These Dermatologist-Approved Exfoliators Give You a Mini At-Home Facial (2024)

A good cleanser is the cornerstone of any beauty routine. Dermatologists say washing your face of makeup, dirt, and other pollutants at the end of the day is an absolute must to keep skin healthy and glowing. But the experts say there's another product that can make your complexion glow even brighter: a face exfoliator.

Exfoliants rejuvenate and brighten skin, says Debra Jaliman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC. "Regular exfoliation gets rid of dry, flaky skin, plus helps with any sun damage or skin discoloration, revealing newer, more glowy skin," she says.

What to look for in a face exfoliator

There are two main types of exfoliants: physical and chemical. Physical exfoliants rely on rubbing or scrubbing, whether from granules and microbeads or special towels and mechanical brushes. Chemical exfoliants, on the other hand, contain acids—AHA or gylcolic acid, for example—that react with the skin to clear pores and slough off any dead cells from the surface.

In general, both are perfectly safe to use on a regular basis—especially if you have normal to super-oily skin—but it's worth noting that "coarse physical exfoliants can be irritating for those with sensitive skin," says Jaliman. If you're prone to redness or have a condition like rosacea or eczema, look for a gentle physical exfoliator or a chemical exfoliant containing gentler acids like lactic acid, she explains. To help guide your search, we asked dermatologists to recommend the best face exfoliators for every skin type, from dry and sensitive to oily and acne-prone. Here, a list of the products they say will leave you with glowing skin.

The experts:

• Debra Jaliman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC
• Anna Guanche, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Calabasas
• Stacy Chimento, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Miami
• Sonia Batra, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Santa Monica
• Erum Ilyas, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group
• Tsippora Shainhouse, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Los Angeles
• Jerome Potozkin, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Beverly Hills

Benefit Cosmetics recently launched this handy exfoliating powder that makes packing skincare so easy thanks to its powder format and travel-friendly size. What's cool about this formula is it starts off as a powder but then transforms into a foaming purifying wash that offers a deep cleanse. It contains lactic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid, and gluconolactone, a polyhydroxy acid, to help refine the look of pores, excess oil, and textured skin.

Consider this a facial in a bottle. It's a resurfacing treatment that combines three hardworking acids (AHA, BHA, and PHA) to transform dull and uneven skin. The treatment also contains prickly pear cactus to help reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles, and hyaluronic acid to moisturize the skin. Use it once a week in your routine to experience smoother, brighter, and more even skin.

Dealing with combination skin can often feel like you're catering two (or more) different skin types. Fortunately, this formula targets multiple skincare concerns in one. It effectively exfoliates the skin and controls excess sebum production thanks to perlite, a mineral that offers gentle physical exfoliation. It also nourishes and hydrates the skin due to a hyaluronic acid complex, and it brightens and fades hyperpigmentation with the help of caffeine.

Those with acne-prone skin types need to add this serum into their routine ASAP for its ability to target breakouts, scarring, and uneven texture. It uses mandelic acid to gently remove dead surface skin cells without causing irritation or further inflammation. Hyaluronic acid and panthenol also work to protect and hydrate the skin, because even though acne-prone skin is on the oily side, you still need to give your skin moisture.

Instantly unveil smoother and clearer skin with this unique peel spray. It's made with plant-derived ingredients, such as champagne grape seed oil (it's rich with antioxidants and protects skin), cucumber extract (a must for softening and hydration), and licorice root (key for clarifying and brightening the skin). You spray it onto the skin, let it sit for a few seconds, and then massage to instantly lift away dirt, oil, and grime that's sitting on your face.

"Though many exfoliants can be too harsh for sensitive skin, this gentle formula contains oat bran extract bran to calm the skin," says Jaliman. It's gentle enough to use daily, offering glowing results every time. In addition to oat bran extract, the formula contains moisturizing coconut milk, hydrating hyaluronic acid, and exfoliating papaya enzymes to boost skin rejuvenation.

