While a decade or two ago people would cynically look at the term “chemical exfoliation”, numerous studies have proven that they are a much gentler alternative to scrubs and textured face towels — which are primitively abrasive on your skin. Hence, it's no wonder that the best chemical exfoliants are ruling the skincare market, as people believe them to solve a plethora of skincare problems. 

Our contributor Dr. Zeeshan Afzal, who is a Medical Officer at Welzo, an online healthcare platform, says, “Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) are organic acids used in skincare products. AHAs are often derived from plant sources such as sugar cane (glycolic acid), milk (lactic acid), or fruits like grapes and citrus (citric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid). On the other hand, salicylic acid, the most common BHA, is usually synthesized in a lab, but it can also be found naturally in plants like willow bark.” This proves that chemical exfoliants are not harmful components that can damage your skin but are far more gentle exfoliants than traditional scrubs — hence, ideal for your skincare regime.

Based on our expertise and practical knowledge, we have deduced that chemical exfoliants work essentially by relieving your skin’s pores of dirt, oil, and debris while also gently sloughing off dead skin cells. This action helps prevent as well as treat a plethora of skin problems — acne scars, discolorations, dullness, blackheads, whiteheads, cysts, pustules, ingrown hair, and so on. Adding to that, they also reduce dullness by uncovering a newer skin layer that makes you glow! 

Chemical exfoliators such as AHAs and BHA are available in many product variants such as cleansers, toners, leave-on lotions/serums, peeling gels, acne pads, etc., and are formulated to make the best fit for your skincare routine. And to make the best of them, we recommend you pick the product carefully and use it with an appropriate frequency. While ensuring that the latter falls on your part, we have taken care of the former by listing out our product recommendations below, followed by a buying guide!

• 1
  Best for Instant Hydration

  Murad Daily Clarifying Peel – Exfoliating Peel Solution

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When it comes to skincare, you can always count on Murad for instant glow and hydration. Their exfoliating peel solution is infused with retinoid, salicylic acid, and glycolic acid. These active ingredients effectively reduce early signs of aging, uneven skin tone, and acne scars. Moreover, it improves cell turnover and unclogs your pores. Get flawless skin with this clarifying peel that is best used in the PM routine. This peel also aids in reversing the damage caused by sun exposure. 

2

Best for Uneven Texture

ELEMIS Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads

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Gently exfoliate your acne-prone skin and sensitive skin type with ELEMIS Dynamic Resurfacing Pads. Made with lactic acid, probiotic ferment complex, and patented tri-enzyme technology, this exfoliator removes dead cells, repairs the epidermis, and gives you an even skin tone. Get baby smooth skin in 28 days with these pads that protect you from external pollutants. This exfoliator works to give you a brighter complexion without causing any skin damage.

3

Best for Dry Skin

Yeouth 30% Glycolic Acid Gel Peel

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Yeouth’s glycolic acid gel peel goes contrary to the notion that chemical exfoliants irritate the skin. This is because the sublime formula not only consists of the exfoliating goodness of glycolic acid but also the anti-inflammatory properties of green tea extracts that soothe your skin and prevent aggravating it (1). Furthermore, it contains retinol as an active ingredient which helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines — perfect to achieve younger and smoother skin. And we cannot disregard how this alpha hydroxy acid-based formula replenishes moisture, to prevent leaving your skin dehydrated.

4

Best for Blackheads

Ebanel 30% AHA 2% BHA Chemical Peel Exfoliating Gel

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With this gel-based chemical exfoliator for your face you don’t have to hoard products for your skincare routine as it provides the benefits of both AHAs and BHA. By employing the potency of salicylic acid, the product marvelously reduces blackheads, sebum plugs, and pimples. Addedly, with the multi-faceted properties of glycolic, lactic, and mandelic acid, it retexturizes your skin and aids in achieving a flawless, even-toned complexion. To top it all off, the anti-inflammatory benefits of green tea and chamomile extracts help mollycoddle your skin, whereas the pleasant scent makes you stick to your skincare routine.

5

Best for Ingrown Hair

Touch KP Exfoliating Wash

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There’s no excuse to skip chemical exfoliation for your body when you have this groundbreaking formula by Touch available at your disposal! Specially formulated for keratosis pilaris and ingrown hair problems, this cleanser combines the power of salicylic acid and glycolic acid — which help free trapped hair from your epidermal layer while also reducing bumps and acne on your body (2) (3). You don’t have to worry about your skin getting aggravated as the formula contains aloe and centella asiatica extracts to soothe and nourish it. For best results, we recommend you allow the formula to stay on your skin for a minute or two before you rinse off the lather.

6

Best for Body Acne

Paula's Choice Weightless Body Treatment 2% BHA

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Boasting the goodness of salicylic acid, this chemical body exfoliant by Paula’s Choice comes in a unique lotion formula to provide the best for your skin. The beta-hydroxy acid penetrate deep into your skin, sloughing off sebum plugs and dead skin cells to clarify an uneven texture — thereby making your skin feel buttery smooth. In addition, it helps relieve trapped ingrown hair from your skin’s pores, which makes it a decent treatment for keratosis pilaris. Besides, the rich antioxidants infused in the formula keep free radical damage and bay and aid in maintaining your skin’s youthful charm.

