Exfoliant reviews from Reddit
Summary
We analyzed 153 Reddit reviews across 20 subreddits and 53 posts to rank the best Exfoliant brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/Sephora, r/SkincareAddiction, r/AsianBeauty, r/IndianSkincareAddicts, r/Rosacea. Top-rated brands include The Ordinary (4.6/5), Paula's Choice (4.6/5), COSRX (4.4/5).
Stats
Reviews153
Subreddits20
Posts53
Brands67
Products88
153 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
The Ordinary
4.6
(16)
"The ordinary aha bha peel"
"The ordinary 10% mandelic, 5-10% lactic"
"Try the Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + Hat, its a mild alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that gently exfoliates the skin. It’s ideal for sensitive skin and helps improve texture and radiance without causing irritation."
"The Ordinary Glycolic acid every 3-5 days post shower."
"Nothing works as well as TO aha bha peel."
"The Ordinary Salicylic Acid is my holy grail."
"The Ordinary's Madelic Acid is a great (AHA) chemical exfoliant."
"The ordinary mandellic acid or Isntree 4% lactic 4% glycolic acid."
"The ordinary glycolic acid %7"
"Will also recommend their Lactic Acid toner as a milder daily exfoliant that has worked well for me too."
#2
Paula's Choice
4.6
(13)
"For acne: Paula’s choice aha bha toner"
"I would check out Paula Choice Mandelic Acid and Lactic Acid liquid exfoliate."
"I love the Paulas choice. Use once or twice a week"
"The only product that doesn't seem to irritate my skin is the paulas choice 2% bha."
"Paulas choice 2% bha & Isntree 7% aha."
"Paulas choice 2% is the best."
"I haven’t seen a post yet that hasn’t brought up Paula’s choice 2% BHA."
"Is amazing."
"I like the Paula's choice 2% BHA"
"I’m thinking to buy Paula’s choice."
#3
COSRX
4.4
(11)
"Game changers and a fantastic introduction to actives."
"With this, I don't get long lasting cystic acne."
"Cosrx bha blackhead power liquid!! With this, I don't get long lasting cystic acne."
"It's very gentle on the skin, doesn't dry it out and effective."
"Has been my godsend."
"Maybe a 2%BHA might work out for you."
"I like the Cosrx BHA liquid."
"Cosrx bha toner."
"Cosrx BHA toner or AHA/BHA serum."
"Salicylic 2% serum... you'll probably see more benefits with a gentlier formula."
#4
Dermalogica
4.3
(10)
"I use the Dermalogica Milkfoliant 1x per week, I love it."
"I really liked the Dermalogica microfoliant for a physical exfoliant!"
"Effective but meanwhile gentle."
"I'm a huge fan of the Dermalogica Microfoliant. Nothing else makes my skin feel as good."
"Dermalogica has a little exfoliating powder that’s really gentle"
"I think you need a gentle manual exfoliator."
"I heard it’s good for sensitive skin!"
"The OG Dermatologica Microfoliant or the Good Molecules Pineapple Exfoliating Powder 2-3 times a week"
"It's not super cheap, but it lasts forever since you mix the water in yourself."
"Really messed me up."
#5
Dr. Dennis Gross
4.5
(6)
"Dr Dennis Gross extra strength daily peel pads"
"I too have sensitive skin, decided a few days ago to finally buy the Dr. Dennis gross peel pads after months (maybe close to a year?) of wanting to try them but being too scared too. ... they did not irritate my skin AT ALL which I was super thrilled about."
"I love the DG peel pads personally."
"Dr Dennis Gross pads come in a sensitive skin/mild version"
"Dr Dennis gross sensitive peel pads, start with 1x a week."
"My skin is more sensitive than Elon Musk, and it tolerates those Dr Dennis Gross pads well."
#6
Wishtrend
4.5
(6)
"I love wishtrend 5% mandelic acid toner."
"I found glycolic acid a bit harsh on my skin."
"I really like mandelic acid 5% by wishtrend."
"Wishtrend's Mandelic Acid."
"Wish trend 5% mandelic acid toner."
"Is a really good exfoliant for something mild that also yields results."
#7
Peach Slices
4.5
(4)
"Peach Slices azelaic acid 10% serum,"
"I really like the peach slices acne toner."
"Peach slices acne exfoliating toner 2% SA is good."
"I’m using the Peach Slices Acne Exfoliating Toner - comparable to PC, but much less expensive."