If you have oily skin, try a scrub—also called a physical exfoliator—with fine granules or micro-spheres, says Jaliman. This powerful formula contains round biodegradable jojoba pearls, fruit enzymes, and salicylic acid to target congested, dull, and textured skin.

Revive dull-looking skin with this clay-based purifying mask. The potent—but not harsh—formula contains blueberry extract, lactic acid, and turmeric root to clear pores and give you a natural and radiant glow.

A blend of three skincare acids—alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), beta hydroxy acid (BHA), and polyhydroxy acid (PHA)—work together to create smoother, softer skin. "It's a great choice for anyone with inflamed or angry red acne-prone skin," says Guanche.

Consider this another quality pick for anyone with acne-prone skin—at a great drugstore price. "It's gentle enough to avoid stripping or irritating the skin but contains salicylic acid to fight acne and promote cell turnover," says Jaliman. It helps with existing blemishes, post-acne scarring, and prevents future breakouts from occurring.

"This chemical exfoliant works for all skin types," says Jaliman. It has a concentration of 2 percent salicylic acid that gently exfoliates your skin and unclogs your pores. It also contains green tea to soothe skin and fight inflammation. "My routine isn't complete without this exfoliator," says Oprah Daily beauty editor Genesis Rivas. I apply it at night and wake up with a significantly more radiant complexion that's smoother.

"This clay-based, non-comedogenic formula dissolves dead skin and absorbs oil, making it the perfect exfoliator for oily skin," says Chimento. Its main ingredient, Umbrian clay, removes toxins, cleans, and minimizes shine without over-drying or clogging pores. While it's perfect for oily skin, all skin types can benefit from adding this mask into their weekly routine for a deep clean.

Apply this K-beauty favorite after cleansing to help unclog and remove debris from pores, says Batra. It contains inflammation-quelling ingredients like willow bark and allantoin to help soothe any residual redness.

"These chemical exfoliating peel pads go a long way in regards to anti-aging," says Chimento. A single pad has five different AHAs and BHAs, as well as vitamins and minerals to nourish skin while keeping it balanced, smooth, and radiant. It comes with two pads: one to exfoliate and the second to neutralize and protect skin against signs of aging.

"Choosing an exfoliating product that is too aggressive can cause discoloration or dyspigmentation—especially in those with darker complexions," says Ilyas. With that in mind, she recommends this one. It contains salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid, along with other enzymatic exfoliants, but is not too harsh. It also has African black soap and tamarind extract to brighten.

"Though some exfoliators can exacerbate any problems with dry skin, this one is gentle enough to use daily, thanks to a combination of exfoliating polyhydroxy acid and hydrating meadowfoam seed oil," says Batra.

"In just two minutes, this dual-action treatment unclogs pores and removes dead surface cells to leave skin cleaner, smoother, and brighter," says Shainhouse. It contains a mix of hard-working exfoliants, including salicylic acid and lactic acids, which chemically slough off dead surface skin. Papaya, pineapple, and pumpkin enzymes enhance skin exfoliation and aloe vera, honey, and vitamin E help preserve moisture and softness.

"Five separate acids—lactic, glycolic, citric, malic, and salicylic acid—gently remove surface cells to unclog pores and reveal smoother, glowing skin," says Shainhouse. It also has jojoba oil to help offset the potentially drying effects of so many potent acids. It's the ideal treatment when you're looking to revitalize dull-looking skin. It's also great for keeping skin

This popular pick contains a powerful 25 percent AHA blend to exfoliate and encourage cell turnover. As a result, it does wonders for dark spots, fine lines, and wrinkles, leaving skin as smooth and soft as, well, a baby's.

Prone to dry skin? "This serum gently but effectively exfoliates without causing dryness or irritation," says Potozkin. It contains a hydroxyethyl urea and aminosulfonic acid compound to help stimulate the production of enzymes that promote exfoliation. It also has kombucha, which is a naturally derived ingredient made of tea and promotes soft and radiant skin. And hyaluronic acid gives the skin a boost of hydration.