The *Best* Chemical Exfoliators, According to Cosmo's Beauty Editors (2024)

If your current skincare routine doesn't include a chemical exfoliant, WYED?! Seriously! Chemical exfoliants are a godsend for smoothing, brightening, and clarifying skin for a next-level glow. Similar to physical exfoliants (like face scrubs and cleansing brushes), chemical exfoliants help eliminate dead skin cells, but in a much more controlled and precise way, says dermatologic surgeon Howard Sobel, MD. "They offer a deeper, more intense exfoliation without the risk of tearing or scratching the skin," he says.

But here's the thing: chemical exfoliants can be a little ~confusing~ to use, which is why I hit up the experts for all the need-to-know-info, and also asked the Cosmo beauty team to share their editor reviews on their favorite chemical exfoliators to use at home. You're welcome.

Meet the experts:

• Melissa Doft, MD, is a board-certified plastic surgeon at Doft Plastic Surgery in New York City who specializes in cosmetic and reconstructive treatments.
• Howard Sobel, MD, is a board-certified dermatologic surgeon at Sobel Skin in New York, NY, and also the founder of award-winning skincare brand Sobel Skin Rx.
• Saya Obayan, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Skin Joy Dermatology in Austin, TX. Dr. Obayan has previously spoken to Cosmo on the topic of glycolic acid serums.

What are chemical exfoliants?

At-home chemical exfoliants can be broken down into three categories: AHAs, BHAs, and PHAs. Each group of acids dissolve the cellular bonds (aka the "glue") that hold together the dead cells on the surface of your skin, but they each have a few key differences, says Melissa Doft, MD. Here's a quickie breakdown:

Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs):

• How AHAs work: AHAs are water-soluble acids derived from fruit, says Dr. Sobel. By removing dead skin cells, AHAs help brighten up your skin tone and smooth the look of rough texture. Some AHAs, like glycolic and lactic acids, even have humectant properties (meaning they pull water into your skin), so they can help keep skin hydrated, says Dr Sobel.
• Types of AHAs: Glycolic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, mandelic acid
• Who AHAs are best for: Anyone with dry, oily, and/or "normal" skin who is looking to fade dark spots, brighten hyperpigmentation, and soften the appearance of fine lines and bumpy texture. Some AHAs (like low-dose lactic, malic, and mandelic acids) are also great for anyone with dry, sensitive skin.

Beta hydroxy acids (BHAs):

• How BHAs work: BHAs are similar to AHAs, but oil-soluble, which means that in addition to dissolving dead skin cells, these acids are also able to make their way into your pores and get rid of the excess oil and build-up stuck inside. Not only that, but BHAs also have anti-inflammatory benefits, too.
• Types of BHAs: Salicylic acid, plus its natural alternative, willow bark extract
• Who BHAs are best for: Oily and/or acne-prone skin types, or anyone dealing with clogged pores.

Poly hydroxy acids (PHAs):

• How PHAs work: Think of PHAs as AHA's more easy-going cousin. These acids work the same way, but have a much larger molecule size so they don't penetrate skin as deeply. The result? Very mild, superficial exfoliation.
• Types of PHAs: Gluconolactone, galactose, and lactobionic acid
• Who PHAs are best for: PHAs are extremely gentle on the skin, which make them a safe choice
  for more sensitive skin types, including people with rosacea, eczema, or keratosis pilaris, says Dr. Sobel.

How to choose a chemical exfoliant:

Look for a formula for your skin type

Most at-home chemical exfoliators are formulated with a specific skin type in mind, says Dr. Doft. Save yourself hours of combing through ingredients lists and look for key words, like "for oily skin," "for sensitive skin," and "for dry skin" on the label.

Stronger doesn't always mean better

Just because a chemical exfoliant is made with a high concentration of acids doesn't automatically make it the best choice for you, says Saya Obayan, MD, who previously told Cosmo that the higher the percentage, the more effective the formula will be at brightening dark spots and smoothing lines—but also the harsher it can be on your skin. If you're new to using acids, opt for a lower percentage and then gradually work your way up to something stronger as your skin tolerates it.

Consider the rest of your skincare routine

One of the worst things you can do to your skin is over exfoliate it, says Dr Doft. "Overdoing it with chemical exfoliants can weaken your skin's protective barrier, leading to things like inflammation, breakouts, and even infection." Stick to just one exfoliating product at a time and use it as directed—and if you're using other strong actives, like retinoids or vitamin C, use your chemical exfoliant on alternating days/nights to avoid irritation.

The best chemical exfoliants of 2022:

• Best overall: Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel
• Best for dry skin: Neutrogena Skin Perfecting Daily Liquid Exfoliant
• Best serum: Shani Darden Skin Care Lactic Acid Exfoliating Serum
• Best with BHAs: Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
• Best for acne-prone skin: Tula Breakout Breakthrough Acne Maximum Strength Biodegradable Toner Pads
• Best for hyperpigmentation: Hyper Skin Fade and Glow AHA Mask
• Best for sensitive skin: Cetaphil Healthy Radiance PHA Cleanser
• Best for body: Farmacy Honeymoon Glow Body 12% AHA/BHA Resurfacing Body Serum

Keep scrolling for the entire list of the 20 best chemical exfoliants for every skin type and concern.

The entire Cosmo beauty team (and like every dermatologist ever) agrees: These peel pads from Dr. Dennis Gross are the GOAT of chemical exfoliants. The pre-soaked pads are packed with a blend of AHAs and BHAs (including glycolic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid, and malic acid) along with vitamin C and retinol to smooth fine lines, minimize the look of pores, fade dark spots, and more.

