No scratchy scrubs here.
Cleansing and sun protection are arguably the two non-negotiables of any skincare routine, but exfoliating is almost as important. Regular exfoliation is essential not only for improving the texture and tone of your skin but also for ensuring that any other products you’re using penetrate better and ultimately work more effectively.
Physical exfoliants, like scrubs, work by mechanically buffing off dead skin cells. Chemical exfoliants dissolve the bonds that hold dead skin cells together, explains dermatologist Kim Nichols, MD. “Physical exfoliants may tear and compromise the skin barrier, causing agitation and, in some cases, exacerbating dermatitis and acne,” she adds. “Chemical exfoliants at low percentages work to slowly and gently resurface the skin.”
Best Overall: Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel
Team Byrdie sings the praises of this best-selling, fan-favorite product time and time again, as do beauty editors everywhere. Developed by a dermatologist (Dr. Dennis Gross), these pre-soaked peel pads 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 various skin-friendly antioxidants.
The two-step process involves massaging in the acid-containing pad until it’s dry, then following with the neutralizing pad which calms, protects and addresses signs of photoaging (sun damage). Bear in mind it takes a few minutes to get through both pads, and you’re supposed to take a two-minute break in between to let the acids do their thing. But if you’re up for the slightly lengthier process, you can count on noticeable results on the first use and will continue to see improvements in your skin’s texture, clarity, and radiance.
Who It’s For
These peel pads are for skincare devotees who don’t mind committing a little time to regular exfoliation. The individually wrapped packs are also great for travel.
Type: Pre-soaked pads | Active Ingredients: Glycolic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, salicylic acid, retinol | Size: 5–60 treatments | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Budget: The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution
Despite the $10 price range and small size, this product packs a solid exfoliating punch that’s just as powerful—if not more—than its pricier counterparts. As the name suggests, it contains a 30% concentration of AHA (from glycolic and lactic acid) and 2% salicylic acid. The effective trio helps generate smoother skin and a more even complexion while also decongesting pores.1 It’s intense, though, so don’t leave it on longer than 10 minutes.
Who It’s For
We highly recommend this affordable yet effective exfoliating peel unless you have super sensitive skin.
Type: Peel | Active Ingredients: Glycolic acid, lactic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid | Size: 1 ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Drugstore: L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Glycolic Acid Cleansing Gel
This drugstore cleanser is super effective yet gentle enough to use daily. Containing glycolic and salicylic acid, it boosts radiance and evens out tone, all while helping minimize the look of pores by removing excess oil and sebum. You can use it every day or just a few times a week to maintain clear, smooth skin. That said, if you’re prone to dry skin, we suggest using it a little less often to prevent over-drying.
Who It’s For
Gentle enough for daily use, this wash-off exfoliator is ideal for those with sensitive skin (as long as it’s not too drying). It’s also a good option to keep in the shower.
Type: Cleanser | Active Ingredients: Glycolic acid, salicylic acid | Size: 6.7 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No
Best for Sensitive Skin: Herbivore Soothing Exfoliating Serum
Herbivore’s Milky Way serum was formulated with sensitive skin in mind. It contains two AHAs and a polyhydroxy acid (PHA) called gluconolactone—the latter is known as one of the gentlest chemical exfoliants out there. It’s also formulated with anti-inflammatory oat extract to calm irritation and safeguard the skin barrier.2 Some users didn’t love the smell (although it didn’t bother us)
Who It’s For
If your skin is more reactive, we suggest this exfoliating serum from Herbivore, which calms and protects while eliminating dullness and delivering a healthy glow.
Type: Serum | Active Ingredients: Lactic acid, glycolic acid, tartaric acid, gluconolactone, oat extract | Size: 1 ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Paula’s Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster
Azelaic acid isn’t a chemical exfoliant in and of itself, although Dr. Nichols says it does wonders for preventing breakouts and targeting rosacea. In this little tube, it’s paired with salicylic acid to help dissolve dead cells, reduce excess oil, and unclog pores.3 (There’s redness-calming licorice root extract in the mix too.)4 Since redness goes in tandem with acne, we think this product is a win-win.
