I’ll be honest. It wasn’t until I started double cleansing that I even thought about what kind of face wash I was using, let alone its ingredients. But the first—and one of the most important—steps of your skincare routine has the ability to transform your complexion. If it’s clear, glowy skin you’re after, the best exfoliating face washes can get the job done. That being said, digging into exfoliating cleansers can be a little more complicated than other product categories. There are two types: chemical and physical, the latter of which can cause a bit of debate (more on that in a minute). It’s also important to find a rhythm with exfoliating face washes—they’re not typically an every night kind of thing. But once you find the right brand fit and frequency, a great exfoliating face wash will become a glow-inducing, acne-fighting staple of your skincare routine. Trust us. For a little guidance, we tapped three skincare experts: board-certified dermatologist Dr. Elizabeth Geddes-Bruce; Olivia Quido, founder of O Skincare; and Laura Acre, director of R&D at Thrive Natural Care. Featured image by Riley Reed. Image by Michelle Nash How often should we use an exfoliating face wash? Even the most gentle exfoliating face wash is still hard working. “For most people, two to three times a week is enough, but you can exfoliate more often if your skin tolerates it well,” says Acre. What ingredients should we look for in a good exfoliating face wash? Plenty of brands make a great exfoliating face wash (it wasn’t hard to gather the 20 products below), but knowing what you’re looking for can help you find the best fit for you. Ingredients That Should Be in a Good Chemical Exfoliating Face Wash “A good exfoliating wash usually has a single or combination of alpha or beta hydroxy acids and enzymes,” shares Geddes.
Salicylic Acid (in stronger exfoliators) Glycolic Acid (in stronger exfoliators) Lactic Acids (in more gentle exfoliators) Mandelic Acid (in more gentle exfoliators) Milk (a mild exfoliator) Soothing/Hydrating ingredients like aloe vera, cucumber, lilac stem cell, and green tea
Image by Teal Thomsen Is it okay to use physical exfoliators? It’s a heated debate. While chemical exfoliators are known for gently dissolving dead skin cells, physical exfoliants mechanically get the job done with ingredients like microbeads, salts, or rice grains. But is the latter category too abrasive? It depends on who you ask. “Avoid ingredients like fruit pits or seeds and shells as they can damage the skin with microtears,” shares Acre, who positions herself firmly with the no-physical-exfoliators team. Dr. Geddes is far more pro, sharing that, “I think physical exfoliators get unfairly knocked. In truth, there’s nothing inherently wrong with that apricot scrub we all tried in our teen years. The problems occurred when people were using it too frequently in an effort to wash away acne. That just doesn’t work.” Quido sees benefits on both sides but does point out an edge for chemical products. “Chemical exfoliation is most useful for improving skin tone and reducing dullness, and has long-term effects and benefits,” Quido explains. “Unlike physical exfoliation, which only stays on the epidermis layer of the skin, chemical exfoliation gently resurfaces the skin for a smoother, brighter, and more even appearance.” Image by Belathée Photography The Best Exfoliating Face Washes Armed with recommendations from our experts, tried-and-true test runs, and thorough sleuthing in the “Skincare Addiction” Reddit (a fount of wisdom if there ever was one), we feel confident recommending the following face washes (both physical and chemical) to keep dull skin at bay and provide an even, radiant glow. Every product is curated with care by our editors. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a small commission at no cost to you.
The Best Physical Exfoliating Face Wash: Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant Exfoliator Skincare Reddit is obsessed, as are several of our experts. With a little water, the slightly gritty, rice-based powder transforms into a foamy, enzyme-packed paste to become a two-in-one hero: a physical scrub and a gentle chemical exfoliator. Key Ingredients: Papain Enzymes, Salicylic Acid, Rice Bran-Derived Phytic Acid, Colloidal Oatmeal
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The Best Chemical Exfoliating Face Wash: Revision Skincare Papaya Enzyme Cleanser This creamy cleanser is a Dr. Geddes-Bruce favorite that’s “gentle enough for all skin types and easy to add to any skin care regimen, including those with potentially irritating ingredients like retinoids and vitamin C.” Key Ingredients: Papain (a papaya extract enzyme), Salicylic Acid, and Bixa Orellana Seed Extract.
