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Exfoliation is an often overlooked, and I’d argue essential, step for keeping your skin smooth, fresh and healthy. According to Dr. Nicole Ruth, DO, FAAD, “Exfoliation removes dead corneocytes from the stratum corneum, which improves skin texture, unclogs pores and enhances penetration of active ingredients. Studies show that exfoliating acids can increase epidermal turnover and improve photo damage and acne.”
Basically, the best exfoliators sweep away dead skin cells, clear out pores, and smooth overall texture, leaving your complexion brighter and more even. They can also help keep breakouts in check, boost circulation for a healthier tone and allow the rest of your skincare products to absorb and work their mojo more effectively. Simply, exfoliation is worth the effort.
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Get on board with this seasonal skincare essentialExfoliators generally fall into two camps: physical and chemical. Physical exfoliators rely on textured particles to manually buff away dead skin, while chemical exfoliators use gentle acids such as AHAs or BHAs to dissolve buildup and brighten the complexion (more on that below). The key is not overdoing it — exfoliating twice a week is generally the sweet spot. Keeping up that routine year-round is a solid habit, but spring is a fitting time to start fresh, giving your mug a reset and sloughing off winter’s buildup. Below are eight of the best exfoliators, from scrubs to hybrid cleansers and toners, plus what to look for when choosing one with expert insight from Dr. Ruth.
Best Overall Exfoliator: Jackfir The Classic Daily Facial Cleanser
We love Jackfir, and while this isn’t a classic exfoliator so much as a cleanser, it still earns the best overall slot. Because you’re likely washing your face every day anyway, and this exemplary, easy-to-use formula quietly builds gentle exfoliation into that routine, which makes it especially clutch for beginners. Instead of a gritty scrub or more potent acid treatment, the formula relies on jojoba beads and fruit enzymes to loosen and sweep away dead skin while you cleanse. The texture, with tiny microbeads, lathers well, and after one wash, your skin will be more toned and refreshed with clearer pores. A blend of aloe, calendula and sunflower oil soothes and hydrates, and the subtle scent of pine, balsam and cedarwood makes the whole cleansing-meets-exfoliating routine feel that much more approachable and elevated.
Exfoliation Type: Physical and enzymatic chemical
Key Ingredients: Jojoba esters gently buff away dead skin, pineapple and papaya enzymes dissolve surface buildup, aloe vera soothes and hydrates, calendula calms irritation, sunflower seed oil nourishes and supports the skin barrier, licorice root helps brighten and reduce redness, apple extract conditions and softens skin
Best Physical Exfoliator: Malin+Goetz Jojoba Face Scrub
One point worth reiterating: You don’t want a harsh physical exfoliator with jagged particles that can tear at your skin. Enter this Malin+Goetz classic, a traditional scrub that buffs and refreshes while going easy on your mug. While some exfoliants use rough particles like crushed walnut shells or apricot pits, M+G opts for smooth, biodegradable jojoba beads that polish the skin without compromising your moisture barrier or causing micro-abrasions. Paired with natural rice powder to help lift away dead skin, it creates a satisfying scrubby texture, while glycerin adds hydration, leaving your face smooth and soothed. Use this subtly sloughing apothecary OG as a weekly reset.
Exfoliation Type: Physical
Key Ingredients: Jojoba beads gently buff away dead skin, rice powder provides additional manual exfoliation, jojoba milk and jojoba oil soften and nourish, glycerin draws in moisture, meadowfoam and apricot kernel oils condition and smooth
Best Hybrid Exfoliator: Aesop Purifying Facial Exfoliant Paste
This is not only a stellar exfoliator but one you’ll look forward to using and admiring on your medicine cabinet shelf. Physical exfoliators rely on textured granules to manually buff away dead skin, while chemical exfoliators use acids like AHAs or BHAs to dissolve buildup and brighten the complexion. Aesop does both brilliantly. This super soft cream uses ultra-fine, barely-there quartz beads to gently slough away dead skin, paired with lactic acid to encourage cell turnover and smooth texture. Botanicals help protect, soothe and give it the Aesop sensorial treatment. A little goes a long way with this paste, and while it has a nourishing feel, you’ll want to cap use at twice a week.
Exfoliation Type: Physical and chemical
Key Ingredients: Fine quartz gently buffs away dead skin, lactic acid (AHA) dissolves surface buildup and smooths texture, rosemary leaf oil provides antioxidant support, rosehip seed oil nourishes and helps softens, evening primrose oil conditions, glycerin draws in hydration
Best Chemical Exfoliator: Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting Liquid Exfoliant
Straight-up chemical exfoliators often come in a leave-on, toner-style format, allowing the solution to stay on skin and work its rejuvenating magic. And there’s a reason Paula’s Choice shows up on many a best of list. This fragrance-free formula relies on a curated blend of 6% mandelic acid and 2% lactic acid, two AHAs that help dissolve surface buildup and promote smoother, brighter skin. Mandelic acid is unique because its larger molecular structure penetrates the skin more slowly than that of stronger acids, making it notably gentler and great for sensitive or easily irritated skin. Lactic acid pulls double duty, lightly exfoliating while also helping support hydration. Together, they refine texture, soften the look of fine lines and even tone with just a few quick swipes.
