17 best face exfoliators to buff away pollution and grime
When it comes to skincare staples, face exfoliators are one of the few products that you absolutely shouldn't sleep on. They make up a key part of our beauty routines all year round. Regardless of whether you're facing a summer heatwave or winter winds, everyone can do with a bit of exfoliating.
Heat, sweat and pollution have a significant effect on our skin, which is why it's important to lean on face exfoliators to help deep-clean and unclog your pores. That being said, our facial skin is very delicate, which is why you also need to be careful not to overdo it with exfoliating either.
No-one wants to feel like they're sand-papering their skin, but thankfully, all of the best facial exfoliators have come a looong way since the scratchy nut shell scrubs of the noughties. Gentle formulas can help you polish your way to brighter, fresher, beautiful skin. All it requires is finding the right match for your skin needs.
Best face exfoliator overall – our top picks:
- Best face exfoliator overall: Dermalogica Daily Milkfoliant, £65, LookFantastic
- Best brightening face exfoliator: Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial, WAS £85.78 NOW £70, Amazon
- Best face exfoliator for oily skin: Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant, £34, Cult Beauty
- Best gentle face exfoliator: Medik8 Press and Clear, £34, Medik8
Meet the experts:
- Pamela Marshall, clinical aesthetician and co-founder of Mortar & Milk
How can a face exfoliator help?
Healthy skin naturally sheds dead cells to make way for the fresh ones beneath. However, age or stress can slow this process down, creating a dull layer of build-up over our skin. That's where your exfoliator comes in, manually shifting those cells to restore your glowy complexion. “Exfoliation promotes cell turnover, allowing old dead keratinocytes [that's skin cells] to shed, which enables new healthy skin to come toward the surface," explains Pamela Marshall, clinical aesthetician and co-founder of Mortar & Milk. When incorporated into your skincare regime, exfoliating will help to keep skin as "smooth, bright and healthy-looking as possible,” she adds.
Exfoliating can also help encourage your natural collagen production to help you achieve brighter skin while also reducing dullness and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Of course, we only have one face, so it's important to be gentle with it. Finding your exfoliating sweet-spot can involve a little trial-and-error to work out the concentration, format and frequency that suits your skin.
Which face exfoliator is right for you?
There are two types of exfoliator to choose from: physical and chemical. Physical exfoliators like scrubs, flannels and cleansing brushes involve manually buffing the skin, with salt, grains, bristles or fibres. Chemical (or liquid) exfoliators include products that contain acids such as glycolic and salicylic, or fruit enzymes such as pumpkin and pineapple. These are then usually applied to a cotton pad and swept over skin. They work in a similar way to a nail polish remover or body scrub, breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together in order to lift them away. The difference, is they're much, much gentler and more diluted. Think of a couple of drops of lemon juice in a glass of water – it's acidic, but it's much more mild.
Most dermatologists have moved to chemical exfoliators as they tend to be less abrasive on skin, however, a light gentle scrub with soft particles is a good option, too. In terms of ingredients, glycolic acid is a hero exfoliator and one of the most common ones you'll spot in chemical exfoliators. Often, they'll note the concentration on the bottle. Pixi's iconic Glow Tonic, for instance, contains 5%, which is about average. More than that and you might want to limit your usage to once a week. As for sensitive skin types, lactic acid and enzyme exfoliators can be a more gentle alternative.
How do I exfoliate my face gently?
In general, depending on the type and strength of the exfoliator you've chosen, it's a good idea to exfoliate 2-3 times a week in order to lift any dead skin cells, clean out your pores and reveal your skin's natural glow. For a more thorough look at this, take a look at our complete guide to exfoliating.
It's important to bear in mind that over-exfoliating can cause issues, so monitor your usage and keep an eye on how your skin responds. You can react accordingly by upping or lowering the frequency with which you use it. “Exfoliating more than your skin needs can deplete its barrier function and cause capillary damage, leaving skin dehydrated and weak,” explains Pamela.
If your skin appears red, flaky and dry, you're probably using a product that is too strong, or applying it too often, so pare it back. And more importantly, don't forget to supplement your skin with a reliable sunscreen or even a moisturiser with SPF (with soothing and hydrating ingredients such as green tea, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and/or vitamin E), since exfoliation makes your skin more vulnerable to sun damage.
But whether you have sensitive, oily, congested or dry skin, there’s an exfoliator out there suited to your concerns. Luckily, we've gone through all the best options on the market and cherry-picked a list of recommendations. So scroll down and enjoy.
Feeling inspired to upgrade your skincare routine? Shop the best sunscreens for face, best face masks, best vitamin C serums, best hyaluronic acid serums, best retinol creams and the best moisturisers and lotions.
For more shoppable makeup, skincare, haircare and wellness content from Glamour UK Commerce Writer Denise Primbet, follow her on Twitter @deniseprimbet and Instagram @deniseprimbet.
Keep scrolling for more of the best face exfoliators for your face and how often you should be using them...
Best face exfoliator overall
Why we love it: Looking to exfoliate your complexion while softening your skin and helping it retain moisture? Say no more. This skincare product is made of oat and coconut and uses nourishing botanical extracts to do away with dead skin cells gently and effectively. Also available at Sephora.
Enjoy extra savings when shopping for the best face exfoliators using these LookFantastic discount codes.
Best face exfoliator for oily skin
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
Why we love it: If you're all about transparency and nothing but good quality and hard-working ingredients, then Paula's Choice is the brand for you. This no-BS exfoliator removes dead skin cells and prevents blackheads in one quick swipe. Trust us – sensitive, oily and acne-prone skin will love this.
