Skincare

A complete guide to face exfoliators for glowing skin

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SkinTalks - June 04, 2026

Introduction

How do face exfoliators work?

Types of exfoliators

How to choose the right exfoliator for your skin type

Top-rated face exfoliators

How to exfoliate: Final tips

FAQs

Glowies, it's time to talk exfoliation. A good face exfoliator can completely transform your skin by stripping away the dead skin cell buildup that's been dulling your complexion, clogging your pores, and stopping your other products from working. The result is a total glow!

But from physical scrubs to chemical acids, it can be difficult to know where to start or which formula is actually right for your skin.

In this SkinTalks post, we're breaking it all down so you can understand how face exfoliators actually work, which types exist, and which best suits your skin type. We'll also cover our favourite Korean exfoliators, which are renowned for offering gentle, effective formulas that deliver real results without upsetting your skin.

How do face exfoliators work?

Think of exfoliators for the face as a big reset button.

Your skin naturally sheds dead skin cells on its own, but this process slows down as we get older, and things like stress, pollution, and hormonal changes can slow it down even further. When dead skin cells stick around for too long, they build up on the surface, leaving skin looking dull, blocking pores, and stopping your other products from absorbing as well as they should. Face exfoliators clear away that layer of dead skin, revealing the brighter, smoother skin underneath.

The benefits go beyond just a quick refresh. Regular exfoliation can help fade dark spots and post-breakout marks faster by speeding up skin cell turnover. It can minimize the appearance of pores by keeping them clear of buildup and smoothing out uneven texture over time. And one of the most amazing benefits is that it makes everything else in your routine, from your serums to your moisturizer to your SPF, work noticeably better because there's no barrier stopping them from sinking in.

Types of exfoliators

Different types of exfoliators work in different ways.

Physical exfoliators work by using gentle friction to buff or brush dead skin cells away. This category includes face scrubs, with ingredients like sugar granules or rice bran powder, that physically sweep away dead skin and leave the surface feeling instantly smoother. It also includes peeling gels that roll away dead cells and impurities as you massage them in, and exfoliating face wash formulas that cleanse and exfoliate in one go.

Chemical exfoliators, on the other hand, use gentle acids to gently loosen and dissolve dead skin cells, so they shed more easily without any scrubbing.

The main types are AHAs (such as glycolic acid and lactic acid), which work on the surface of the skin and are brilliant for smoothing texture and brightening, BHAs (like salicylic acid), which go deeper into pores and work really well for oily or acne-prone skin, and PHAs, a newer and gentler option that's great for sensitive skin types. Want to go deeper on this category? Check out our complete guide to chemical exfoliants.

How to choose the right exfoliator for your skin type

Real talk: Getting your exfoliator right is the difference between that lit-from-within glow and a red, irritated face. Here’s what to look out for based on your skin type.

Exfoliator for sensitive skin

Sensitive and dry skin needs a gentle touch, so it's best to avoid harsh products. Coarse scrubs or high-strength acids can cause redness, stinging, or a damaged skin barrier.

PHAs are a great solution for sensitive skin because they exfoliate without going too deep; enzymatic formulas using papaya or pineapple enzymes are another kind option.

Look out for soothing ingredients like centella asiatica, aloe vera, and chamomile in the formula too, as these help calm the skin while the exfoliation does its thing.

Find your perfect match with our guide to the best exfoliator for sensitive skin.

Exfoliator for oily skin

Oily and acne-prone skin produces more sebum than it needs, which means pores get clogged more easily. This makes BHAs the perfect solution because they penetrate down inside the pore itself and clear out the buildup that leads to blackheads and breakouts.

Physical exfoliants can work well for oily skin too, since the buffing action helps sweep away excess oil and dead skin from the surface. Just be careful to avoid them if your skin is actively breaking out because the friction can aggravate inflammation and make things worse.

For more tailored picks, check out our exfoliator for oily skin guide.

Exfoliator for combination skin

Combination skin can usually handle a bit more variety than sensitive or dry skin, which means you've got more options to play with. The key is choosing something effective enough to tackle oilier areas without stripping the drier ones.

AHAs like glycolic or lactic acid are a great all-rounder here, smoothing texture and keeping the drier areas of your face bright and comfortable. For the oilier zones, a BHA can help keep pores clear and sebum under control.