Who It’s For
Dr. Nichols recommends this product for folks with acne-prone skin and stubborn redness. Another plus: Azelaic acid is one of the few pimple-fighting ingredients generally considered safe to use during pregnancy.5
Type: Cream | Active Ingredients: Salicylic acid, azelaic acid | Size: 0.17–1 ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best With Glycolic Acid: The Inkey List Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Toner
Because glycolic acid has the smallest molecular size and weight of all alpha-hydroxy acids, it can penetrate deeper into the skin to promote cell turnover, according to Dr. Nichols. She adds that the active ingredient is especially helpful for targeting hyperpigmentation and discoloration as well as evening out skin tone. With continued use, this glycolic acid toner can even help stimulate collagen production to fight wrinkles and other effects of photoaging. We’re genuinely amazed by all that this simple ingredient can do to improve the look of skin.
Who It’s For
One of Dr. Nichols’s favorite AHA products, she says this nighttime treatment will leave you with glowing skin.
Type: Toner | Active Ingredients: Glycolic acid | Size: 3.4 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best With Lactic Acid: Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment
“Lactic acid is another favorite chemical exfoliating ingredient of mine because it can be used as both a humectant and an exfoliant,” Dr. Nichols tells Byrdie. Translation? It removes dead skin buildup while drawing moisture into the skin to prevent over-drying. It’s the star of the show in this treatment, which she says makes an excellent 15-minute mask. It also contains licorice to brighten skin and revitalizing lemongrass. If your skin is a little more tolerant, you can use it as a serum and leave it on overnight.
Who It’s For
Users swear by Sunday Riley Good Genes for fading dark spots, evening out texture, and reducing the appearance of fine lines.
Type: Serum/mask | Active Ingredients: Lactic acid | Size: 0.5–3.4 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best With Salicylic Acid: Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
Salicylic acid is unique because it’s oil-soluble, meaning it can penetrate deep into pores, where it breaks down excess oil that can clog and lead to blackheads and breakouts.3 The hero ingredient makes this leave-on formula a go-to for combatting oily, congested skin. We like that it also contains antioxidant-rich green tea to calm redness and leave you with a more radiant complexion.7 However, it can be drying, so if you’re prone to that, you might want to try something else.
Who It’s For
This fan-favorite toner is an especially good choice for those with oily complexions, greasy T-zones, and breakout-prone skin.
Type: Toner/leave-on treatment | Active Ingredients: Salicylic acid, green tea | Size: 1–8 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best With PHA: Heritage Rosewater Clay Mask
AHA and BHA aren’t the only chemical exfoliants on the block. Polyhydroxy acid (PHA) has much larger molecules than the others, meaning it won’t penetrate as deeply but also doesn’t have the same likelihood of causing a reaction.8 That’s why it’s derm-recommended for those with more sensitive skin.
“It contains gluconolactone, a PHA that gently exfoliates and minimizes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles without irritating,” she says Nichols, who likes this mask. It also relies on kaolin clay to help pull out excess oil.9 The only thing is the gentleness factor makes it less strong, so it may not yield as dramatic results as others on this list.
Who It’s For
We recommend this non-irritating mask to those with sensitive skin that may not tolerate exfoliators containing alpha-hydroxy acids. It’s also a great pick for oily complexions.
Type: Mask | Active Ingredients: Gluconolactone, kaolin clay | Size: 2 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best With Enzymes: Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Exfoliating Treatment
This all-star product can be used as a cleanser, scrub, peel, or mask. It pairs lactic acid with a trio of fruit enzymes (papaya, pineapple, and pumpkin) to amp up the exfoliating benefits.10 Best of all? It works in as little as 60 seconds (leave it on for up to two minutes if you don’t have sensitive skin). You’ll notice softer, smoother, glowier skin after just one use.
