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Best Chemical Exfoliators for Baby-Smooth Skin
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items Regular exfoliation is essential for improving your skin's texture and ensuring that other products penetrate better and ultimately work more effectively.
What I Like: Immediate and long-term benefits, Absorbs excess sebum and grease, Reduces the appearance of pores, Smooths and calms skin
What to Consider: Can be drying
This holy grail product from Paula’s Choice is tough to beat when it comes to gentle yet effective exfoliation. It's essentially a toner you can swipe on with a cotton pad or pat on with your fingertips. The formula immediately transforms skin—it l...
What to Consider: Can be drying
This holy grail product from Paula’s Choice is tough to beat when it comes to gentle yet effective exfoliation. It's essentially a toner you can swipe on with a cotton pad or pat on with your fingertips. The formula immediately transforms skin—it l...
SKIN PERFECTING 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant | Paula's Choice
What I Like: Absorbs quickly, Lightweight and easy to spread, Illuminates and tightens skin
What to Consider: May cause sensitivity, Slightly sticky
This leave-on treatment from Good Molecules will do wonders for your complexion and it'll only run you a few bucks. The lightweight serum spreads easily and absorbs quickly (though it might leave you feeling slightly sticky immediately after applic...
What to Consider: May cause sensitivity, Slightly sticky
This leave-on treatment from Good Molecules will do wonders for your complexion and it'll only run you a few bucks. The lightweight serum spreads easily and absorbs quickly (though it might leave you feeling slightly sticky immediately after applic...
Overnight Exfoliating Treatment - Good Molecules
What I Like: Can be used morning and night, Doesn't cause sensitivity, Improves texture and radiance
What to Consider: Results aren't dramatic
U Beauty's Resurfacing Compound is a leave-on exfoliant you apply like a serum. Following the directions, I massaged in one pump morning and night, and it played well under my moisturizers and sunscreen. The mild formula didn't cause any sensitivi...
What to Consider: Results aren't dramatic
U Beauty's Resurfacing Compound is a leave-on exfoliant you apply like a serum. Following the directions, I massaged in one pump morning and night, and it played well under my moisturizers and sunscreen. The mild formula didn't cause any sensitivi...
Skin Brightening Serum - U Beauty Resurfacing Compound
What I Like: Easy leave-on formula, Smoother skin after one use, Minimizes fine lines
What to Consider: May cause slight tingling, Unhygienic container
Caudalie Vinoperfect is a thick cream you leave on overnight and wash off in the morning, making it a no-fuss addition to your skincare routine. It's easy to slather on and has a nice woody-citrus scent. After washing my face with it for the first ...
What to Consider: May cause slight tingling, Unhygienic container
Caudalie Vinoperfect is a thick cream you leave on overnight and wash off in the morning, making it a no-fuss addition to your skincare routine. It's easy to slather on and has a nice woody-citrus scent. After washing my face with it for the first ...
Vinoperfect Brightening Glycolic Acid Night Cream | CAUDALIE®
What I Like: Mild, rinse-off formula, Doesn't cause irritation, Makes skin smoother and more radiant
What to Consider: Doesn't reduce appearance of pores
This cleanser has a creamy, lotion-like consistency. Though e.l.f. recommends using it two or three times a week, it's gentle enough for daily use, especially since you wash it right off. Dead skin (along with product) quickly pilled up and rolled ...
What to Consider: Doesn't reduce appearance of pores
This cleanser has a creamy, lotion-like consistency. Though e.l.f. recommends using it two or three times a week, it's gentle enough for daily use, especially since you wash it right off. Dead skin (along with product) quickly pilled up and rolled ...
Gentle Peeling Exfoliating Cleanser | e.l.f. Cosmetics
What I Like: Travel-friendly packs, Noticeable results after first use, Developed by dermatologist
What to Consider: May cause minor stinging, Two-step process isn't quick
These individually wrapped, pre-soaked peel pads are a clutch choice for jetsetters. They feature a combo of alpha- and beta-hydroxy acids (AHA and BHA), including glycolic, lactic, malic, and salicylic acid. You'll also get a dose of retinol and v...
What to Consider: May cause minor stinging, Two-step process isn't quick
These individually wrapped, pre-soaked peel pads are a clutch choice for jetsetters. They feature a combo of alpha- and beta-hydroxy acids (AHA and BHA), including glycolic, lactic, malic, and salicylic acid. You'll also get a dose of retinol and v...
Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel | Dr Dennis Gross
What I Like: Doesn't dry out or irritate sensitive skin, Helps decongest pores, Cucumber-melon scent
What to Consider: May cause temporary flushing
This toner from Glow Recipe hydrates with watermelon and cactus water while exfoliating with PHAs and BHAs, so it's a good option for people with dry skin who want to avoid too much peeling or an overly tight feeling. It has a slippery consistency ...
What to Consider: May cause temporary flushing
This toner from Glow Recipe hydrates with watermelon and cactus water while exfoliating with PHAs and BHAs, so it's a good option for people with dry skin who want to avoid too much peeling or an overly tight feeling. It has a slippery consistency ...
Watermelon Glow PHA+BHA Pore-Tight Toner - Glow Recipe
What I Like: Enhances natural glow, Can be used multiple ways, Helps with redness and breakouts
What to Consider: May not be strong enough to replace regular exfoliator
Chemical exfoliants help sluff away dead skin that makes it look dull, so it’s no surprise that a good one like Paula's Choice Azelaic Acid Booster brightens your complexion. It can be applied on its own, combined with your moisturizer, or used as ...
What to Consider: May not be strong enough to replace regular exfoliator
Chemical exfoliants help sluff away dead skin that makes it look dull, so it’s no surprise that a good one like Paula's Choice Azelaic Acid Booster brightens your complexion. It can be applied on its own, combined with your moisturizer, or used as ...
10% Azelaic Acid Booster - Paula's Choice
What I Like: Leaves skin soft and supple, Fades dark spots, Gentle yet effective
What to Consider: Odd, yeasty smell, May cause stinging
Looking for something you don't have to wash off? This liquid exfoliant will deliver results without causing sensitivity. Unlike Kate Somerville's famous wash-off formula, this version of ExfoliKate is meant to be left on the skin and followed with...
What to Consider: Odd, yeasty smell, May cause stinging
Looking for something you don't have to wash off? This liquid exfoliant will deliver results without causing sensitivity. Unlike Kate Somerville's famous wash-off formula, this version of ExfoliKate is meant to be left on the skin and followed with...
Kate Somerville Liquid ExfoliKate Triple Acid Resurfacing Treatment
What I Like: Convenient pre-soaked pads, Gentle enough for daily use, Makes skin smoother and dewier
What to Consider: Not as potent as other options
Chemical exfoliant newbies may prefer these convenient, pre-soaked pads. Laced with glycolic acid and lactic acid, these thin pads are smooth on one side and textured on the other. They're incredibly easy to use and gentle enough to swipe on once o...
What to Consider: Not as potent as other options
Chemical exfoliant newbies may prefer these convenient, pre-soaked pads. Laced with glycolic acid and lactic acid, these thin pads are smooth on one side and textured on the other. They're incredibly easy to use and gentle enough to swipe on once o...
Facial Radiance Pads with Glycolic + Lactic Acids Compostable
What I Like: Helps prevent breakouts, Clears pores and balances oil production, Easy to use
What to Consider: May cause minor irritation, Results aren't as dramatic as with other formulas
Regular breakouts and clogged pores go hand-in-hand, but this toner goes to the source to help you keep both at bay. I love that you can spray it directly onto your face or swipe it on with a cotton pad. It absorbed quickly but wasn't drying. The f...
What to Consider: May cause minor irritation, Results aren't as dramatic as with other formulas
Regular breakouts and clogged pores go hand-in-hand, but this toner goes to the source to help you keep both at bay. I love that you can spray it directly onto your face or swipe it on with a cotton pad. It absorbed quickly but wasn't drying. The f...
CosRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner - Numi Hair & Beauty
What I Like: Minimizes the look of pores, Helps clear blackheads, Smooths rough patches
What to Consider: Unpleasant chemical smell, May not remove all dead skin
While no product can truly make pores disappear, this daily face wash can help minimize the appearance of pores and achieve more even-toned skin. It cleared up my complexion within a couple of weeks. It also smoothed out rough, dry patches on my ch...
What to Consider: Unpleasant chemical smell, May not remove all dead skin
While no product can truly make pores disappear, this daily face wash can help minimize the appearance of pores and achieve more even-toned skin. It cleared up my complexion within a couple of weeks. It also smoothed out rough, dry patches on my ch...
Shasta AHA Refining Acid Wash - HoliFrog
What I Like: Targets multiple signs of photoaging, Contains AHA, BHA, and fruit enzymes, Leaves skin feeling smooth and clean
What to Consider: May cause stinging, Too strong for daily use
Containing two powerful AHAs, plus salicylic acid, papaya enzymes, and niacinamide, this exfoliating mask pulls out all the stops to minimize fine lines, improve elasticity, and firm up your skin. Hyper Skin's Fade and Glow Mask has a thick, creamy...