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Best gentle face exfoliator
Why we love it: Say goodbye to excess oil, hyperpigmentation, blemishes, blackheads, dark spots, enlarged pores and dull skin. This gentle exfoliator is designed to be kind enough on your skin to be used daily, which helps keep breakouts and congested skin at bay. What more could you want?
Best brightening face exfoliator
Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial
Why we love it: This resurfacing, exfoliating mask uses both alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) and beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) to clarify and improve your skin tone for a more youthful glow. It's also great for brightening your complexion and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Make sure to check out these Amazon discount codes.
Best two-minute face exfoliator
Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment
Why we love it: Kate Somerville one of the most coveted facialists on the celebrity circuit, and we can certainly benefit from her skincare skills at home. This product has been dubbed 'the 2-minute facial' and takes on a dual action, featuring both physical and chemical exfoliants for next level radiance.
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Best face exfoliator for all skin types
PIXI Glow Tonic Glycolic Acid Toner
Why we love it: There's a good reason why this face exfoliator is beloved by so many influencers and dedicated customers. It's one of the most dreamy liquid exfoliants, packed with ingredients such as glycolic acid, aloe vera and ginseng. The best part is how affordable it is, on top of being suitable for all skin types. A classic.
Save more when shopping for the best face exfoliators using these Cult Beauty discount codes.
Best face exfoliator with glycolic acid
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
Why we love it: Glycolic acid is one of the best exfoliators around, and this product offers a 7% solution for improved skin radiance and visible clarity. And to prevent any potential irritation, it also includes Tasmanian pepperberry derivatives, ginseng root and aloe vera for an added soothing effect. However, do make sure not to use it on sensitive, peeling or damaged skin as this product can increase your skin's sensitivity to the sun.
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Best face exfoliator scrub
Kiehl's Pineapple Papaya Facial Scrub
Why we love it: This face exfoliator scrub is a great all-rounder as it is finely-ground and suits all skin types. Made with luffa cylindrica fruit and apricot seed powder, this gentle facial scrub is bound to leave your skin feeling cleansed and refreshed. All you need to do is dab a small amount on damp skin and massage it in.
Best daily face exfoliator
Dermalogica Daily Superfoliant
Why we love it: Fancy a scrub with a difference? Then give this daily face exfoliator a go. Just pour some of the powder into your hands, add some water and exfoliate away. Its formula is fortified with alpha hydroxy acids and activated binchotan charcoal, which makes protecting your face from the effects of pollution and other environmental aggressors that much easier.
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Best liquid face exfoliator
Alpha-H Liquid Gold Exfoliating Treatment with Glycolic Acid
Why we love it: As its name suggests, this product is pretty much liquid gold. This exfoliant totally delivers and is a favourite of beauty bloggers and stars alike. Liquid Gold is perfect for skin on the oilier side and is great for reducing visibility of fine lines, wrinkles, enlarged pores, blackheads, blemishes, pigmentation, scarring and redness.
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Best resurfacing face exfoliator
Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash
Why we love it: This face wash has an antioxidant-rich formula that creates a gentle foam and has a pleasant clarifying effect. After all, an exfoliator that rinses away impurities and unclog your pores is definitely is always a solid 10/10 in our book.
Enjoy extra savings when shopping for the best face exfoliators using these LookFantastic discount codes.
Best affordable face exfoliator
Neutrogena Clear & Defend 2% Salicylic Acid Face Scrub
Why we love it: You don't need a pricey exfoliator just to reap the benefits of clean, smooth skin. In fact, this drugstore exfoliating face scrub is not only affordable, it's also ideal for those of use with breakout- and acne-prone skin. And the best part is that thanks to Amazon, you can order it with free delivery if you're a Prime member.
Make sure to check out these Amazon discount codes.
Best chemical face exfoliator
Dr Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Extra Strength Daily Peel
Why we love it: If you're searching for the ultimate resurfacer, look no further than Dr. Dennis Gross' famous two-step chemical exfoliant. These peel pads have proven strength and results, with significantly reduced pores and fine lines. If you are an acid beginner, Dr Gross' universal strength version is where you need to start.
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Best face exfoliator for mature skin
REN Clean Skincare Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask
Why we love it: This face exfoliator should be your go-to for seamless skin. The glycol combined with lactic acid, glycolic acid and citric acid renews skin cells for a spotless complexion by gently but surely dissolving dead skin. Meanwhile, extracts of pineapple, passion fruit, lemon and grape decongest and purify your skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines.
Enjoy extra savings when shopping for the best face exfoliators using these LookFantastic discount codes.
Best vegan face exfoliator
Why we love it: A highly concentrated cleanser that exfoliates, clarifies, and re-energizes? And it's vegan? Sign us up. Packed with plant-derived amino acid surfactants, as well as the soothing effects of chamomile flower water, calendula extract and the antioxidant-packed passionfruit extract, this delicious-sounding face exfoliator is completely gentle and 100% cruelty-free.
Best face exfoliator for sensitive skin
Paula's Choice Calm 1% BHA Sensitive Skin Exfoliant
Why we love it: Enriched with prebiotic sugars and mushroom extracts to strengthen your natural skin barrier and smoothen your skin texture, this product provides a gentle way of exfoliating. Suitable for sensitive skin and can even be used on a daily basis.
Save more when shopping for the best face exfoliators using these Cult Beauty discount codes.
Best face exfoliator for combination skin
Farmacy Deep Sweep 2% BHA Pore Cleaning Toner
Why we love it: If you have combination skin, then this alcohol-free exfoliator is for you. It excels at hydrating, cleaning and controlling excess oil without stripping your skin, thanks to a blend of moringa seed extract, papaya enzymes and salicylic acid.
Make sure to check out these Amazon discount codes to save money at checkout.
