Get your glow on.
Exfoliation is a critical step in any balanced skincare routine when done correctly. Benefits include clear pores, better circulation, and an even skin tone. “Exfoliation helps serums, moisturizers, and growth factors penetrate deeper into the skin,” adds board-certified dermatologist Dr. Lily Talakoub, M.D., of McLean Dermatology & Skincare Center.
If adding another product to your daily skin regimen has your wallet stressed—worry not. We’ve got all the best recommendations for affordable exfoliators. We’re sharing our favorite products that top dermatologists recommend and that we’ve tested—and they’re all available at your local drugstore.
Best Overall
Cetaphil Extra Gentle Daily Scrub
Type: Scrub | Key Ingredients: Vitamins B5 and E, glycerin | Size: 6 oz | Cruelty-Free: No
A favorite of three of our experts, this very gentle exfoliator went straight to the top spot for its effective yet well-tolerated formula. “Cetaphil’s Extra Gentle Daily Scrub is very soothing and well-suited for dry, sensitive skin,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Kristina Goldenberg, M.D., of Goldenberg Dermatology. “It helps remove impurities and augments the removal of dead skin cells.” Hydrating ingredients like glycerin and vitamin E ensure your skin is left moisturized. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Melissa K. Levin, M.D., recommends this scrub for those with sensitive skin since it uses microfine bamboo particles to gently buff and soften the skin. After using the scrub, our skin felt more soft and supple. And while it contains a fragrance that not everyone will enjoy, we think it’s rather light.
Best for Clogged Pores
Good Molecules Overnight Exfoliating Treatment
Type: Serum | Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
If you can’t figure out how to unclog your pores, chances are you need an exfoliant that’s gentle yet potent enough to slough away dead skin cells and clear clogged pores. That’s where Good Molecules’ Overnight Exfoliating Treatment comes in. Formulated with alpha and beta hydroxy acids, this treatment will exfoliate your skin while you sleep. And while this will work great for combination skin, in particular, those with skin on the sensitive side might want to do a patch test, first. “I use this exfoliator three times a week before bed to assist in removing dead skin cells on my face,” says Byrdie copy editor, Cher Checchio. “I love how it targets my clogged pores and dullness while still being suitable for my sensitive skin.”
Best Multipurpose
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Toner
Type: Toner | Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid, Tasmanian pepperberry derivative, ginseng root, aloe vera | Size: 8 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
This affordable toner is a bottle of many benefits. It’s the bottle that went viral on TikTok for its lesser-known ability to treat dandruff, complete with a unique concentrated nozzle dispenser that makes applying along your part feel intentional. While we only tried it on our face, it cleared our clogged pores with 7% glycolic acid, and calming Tasmanian pepperberry revealed a noticeably smoother and brighter complexion. Since it does contain a strong percentage of glycolic acid, we could only use it once a week on our sensitive skin, but the results were still worth it.
Best for Dry Skin
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Exfoliating Cleanser
Type: Gel-cream cleanser | Key Ingredients: Glycerin, glycolic acid, lactic acid, papaya fruit extract, hyaluronic acid | Size: 5 oz | Cruelty-Free: No
Dry skin needs hydrating ingredients to remain properly quenched, which is why we love anything with hyaluronic acid, like this gel-cream cleanser from Neutrogena. Instead of using physical exfoliants, this formula uses acids like glycolic and lactic to gently remove dead, dry skin. Some reviewers complain that this cleanser doesn’t remove all makeup, so if you’re wearing a full face, you may want to use a makeup remover or a cleansing oil first.
Best for Acne-Prone Skin
Clean & Clear Acne Triple Clear Exfoliating Facial Scrub
Type: Cleansing scrub | Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, aloe, mint | Size: 5 oz | Cruelty-Free: No
If you suffer from acne-prone skin, it’s vital to pay attention to the ingredients in your skincare products—and especially look for salicylic acid. In addition to the pore-clearing acid, this scrub contains aloe and mint, which hydrate and soothe. This formula will clear away dead skin while cleansing, and will even remove oils and unclog pores. While the formula can be a bit drying due to the inclusion of salicylic acid, we suggest finishing off your skincare routine with a rich moisturizer to counteract any unwanted dry patches.
