12 Best Face Exfoliators 2025 for Baby-Soft Skin This Winter | Allure

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Using one of the best face exfoliators is integral to your skin-care routine. Especially in colder months, as temperatures drop, your face can grow dull and flaky, and these formulas work overtime (but gladly so) to reveal a smoother, more hydrated complexion. Whether chemical- or physical-based, exfoliators work to slough away dead skin cells, unclog pores, minimize fine lines, and boost radiance—sans irritation.

When paired with the moisturizing products your skin craves, exfoliation can also help your serums and moisturizers absorb more effectively, maximizing their benefits. From serum-like alpha and beta hydroxy acids that gently dissolve buildup, to gritty yet delicate scrubs that polish your skin, these top picks are here to make your glow a reality. Below, explore our editors' favorite face exfoliators and read insight from board-certified dermatologists to keep your skin clear, smooth, and healthy.

Dermalogica

Amazon

Dermstore

Dermalogica

Allure associate manager of special projects Talia Gutierrez applying the Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant.

Why it's worth it: First and foremost, Allure editors adore Dermalogica's Daily Microfoliant for its cushiony, powder-to-cream formula. Unlike chunkier facial scrubs with that trademark gritty feel, this ultra-fine, rice-based exfoliating powder gently buffs the skin without causing micro-tears, irritation, or redness in the process (no wonder this exfoliator won both our Best of Beauty and Readers' Choice Awards). This formula is also spiked with salicylic acid, a beta-hydroxy acid known for its pore-unclogging properties.

Tester feedback: "There's no better feeling than baby-soft skin after using a gentle facial exfoliator that removes microscopic dead skin cells while not disrupting my hyper-sensitive skin barrier. Twice a week, I'll shake out a quarter's worth of Dermalogica's Daily Microfoliant into my palm and gently scrub my damp skin, giving extra attention to my oily t-zone," says former associate manager of special projects Talia Gutierrez. "The formulation combines gentle exfoliation using salicylic acid and rice brand-derived phytic acid with soothing elements like colloidal oatmeal for soft-as-butter results. While it may be gentle enough to use daily, my twice-a-week routine works perfectly for my sensitive, combination skin."

Type: hybrid (chemical and physical) | Key ingredients: rice powder, salicylic acid, licorice root extract, green tea, colloidal oatmeal, allantoin | Who it's for: normal to oily skin types | Fragrance-free: no

SkinCeuticals

SkinCeuticals

Bluemercury

Dermstore

Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying SkinCeuticals Cell Cycle Catalyst.

Why it's worth it: If you prefer chemical exfoliation over gritty scrubs, try SkinCeuticals's Cell Cycle Catalyst serum. This lightweight, fluid-like serum instantly absorbs onto the skin's surface without leaving behind any stickiness or greasy film. In terms of chemical exfoliators, this serum contains the works—as in, a 7.7% concentration of phytic, mandelic, glycolic, and salicylic acids—to dissolve pore-clogging oil, sweat, and dead cells instantly. SkinCeuticals's serum also contains 1% taurine, an amino acid that boosts skin moisture and promotes cellular renewal.

Tester feedback: "I'm all about chemical exfoliation because I don't love the feeling of rubbing a grainy scrub on my face (even though I know there are gentle options out there!). SkinCeuticals is basically the North Star of skin care for beauty editors, so as soon as Cell Cycle Catalyst dropped, I knew I had to test it out," explains Sarah Han, Allure's commerce editor. "Since I'm in my early 30s I'm trying to be more consistent with exfoliation and ramping up cell turnover—since, well, my body's natural processes are slowing down. I really like that there's a blend of different AHAs and BHAs to target/penetrate the skin at different levels. I'll note that my skin's quite resilient so a 7.7% concentration of acids doesn't phase me, but it's also not particularly high, so I think it's safe for most skin types to use. After a few weeks of use, my skin looks clearer and more even-toned than it did when I was mostly using hydrating serums."

