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Exfoliating can be one of the most satisfying steps in a skincare regime, but for that reason, you have to make sure you don’t overdo it! Here are my top picks of the Best Exfoliators for 2026 and how best to use them.
Why Should You Exfoliate?
Gentle and effective exfoliating will ensure that your skin is decongested and free from debris, and will allow all of your other skincare products to absorbs more fully.
You can use physical (scrubby bits) or chemical (acids) exfoliants and also a mix of the two together. These days, most people favour acid exfoliators and in case you’re not really sure why you would use this kind of treatment, here’s a little recap on the benefits of using acids in your regime.
Alpha hydroxyl acids (AHAs) are all about exfoliating the top layer of the skin to reveal a brighter, more even-toned complexion. Beta hydroxyl acids (BHAs) also exfoliate the skin but work on a deeper level to also help clear pore congestion.
I love acid exfoliation but it’s really easy to get addicted to the instant results which can encourage you to overdo it! I think it’s best to keep it to once or twice per week.
Best Exfoliators 2026 for Mature, Dry & Sensitive Skin
You have to be more careful when it comes to exfoliating if you have dry or sensitive skin. Also mature skin can always benefit from a more cautious approach to exfoliation. It is probably best to avoid anything too ‘scrubby’ and stick to gentle acid and enzyme formulations.
Omorovicza Acid Milk
If you’re looking for an exfoliator that delivers results without leaving skin feeling tight or irritated, Omorovicza Acid Milk is well worth considering. This milky treatment combines a blend of exfoliating acids with nourishing ingredients, making it ideal for those who want smoother, brighter skin while maintaining comfort and hydration. The texture feels more like hydrating milky toner than a traditional acid treatment, and it leaves skin looking fresh and radiant rather than stripped.
I particularly like this for mature skin because it offers effective exfoliation without compromising the skin barrier. It helps to refine texture, boost glow and improve clarity, while the creamy, conditioning formula makes it suitable for those who find stronger acid toners too aggressive. It’s a luxurious treatment that slots easily into an evening routine and leaves skin feeling soft, balanced and beautifully polished. Also a little goes a long way, and a bottle will last you months and months.
For more information, read Omorovicza Acid Milk Review.
Medik8 Press & Glow
This is one of my favourite exfoliators and in fact one of my favourite Medik8 products. This is a brand I really love.
This gentle exfoliating liquid uses PHAs (polyhydroxy acids), the gentlest type of acid. The formula is just swiped over clean skin with a cotton pad and it works to remove dead skin cells and gently refine the texture. It is a hydrating formula with Aloe to hydrate and Acai Extract to prevent inflammation.
It works really well with another of my favourite Medik8 products, Crystal Retinal which is a super effective yet gentle retinoid. Read my full Medik8 review here.
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
This was my first ever purchase from Dermalogica many moons ago. It has truly stood the test of time and remains an innovative and effective, yet gentle exfoliant that can be used daily. As I said earlier though, once or twice a week should be enough.
It’s a powder that you mix with water to use, and it contains Papain, Salicylic Acid and Rice Enzymes along with a Phytic Acid from Rice Bran, White Tea and Licorice. These combine to smooth and brighten the skin while soothing ingredients ensure that everything stays calm.
Pro tip – spend some time mixing it into a light foam in palm of your hand before applying to fully activate the ingredients.
Gallinée Vinegar Mask
If your skin is feeling dull, congested or a little out of balance, Gallinée Vinegar Mask is a brilliant weekly treatment. This creamy clay mask combines exfoliating acids with Gallinée’s signature focus on supporting the skin microbiome, helping to smooth texture and boost radiance without leaving skin feeling stripped. It delivers that satisfying deep-clean feeling while remaining surprisingly gentle and comfortable to use.
I especially like this for mature or sensitive skin because it offers more than simple exfoliation. Alongside refining and brightening the complexion, it helps to keep skin feeling calm, balanced and hydrated. After use, skin looks clearer, smoother and fresher, making it an excellent choice when you want a glow boost without reaching for stronger acid treatments.
For more info, read Gallinée Vinegar Mask Review.
Elemis Pro-Collagen Toning Mist
If you like your toning step to feel more like skincare than a traditional toner, the Elemis Pro-Collagen Toning Mist is a really interesting modern hybrid. It’s an ultra-fine mist that instantly hydrates and softens the skin while also delivering gentle exfoliation thanks to gluconolactone (a PHA). It also includes marine-derived ingredients designed to help refine the look of pores and support a more balanced complexion, so it works as both a hydrating mist and a light treatment step after cleansing.
I think this is a great option for mature skin because it gives that immediate plumping, comforted feeling while still gently encouraging skin renewal in the background. It helps skin look smoother, more even and slightly more “awake” without any tightness or irritation. It’s especially useful if your skin feels a bit dull or dehydrated, or if you want a very easy way to add a touch of gentle exfoliation into your routine without committing to stronger acids.
Read Elemis Pro-Collagen Toning Mist Review for more information.
Best Exfoliators 2026 for Combination & Oily Skin
Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive
This is somewhat of an icon when it comes to exfoliating, and Kate says this is the next best thing to a facial in her clinic!
It offers both a physical and chemical exfoliation. Physical exfoliation lifts dead skin cells, and the chemical exfoliation gently dissolves dead skin. The formula clears pores and improves skin texture with a combination of AHA Lactic Acid and BHA Salicylic Acid plus Papaya, Pumpkin, Pineapple Enzymes.
A good dose of Aloe Vera, Honey and Vitamin E work to soothe and soften skin while Vitamin A and C help to neutralise free radicals and defend against environmental aggressors.
