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The Best Face Exfoliator For Clear Skin

Last updated: 18 May 2023
When it comes to caring for your face, you already know that you need a combination of products for your skincare routine to be effective. While you wash your face on a daily basis, it’s crucial to understand that this may still leave some debris, and even dead skin cells, behind. Getting rid of these elements on your face requires something a bit more abrasive, which is why you need a face exfoliator in your bathroom. These products generally come with some type of ingredient that adds an abrasive feel when you spread the solution over your face. The idea is for these ingredients to lift up the dead skin cells that have accumulated on your face, revealing a fresh layer of skin in turn. While you can choose between many face exfoliators, we do recommend you start out with the options down below. Here are our top picks that were chosen based on ingredients, quality, and skin sensitivity. Read our list and accompanying guide below!
Deep Exfoliation
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Top Pick
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Gentle And Safe
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Runner Up
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Salon Quality
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Recommended
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Nut & Honey Formula
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Best Natural
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Gentle On Skin
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Contender
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Scrub With Coconut
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Also Consider
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Show Contents
Compare the Top Faces Exfoliator of 2023
  • 1 Top Pick – Deep Exfoliation
  • 2 Runner Up – Gentle And Safe
  • 3 Recommended – Salon Quality
  • 4 Best Natural – Nut & Honey Formula
  • 5 Contender – Gentle On Skin
  • 6 Also Consider – Scrub With Coconut

Compare the Top Faces Exfoliator of 2023

Top Pick – Deep Exfoliation

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Key Features

This is a formula that focuses not only on exfoliating your skin, but also to moisturize at the same time. This product was designed to produce a microdermabrasion effect.

This product contains salicylic acid, an ingredient known for its efficacy at treating acne breakouts. The formula is also helpful for people who are struggling with acne scars or blackheads. Aloe extracts are added to the exfoliator, which creates a soothing effect when used on your face.

Pros

  • The formula is highly efficient in fading scars that are left behind by acne
  • The deep nourishing effect leaves your face feeling softer

Cons

  • This option is not great for people with very sensitive skin
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Runner Up – Gentle And Safe

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Key Features

This has a hypoallergenic formula that won’t cause problems with allergies or sensitivities. No oil is used in the production process for this product.

Natural ingredients are used to create a non-comedogenic formula that is safer to use on the skin. The gentle effect ensures people with skin sensitivities can use it without worrying about irritation. There are no allergens used in the production of the face exfoliator.

Pros

  • There are four different formulas that you are able to choose from
  • The brightening formula helps to reduce the appearance of marks and scars

Cons

  • This may not be a good option for individuals who have oily skin
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Recommended – Salon Quality

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Key Features

This product was developed to provide a salon-like experience at home. The professional formula uses a 2% salicylic acid content to provide efficient results.

This formula works on all skin types, making it a universal option. This product focuses on creating a smooth finish on the skin, while also assisting in improving skin tone. The salicylic acid content of the exfoliator effectively unclogs your pores.

Pros

  • There are no scents added to the formula
  • These come in one and four fluid ounce bottles

Cons

  • The salicylic acid may cause irritation for some people
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Best Natural – Nut & Honey Formula

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Key Features

This formula was designed to provide a natural option for people who are looking to avoid the use of chemicals. There are two container sizes that you can choose from.

The microdermabrasion effect of this product helps to remove more dead cells and leaves the skin feeling cleaner and refreshed. A combination of walnut and Manuka honey is used in the formula. It is a great option for people with dry skin.

Pros

  • A professional formula is used in the creation of this product
  • The product serves as both an exfoliator and a scrub
  • Made with natural ingredients

Cons

  • This is not an appropriate option for daily use
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Contender – Gentle On Skin

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Key Features

This is an option that comes with microbeads that produce an exfoliating effect when used as a scrub. The multifunctional design allows you to replace both your scrub and wash with one product.

This is a double pack that provides you with a long-lasting option. There are also multiple container sizes available, with up to 20 ounces per tube. The use of a tube makes dispensing the product on a cloth or your hands faster and easier.

Pros

  • The formula is extra gentle to provide support for people who have sensitivity problems with their skin
  • All of the ingredients that are used in the formula are hypoallergenic

Cons

  • Does not offer the same deep clean effect as you get with some of the other formulas
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Also Consider – Scrub With Coconut

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Key Features

This is an option that provides a natural formula, with coconut oil as one of the primary ingredients. The use of smaller beads in the production process helps to create a gentle exfoliation.

With a combination of coconut sugar and oil, you get a formula that helps to nourish and moisturize your skin. At the same time, the natural ingredients effectively remove a buildup of dead skin cells. In addition to coconut-based ingredients, this product , also contains chamomile oil to soothe the skin.