Type: chemical | Key ingredients: phytic acid, mandelic acid, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, taurine (amino acid) | Who it's for: normal to oily skin types, acne-prone skin | Fragrance-free: yes

SkinMedica

Bluemercury

Contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai applying SkinMedica's AHA + BHA Exfoliating Cleanser

Why it's worth it: Large pores, meet your match. Along with other dermatologists, Joyce Park, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of virtual dermatology clinic Skin Refinery, is a fan of SkinMedica's AHA + BHA Exfoliating Cleanser because it contains a host of good-for-you ingredients. This face wash has "a blend of AHAs (lactic, glycolic, citric, and malic), BHA (salicylic), and jojoba spheres to gently exfoliate and polish, while lavender helps to soothe the skin," Dr. Park notes. "BHA is lipid-soluble, so it can really get deeper into the pores for a good clean," making it an ideal choice for oily and combination skin types. Tiffany J. Libby, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Rhode Island and Mohs surgeon at Brown Dermatology, adds that the blend helps "to mildly exfoliate skin and improve skin's texture and complexion."

Tester feedback: "This exfoliating cleanser does the impossible: It leaves my skin super-soft and smooth, even when I'm dealing with hormonal breakouts, but never feeling squeaky-clean or overly tight," says contributing editor Deanna Pai. "That's a big deal, considering the potent ingredients in its lineup. Plus, the combo of AHAs and BHA targets my two primary concerns, hyperpigmentation and acne, respectively."

Type: chemical and physical | Key ingredients: lactic acid, glycolic acid, jojoba beads | Who it's for: oily skin types | Fragrance-free: yes

Ole Henriksen

Ulta Beauty

Sephora

Allure senior news editor Nicola Dall'Asen applying the OleHenriksen Glow2Oh Dark Spot Toner.

Why it's worth it: Even with plentiful exfoliating toners to choose from, Allure editors agree that OleHenriksen's Glow2Oh Dark Spot Toner is the ruler of them all, as its fast-absorbing, non-sticky feel is conducive to the skin-care layering you move onto. Buffeted by redness-reducing witch hazel water and soothing chamomile extracts, a 7% blend of glycolic and lactic acids effectively targets discoloration and acne, making it a great daily exfoliant. Thanks to the below-10% concentration of AHAs, people with sensitive skin should be able to use this formula without encountering irritation. A handy tip: "I prefer to have people start at night and be sure to use sunscreen during the day because all acids make you more sensitive to sunlight," says Morgan Rabach, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.

Tester feedback: "I like to think that OleHenriksen Glow2Oh Dark Spot Toner and I are in an open relationship. My job keeps me busy testing all sorts of other exfoliating skin-care products. Still, I've returned home to this little blue bottle time and time again since its launch five or six years ago," explains senior news editor Nicola Dall'Asen. "How could I not? Even with just one or two uses per week, its AHA-heavy formula is the only one that can satisfy my need for clear, spotless, and blindingly dewy skin."

Type: chemical | Key ingredients: witch hazel water, glycolic and lactic acid (7%), chamomile extract, sugarcane extract, licorice root extract, lemon extract | Who it's for: normal to oily skin, acne-prone skin, discoloration-prone skin | Fragrance-free: no

Sofie Pavitt Face

Soko Glam

Violet Grey

Commerce writer Jen Hussein applying Sofie Pavitt's Mandelic Acid Exfoliating & Clearing Serum

Why it's worth it: Sofie Pavitt's Mandelic Acid Exfoliating & Clearing Serum is a chef's-kiss chemical exfoliator—powerful yet gentle, working to brighten, smooth, even, and soothe breakout-prone skin. Its star ingredient, mandelic acid, sweeps away dryness and flakiness, while panthenol and hyaluronic acid nourish and hydrate. Like supercharged water, it's easygoing enough for daily use, but if your skin trends sensitive, start with twice-a-week usage. Follow with your favorite moisturizer, and if you're applying it in the A.M., don't skip the sunscreen.

Tester feedback: "Sofie Pavitt and I go way back (I've been a fan of hers since 2018), and I love her skin-care line's Mandelic Acid Exfoliating & Clearing Serum just as much as her in-studio acne-fighting treatments," says commerce writer Jennifer Hussein. "The star ingredient dissolves all the microscopic gunk clogging my pores (read: sweat, makeup, and dead skin) without irritating my sensitive skin and is gentle enough for me to use twice a day."

Type: chemical | Key ingredients: mandelic acid (8%), panthenol, hyaluronic acid | Who it's for: people who want a daily use product | Fragrance-free: yes

Paula's Choice

Amazon

Dermstore

Paula's Choice

Contributing commerce writer Annie Blackman applying Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

Why it's worth it: There are skin-care products that live up to the hype, and then there's Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant, which lives well beyond a viral moment. This is partly due to the 2% concentration of salicylic acid, the highest amount in over-the-counter products. "Salicylic acid is an oil-soluble beta hydroxy acid (or BHA) that goes deep into the pores to clear out dirt, oil, and other impurities," Claire Chang, MD, a New York City-based dermatologist, told Allure. "It exfoliates and reduces clogged pores, leading to clearer and brighter skin." What's more, antioxidant-rich green tea counters irritation typically experienced with harsh exfoliators.

