We asked experts which facial exfoliators work best for every skin type — these are the 10 they recommend

SeSpring So Polished Sugar Scrub

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An example of a physical exfoliant, this sugar scrub sloughs off dead skin and then brings a radiance and smoothness to the skin.  "The So Polished Sugar Scrub is great for dry skin types because it provides thorough exfoliation while still being gentle. The key plant-based ingredients, camellia and lotus, hydrate, nourish, and balance the skin. The formula is clean (and verified by the Environmental Working Group), vegan, and the ingredients are responsibly sourced," says Ross. Lavender extract, tea tree extract, peony, waterlily, centella, purslane, and olive oil also help to freshen up the skin. 

Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Power Scrub

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My skin has a tendency to get very dry and dull in the winter, thanks to the steam heat in my apartment. But this scrub from Peter Thomas Roth addresses both of those concerns, thanks to brightening vitamin C, vitamin E, ferulic acid, and hydrating cocoa butter beads. The formula is gentle, and just a touch of pressure in circular motions is enough to leave my skin feeling soft and looking bright. My hydrating serums and moisturizers seem to melt into my skin after using this scrub, which is a bonus for my chapped winter skin. — Maria Del Russo, style and beauty guides editor

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant

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This exfoliant is unique because it starts as a powder, but turns into a paste upon interaction with water. Papain, salicylic acid, rice enzymes, and phytic acid derived from rice bran, white tea, and licorice join forces to buff dead skin cells and evens the skin. "For sensitive skin types, I recommend Dermalogica's Daily Microfoliant because it's gentle enough to use daily and uses enzymes to exfoliate, which will gently help dissolve skin without being harsh," Ross says. Colloidal oatmeal and allantoin are the main soothing ingredients, and are compatible with sensitive skin.

The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA

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This is the chemical exfoliant that made me believe I could use them on my dry, sensitive skin and also got me to ditch physical exfoliants. It's super affordable and has no added ingredients that would irritate my skin. There's a 5% concentration formula too that I started out with to wean myself onto using it, which I'd recommend doing if you're new to acids. It leaves my skin more even-toned and less clogged without any flaking. — Kyle Kerchaert, senior video producer, beauty and style

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

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This chemical exfoliator comes widely recommended by popular estheticians on social media. After finding it on sale, I decided to finally give it a try and it did not disappoint. This exfoliant brightens and clears my skin and my blackheads. As with all exfoliants, I would recommend patch testing this product before using and starting with use two to three times a week max before increasing to the everyday use listed in the product instructions. — Maliah West, home & kitchen reviews fellow

Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster

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This product marries azelaic acid and salicylic acid in order to smooth skin texture, brighten, deal with blemishes, and fade spots. It has an oil-free cream-gel consistency and can be worn alone once or twice a day, or mixed into a moisturizer or serum. "For dark skin types, I recommend the Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster because azelaic acid has been proven safe and effective for helping to brighten darker skin, without risking pigmentation issues that can occur with other acids," Ross says. 

iS Clinical Active Serum

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Though this product doesn't take on the typical format of a traditional exfoliator, it does contain plenty of exfoliating ingredients. White willow bark extract, bilberry extract, and sugarcane extract all work together to gently exfoliate and clean the pores for a much brighter and moisturized complexion. "I recommend the Active Serum from iS Clinical for acne-prone skin because it's very effective yet safe to use nightly and you can also spot treat when you have a breakout," Ross says. 

The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution

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This chemical exfoliator's iconic blood-red color initially made me timid about trying it out, but I knew it had to have some merit after all of the hype. I'm glad I caved in because it has definitely improved my skin texture and pore congestion. Following the first application, my skin felt soft and squeaky clean. One spot, in particular, had even flattened out. If you have sensitive skin, though, you might find this product too abrasive. And if this is your first rodeo with the product or chemical peels in general, it's a good idea to do a patch test beforehand. Regardless, what I found helpful was starting with five minutes of keeping this peel on and then working my way up to the full recommended ten minutes. I treat myself to this exfoliator twice a week (as the brand suggests), skip out on toner and retinol those nights, and remember to pack on the SPF the next morning. You can read a more thorough breakdown of the product here. — Katie Decker-Jacoby, style & beauty reviews fellow

Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial AHA + BHA Mask

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This mask can give you that "glow factor" Dr. Downie mentioned earlier, thanks to the formula's blend of AHAs (glycolic, tartaric, lactic, and citric), salicylic acid (a BHA), and chickpea flour. Clogged pores, rough texture, and dullness begone with the use of this exfoliating product. "The T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial AHA+ BHA Mask is great for mature skin types because it addresses all signs of aging with one gentle product," says Ross.

Dermalogica Multi-Vitamin Thermafoliant

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I have been using this exfoliant for over a year and use it faithfully once a week. I like that it becomes warm when mixed with water, which makes it feel like it's working harder. My skin looks and feels smooth after each use. It's a little on the pricey side but you don't need to use a lot each time, so one tube lasts a long time. — Roselle Schjong, executive director, research & insights

What should an exfoliator do? 

According to Dr. Downie, if you want to improve your skin's "glow factor," use an exfoliator. To elaborate on this "glow factor," Ross says, "A good exfoliator should gently slough off dead skin without harming the skin in the process. When skin doesn't get sufficient exfoliation, it will appear dull and feel dry." Exfoliation enables your skin to soak up all of the ingredients' benefits as well as stay properly hydrated, too. 

Who should exfoliate and how often? 

You may be wondering if your skin type and exfoliation make a good match. Truth is, people of all skin types and tones can exfoliate. However, it should be noted that those with very dry skin, eczema, or psoriasis should generally stay away from exfoliators due to a higher chance of irritation. Folks with mature skin can join in on this step, but with decreased frequency and an extra gentle touch, according to Dr. Downie. 

There is such a thing as exfoliating too much, which can cause irritation, redness, or weakening of the skin microbiome. So, be sure to exfoliate only two to three times a week, as suggested by our two experts. And if you find your skin is sensitive to an exfoliator, you can try reducing the frequency of use or scout out a different one. 

What are the differences between physical exfoliants and chemical exfoliants? 

The first thing to understand is that there are two kinds of exfoliants: physical and chemical. The former has — you've guessed it — physical particles such as walnut shells, sand, and microbeads that use your manual efforts to buff away dead skin cells. You might want to dodge exfoliators with larger, harder, sharper bits in them and instead opt for ones with finer, granier pieces. According to Dr. Downie, the formulas with bigger physical particles could potentially cause hyperpigmentation or micro-tears on the outermost layer of your skin. For this reason, Dr. Downie tends to recommend chemical exfoliants over physical ones. 

As for chemical exfoliators, these are acid-based products like peels, which slough off dead skin cells and show a fresh layer of skin underneath. Ross says, "The amount of skin removed is determined by the type of acid, concentration percentage, and duration the acid is left on the skin." You can look for glycolic acid and salicylic acid in exfoliants to improve skin texture and tone. Salicylic acid, in particular, is great for those with oily, acne-prone skin, since it can decrease inflammation and swelling, and also sweep away dead skin that prompts breakouts, according to Ross. 

Which ingredients should I look for in exfoliators?   

There's a lot to decipher when it comes to ingredients that appear in exfoliators. More specifically, there are two key groups of ingredients for chemical exfoliants: alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs). Kate Watson for Insider Reviews jumps into all of the particulars here.