It’s a super quick treatment, it only needs two minutes, and after I use it, all my products sink in beautifully.
Sachi Complexion Clarifying Accelerator
The Sachi Complexion Clarifying Accelerator is a clever multi-acid treatment that blends AHAs, BHA and enzymes to deliver a proper all-round resurfacing effect. With dioic, mandelic and salicylic acids alongside pomegranate enzymes, it works to smooth texture, unclog pores and brighten uneven tone, while still being supported by hydrating and soothing ingredients like manuka honey and glycerin. It can be used as a leave-on treatment or a short-contact mask, which makes it feel quite flexible in a routine.
I really rate this for mature skin because it gives visible refinement without the harsh, stripped feeling that stronger exfoliants can sometimes leave behind. Skin looks fresher, clearer and more even after use, but still feels comfortable and balanced rather than tight. It’s a great option if you want something that tackles dullness, pigmentation and congestion in one step, while still being gentle enough to use weekly or build up slowly.
Read Sachi Complexion Clarifying Accelerator Review & Discount Code for more info.
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Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
This is an iconic exfoliator, and great if you want to tackle imperfections such as blemishes, acne or clogged pores.
It uses salicylic acid and green tea to treat blackheads, whiteheads, and enlarged pores by regulating oil production. It will refine skin texture and leave it looking and feeling more smooth and less congested.
Best Exfoliators 2026 for Normal Skin
Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads
I love to use these pads when I want a quick fix to ensure my makeup goes on smoothly. They are one of my top favourite Elemis products.
They use Elemis’ Tri-Enzyme Technology to gently work on dark spots, pores and uneven skin texture. The formula uses Lactic Acid and Probiotic Ferment Complex to boost cell renewal, and Elemis say they can be used twice daily. I’d only ever use them once daily or less to avoid over-exfoliation, however.
Dr Melaxin Peel Shot Exfoliating Black Rice Ampoule
Dr Melaxin Peel Shot Exfoliating Black Rice Ampoule is one of those modern exfoliators that sits somewhere between skincare and a bit of clever “skin-satisfying” theatre. It’s a gommage-style formula that gently rolls across the skin as you massage it in, helping to lift away surface buildup while also delivering a blend of AHA, BHA and PHA alongside hydrating rice extract, niacinamide and squalane. The result is skin that feels noticeably smoother and looks more refined almost immediately after use.
It’s particularly good if skin is feeling a bit textured, dull or congested, but still needs comfort and hydration. While it’s not a traditional acid treatment in texture, it does leave skin looking clearer and more even, making it a great occasional reset when you want visible results without overdoing stronger exfoliants.
Read Dr Melaxin Peel Shot Exfoliating Black Rice Ampoule Review for more info.
Best All Round Luxury Exfoliators 2026
Drunk Elephant TLC Sukari Babyfacial
This a professional quality exfoliating mask that contains a powferful 25% AHA/2% BHA blend with glycolic, tartaric, lactic, citric, and salicylic acids. It also includes chickpea flour, pumpkin ferment plus a soothing antioxidant blend of matcha tea, milk thistle, and apple, which are antioxidant and also gently exfoliating.
There’s also Cactus Extract to calm, Virgin Marula Oil to nourish, Niacinamide (vitamin B3) to work on lines, tone and texture, improve signs of ageing (fine lines, wrinkles, loss of firmness) and Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer (low weight HA alternative) for enhanced hydration. Plus loads more!
Cle de Peau Skin Refining Clay Scrub
This is a fabulous all-rounder because it contains a beautiful clay blend to gently decongest the skin, along with very gentle physical exfoliants to polish.
It’s mineral-rich and is infused with natural kaolin clay sourced from the Appalachian Mountains in the United States. This works to detoxify the skin, without drying it out. There is also sebum-absorbing powder and antioxidant-rich rose apple leaf extract to balance and protect.
It’s amazing for a deep clean and a really smooth feel, plus it contains Cle de Peau’s Skin-Empowering Illuminator derived from golden silk essence, theanine and Japanese pearl which helps provide environmental protection and delivers radiance.
Best All Round Budget Exfoliators 2026
The Ordinary 30% AHA 2% BHA Peeling Solution
This is an absolutely excellent peel at an excellent price!
The Ordinary’s AHA BHA mask is a 10 minute treatment that dissolves debris and dead skin, while hydrating and providing an antioxidant boost. All for about £6!!
It has all the acids you need to keep your skin in shape – Glycolic, Lactic, Tartaric, Citric Acids, Salicylic Acid – and leaves my skin smooth and glassy. It’s fab.
Read The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution Review.
No7 Good Intent Pore Buff Clarifying Acid Pads
If you like the convenience of exfoliating pads, the No7 Good Intent Pore Buff Clarifying Acid Pads are a really easy way to work acids into your routine. These pre-soaked pads are infused with a blend of glycolic, lactic and salicylic acids, so they help to clear congestion, smooth texture and brighten dull skin in one simple swipe. They feel lightweight and refreshing on the skin, and the format makes them especially good for days when you want something quick and fuss-free.
They deliver noticeable smoothing without feeling overly harsh, and leave skin looking fresher and more refined after use. Used once or twice a week, they’re a great maintenance exfoliator to keep skin looking clear and polished.
For more info, read No7 Good Intent Pads Review: Pore Buff Clarifying vs Calm Fix Soothing.
I have this list is helpful to you! If you’re looking for a new cleanser, make sure you check out Best Cleansers for 2026, and let me know if you have any questions!