Tester feedback: "This Paula's Choice formula is a no-nonsense, all-exfoliating treatment that works like a dream after cleansing. It's not not a little oily, but I like how that feels on my freshly washed face," says contributing commerce writer Annie Blackman.

Type: chemical | Key ingredients: salicylic acid, green tea, butylene glycol | Who it's for: those looking to reduce the look of large pores | Fragrance-free: yes

Dr. Loretta

Dermstore

Revolve

Violet Grey

Why it's worth it: Dr. Loretta's Resurfacing Enzyme Polish won a 2023 Best of Beauty Award for being the best face scrub because, well, it is. The bio-fermented polish (which lends gentle yet effective scrubbing abilities) is satisfying to massage in but doesn't feel harsh or drying. The combination of pomegranate and radish root gently resurfaces skin, while niacinamide (a beloved brightening agent) and panthenol leave skin soft, smooth, and calm. Let it sit on your skin for five to 10 minutes—like you would an exfoliating mask—before rinsing and basking in the brightening.

Type: chemical and physical | Key ingredients: niacinamide, pomegranate extract, safflower seed oil | Who it's for: anyone looking for a brightening boost | Fragrance-free: yes

Cosrx

Amazon

Ulta Beauty

Dermstore

Why it's worth it: Though Cosrx's AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner contains a slew of active chemical exfoliators, this pick was formulated to be gentle enough for daily use. It's fortified with pore-clearing ingredients like glycolic acid, willow bark water, and betaine salicylate (a salicylic acid derived from sugar beets) in one spray-on, mess-free formula. Each spritz feels soothing on the skin, thanks to calming additives allantoin and panthenol.

Rachel Nazarian, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, recommends this product as a replacement for formulas that contain the now-illegal P50, a phenol-derived ingredient. "[The toner] combines exfoliators with hydrating ingredients so that this formula can be tolerable by just about everyone," says Dr. Nazarian. "I also think the ingredients that this product uses are a little bit safer than what the P50 was using." Dr. Chang agrees, calling out its affordability and inclusion of soothing panthenol and allantoin.

Type: chemical | Key ingredients: glycolic acid, betaine salicylate, willow bark water, apple fruit water, allantoin, panthenol | Who it's for: dry to oily skin, acne-prone skin | Fragrance-free: yes

Kate Somerville

Amazon

Nordstrom

Dermstore

Why it's worth it: Michelle Henry, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City and founder of Skin & Aesthetic Surgery of Manhattan, only has good things to say about Kate Somerville's iconic ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment. "With papaya and pumpkin enzymes working as natural AHAs, as well as salicylic acid, this is a great option for all skin types," she says. While some initial tingling is normal, rest assured that aloe vera, honey, and vitamin E are at work to soothe and moisturize skin. Remember, this pick isn't meant for daily use—instead, stick to once or twice a week.

Type: chemical and physical | Key ingredients: lactic acid, fruit enzymes, aloe vera | Who it's for: dry skin types | Fragrance-free: yes

Glytone

Amazon

Dermstore

Why it's worth it: Glytone's Enhance Brightening Solution is another top-notch choice of Dr. Libby's, who says that it "uses glycolic and salicylic acids to exfoliate skin and unclog pores, [as well as] niacinamide and an azelaic acid derivative to brighten skin and treat dark spots." ​​This product's main aim is to address uneven skin tone, and it can be used after a peel to amplify the results. Many reviewers rave about its ability to address hyperpigmentation on your décolletage, a commonly overlooked area.

Type: chemical | Key ingredients: azelaic acid derivative, niacinamide, glycolic acid | Who it's for: people targeting dark spots or discoloration | Fragrance-free: yes

Isdin

Amazon

Dermstore

Isdin

Why it's worth it: Tranexamic acid steals the show in this dark spot-fading formula. This ingredient, a synthetic amino acid derivative, can inhibit UV-induced melanin synthesis (dark spots) by "blocking the interaction between keratinocytes [skin cells] and melanocytes [melanin-producing cells]," explained Dr. Chang. It also features hydrating niacinamide and sloughing mandelic acid.

