Exfoliation is one of those skincare steps that can transform how skin looks and feels, but it is also one of the easiest to overdo. Done well, regularly sloughing away dead surface cells can help skin appear smoother, brighter and more even, and can help the serums and moisturisers that follow absorb more effectively. Done too aggressively, it can leave skin looking red, tight and irritated, and undo the very glow you were chasing. The trick is choosing the right kind of exfoliator for your skin type and, crucially, using it sparingly rather than as often as possible.
This edit brings together six well-regarded facial exfoliators, spanning gentle chemical acids and soft physical formulas across a range of budgets, so there is a sensible option whether you have oily, dry or easily irritated skin. A quick but important note before we begin: this is general beauty information rather than medical advice, everyone’s skin is different, and you should always patch-test a new product first and introduce only one at a time so you can tell what is working. If in doubt, or if you have a diagnosed skin condition, speak to a pharmacist or dermatologist before adding acids to your routine.
What to look for in a facial exfoliator
Start by understanding the two main types. Chemical exfoliants use acids to loosen the bonds between dead cells: alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) like glycolic and lactic acid work on the skin’s surface and suit dull or drier-looking skin, while beta hydroxy acid (BHA), namely salicylic acid, is oil-soluble and can travel into pores, which is why it is often preferred for oily or blemish-prone skin. Physical exfoliants buff the skin manually and are best when they are fine and soft rather than harsh and gritty; the old walnut-shell scrubs that scratch the surface are best avoided.
Match the strength to your experience and your skin. Lower percentages are a sensible starting point, and gentler options can be used more frequently than stronger weekly treatments. Whatever you choose, daily sunscreen becomes non-negotiable, because acids can leave skin more sensitive to sunlight and undo their own good work if you skip it; our guide to face sunscreens for daily wear is a useful companion. Sensitive skin, meanwhile, may prefer to start with a very gentle formula, use it less often, and pair it with a good gentle cleanser to keep the routine calm.
It also helps to think about timing. Many people find the evening the best moment to exfoliate, since it gives the skin overnight to settle before you head out into daylight, and it fits neatly around richer night-time products. Avoid layering an exfoliating acid on the same night as other strong actives such as retinoids unless you know your skin tolerates it, and if you are ever unsure, spacing them out on alternate evenings is the safer path. The goal is steady, gentle progress, not a dramatic overhaul that leaves your skin worse off than when you started. Keeping a simple mental note of how your skin looks and feels week to week is a far more reliable guide than any fixed routine copied wholesale from someone else with entirely different skin.
1. Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
This leave-on salicylic acid liquid has a huge and loyal following, and for good reason. It helps clear the look of congested pores and smooth uneven texture without the abrasiveness of a scrub, and the 2 percent strength is approachable for newcomers while still doing a proper job. It suits oily and blemish-prone skin particularly well, and its watery, weightless texture means it disappears quickly and layers under everything else.
Why it made the six: a genuinely effective, beginner-friendly BHA that targets the appearance of pores.
Price: Mid-range, from Boots and Paula’s Choice.
The Sixated take: begin with two or three uses a week and build up slowly; patch-test first.
2. The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner
A brilliant entry point into AHAs at a very fair price, this glycolic toner helps brighten and refine the look of dull, tired skin. It is best suited to normal, resilient skin rather than sensitive types, and it is designed to be swept over the face in the evening a few times a week. Given how little it costs, it is an easy way to find out whether glycolic acid agrees with your skin before spending more.
Why it made the six: outstanding value for an effective everyday-glow glycolic acid.
Price: Budget, from The Ordinary and Boots.
The Sixated take: not for sensitive or compromised skin; always follow with sunscreen the next morning.
3. Pixi Glow Tonic
A cult toner that helped popularise glycolic acid for the masses, Glow Tonic uses a gentle 5 percent concentration alongside soothing aloe vera and ginseng. It is a soft, forgiving introduction to chemical exfoliation, and its lower strength means many people can use it more regularly than stronger acids without their skin protesting. It has a pleasant, refreshing feel that makes it easy to stick with as a habit.
Why it made the six: a well-loved, low-strength AHA that eases beginners in gently.
Price: Mid-range, from Marks & Spencer and Pixi.
The Sixated take: a good stepping stone before you try higher percentages.
4. CeraVe Skin Renewing Nightly Exfoliating Treatment
For drier or more easily irritated skin, this lactic acid night treatment is a thoughtful choice because it pairs exfoliation with ceramides that help support the skin’s barrier. Lactic acid is generally gentler than glycolic and has a mild hydrating quality, and the barrier-friendly formula makes it feel far less stripping than many acids. It is a considered option for anyone who wants smoother-looking skin without the tightness.
Why it made the six: gentle AHA exfoliation with ceramides, a sensible option for drier skin.
Price: Mid-range, from Boots and pharmacies.
The Sixated take: a considerate pick if stronger acids leave your skin feeling tight.
5. Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
If you prefer a physical exfoliant, this is about as gentle as they come. A rice-based powder activates on contact with water into a soft, fine paste that polishes without the scratchy grit of old-fashioned scrubs. Because it is so mild, many people can use it daily, though every other day is a fine place to start, and the powder format means it stays fresh and travels well without spilling.
Why it made the six: a soft, controllable physical option far kinder than a coarse scrub.
Price: Splurge, from John Lewis and Dermalogica.
The Sixated take: lovely for anyone who finds acids too much but dislikes harsh scrubs.
6. REN Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Toner
This lactic-acid-based tonic, boosted with willow bark and other gentle ingredients, aims to refine and brighten the appearance of skin as part of a daily routine. It strikes a reasonable balance between effectiveness and gentleness, making it suited to people who want a subtle, everyday glow rather than a strong weekly treatment. REN’s focus on clean, considered formulas is part of the appeal for those who read the label carefully.
Why it made the six: a balanced daily acid toner with a light, brightening feel.
Price: Mid-range, from Cult Beauty and REN.
The Sixated take: ease in gradually even though it is marketed as daily, and always patch-test.
Whatever you choose, restraint is the real secret to good exfoliation. Give your skin time to adjust between uses, never combine several strong actives in the same routine, and pay close attention to how your skin looks and feels rather than sticking rigidly to a schedule; if it starts to feel tight, sensitive or shiny with irritation, scale back. To round out a gentle, glow-focused routine, our guides to hyaluronic acid serums and niacinamide serums cover the hydrating and soothing steps that pair particularly well with exfoliation.