Pros

  • Coconut sugar is used to create a non-invasive scrub for your face
  • You can use this scrub regularly without damaging the skin

Cons

  • There are no alternative container sizes available
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Finding Your Next Face Exfoliator: A Buyers Guide

By adding a facial exfoliator to your daily beauty routine, you may experience several benefits, such as clearer skin, fewer problems with blemishes, and a softer feel. Exfoliators are readily available on the market, but the differences between these products are important to keep in mind. Some tend to be made for specific skin types. Using the wrong product could result in irritation, damage, or even excessive dryness or oiliness. 

Why Should I Use a Face Exfoliator?

Is a face exfoliator right for you? If you’re not sure whether or not you need to include this product in your skincare routine, here are some of the best benefits associated with face exfoliation:

Unclogging pores

Over the course of an average day, the skin pores on your face get clogged up with oils and dirt. Exfoliating products like a face exfoliator help to unclog your pores, helping to release the skin’s natural oils and prevent whiteheads and blackheads from forming.

Stopping acne

If you suffer from acne breakouts, it could be because of a lack of exfoliation. Dirt and dead cells can cause your skin’s oils to accumulate in certain areas around the face, which is what causes pimples to appear. By exfoliating, you’ll be able to reduce the risk of breakouts.

Evening skin tone

A face exfoliator is also great for evening out your skin tone. This is ideal for people who suffer from dark patches of skin or rough and irritated areas around the face, on the forehead or along the nose, for example. Regular exfoliation will leave your skin looking more harmonious all over.

Fighting the signs of aging

Over time, it’s natural for signs of aging to appear on your face, such as rough and dry patches of skin, dark spots and wrinkles or fine lines. Exfoliation is a useful method to fight the signs of aging, making them slower to appear.

Improving other products

If you try to apply other skincare products onto the skin that is dirty or covered in dead cells, those products may struggle to penetrate your skin and take effect. By exfoliating beforehand, you get rid of all the dirt and barriers, clearing the path for moisturizers, serums and lotions to have a stronger effect.

How Often to Use a Face Exfoliator

Exfoliation is not something that needs doing on a daily basis. The body naturally sheds dead cells on its own, so you should only use exfoliating products sparingly to help this process along. If you use a face exfoliator too often, your skin will become red, raw and irritated.

So, it’s best to use a face exfoliator twice a week if you have normal or combination skin. If your skin is particularly oily, you may want to start at twice a week and build up to three times a week. If your skin is sensitive, only exfoliate once a week.

How to Use a Face Exfoliator

Here’s a step-by-step guide for how to use an exfoliator, but don’t forget to read the label on each product to see exactly how to use it.

  1. First, rinse your face and keep it damp as you apply the exfoliator 
  2. Squirt a small amount of the exfoliator onto clean hands or a brush 
  3. Gently and lightly rub the exfoliator into your skin 
  4. Some exfoliators may need to sit for a while on the skin to take effect, so wait for a little while, if the label says so 
  5. Rinse your face with warm water to remove the exfoliator 
  6. Pat your face dry and moisturize

Face Exfoliator Ingredients to Focus On

Look at the ingredients that are used to formulate the face exfoliator you are interested in. The formula should be free of chemicals like parabens. Harsh chemicals added to an exfoliator may cause your skin to dry out or promote the overproduction of natural oils. The ingredients should also fall in line with the benefits that the product claims to provide. If you have allergies, ensure specific ingredients you may experience a reaction to are not used in the formula.

People Also Asked

Q: Are face exfoliators good for your skin?

A: While there are a couple of things that can affect the overall efficacy of a face exfoliator, these products are generally considered to be excellent additions to a proper skincare routine. You should, however, ensure you understand the fact that there is a wide variety of formulas available. The abrasiveness of face exfoliators also differs. Make sure the one you opt for is appropriate for your skin’s needs. This can help to ensure the face exfoliator is good for your skin, effective at removing dead skin cells, and won’t cause irritation to develop or harm your skin in the process.

Q: Should I use a face exfoliator every day?

A: It is generally not advisable to use a scrub on a daily basis, as this may cause you to strip your skin of its natural oils. With this said, some face exfoliators are made for daily use. These exfoliators will usually provide a gentler formula that does not strip all of the natural oils on your skin. The exfoliator may still be effective at unclogging your pores, removing blackheads, and treating acne. Most people find that using a face exfoliator two or three times each week tends to give them the most benefits. You should also note that there are some formulas that are rather made for use once weekly. Keep this in mind when looking at the options that you can choose from.

Kevin G. Harper
By Kevin G. Harper
Kevin G. Harper is a journalist based in Indianapolis, Indiana with 5 years of experience covering sports, outdoors, technology, and all of the internet trends. As a content creator and editor, he has gathered experience working with teams of editors on various social media, internet blogs, and eCommerce projects. In his free time, Kevin enjoys fishing, following college basketball and football, and trail running with his dog, Banjo. He also enjoys gaming with his friends, trying new restaurants, and reading on his balcony.

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