Peeling gels are another brilliant option for combination skin since they're gentle enough not to strip the drier patches but effective enough to tackle congestion where you need it most.

Top-rated face exfoliators

Korean exfoliators have been one step ahead for years. The formulas tend to be gentler and more thoughtfully made, with skin-supporting extras built in. Here are some of our most-loved picks. For more, check out our full guide to top-rated face exfoliators.

Beauty of Joseon Apricot Blossom Peeling Gel

The Beauty of Joseon Apricot Blossom Peeling Gel is a physical exfoliator and one of the most satisfying to use, gentle enough for regular use on most skin types. Apply it to dry skin, massage it in, and it rolls away dead skin cells and impurities as you go with no harsh scrubbing needed. Powered by natural enzymes from apricot and apple fruit extract, it leaves skin visibly smoother and brighter without any irritation.

Apricot Blossom Peeling Gel

€11.83

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BHA Blackhead Power Liquid

€15.58

COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid

The COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid is the perfect BHA chemical exfoliator to reach for if blackheads and clogged pores are your main concern. It contains salicylic acid to get inside pores and clear out the buildup that causes congestion and breakouts, while willow bark water keeps the formula comfortable on the skin. It’s gentle enough for regular use and effective enough to make a real difference.

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Benton PHA Peeling Gel

The Benton PHA Peeling Gel is a PHA chemical exfoliator and one of the gentlest options out there, making it a brilliant choice for sensitive or reactive skin. PHA exfoliates without going too deep, so you get all the smoothing and brightening benefits without the risk of irritation. This one also contains naturally derived cellulose to physically buff away dead cells at the same time.

PHA Peeling Gel

€14.95

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BHA Blackhead Power Liquid

€15.58

COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid

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How to exfoliate: Final tips

Getting the most out of your exfoliator comes down to how you build it into your routine. You should:

Always exfoliate on clean skin. Cleanse first so your exfoliator is working on a fresh canvas.
Follow it up straight away with a hydrating serum or moisturizer while your skin is at its most receptive.
Make sure to keep up SPF use, particularly with a chemical exfoliant as this increases your skin's sensitivity to UV damage, and no amount of good skincare will undo sun damage over time.
Use exfoliators on a different day to other actives such as retinol or vitamin C. Layering too many at once is one of the most common causes of irritation.
Don't neglect your neck and chest. These areas benefit just as much from regular exfoliation.

And that's really all there is to it, Glowies. Browse our full collection of the best products to exfoliate your face and find your new favorite product.

FAQs

What’s the difference between a face exfoliator and a face scrub?

"Face exfoliator" is a broad term that covers everything from scrubs to peeling gels, chemical liquids, and enzymatic formulas. A face scrub is a type of physical face exfoliator that uses fine particles (like sugar granules or rice powder) to manually buff away dead skin cells. This means all face scrubs are exfoliators, but not all exfoliators are scrubs.

How often should you exfoliate?

For most people, exfoliating 1–3 times a week is ideal. If you have sensitive skin, start with once a week and see how your skin responds. If you're using a very gentle toner pad or a mild chemical exfoliant, you may be able to work up to more frequent use over time, but always follow your skin's lead. Redness, dryness, or increased sensitivity are signs to ease back.

How much should you exfoliate the face?

Less really is more when it comes to exfoliation. A pea-sized amount of a liquid or gel exfoliator is plenty, and a small amount of scrub applied with light circular strokes is all you need. No need to press hard or pile on extra product because gentle, consistent use is what actually delivers results over time. You should think of exfoliation as a regular maintenance habit rather than an emergency treatment.

Can you use several exfoliators at once?

Technically yes, but it's not something we'd recommend, especially if you're just getting started. Using multiple exfoliators at the same time increases the risk of over-exfoliating, which can leave skin red, sensitive, and stripped. Pick one that suits your skin type, use it consistently, and give your skin time to adjust before adding anything else.

What’s a good face exfoliator?

The best face exfoliator is simply the one that suits your skin type. Oily or acne-prone skin does well with a BHA like the COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid, which gets inside pores to clear congestion. Sensitive skin benefits from a gentler approach. For example, the Benton PHA Peeling Gel delivers all the brightening benefits without the risk of irritation. For an easy all-rounder, the COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid is a brilliant leave-on option that smooths texture and boosts radiance overnight. Start with one, use it consistently, and your skin will thank you.

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Skincare | Jun 04, 2026