7

Best for Clogged Pores

Divine Derriere Spa Strength Resurfacing Pads

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For those who find lotion/gel-based products odd for chemical exfoliation, these resurfacing AHA pads by Divine Derriere are an incredible investment for their skincare routine. This is true because the textured surfaces of these pads collect and reflect the dirt, oil, and dead skin cells on your skin, so you can feel satisfied with the deep-cleansing benefits of this product. Moreover, the pads are infused with the retexturizing goodness of glycolic acid that enables smooth skin by sloughing off dullness and stimulating cell turnover.

8

Best Anti-aging Formula

InstaNatural 30% Glycolic Acid Chemical Peel

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InstaNatural’s AHA-based peel is the holy grail of chemical exfoliators for people with dry and sensitive skin. This is because it is formulated with glycolic acid and lactic acid that fantastically reduce dark spots and eliminate dead skin cells, without causing any stinging discomfort on your skin (4). Further, the formula is enhanced by skin-loving active ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and vitamin C that boost hydration and collagen production, while also promoting a radiant complexion (5) (6). Hence, it won’t be wrong to consider this product as an anti-aging staple for your skincare routine.

9

Best for Daily Use

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 8% AHA Gel Exfoliant

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This marvelous gel by Paula’s Choice will leave everyone feeling “jelly” of your skin! The AHA-based product leverages the goodness of glycolic acid to make your skin smoother and boost its radiance. We deduced through our practical knowledge that the product dreamily soothes your skin and quenches its thirst by employing the properties of hyaluronic acid, green tea, and chamomile extracts. In addition, the product is free from harsh ingredients such as fragrances, parabens, mineral oil, etc.

10

Best for Acne-prone Skin

COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner

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The spray dispenser of this clarifying toner by Cosrx makes it very convenient to use whereas its liquid formulation stays low-key on your skin, without causing any tackiness or discomfort. Formulated with glycolic acid and betaine salicylate, the toner effectively evens out your skin tone by reducing dark spots and fading acne scars. Adding on, the apple water and willow bark extracts infused in the leave-on treatment work well in revitalizing and nourishing your skin. Our research suggests that this product is free of nasties such as parabens, sulfates, and phthalates, so you can get the best for your skin.

11

Naturium Leave-on BHA Liquid Exfoliant 2%

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For a weekly chemical exfoliation that doesn’t interfere with your existing skincare routine, get your hands on this incredible BHA liquid by Naturium. This leave-on chemical exfoliant is formulated with a potent 2% salicylic acid that provides a plethora of benefits for oily and acne-prone skin — regulating sebum production, dissolving blackheads and whiteheads, sloughing off dead skin, and fighting pimples (2). To boot, the formula consists of invigorating fruit extracts that enhance their properties to promote a clear, brightened complexion.

The above-mentioned list is adequate to restore one’s trust that getting clear, even-toned, and smooth skin is not very far away! However, to find which product would work best for you, we recommend checking out our below-listed buying guide.

Here are a few factors to consider when choosing a product:

Consider the Potency of the Exfoliating Acid:

For oily and combination skin types, salicylic acid is the most recommended chemical exfoliant as it is perfect to regulate the sebum production of the skin alongside other benefits. A concentration of 0.5% to 2% of this BHA is considered safe for frequent use and doesn’t abrade your skin if applied in moderation. Similarly, dry and normal skin types should tap the potential of AHAs (glycolic acid, azelaic acid, mandelic acid, etc.), of a concentration between 8% to 10%. Lactic acid is considered a really gentle exfoliant and is the ideal choice for people with sensitive skin. 

Look for Humectants:

Regardless of what the product type is — toner, cleanser, gel, lotion, etc. — it always helps if the formulation consists of a decent amount of humectants such as hyaluronic acid, panthenol, allantoin, aloe vera extracts, etc. to ensure your skin doesn’t get too dehydrated. 

Look for Anti-inflammatory Ingredients:

Exfoliation — as a concept — can be inflammatory. This is because, we’re shaking up your present skin condition to get rid of dead skin cells, dirt, grime, blackheads, oil, etc. Hence, to soothe and pamper your skin after the process, it helps if your product contains anti-inflammatory ingredients such as green tea, licorice extracts, chamomile, calendula, centella asiatica, and other similar extracts.

Consider the Product Type:

Chemical exfoliation can be practiced using a number of products — cleansers, peeling gels, leave-on formulations, toners, pads, serums, and so on. But when it comes to deciding which one you must buy, it is important to consider your existing skincare routine. If you are someone who layers up on a lot of serums every day, then a cleanser/toner would be the best pick. And if you have a lean skincare routine, then you can go for heavier, leave-on formulations such as lotions, gels, etc. The kind of product one must choose is highly exclusive to their individual skin types and preferences, and cannot really be dictated.