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Exfoliants

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes · How the Fit score works

An effective exfoliator removes any remaining traces of impurities while lightly refreshing and refining your pores, clears away dead skin cells to smooth texture and support healthy, even-toned skin renewal, and uses natural enzymes to gently resurface your skin, revealing a softer and brighter complexion. It is used in the weekly routine. The formulation relies on salicylic acid to reduce inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne lesions, glycolic acid to diminish acne scars, and glycerin to hydrate the skin.

BioMed Research International, 2020

Exfoliant treatment

What to look for in a exfoliator

From reviews of 25 popular exfoliators.

What reviewers value

  • Smooths texture and adds glow Sometimes Noted
    • “skin instantly became baby smooth — ZO Skin Health Exfoliating Polish”
    • “Hollywood glow — Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment”
    • “My skin looks brighter and more even in just five days. — Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel”
  • Gentle daily use and sensitive skin care Sometimes Noted
    • “never had any reaction to it with my sensitive skin — The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA”
    • “No stinging or irritation — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “perfect for sensitive skin — The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA”
  • Affordable price and great value Sometimes Noted
    • “lasts forever — The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution”
    • “can't beat the price — The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution”
  • Unclogs pores and clears acne Sometimes Noted
    • “cleared my bumps — Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant”
    • “pimples disappear within a day — The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution”
    • “completely clears closed comedones and acne — The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA”
  • Exfoliating toners that offer gentle and hydrating care Sometimes Noted
    • “suitable for sensitive skin — The Ordinary Saccharomyces Ferment 30% Milky Toner”
    • “extremely gentle — COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner”
    • “gentle enough for daily use — First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads”
  • Exfoliating toners that improve skin texture and reduce pores Sometimes Noted
    • “gives my skin a smooth, glass-like finish — Medicube Zero Pore Pad”
    • “skin feels softer — The Ordinary Saccharomyces Ferment 30% Milky Toner”
    • “smoother skin — COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner”

Common complaints

  • High price point Sometimes Noted
    • “very expensive — Sunday Riley Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment”
    • “hefty price tag — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
    • “my wallet winced — ZO Skin Health Exfoliating Polish”
  • Has an unpleasant smell or strong scent Sometimes Noted
    • “smells like yeast — The Ordinary Saccharomyces Ferment 30% Milky Toner”
    • “smells like puke — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
    • “smell is overpowering — Pixi Glow Tonic”
  • Causes skin irritation, burning, and stinging Sometimes Noted
    • “stings a little but worth it — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”
    • “Caused redness — St. Ives Apricot Scrub”
    • “burns upon application — The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution”
  • Causes skin purging and breakouts Sometimes Noted
    • “skin purged — Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant”
    • “caused redness and sensitivity — Medicube Zero Pore Pad”
    • “gave me cystic acne — The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution”
  • Leaves a sticky or oily residue Sometimes Noted
    • “feels very sticky — The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution”
    • “sits on top of the skin and does not absorb — The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA”
    • “leaves a tacky film — Medicube Zero Pore Pad”
  • Packaging issues and messy application Sometimes Noted
    • “green stains — Acure Brightening Facial Scrub”
    • “looks like blood mask — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”
    • “Balls up — Good Molecules Pineapple Exfoliating Powder”

Exfoliating toner

Enzyme powder cleanser

Exfoliant

Enzyme powder exfoliant

The Ordinary exfoliators

All The Ordinary products

COSRX exfoliators

All COSRX products

All exfoliators

See all 262 exfoliators

Research behind exfoliator ingredients

Behind these picks

Lovi picks every product by its fit score, calculated from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

How does it fit your skin?

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