The Best of Both Worlds: Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser All the nostalgia of the apricot scrub from your teenage years without the crushed shell shards, this all-natural formula uses a mix of chemical (BHAs) and physical (apricot microspheres) to clean and buff out clogged pores. Key Ingredients: Pomegranate Enzymes, Sunflower Seed Oil, Phytic Acid Salt, Coral Clay, Bergamot, Aloe Vera
The Best Drugstore Exfoliating Face Wash: Cetaphil Extra Gentle Daily Scrub The exfoliating version of the derm-favorite cleanser features micro-fine particles to slough away dead skin while maintaining its seal of sensitive skin approval. Key Ingredients: Glycerin and vitamins B5 & E
Image by Michelle Nash Honorable Mentions (That Still Amaze Us With Their Effectiveness)
AmorePacific Treatment Enzyme Exfoliating Powder Cleanser This potent, powdery blend is strong enough to be a treatment on its own (a super gentle one!). But when it’s mixed with water, it becomes an exfoliating cream that dissolves as you cleanse your face. It’s perfect for sensitive skin and (since it’s waterless) an excellent travel companion.
Philosophy Microdelivery Exfoliating Facial Wash If you absolutely must scrub, Philosophy’s practically microscopic beads are satisfying and gentle.
COSMEDIX Clarify Salicylic Acid Foaming Cleanser Don’t let the words “foaming” and “salicylic acid” turn you off. This alcohol- and sulfate-free formula is not the stripping, drying foaming cleansers of your past. It also has soothing aloe and probiotics to encourage healthy bacteria on the skin.
CeraVe Salicylic Acid Cleanser With salicylic acid as its star ingredient, the go-to drugstore brand’s formula works hard to remove excess oil and dirt from pores while hyaluronic acid and niacinamide protect the skin’s moisture barrier.
Sheamoisture Facial Wash and Scrub Especially good for breakouts and acne-prone skin, Sheamoisture’s formula gently exfoliates while absorbing excess oil for a balanced, beautiful complexion.
Tatcha The Rice Polish Per usual, Tatcha’s packaging is beautiful, but the water-activated milky lather, featuring gentle grains of soft Japanese rice bran, is the true star of the emphatically reviewed product.
Eminence Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant Speaking of emphatically reviewed products, Eminence’s water-activated, vegan formula features a blend of gentle acids, nutrient-rich Heilmoor clay, and pore-tightening chickpea flour. You can also control the strength by mixing it into an existing cleanser for an added boost.
Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Pore Exfoliating Treatment Ah, ExfoliKate. Who hasn’t received a Sephora sample of this cinnamon-smelling miracle worker only to look up the price and kiss it goodbye? Fortunately, Reddit user junkfunk39 has an answer: “I wish it didn’t work so well as it’s so expensive… thankfully a travel-sized one lasts a good amount of time!”
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gentle Exfoliating Daily Facial Cleanser Dr. Geddes-Bruce’s favorite drugstore cleanser won’t break the bank, has a nice texture and quality ingredients, and is gentle enough to use daily.
Biologique Recherche Lotion P50 NO Phenol Normal to Oily Skin Listen, you don’t earn the nickname “Jesus in a Bottle” for nothing.
HoliFrog Shasta AHA Acid Wash For a purely chemical exfoliator, this clean, New York-based newcomer is getting plenty of well-earned buzz.
Humanrace Lotus Enzyme Exfoliator In Pharrell we trust, especially when it comes to clear, luminous skin. The vegan, fragrance-free hero product of the multihyphenate’s skincare line lives up to the hype.
St. Ives Blackhead Clearing Face Scrub Green Tea Okay hear us out… we’re not so sure St. Ives facial cleanser completely deserves its bad wrap. Especially the apricot scrub alternatives, like this green tea option that targets blackheads with salicylic acid and super fine walnut shell powder.
SkinMedica AHA:BHA Exfoliating Cleanser Dr. Geddes-Bruces loves this cleanser for its combination of acids and jojoba spheres to provide some polishing texture and moisturization. “This is an oldie but goodie that I keep coming back to,” she adds.
Summer Fridays Soft Reset AHA Exfoliating Solution The potent blend of niacinamide and 16% AHAs gently sloughs off dead skin cells for a brighter, clearer complexion. Some reviewers noted how strong the product is (tingling is apparently normal), so absolutely do a patch test first if your skin is sensitive.
Shiseido Deep Cleansing Foam This sebum-absorbing cleanser comes out thick and foams up beautifully with purifying granules. It also removes makeup like a dream, and leaves no oil behind.
The post When to Use An Exfoliating Face Wash—And Our Top Picks for Dull, Acne-Prone Skin appeared first on Camille Styles.