Best for Brightening
Acure Brightening Facial Scrub
Type: Scrub | Key Ingredients: French green clay, sea kelp | Size: 4 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
For all skin types except those with inflammatory acne, Cynthia Rivas, a medical aesthetician, recommends Acure’s Brightening Facial Scrub. “I love that the clay helps purify the skin, and the gentle abrasion won’t damage it, either,” she says. The unassuming yellow tube is celebrated for its uncanny ability to buff and brighten with a cocktail of Madonna lily, sea kelp, green clay, and argan oil. The radiant results are praise-worthy and at less than $15, all that glowiness comes at a price that’s hard to beat. Due note it has a gritty texture, which may be too harsh for those with sensitive skin.
Best for Overnight
CeraVe Skin Renewing Nightly Exfoliating Treatment
Type: Nighttime exfoliant | Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid, lactic acid, licorice root extract, hyaluronic acid | Size: 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: No
This overnight treatment balances the powerful skin-smoothing results of glycolic and lactic acids with a combination of super-hydrators like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and licorice root. These ingredients also help to reduce possible irritation from the acids and strengthen the skin barrier. The 5% AHA blend works to speed up cell turnover, gently sloughing away dead skin cells to reveal a brighter, smoother, more polished complexion. The result? Our skin looked and felt noticeably smoother after a single use, and with continued use three to four times per week, pores appeared smaller, skin plumper, and skin all-around glowier. It also has a lightweight, comfortable texture that isn’t the least bit greasy or sticky on skin.
Don’t forget to follow the next morning with a broad-spectrum sunscreen as its exfoliating action may make the skin sensitive to the sun. The potent yet hydrating and gentle formula has a pretty strong smell, so if you’re into unscented facial products, we suggest staying away from this one.
Best Toner
Pixi Glow Tonic
Type: Toner | Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid, ginseng, aloe vera | Size: 4.2 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
A quick Google search will surface thousands of glowing reviews for this toner, with shoppers praising the equally glowy results. It’s formulated with 5% glycolic acid which is powerful enough to buff away dead skin cells to reveal a brighter, smoother canvas yet gentle enough not to aggravate skin or cause any stinging or burning upon application. After using it for a month, our skin looked brighter, clearer, and our dark spots started to fade. The bottle is huge, and you only need a few drops onto a cotton pad to cover your whole face, so it will last you a long time. Make sure to layer up with a moisturizer and SPF after toning, since it can leave your skin a bit tight and dry, but the radiant results are well worth the extra pampering.
Best for Body
Tree Hut Tropic Glow Sugar Scrub
Type: Scrub | Key Ingredients: Sugar, shea butter, Cupuaçu butter, guarana | Size: 18 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
We’ll be the first to admit we spend hours scrolling through social media—and it seems like every other person is hooked on Tree Hut products—specifically this body scrub. And after putting it to the test for ourselves, we completely understand why this body exfoliator has gone viral. We noticed a big difference in our skin—namely being so soft and hydrated—thanks to the blend of shea butter, Cupuaçu butter, guarana, and other oils. Like other oil-based scrubs, it can be a bit slippery and messy in the shower, so use with caution.
Best Scrub
Aveeno Positively Radiant Skin Brightening Daily Scrub
Type: Scrub | Key Ingredients: Soy extract, glycerin | Size: 5 oz | Cruelty-Free: No
Aveeno’s Positively Radiant Brightening and Exfoliating Face Scrub is a hypoallergenic, moisture-rich scrub that works not only to exfoliate but also to brighten the skin. From the soy extract (which brightens) to the glycerin (which hydrates), you can expect dead skin cells to diminish and soft and glowing skin to be left in its place. And while some users note the formula can be a bit drying, as long as you go in with a moisturizer after using it, we think you’ll be good to go.
