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Exfoliators My Derm Actually Likes
Purple Star emoji 36 items
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Camille Rose profile picture
Camille Rose
I've been through the wringer with bad skin advice. After two dermatologists and way too much trial and error, these are the exfoliators that actually got the green light.
Sections
6
 
Chemical Exfoliants for Beginners
 
Physical Scrubs That Won't Wreck You 🧴
 
Body Exfoliators
 
Enzyme-Based Options 🍑
 
For Acne-Prone Skin
 
Lip & Eye Safe Exfoliants

Chemical Exfoliants for Beginners

When I first started chemical exfoliants I went way too strong and wrecked my skin barrier. These are gentle enough to start with and still see results.

 
Camille Rose profile picture
started here on my derm's advice. cleared my pores in about three weeks 🙌
Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant - Paula's Choice
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Camille Rose profile picture
super mild, perfect if your skin freaks out at everything like mine does.
Lactic Acid 10% + HA 2% Exfoliating Serum - The Ordinary
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Camille Rose profile picture
smells amazing and doesn't sting at all. I use it every other night.
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA+BHA Pore-Tight Toner
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Camille Rose profile picture
pricey but WOW my texture improved so fast 🍓
Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum
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Camille Rose profile picture
feels like water going on but my skin looks brighter the next morning.
Summer Fridays Soft Reset AHA Exfoliating Solution Review
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Camille Rose profile picture
bought this on a whim and honestly it rivals the Paula's Choice one.
COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid 100ml
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Physical Scrubs That Won't Wreck You 🧴

My derm said most scrubs are too harsh but these few passed the test. Gentle particles, no micro-tears.

 
Camille Rose profile picture
rice-based powder you mix with water. my skin has never felt smoother, seriously.
Daily Microfoliant Exfoliator - Dermalogica
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Camille Rose profile picture
feels like silk on your face. I ran out once and panicked lol
Tatcha The Rice Polish Foaming Enzyme Powder
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Camille Rose profile picture
use a tiny amount. a little goes a long way with this one.
ExfoliKate Intensive Pore Exfoliating Treatment
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Camille Rose profile picture
brown sugar granules that actually dissolve as you scrub. so gentle.
fresh Sugar Strawberry Exfoliating Face Wash
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Camille Rose profile picture
more of a liquid-meets-scrub hybrid. leaves this nice glow without irritation 🌿
Herbivore Botanicals' New Prism Exfoliating Glow Potion
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Camille Rose profile picture
great for mornings when you need to wake your face up. smells like citrus.
Origins Ginzing Refreshing Scrub Cleanser
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Body Exfoliators

I completely ignored my body skin for years and wondered why I had bumps everywhere. These fixed that pretty quick.

 
Camille Rose profile picture
smells incredible and my legs are so smooth after. my boyfriend even noticed 😂
Sol De Janeiro Bum Bum Body Scrub
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Camille Rose profile picture
clean formula with pumice and bamboo charcoal. works great on KP.
The Body Exfoliator - With Bamboo Charcoal - Nécessaire
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Camille Rose profile picture
doubles as a scalp scrub which is a nice bonus on wash days.
OUAI Cleansing Scalp & Body Sugar Scrub
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Camille Rose profile picture
leaves behind moisture so you barely need lotion after.
JOSIE MARAN Scrub & Exfoliants
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Camille Rose profile picture
the coconut chunks melt into your skin. feels like a spa treatment honestly.
Kopari Exfoliating Crush Scrub 236ml
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Camille Rose profile picture
this is THE one for keratosis pilaris. my arms are finally smooth after years of bumps.
Sephora
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Enzyme-Based Options 🍑

My derm loves enzyme exfoliants because they break down dead skin without any scrubbing or acid irritation. Great for sensitive skin days.

 
Camille Rose profile picture
not technically an exfoliant but the papaya enzyme in here does double duty.
Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm
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Camille Rose profile picture
gentle daily cleanser with a mild enzyme action. my baseline every morning.
Drunk Elephant Beste™ No. 9 Jelly Cleanser
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Camille Rose profile picture
tingling is REAL with this one. leave it on for 5-7 min max.
Peter Thomas Roth Face Masks
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Camille Rose profile picture
smells earthy and works fast. my face feels brand new in ten minutes.
Resurfacing BHA Glow Mask - Tata Harper
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Camille Rose profile picture
tightens pores and the cooling sensation feels so good after a long day.
Sample Review: Ole Henriksen 'Cold Plunge Pore Mask'
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Camille Rose profile picture
more hydrating than exfoliating but the enzymes keep things smooth underneath.
Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Night Cream + Mask
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For Acne-Prone Skin

I break out if I even look at the wrong product. These are the ones that exfoliate without causing new problems.

 
Camille Rose profile picture
salicylic acid cleanser that my derm specifically wrote down for me.
Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser Acne Face Wash
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Camille Rose profile picture
keeps breakouts calm without drying you out. I use this 3x a week.
Paula's Choice Clear Regular Strength Anti-Redness
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ten minutes and done. pulls out so much gunk from your pores 😳
The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque
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Camille Rose profile picture
budget friendly and works just as well as the expensive stuff.
Beta Hydroxy Acid Serum | The Inkey List ≡ SEPHORA
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Camille Rose profile picture
spot treat with this after exfoliating. breakouts shrink overnight.
Murad Outsmart Acne Clarifying Treatment trial size - 0.17 oz/ 5 mL
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Camille Rose profile picture
has salicylic acid plus niacinamide. gentle enough for every single day.
Acne Control Cleanser | Salicylic Acid Treatment
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Lip & Eye Safe Exfoliants

Nobody talks about exfoliating your lips and undereye area but my derm brought it up and honestly it made a huge difference in how my makeup sits.

 
Camille Rose profile picture
not a scrub but the berry acids gently exfoliate overnight. wake up with baby lips.
Lip Sleeping Mask - LANEIGE
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Camille Rose profile picture
real sugar crystals that dissolve. my lips peel way less in winter now.
Fresh Sugar Lip Polish Exfoliator
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Camille Rose profile picture
Japanese peach extract softens everything. I keep one in my bag always 👛
Tatcha Kissu Hydrating & Plumping Lip Mask
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Camille Rose profile picture
thick and buttery. slather it on before bed and your lips are new by morning.
Kiehl's Since 1851 Buttermask Intense Repair Lip Treatment
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Camille Rose profile picture
has a subtle exfoliating effect plus plumps a little. really nice formula.
Pout Preserve Hydrating Peptide Lip Treatment
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Camille Rose profile picture
simple and effective. keeps lips smooth between actual exfoliating sessions.
Drunk Elephant Lippe Balm
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