#8
The Inkey List
4.0
(4)
"I exfoliate with the inkey list salicylic acid cleanser."
"PHA Toner by the inkey list is a good option for people with sensitive skin."
"Works for me, it's gentle enough and it does the job."
"Try a PHA toner like the one from theinkeylist or from indeed labs."
#9
Dr Dennis Gross
5.0
(3)
"I love the DG peel pads personally."
"I’m all about the Dr Dennis Gross pads because it’s super easy to use."
"Peel pads 1000000% extra strength is best!"
#10
Mandelic Acid
4.7
(3)
"Mandelic Acid!"
"I second mandelic!"
"Get a mandelic acid serum and apply at night a few times a week before your moisturizer."
#11
Glow Recipe
4.3
(3)
"And the glow recipe watermelon toner if you want BHA+PHA and have a higher budget."
"I use the Glo recipe toner."
"It's got exfoliatiants, but it's pretty hydrating and gentle imo."
#12
Paula’s Choice
4.0
(3)
"Paula’s choice 2% works for me."
"I have been thinking of buying Paula’s Choice Bha cause everyone raves about it."
"I have been thinking of buying Paula’s Choice Bha."
#13
First Aid Beauty
3.7
(3)
"If it’s KP the first aid beauty KP scrub followed by amlactin was a great combo for me."
"My coworker swears by the kp scrub from first aid beauty."
"The kp one from first aid beauty is nice, but it has chemical exfoliants in it"
#14
Biologique Recherche
5.0
(2)
"Has been my HG for years now."
"Biologique Recherche P50"
#15
Geek and Gorgeous
5.0
(2)
"This stuff is so gentle I can use it every night."
"I like Geek and Gorgeous Calm Down, it’s like 3% PHA (one of the gentlest exfoliants) and 0.5% salicylic."
#16
Sunday Riley
5.0
(2)
"It's been pretty gentle and helped with my textures and closed comedones."
"I really like Sunday Riley Good Genes."
#17
Cure
5.0
(2)
"Absolutely cure aqua gel"
"I’ve been using cure aqua gel for more than a decade, it’s mild and you can see your face brighten up after a use."
#18
The Ordinary Lactic Acid
4.5
(2)
"I use Good Genes and recently swapped it for the Ordinary’s exact dupe. Lactic Acid. It’s excellent for calming redness overnight."
"I guess lactic acid works great for such skin. It is mild, hydrating, and helps smoothen out texture."
#19
Isntree
4.5
(2)
"Its just great."
"Isntree chestnut AHA (8%). the key isn't the strength, it's the *consistency of your routine*."
#20
CeraVe
4.5
(2)
"CeraVe SA cleanser or Murad AHA/BHA cleanser daily."
"I use azelaic acid 15% about 2 times a week as my exfoliant on the nights I don't use my retinoid."
#21
Neutrogena
4.5
(2)
"I get back-ne, so I use Neutrogena Salyic Acid body wash and it works wonders for me."
"Helps gently exfoliate for those of us who have flaky adherent skin"
#22
Minimalist
3.0
(3)
"I use 10% peel from minimalist..."
"If you're a beginner then you can use Minimalist AHA BHA peel."
"If your skin is sensitive i do not recommend this. Go for lactic acid (aha)."
#23
Tonymoly
4.0
(2)
"Gentle enough for sensitive skin but powerful enough that my skin was noticeably smoother."
"Tonymoly I'm Rice enzyme cleanser. I think it's basically rice powder/flour."
#24
Amlactin
4.0
(2)
"A lotion like Amlactin- apply and allow to sit on the skin over night."
"Amlactin is a great drugstore buy."
#25
Kiehl’s
4.0
(2)
"Kiehl’s Epidermal Re-Texturizing Micro-Dermabrasion."
#26
Dr G
4.0
(2)
"Any peeling gel for face can be used on body. The Dr G brightening peeling gel is a bit bigger and more cost effective."
"Dr G cleansing oil significantly reduced my blackheads."
#27
Krave Beauty
5.0
(1)
"If you are sensitive try Krave Beauty Kale-Lalu-yAHA. It’s gentle but effective"
#28
Peach & Lily
5.0
(1)
"Peach & Lily glass skin face polisher!"
#29
Pixi
5.0
(1)
"Pixi Glow Tonic toner with glycolic acid."
#30
Stratia
5.0
(1)
"Stratia Mandelic Acid serum, Sofie Pavitt Mandelic Acid serum, or Murad Sensitive Skin Gentle Resurfacing Serum."