Cosmo beauty assistant Sami Roberts tested this chemical exfoliator from drugstore skincare brand Neutrogena on her dry skin and has nothing but good things to say about the formula: "I love how the combo of PHAs, AHAs, and hydrating hyaluronic acid smooth my skin texture without every drying me out or causing irritation."

"Okay, I know this chemical exfoliant's dark red color looks a little Freddy Krueger, but trust me—your skin will thank you for using it," says Cosmo's freelance beauty assistant Valeriya Chupinina. "It's made with AHAs to brighten your skin tone, plus BHAs to clear out congested pores and blackheads, leaving you with glowy, radiant skin. And can we talk about the price?! It costs like a third of the amount other popular chemical exfoliants out there."

This exfoliating serum is a dream for anyone with dull or uneven skin. It's formulated by Shani Darden (LA's fave celeb facialist) and contains a gentle blend of lactic acid and gluconolactone to resurface skin while you sleep. I like to apply a few pumps on nights when I'm not using my retinoid.

Legit everyone in the beauty world swears by this best-selling liquid exfoliator with 2 percent BHAs, including Cosmo deputy beauty director Chloe Metzger: "This is the only chemical exfoliant I can use on my facial keratosis pilaris without destroying my sensitive skin. I smooth it on clean, dry skin every third night, then layer on a thick moisturizer."

NGL, I love a good exfoliating toner, and this one from Glow Recipe is at the top of my favorites list. Not only does it balance your skin after cleansing, it helps clear away excess oil to make your pores look teeny-tiny (TYVM BHAs and PHAs) and hydrates with a dose of hyaluronic acid too.

"My acne-prone needs to be exfoliated three to four times a week if I want to prevent breakouts, and luckily, these chemical exfoliant toner pads from Tula make it easy to do just that," says freelance beauty assistant Valeriya Chupinina. "The combo of and BHAs, azelaic acid, and apple cider vinegar nix dead skin cells, de-gunk pores, and minimize any redness and dark marks."

Expensive but most definitely worth it, U Beauty's Resurfacing compound has been a game-changer for my skin. You can use it in the morning and/or at night to smooth, brighten, plump, and protect skin from free radical damage. Think of it as your chemical exfoliant, hydrating serum, and antioxidant serum all in one bottle.

Cosmo beauty director Julee Wilson swears by this rinse-off face mask for fading hyperpigmentation, like dark spots (from the sun or inflammation) and melasma. "The magic lies in a combo of exfoliating glycolic acid and mandelic acid plus skin-brightening turmeric and soothing niacinamide."

Exfoliate your skin while you cleanse with this 2-in-1 foaming face wash from Skinceuticals. The gel formula gets rid of makeup, build-up, and excess oil *and* resurfaces and brightens skin with a combo of glycolic and phytic acids. It's designed for daily use, but if your skin is on the sensitive side stick to just once or twice a week.

Deputy beauty director Chloe Metzger recommends this exfoliating sheet mask to all her friends who are dealing with clogged pores and breakouts."It uses salicylic acid and glycolic acid to break down dead skin cells while gently exfoliating the surface of your skin for clear, brighter skin over time.”

"This is literally the first thing I grab when I feel a whitehead coming on," says beauty director Julee Wilson. "The clarifying formula (it combines AHAs, BHAs, purifying clays, and organic plant extracts) immediately stops the pimple in its tracks. Plus, the tiny quartz micro-crystals leave my skin feeling super-duper smooth."

Body bumps, dry skin, rough patches, sun spots...this powerful body serum can help address them all. It contains lactic acid and salicylic acid to exfoliate along with shea butter and honey to up moisture levels so your below-the-chin skin feels super soft and supple.

A solid chemical exfoliant for even the most sensitive of skin types, this sulfate-free cleanser gently whisks away dead skin cells thanks to PHAs. It's even got a little bit of anti-inflammatory niacinamide in there too. The result? Skin that's soft, smooth, and zero percent irritated.

Using a few drops of this potent exfoliating serum before bed is like hitting the reset button on your face. It uses a combo of retinol (the gold standard when it comes to anti-aging ingredients) to stimulate cell turnover and collagen production, squalane to reverse skin dryness and dehydration, and 10 percent lactic acid to boost your glow.

This at-home chemical exfoliant is definitely strong (so not the best option if you have sensitive or easily irritated skin) but the results from just one use are impressive, says beauty assistant Sami Roberts.“I love that it contains a bunch of different acids—including glycolic, lactic, tartaric, and salicylic—to really get in there and clean out my pores, smooth rough texture, and give my skin a bright, even glow.”

You can't talk about chemical exfoliants without talking about Biologique Recherche's P50. The iconic liquid exfoliator is loved by celebs, facialists, and editors alike for it's ability to break down dead skin cells, unclog pores, enhance skin-cell turnover, and hydrate and balance your skin barrier too. There a few different versions of P50, including one for sensitive skin, hyperpigmentation-prone skin, and dry skin, so finding a formula to suit your skin's specific needs is super easy.

Anyone with dull, dry skin can benefit from using this exfoliating night cream. Inside the jar: brightening viniferine (a natural alternative to vitamin C) and papaya enzymes plus resurfacing glycolic acid, which is pretty much an ideal combination for fading dark spots and evening out your skin tone.

This exfoliating face mask is the beauty brainchild of celeb facialist and product formulator Renee Rouleau—plus Demi Lovato is a huge fan—so you know it's a good one. Smear the jelly-like formula over clean skin, let it sit for up to 10 minutes, and then rinse. You'll be amazed at how soft, smooth, and glowy your skin will look after.

Most chemical exfoliants are too strong to be applied on delicate eye skin, which is why you need to use a product specifically formulated for the eye area like this eye cream from Mario Badescu. It contains glycolic acid and nourishing shea butter and vitamin E to smooth fine lines and crow's feet without causing burning or irritation.