What to Consider: May cause stinging, Too strong for daily use
Containing two powerful AHAs, plus salicylic acid, papaya enzymes, and niacinamide, this exfoliating mask pulls out all the stops to minimize fine lines, improve elasticity, and firm up your skin. Hyper Skin's Fade and Glow Mask has a thick, creamy...
Hyper Even Fade and Glow AHA Mask
What I Like: Gentle formula minimizes irritation, A little goes a long way, Leaves skin soft, radiant, and hydrated
What to Consider: Not as convenient as leave-on treatment
Folks with reactive complexions will appreciate how this mild treatment delivers the benefits of exfoliation for sensitive skin without irritation. This watery gel solution is meant to be rinsed off after five minutes. It's really easy to spread ar...
What to Consider: Not as convenient as leave-on treatment
Folks with reactive complexions will appreciate how this mild treatment delivers the benefits of exfoliation for sensitive skin without irritation. This watery gel solution is meant to be rinsed off after five minutes. It's really easy to spread ar...
No7 Laboratories Resurfacing Peel 15% Glycolic Acid || 30ml
What I Like: Soothes inflammation, Treats and prevents breakouts, Starts working immediately
What to Consider: Leaves skin feeling slightly dry
This leave-on toner is truly a multitasker: it can help heal and prevent acne, unclog pores, keep oil under control, and soothe inflammation. It goes on like a toner, gliding easily onto the skin. It started working immediately. The formula leans o...
What to Consider: Leaves skin feeling slightly dry
This leave-on toner is truly a multitasker: it can help heal and prevent acne, unclog pores, keep oil under control, and soothe inflammation. It goes on like a toner, gliding easily onto the skin. It started working immediately. The formula leans o...
PanOxyl Clarifying Exfoliant 2% Salicylic Acid
What I Like: Controls oil production, Unclogs pores, Prevents breakouts
What to Consider: Product comes out very fast, May be too harsh for sensitive skin This exfoliant from The Ordinary blends glycolic acid and aloe vera to control sebum (aka oily skin) whi...
What to Consider: Product comes out very fast, May be too harsh for sensitive skin This exfoliant from The Ordinary blends glycolic acid and aloe vera to control sebum (aka oily skin) whi...
Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner - Metropoliten
What I Like: Works as serum or spot treatment, Reduces look of pores, Doesn't cause stinging or redness
What to Consider: Slight odor, Not ideal for general exfoliation
Peace Out Acne Serum is aptly named since it's designed to target and zap pimples. I love that you can use this product as often as twice a day as a serum or spot treatment since it both treats and prevents future breakouts. I applied the silky, g...
What to Consider: Slight odor, Not ideal for general exfoliation
Peace Out Acne Serum is aptly named since it's designed to target and zap pimples. I love that you can use this product as often as twice a day as a serum or spot treatment since it both treats and prevents future breakouts. I applied the silky, g...
Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Serum - Peace Out Skincare
What I Like: Removes almost all makeup, Won't clog pores, Refreshing citrus scent
What to Consider: Results aren't super dramatic
If you’re looking for an exfoliant that also removes your makeup, this one’s your guy. The formula is noncomedogenic, meaning it won't clog your pores so we love it for oily, acne-prone, or combination skin. The cleansing gel was a pleasure to use....
What to Consider: Results aren't super dramatic
If you’re looking for an exfoliant that also removes your makeup, this one’s your guy. The formula is noncomedogenic, meaning it won't clog your pores so we love it for oily, acne-prone, or combination skin. The cleansing gel was a pleasure to use....
Glycolic Acid Renewal Cleanser l Face Wash - SkinCeuticals
What I Like: Promotes cell turnover, Prevents blackheads and acne, Promotes luminous, even skin
What to Consider: May dry out skin
This plant-based toner is not only vegan but cruelty-free and formulated without gluten or synthetic fragrance. Applying it felt like rubbing water on the skin—I experienced virtually no negative effects. But it did provide significant benefits lik...
What to Consider: May dry out skin
This plant-based toner is not only vegan but cruelty-free and formulated without gluten or synthetic fragrance. Applying it felt like rubbing water on the skin—I experienced virtually no negative effects. But it did provide significant benefits lik...
The INKEY List Glycolic Acid Toning Solution