#31
Cos de Baha
5.0
(1)
"Cos de Baha azelaic acid 10% serum (has Niacinamide)"
#32
Beplain
5.0
(1)
"Yes, Beplain mungbean toner. It is so gentle and so good."
#33
Reviva Labs
5.0
(1)
"Big fan of this."
#34
Q+A
5.0
(1)
"Q+A Azelaic Acid serum 8%,"
#35
AHA BHA
5.0
(1)
"Aha bha skin wipes. I have the worlds most sensitive, damaged, dry, congested skin."
#36
The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm
5.0
(1)
"Oat cleansing balm by the inkey list!!! I swear by it❤️"
#37
Dermapore
5.0
(1)
"I have the dermapore and I’m obsessed. Not only does it get all of the stuff out of my pores but my skin is extremely soft now."
#38
Wishful Yo Glow Enzyme Scrub
5.0
(1)
"Wishful Yo Glow Enzyme scrub. While conditioner is in my hair in the shower I lightly dry my face."
#39
Biossance Body Scrub
5.0
(1)
"Biossance has a body scrub that rinses clean. It works super well without stripping."
#40
Sulwhasoo
5.0
(1)
"It has honey in it and is so soft but really exfoliates the skin well."
#41
REN
5.0
(1)
"I really like REN Ready Steady Glow."
#42
P50
5.0
(1)
"I’ve been using it for years and years… I absolutely notice a difference."
#43
Mil Usos
5.0
(1)
"Try the Mil Usos skincare exfoliating glove, you can see it buff away the outer layer of dead/dry skin."
#44
Proactiv
4.0
(1)
"Proactiv makes a good serum that my sensitive skin tolerates well."
#45
L’Oréal
4.0
(1)
"L’Oréal glycolic cleanser 3-4x week"
#46
Softymo
4.0
(1)
"Exfoliant- softymo deep cleansing oil, use on dry face and massage it really well to deal with dry flaky skin ."
#47
Skin1004
4.0
(1)
"I like the skin1004 pore minimizer toner."
#48
Prequel Skin
4.0
(1)
"High strength with other Exfoliants. Great if your body is tolerant. https://prequelskin.com/products/multi-acid-milk-aha-peel?variant=49517236748600"
#49
Salicylic
4.0
(1)
"Salicylic"
#50
Prior Skincare
4.0
(1)
"I use this a couple of times a week, no issues with dry skin these days."
#51
Korean
4.0
(1)
"I actually use one of those Korean Exfoliating Mitts gently on my face"
#52
Freck Beauty
4.0
(1)
"Instead of an exfoliation treatment, I like to use Freck Beauty Cactus Water toner."
#53
Cetaphil
4.0
(1)
"Helps gently exfoliate for those of us who have flaky adherent skin"
#54
Cheer Up!
4.0
(1)
"Definitely Cheer Up! Has both AHA and BHA but in smaller concentrations so it would not be harsh."
#55
Viktoria Deann
4.0
(1)
"Viktoria deann’s PEPTI-EYE has an exfoliant in it."
#56
Jordan Samuel
4.0
(1)
"Mandelic acid from Jordan Samuel."
#57
St. Ives
4.0
(1)
"I like the st Ives scrub, you can also make one with sugar and an oil of your choice"
#58
Good Molecules
4.0
(1)
"Goods molecules pineapple enzyme scrub"
#59
Neostrata PHA Restore Facial Cleanser
4.0
(1)
"I use a PHA facewash twice a week or when my skin feels congested and its not irritating at all, I think it’s milder than BHA."
#60
Medik8
4.0
(1)
"I use Medik8 Press and Glow or ByWishtrend Mandelic 5%."
#61
30day
4.0
(1)
"30day miracle aha/bha serum."
#62
Kate Somerville
4.0
(1)
"I loved the lactic acid in the ExfoliKate."
#63
Beyond Organic Skincare
4.0
(1)
"They have an exfoliater too which contains natural apricot seeds."
#64
Shave Works
3.0
(1)
"I love cool fix from shave works. But be aware, my fiancé tells me it tastes awful, and slightly stings."
#65
It's Skin
3.0
(1)
"I am using its skin mangowhite peeling gel. I think it's an okay product."
#66
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid Toner
3.0
(1)
"TO Glycolic Acid toner might be too strong, try glycolic acid from some other brand instead."
#67
Clinique
2.0
(1)
"I use the Clinique 7 day exfoliator and it the only exfoliant that irritate my rosacea"
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