Who It’s For
If you want noticeable results from your exfoliator and can tolerate the intense formula, ExfoliKate won’t let you down.
Type: Cleanser/scrub/peel/mask | Active Ingredients: Lactic acid, fruit enzymes | Size: 0.5–5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Toner: Bolden Glycolic Acid Toner
Here’s another great pick that boasts glycolic acid. Beyond AHA, we like that this toner contains several other good-for-the-skin ingredients. There’s hydrating hyaluronic acid to combat unwanted dryness and niacinamide (vitamin B3), which helps strengthen the skin barrier, target hyperpigmentation, and boost radiance.
Who It’s For
If you’re dealing with parched skin, a dull complexion, dark spots, or a compromised skin barrier, this exfoliating toner might be your best bet.
Type: Toner | Active Ingredients: Glycolic acid, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid | Size: 7.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Pads: First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads
Single-use peel pads are quite possibly one of the easiest ways to make exfoliating a regular part of your skincare routine—all you have to do is wipe them across your face, and you’re good to go. These are a Byrdie favorite because they’re loaded with an effective dose of glycolic and lactic acid, alongside anti-inflammatory licorice extract to prevent redness and soothe irritation.
Who It’s For
If you prefer the convenience of pre-soaked pads and want something you can use daily (or even twice a day) on the face, neck, back, and décolletage, this product is for you.
Type: Pre-soaked pads | Active Ingredients: Glycolic acid, lactic acid | Size: 28–60 pads | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Mask: Renée Rouleau Triple Berry Smoothing Peel
This exfoliating mask is another staple for team Byrdie—we’ve yet to meet someone who hasn’t loved it upon testing it out. Per the name, it relies on berries and fruit extracts rich in AHA and BHA (specifically, mandelic acid, lactic, salicylic, tartaric, and malic acid). It’s also loaded with antioxidants to help ward off free radical damage and minimize hyperpigmentation. It looks—and smells—like homemade raspberry jam, making the experience of using it truly delightful.
Who It’s For
The fruit-derived formula is ideal for those who prefer plant-based products. It’s a good choice for occasional exfoliation rather than daily use.
Type: Mask | Active Ingredients: Blueberry extract, pomegranate extract, strawberry fruit enzymes | Size: 1.7 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best K-Beauty: Belif Aqua Bomb PHA Exfoliating Pads
Belif is a Korean beauty brand offering effective products at very reasonable price points. We’re particularly fond of these pre-soaked toner pads, which call on PHA (in the form of gluconolactone) to oh-so-gently dissolve dead skin and sebum.8 They also contain cica (centella asiatica) and panthenol to hydrate, soothe, and prevent irritation. That said, it also contains essential oils which can be irritating to sensitive skin types, so if that’s you, take heed.
Who It’s For
These exfoliating pads are gentle enough for daily use, plus they contain soothing ingredients to keep irritation at bay.
Type: Pre-soaked pads | Active Ingredients: Gluconolactone, cica, panthenol | Size: 70 pads | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Body: CeraVe SA Body Wash for Rough & Bumpy Skin
Yep, the skin on your body needs to be exfoliated too, and sometimes, we prefer going with a body wash that’ll do the job rather than an exfoliating loofa or another scrubber. CeraVe’s SA Body Wash is a product Dr. Nichols often recommends. She says the salicylic acid makes it great for combatting breakouts on the back and chest while helping to smooth out uneven, rough texture. You can use it every day or a few times a week while in the shower. It may leave a slight film on the skin, so we recommend taking another minute or two to really scrub it off before getting out of the shower.
Who It’s For
We appreciate that this gentle, non-irritating formula works for various skin types. The affordable price makes it a stellar choice for those on a budget, too.