Cosmetic chemist and BeautyStat founder Ron Robinson shouts out that Isdin's Isdinceutics MelaClear contains "a stable form of vitamin C and phytic acid [for exfoliation]," he says. "It also contains calming green tea, which provides gentle chemical exfoliation without irritation." Use it as the third step in your skin-care routine—between your eye cream and face cream. Because of its soothing and dark spot-fading abilities, this is a great pick for people with sun damage and accompanying irritation.

Type: chemical | Key ingredients: vitamin C, phytic acid, green tea | Who it's for: people with dark spots | Fragrance-free: yes

Eadem

Sephora

Why it’s worth it: There’s no winner like a Best of Beauty winner, and no chemical exfoliant quite like Eadem’s Cashmere Peel Gentle-Release Exfoliating Toner. Potent yet non-abrasive, this milky formula is packed with skin barrier-loving ingredients—lactic, azelaic, and tranexamic acids (a.k.a. the brand’s proprietary FastFade Complex) to tackle discoloration and dryness, plus colloidal oatmeal and dew-boosting rice water to soothe and hydrate. Start by using this formula after your cleanser, sweeping it across your face and neck with a saturated cotton pad. Initially, limit usage to once a week and then graduate to three times a week when you feel ready.

Tester feedback: "I've been in the market for a chemical exfoliating toner that won't dry out my skin and this one has practically eliminated the cystic acne breakout along my jawline without zapping too much moisture," said Gutierrez.

Type: | Key ingredients: lactic acid, azelaic acid, tranexamic acid (9% blend), colloidal oatmeal, rice water | Who it’s for: people who want barrier support, with dry or sensitive skin | Fragrance-free: yes

Chemical exfoliators are active ingredients that help loosen the bonds between dead skin cells, allowing them to shed and reveal newer and healthier cells beneath, according to Tiffany J. Libby, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Rhode Island and Mohs surgeon at Brown Dermatology. "They also help unclog pores and exfoliate away surface skin cells; they also brighten skin, improve skin cell turnover and renewal, and some may even help stimulate collagen production within the skin," she explains." Resurfaced skin can also allow subsequent skin-care products to absorb more effectively.

Choosing a formula that contains the best exfoliant ingredients for your skin type is also critical. Michelle Henry, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City and founder of Skin & Aesthetic Surgery of Manhattan, suggests initially avoiding mechanical exfoliation if you have sensitive skin and instead choosing alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) like glycolic acid. "They exfoliate the upper layers of the skin while also hydrating and helping your skin retain moisture," she says. Dr. Libby echoes this advice: "If you have sensitive skin, start with polyhydroxy acids, or lactic acid and mandelic acid, which are larger alpha hydroxy acid molecules [that] do not penetrate as deeply into the skin and are least likely to cause irritation." For people with more resilient skin needing an intensive acne-fighting treatment, we suggest sticking to salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid that's small in molecular weight, allowing it to penetrate your pores the furthest compared to other exfoliating actives.

Dr. Henry says physical exfoliation is key for oily skin since it helps remove any layers of oil buildup. "When you have oily skin, your dead skin cells are more adherent and don't flake off as quickly, which can contribute to breakouts," Dr. Henry explains. She recommends using an exfoliating scrub with salicylic acid, which "gently speeds up skin turnover and better penetrates oil and oily follicles" to keep skin clean and clear of blemishes. Dr. Libby suggests salicylic acid, too, which she says “is excellent at targeting oil and unclogging pores.”

Despite the benefits of using an exfoliator, overuse can cause redness, irritation, breakouts, and damage to your moisture barrier. Additionally, using an exfoliator that's either too harsh or too gentle for your skin type can rob you of that luminous finish you're seeking. To strike an optimal balance, first, make sure you're not exfoliating too often—no more than three times a week, or look into the dermatologist-approved skin-cycling trend, a regimen that alternates between using active ingredients and letting the skin rest.

One to two times a week should be enough for dry or sensitive skin. Dr. Henry recommends exfoliating with a physical exfoliator for about 30 seconds (or less) using small, gentle, circular motions. She recommends following the instructions printed on the packaging for chemical exfoliators, as they can vary by product.

When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.

For our list of the best face exfoliators, we considered each product's performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists and cosmetic chemists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.

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After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.

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