Best Peel Pads
Pacifica Glow Baby Brightening Peel Pads 10% AHA + BHA
Type: Pads | Key Ingredients: 10% AHA + BHA, niacinamide, apple fruit extract, aloe | Size: 60 pads | Cruelty-Free: Yes
There’s no denying the convenience that comes from a pre-soaked pad, especially one that delivers an impressively glowy result after a quick swipe. These rounds are saturated with a blend of glycolic, salicylic, and lactic acids, that work double time decongesting pores and sloughing away dull, flakey skin. The effective chemical exfoliants are also balanced by soothing apple fruit extract and niacinamide, resulting in the tightening of pores and deep moisturizing benefits. Some testers do find these wipes quite potent so we’d suggest doing a patch test before swiping one across your entire face.
Best Gel Cleanser
ITK ITK Exfoliating Gel Cleanser with Glycolic Acid
Type: Cleanser | Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, spirulina extract | Size: 5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Think of this skin-brightening cleanser as a friendly introduction to chemical exfoliation. Because the cleanser only temporarily sits on skin before being rinsed away, it delivers a gentler skin polishing than some of the alternatives on this list. The gel cleanser is formulated with a trio of exfoliators, including glycolic acid, lactic acid, and malic acid—alongside the antioxidant-rich spirulina extract, which helps to balance and calm skin thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. Use this to target dark spots, uneven skin tone, and dullness, and while the results are not immediate, with continued daily use, skin appears noticeably more even and radiant post-cleanse.
Best Mask
Versed Instant Resurfacing Mask
Type: Mask | Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, pineapple enzymes, papaya enzymes | Size: 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
This Versed mask is powerful and fast-acting thanks to a juicy cocktail of fruit enzymes—like pineapple and papaya extract—and chemical exfoliants—such as glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid—that effectively slough away buildup and dead skin cells in just two minutes. The powerful formula delivers impressive skin-brightening results that are apparent immediately post-rinse, and the cool jelly texture makes for something of a sensory experience as you apply it over your face. Despite the powerful ingredients at work, it won’t burn or irritate normal skin types—as long as you rinse off at the two-minute mark. However, it might be too harsh for those with sensitive skin.
What to Look for in a Drugstore Exfoliator
- Alpha-Hydroxy Acid: Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) are chemical exfoliants for the skin. According to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Rachel Nazarian, M.D. they include many benefits for the skin. They slough off dead skin cells, help increase collagen production, hydrate, and offer antioxidant benefits. Of course, like any exfoliator, overuse can cause skin irritation. Follow your dermatologist’s recommendation when using AHA exfoliating products.
- Physical Exfoliator: Physical exfoliators can be anything from washcloths to loofahs, scrubs, and more. The “physical” part of the exfoliator is something you should be able to detect simply by touching it, resulting in the sloughing away of dead skin cells, dirt, and grime. This is a great method if you’re trying to improve your skin, from texture to elasticity. When it comes to choosing between exfoliants, physical exfoliants offer immediate results while chemical ones tend to take more time to reveal smooth, brighter skin.
- Hydrating Ingredients: Since the acids in chemical exfoliants can be a bit drying, it’s best to look for a product that also contains hydrating ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides.
FAQ
- How often should I exfoliate?Dermatologists and experts agree—you should exfoliate your face about two to three times a week.
- How do I exfoliate my face?Christine McMackin, certified advanced aesthetic specialist and certified family nurse practitioner, shares her step-by-step tips for facial exfoliation: Start by washing your face with a gentle cleanser and warm water. After gently washing off your cleanser and while your skin is still damp, take a pea-sized amount of exfoliant, placing a small dot on your forehead, both cheeks, and chin. In gentle, circular motions spread the exfoliant across your face. Once you have softly rubbed the exfoliant around your face for about 30 seconds, use warm water to rinse it off. Then apply your skin type-specific creams and serums to finish your skincare routine.