Exfoliation Type: Chemical (AHA)
Key Ingredients: Mandelic acid gently exfoliates and helps improve discoloration, lactic acid dissolves surface buildup while binding moisture, yarrow extract soothes and provides antioxidant support, fermented cherry blossom, chocolate vine and bayberry extracts help support the skin microbiome and barrier
Best Daily Exfoliator: Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant Exfoliator
We know we said to exfoliate no more than twice a week, but Dermalogica’s formula is gentle enough to use a bit more frequently for a consistently toned glow. This rice-based powder transforms into a foamy lather when mixed with water, making it oddly satisfying to use, and works on two levels: Finely-milled rice powder buffs away dead skin, while papain, a fruit enzyme, and salicylic acid tighten pores through chemical exfoliation. Green tea helps even skin tone, and oatmeal calms and soothes. After one use, your skin feels softer, smoother and brighter, and with regular use it keeps a rejuvenated look in steady rotation.
Exfoliation Type: Physical and chemical
Key Ingredients: Rice bran powder gently buffs away dull surface cells, papain (papaya enzyme) dissolves dead skin buildup, salicylic acid helps clear pores and smooth texture, licorice extract evens tone, white tea provides antioxidant protection, colloidal oatmeal calms and soothes skin
Best Exfoliator for Oily Skin: CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser
Half face wash, half exfoliator, this gentle yet hardworking formula from drugstore stalwart CeraVe checks just about every box you’d want in a rejuvenating cleanser. Hyaluronic acid for hydration? Check. Niacinamide to calm and balance skin? Check. Barrier-supporting ceramides? Check. And a gentle BHA to help clear pores and smooth texture? Also check. It’s especially great for oily or shine-prone skin and leaves the face feeling soft, smooth and refreshed. And because the formula is non-comedogenic and fragrance-free, it’s also a solid option for sensitive skin. The price point is on point, too.
Exfoliation Type: Chemical (BHA)
Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid exfoliates and helps unclog pores, ceramides support the skin barrier, niacinamide calms skin and reduces redness, hyaluronic acid draws in hydration, gluconolactone (PHA) provides gentle additional exfoliation, glycerin helps retain moisture
Best Exfoliating Toner: Horace Skin-Perfecting Exfoliating Solution
If exfoliating could be cool, it would come from the hip Parisian skincare brand Horace. This toner-exfoliator hybrid utilizes salicylic acid, a BHA, to reduce blemishes and minimize the look of pores, while glycolic and lactic acids, both AHAs, sweep away dull surface buildup so skin looks smoother and more even-toned. In practice, it feels super refreshing, more like a brisk splash of toner than a traditional exfoliant, leaving your face clean, soft and lightly polished. The push-top dispenser is oddly satisfying to use, and as a thoughtful bonus, it comes with a pack of cotton pads so you’re ready to swipe right out of the box.
Exfoliation Type: Chemical (AHA + BHA)
Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid exfoliates and smooths texture, lactic acid dissolves surface buildup while helping hydrate, salicylic acid clears pores and helps reduce blemishes, glycerin draws in moisture
Best Luxury Exfoliator: Patricks FS1 Crushed Diamond Scrub
Patricks worked with a chemist to create this luxe exfoliant that uses crushed diamonds (yes, actual diamonds) for its ultra-fine granules and impressive exfoliating power. Paired with volcanic sand micro particles, it delivers next-level physical exfoliation that leaves skin noticeably smoother and clearer, especially if you struggle with ingrown hairs. On the chemical side, AHAs and alpha peptides help tackle signs of aging, while a boost of multi-vitamins keeps skin nourished. Patricks comes with a premium price tag, but you’re getting scientific precision, proprietary exfoliation and serious skin benefits in a sleek, brag-worthy tube.
Exfoliation Type: Physical and chemical
Key Ingredients: Crushed diamond and volcanic sand physically buff away dead skin, AHA exfoliates surface buildup and smooths texture, salicylic acid helps clear pores, peptides support collagen and skin repair, vitamins A, C and E provide antioxidant protection, caffeine energizes and helps reduce puffiness, coconut oil and shea butter nourish and soften skin
How We Made These Picks
All of the exfoliators above help remove dead skin, smooth texture, clear pores and reset your complexion, but they do so in different ways. Some rely on fine granules to manually buff away buildup, others use gentle acids to dissolve it and a few formulas combine both approaches. Some double as cleansers, while others are rinse-off scrubs or leave-on treatments. Because everyone’s skin and tolerance levels differ, I paid close attention to performance: texture, how evenly each formula exfoliated and how it balanced overall skincare hydration and barrier support. After years of testing grooming products across categories, these picks represent some of the most effective and reliable exfoliators available from brands we know and trust.
