The 12 Best Exfoliators for Sensitive Skin of 2024, Tested
Exfoliation Can Be a Game-Changer in Your Routine: in a Single Step (And Depending on the Formula) It Can Tackle Breakouts, Dark Spots, Dryness, Fine Lines...
Exfoliation can be a game-changer in your routine: In a single step (and depending on the formula) it can tackle breakouts, dark spots, dryness, fine lines, and, occasionally, all of the above. But as important as it is, exfoliation isn’t always feasible for sensitive skin, since the very act of exfoliating — that is, removing dead skin cells from skin’s surface — is inherently a delicate process. For those with reactive skin, it's especially important to consider the type of formula — physical or chemical — that you use as choosing the wrong one can “potentially leave your skin red, tender, and sensitive,” says Dr. Rachel Nazarian, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology in New York City. The good news? New, super-gentle formulas can both deliver the benefits of exfoliation while leaving skin calm and comfortable, giving you the best of both worlds.
To determine just that, a group of InStyle editors tested 15 exfoliators specifically developed for sensitive skin by integrating them into their regular skincare routines for four weeks. Editors evaluated each one against a set of criteria, keeping an eye out for the formula's texture, consistency and the way it felt on the skin, and of course, the results each one delivered both immediately as well as at the end of the month.
“Generally, oily skin types or combination skin can tolerate physical exfoliants better,” says Dr. Nazarian. Meanwhile, people with sensitive skin, or those living with skin conditions like rosacea and acne, tend to do better with chemical exfoliants. “If you’re looking to treat acne, salicylic acid can be useful to unclog pores, but also decrease acne inflammation,” says Dr. Nazarian. “Glycolic acid is an exfoliator that can increase hyaluronic acid production, a great substance to improve dry skin, and lactic acid has been shown to improve hyperpigmentation as well as texture.”
Best Overall
Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment
Amazon
What We Love: It can improve skin on a number of fronts, like dark spots and dryness
What We Don't Love: It was a little too harsh for very sensitive skin types, so patch-test it first.
Rather than a scrub, this is a lightweight cream that feels smooth and silky; you can either leave it on overnight or wash it off after 15 minutes (we opted for the former). The first few times we used it, our skin tingled slightly, although it never hurt — and we eventually stopped feeling any sensation when we applied it.
And it was worth sticking with: Every time we applied it, we noticed that our skin felt smoother, softer, and even more hydrated. In fact, our fine lines on our forehead looked less visible after we used it for a month, as did the bumpy texture on our cheeks. While we're still waiting to see a change in our hyperpigmentation, we're convinced enough to stick with it.
Formula: Chemical｜Key Ingredients: Lactic acid, licorice, arnica, aloe｜Best for: Signs of sun damage｜Usage: Apply 1-2 pumps to skin｜Size: 1.7 oz
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Best Exfoliator for Oily, Sensitive Skin
PCA Skin Pore Refining Treatment
PCA Skin
What We Love: It helped control our excess oil production without stripping skin of its moisture.
What We Don't Love: It’s one of the more expensive exfoliating scrubs we’ve tested.
There's no rule saying you have to stick with just one type of exfoliation. In fact, doubling up — as with this scrub, which pairs chemical and physical exfoliants — can actually be great for some skin types. We set out hoping that the combination of alpha hydroxy acid, fruit enzymes, rice powder, and oil-absorbing clay would smooth our overall skin texture and shrink the look of our large pores, and did it ever deliver.
Rather than feeling like overkill, the texture of the scrub was creamy with just a little grit. We saw less congestion on our cheeks; where we're especially prone to breakouts. Another perk is that our T-zone seemed to be less oily after using this scrub, but our skin never felt dried out or stripped of moisture.
Formula: Hybrid｜Key Ingredients: Mandelic acid, papain, rice powder, kaolin clay｜Best for: Oily or breakout-prone skin types｜Usage: After cleansing, apply and massage it in gentle circular motions｜Size: 2.1 oz