Type: Body wash | Active Ingredients: Salicylic acid | Size: 10 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No
Best for Ingrown Hairs: Topicals High Roller Ingrown Hair Tonic
Ingrown hairs can be a pain to get rid of, and occasionally painful, too. The best way to treat them is to clean out your pores (which should also help prevent them from coming back). Topicals High Roller contains salicylic acid, zinc PCA, and glycolic acid to lift away dead surface cells that can clog pores and lead to ingrown hairs.1 It also works to tame irritation and redness as well as refine uneven texture. It’s effective yet gentle enough for daily use. However, it can cause sun sensitivity, so be sure to apply SPF on top or cover the treated areas with clothing before heading outside.
Who It’s For
If you struggle with ingrown hairs under your arms or in your bikini area, this handy roll-on serum could be a game-changer.
Type: Serum | Active Ingredients: Salicylic acid, zinc PCA, glycolic acid | Size: 1.7 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Where We Stand
Overall, our favorite chemical exfoliator is Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel Pads. The convenient pre-soaked pads contain both AHA and BHA to effectively improve texture and reveal a more radiant complexion. But if you’re on a budget, The Ordinary’s AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution is an excellent choice that will still pack an exfoliating punch without irritating the skin.
What to Consider When Buying a Chemical Exfoliator
- AHA or BHA: Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA) and beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) are among the best choices for gentle chemical exfoliation, effortlessly unclogging pores, evening out tone, and helping with inflammatory conditions like acne and rosacea.1 Examples of AHAs include glycolic acid, lactic acid, and mandelic acid. The most common type of BHA is salicylic acid—in fact, salicylic acid is sometimes synonymous with BHA. Dr. Dennis Gross’s Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel is a great option containing both AHA and BHA—alpha-beta, get it?
- Enzymes: Some chemical exfoliators call on enzymes derived from fruit (like papaya or pumpkin) or rice to gently dissolve dead skin cells. Some people find these active ingredients more tolerable than AHA, which may sometimes sting.11 Kate Somerville ExfoliKate is one of our favorite enzyme exfoliators.
- Hydrating Ingredients: Exfoliating can dry out the skin—after all, you’re removing dead cells and debris from the top layer. To maintain moisture, opt for exfoliators formulated with hydrating ingredients. Think moisture-retaining humectants like hyaluronic acid or glycerin. Bolden Skin Brightening Toner is an great choice that hydrates while it treats.
- Type and Application: Chemical exfoliators come in various forms, including pads, cleansers, toners, masks, peels, serums, and creams. It’s ultimately a matter of personal preference, but if you ask us, pre-soaked pads like First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads are the most convenient. You could also keep an exfoliating face wash in the shower, like L’Oréal Revitalift Glycolic Acid Cleansing Gel, and use it a few times a week.
FAQ
Can I use a chemical exfoliant every day?
While some products are safe to use every day, most experts recommend exfoliating two to three times per week. If you have sensitive skin, you should avoid over-exfoliating, as it may be too harsh and could compromise the skin barrier.1
What is the difference between physical and chemical exfoliation?
Physical exfoliation involves, as the name says, something physical (such as sugar granules or a washcloth) to mechanically remove dead skin cells by buffing them away. On the other hand, chemical exfoliants use acids (like glycolic, lactic, or salicylic) or enzymes to exfoliate by dissolving the outermost layer of dead skin.1
How We Researched & Tested
To compile this list, our editors and contributors spent hours researching today’s best chemical exfoliators, evaluating each based on type, application, active ingredients, hydrating ingredients, effectiveness, skin type suitability, and overall value. We also consulted a board-certified dermatologist for insight and incorporated our own personal experiences trying various products. Some items were also tested firsthand by our experts, either at home or in The Lab, our NYC testing facility.
Attributes we evaluated each chemical exfoliator on:
- Type and application
- Active ingredients
- Hydrating ingredients
- Effectiveness
- Skin type suitability
- Overall value