What to Look for in the Best Exfoliator
The best exfoliators also keep your skin varying degrees of balanced, nourished and hydrated with supportive ingredients like glycerin, niacinamide, ceramides, soothing botanicals or vitamins. For chemical exfoliators, look for acids such as glycolic or lactic (AHAs) to smooth texture, or salicylic acid (BHA) to help clear pores. If you prefer a physical scrub, gentleness is key, so opt for formulas with small, smooth grains like jojoba beads, rice powder or finely-milled minerals rather than anything overly gritty. If you’re new to exfoliating, start slow: Once or twice a week is usually plenty, and you can adjust from there based on how your skin responds. Below, Dr. Nicole Ruth graciously shares her expertise on common questions and how exfoliation fits into a well-rounded skincare routine.
FAQ:
Why is exfoliating important for healthy skin, and are more guys adding facial exfoliators to their grooming routines?
“Exfoliation removes dead corneocytes from the stratum corneum, which improves skin texture, unclogs pores and enhances penetration of active ingredients. Studies show that exfoliants like glycolic acid can increase epidermal turnover and improve photo damage and acne. In my practice, I have seen more men using facial exfoliators as they increase their multi-step facial care routines.”
Can you briefly explain the difference between physical and chemical exfoliators?
“Physical exfoliators remove dead skin cells through mechanical friction using particles or tools, while chemical exfoliators dissolve the bonds between corneocytes using acids such as AHAs, BHAs or PHAs. Chemical exfoliants tend to provide more uniform exfoliation with less risk of micro-trauma when properly formulated.”
Where should exfoliation fit into a skincare routine?
“Exfoliation should typically occur after cleansing and before applying serums or moisturizers so active ingredients can penetrate more effectively. Because exfoliation temporarily increases skin permeability, following with a moisturizer and active ingredient is essential to support the skin barrier and get optimal results from your products.”
How often should men exfoliate their face, and does that change depending on whether they’re using a physical or chemical exfoliator?
“Most men benefit from exfoliating about two times per week, although exfoliants with lower acid concentrations can sometimes be used more frequently. Signs of over-exfoliation include redness, burning, tightness or flaking, which indicate disruption of the skin barrier. If you are rosacea or eczema-prone, I would see your dermatologist before starting any exfoliator.”
Does exfoliation need to be tailored to different skin types, like oily, dry or sensitive?
“Oily skin generally tolerates more frequent exfoliation, particularly with salicylic acid, which penetrates oil-filled pores. Sensitive or rosacea-prone skin should opt for gentler options, such as lactic acid or polyhydroxy acids, which studies show can exfoliate while preserving barrier lipids and hydration. Dry or reactive skin tends to benefit from lower-strength alpha-hydroxy acids or polyhydroxy acids that smooth skin while maintaining moisture and barrier integrity. Everyone’s skin barrier is different, which means tolerance to exfoliation can vary.”
What ingredients should men look for in a well-formulated exfoliator?
“Evidence-based exfoliating ingredients include glycolic and lactic acid (AHAs), which help improve texture and address photodamage, salicylic acid (BHA) for acne and clogged pores, and polyhydroxy acids like gluconolactone, a gentler option often suited for sensitive skin. Well-formulated products also tend to include barrier-supporting ingredients such as niacinamide, ceramides or glycerin to help minimize irritation.” With physical exfoliators, look for small, smooth, uniform grains that buff away dead skin without scratching the barrier, such as jojoba beads, rice powder or finely milled minerals. If it feels like it might harsh or too granular, it likely is. Test a bit on your hands first.
On the flip side, are there ingredients or formulas to avoid?
“Formulas with very large abrasive particles or extremely high acid concentrations can cause micro-tears and barrier disruption. Overly aggressive scrubs combined with daily acid use can lead to irritation, inflammation and increased transepidermal water loss, which dermatology research shows weakens the skin barrier.”
About the Expert:
Dr. Nicole Ruth is a board-certified dermatologist practicing in SoHo at Weiser Skin. She specializes in cosmetic and medical dermatology with a focus on hair, nails and skin. Known for her thoughtful, evidence-based approach, Dr. Ruth blends medical expertise with an eye for aesthetics to help patients achieve healthy, natural-looking results.
Why You Should Trust Us:
In addition to writing for InsideHook I’ve covered topics ranging from grooming, fragrances and style for GQ, Robb Report, Men’s Journal, Business Insider, Esquire and Men’s Health. I served as the market editor at Esquire for several years, scouring the industry for the best items that were not only worth the investment but also made for compelling stories and good advice for our readers. I also conceptualized and wrote many grooming and fragrance stories for Esquire. I have always tried to add a timeless element to whatever I’ve written, as although trends are interesting and relevant to a degree, my heart has always been drawn to more perennial guidance and themes. While I often delve into researching items to the point of exhaustion, it’s this approach that often positions me as a go-to person for advice — whether it’s about colognes, creams or coats, people recognize that I’ve done the legwork. I enjoy inspiring others to seek out their unique interests in things that might improve their lives.
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