naomi Jamieson
As someone with fairly sensitive skin, I used to avoid anything with the word 'exfoliating' in its name at all costs, but after growing tired of trying (and failing) to ward off pesky blackheads and texture on my nose, chin and forehead, I turned to Pixi’s Glow Tonic. I was delighted to find that my skin didn’t react or show any signs of irritation - bar a small initial purge around my spot-prone areas, but this was, as mentioned, very minimal - and now, it’s a staple in my routine.
I use it twice a week and find its blend of glycolic acid and ginseng works incredibly well to gently buff away dead skin and refine my pores, without leaving my skin feeling dry or stripped in any way. On the contrary, my complexion looks glowy (as this toner’s name promises) and feels so soft to the touch - even around my nose and chin, which is usually where dryness and flaky skin lingers.
Reasons to buy: suitable for all skin types, easy and quick to use and leaves the skin looking so glowy and hydrated
Reasons to avoid: does feature fragrance, and those with oily or breakout-prone skin may require something more heavy-duty
RRP: £65 | Type of exfoliator: Foaming Enzyme Powder | Key ingredients: Japanese Rice Bran and papaya enzymes
Reviewed by: Aleesha Badkar
With a number of the best Tatcha products already lining my bathroom cabinet, I was so excited to try this luxe powder-to-foam exfoliator, and it's safe to say, it's now a staple in my collection.
I get regular bouts of very dry skin, where the skin around my mouth and nose goes visibly dry and flaky. During these times, I never want to use anything too harsh on my skin, but I do still want to get rid of the flakiness and any dead skin cells on the top layer before piling on all the hydration. This is where Tatcha Rice Polish comes into play. A gentle physical exfoliant that develops into a soft foam when mixed with water, this contains tiny grains that very softly buff away dry skin and dead skin cells, without causing any irritation. The slightly creamy foam also means that skin is left soft and supple, rather than tight and dry, as can happen with other scrubs.
Reasons to buy: Ideal for dry and combo skin, and is non-abrasive
Reasons to avoid: It is on the pricier side
RRP: £67 | Type of exfoliator: Physical, chemical, enzymatic | Key ingredients: Gold-stabilised pure L-ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, glutathione, glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid
Reviewed by: Courtney Leiva
Aside from the longer-than-usual time that it takes to complete this facial scrub, I was hard-pressed to find anything I didn’t like about Murad’s exfoliating offering. Positioning itself as a “facial in a tube,” this remarkably fine-milled exfoliant spotlights the antioxidant benefits of vitamin C by utilising (what we presume is) a proprietary gold-stabilised delivery system; with the core ingredient flanked by brightening glutathione and vitamin-C derivative tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate (THD), its antioxidant benefits are increased by 55%.
For those with dry, combination, oily, or otherwise rough and textured skin, this product's three-pronged approach to exfoliation can indeed feel like a satisfyingly effective experience—something that the clever colour-changing formula also enhances.
Reasons to buy: Triple-action approach mimics the effects of a professional microdermabrasion facial, is gentle and paraben, sulfate and phthalate-free
Reasons to avoid: Triple-action formula might irritate sensitive skin. Some might also consider a 10-minute-max wait time before rinsing too long
RRP: £13 | Type of exfoliator: Scrub | Key ingredients: vitamin E, glycerin and vitamin B5
Reviewed by: Courtney Leiva
Tackle two steps of your skincare routine with just one product (always a plus) with this facial exfoliant-meets-cleanser, by sensitive skin go-to Cetaphil. Unlike tougher-textured scrub exfoliators, I found this one to be a lot like a gel cleanser—it’s smooth and easy to apply to all areas of the face and neck. Despite it being a physical exfoliant, its granules are microfine, so you won’t have to worry about it being too rough on your skin when you use it.
Because this scrub also contains skin conditioners—vitamins E, B5, and glycerin—it's an exfoliator that's safe for daily use. While it does leave your skin silky soft after use, those with very sensitive skin would do well to have another cleanser in rotation. While it’s tempting to use this product every day, it is possible to exfoliate too much.
Reasons to buy: non-irritating, non-comedogenic, dermatologist-tested and gentle enough for daily use
Reasons to avoid: features fragrance
How we tested the best facial exfoliators
Like with the best face masks, our beauty team - all of whom have different skin types, ranging from combination to dry - either trialled these facial exfoliators over a period of weeks (following the usage and safety guidelines of each product for best efficacy), or have shared their reviews of toners and scrubs that have been long-standing favourites in their routine for some time - and thus, we can vouch for their benefits.
How to choose the best facial exfoliator for your skin
Considering there are so many products to choose from, to the uninitiated, selecting the best facial exfoliator may seem a bit daunting. However, if you follow the AAD's advice and tailor your product choices to your skin type, you can't really go wrong.
- Those with sensitive skin and acne-prone skin types can sidestep irritation by being gentle: a washcloth and a mild chemical exfoliator, as needed, should do the job.
- Stronger chemical treatments (or mechanical exfoliation) can often be tolerated by those with thick or oily skin to achieve great results.
- Those with darker skin tones, or anyone who notices dark spots on their skin post-burns, bug bites, or acne breakouts, are recommended to avoid strong chemical exfoliation, as it can result in the formation of dark spots.
