16 Best Chemical Exfoliators to Take Your Glow to the Next Level—No Matter Your Skin Type

1. Best Chemical Exfoliator for All Skin Types:

MZ SKIN Micro-Peeling Glow Essence

Formulated with a blend of AHAs, BHAs, and PHAs (polyhydroxy acids), this botanical glow essence delicately buffs away dead skin cells. Infused with soothing ingredients like chamomile and witch hazel, this essence not only refines skin texture but also calms and hydrates, making it suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin

2. Best Chemical Exfoliator for Acne-Prone Skin:

MURAD Daily Clarifying Peel

First let’s say: There is such a thing as over-exfoliation, and if you have acne prone skin, you need to be very careful of this. Treating acne isn’t about drying out the skin to combat oil production, it’s actually about bringing balance to skin. So, if you experience overly oily skin or breakouts, this is a great toner to have on hand to treat and prevent those concerns. But just make sure you’re paying attention to your skin and skipping days when needed.

3. Most Gentle Chemical Exfoliator:

SACHEU BEAUTY Lactic Tonic - AHA Resurfacing Essence

Lactic acid is one of the most gentle types of exfoliation. If you’re just stepping into the world of chemical exfoliation or if you’re worried how your skin will react to AHAs try this first. Suitable for daily use but work your way up by starting 2 to 3 times a week at first. You’ll start to notice improvement in skin texture as lactic acid gently sloughs away dead skin cells over time.

4. Best Event-Prep Chemical Exfoliator:

CLARK’S BOTANICALS 7-Acid Daily Glow Peel

Getting ready for an important event and don’t have time for a facial? This is the best speedy chemical exfoliator for a smooth surface. It helps minimize the appearance of pores, fine lines, and discoloration, promoting a more even tone and youthful glow. Suitable for all skin types, this daily peel can be added to any skincare routine, delivering visible results within just seven days.

5. Best Chemical Exfoliator to Unclog Pores:

BYROE Apple Matcha Tea Clearing Toner

If you’re dealing with congestion in problem areas (cheeks, nose, or chin), this is a great exfoliating toner for targeted areas. It blends the purifying benefits of matcha green tea with the apple cider vinegar. This toner balances and clarifies skin, helping to reduce excess oil and minimize the appearance of pores.

6. Best Daily Glow Chemical Exfoliator:

REN CLEAN SKINCARE Radiance Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic

Lacking glow? Or don’t know where to start when it comes to brightening products? This is the chemical exfoliator for you. Even if you already have baby smooth skin, you’ll be surprised at all the dead skin cells that are still hanging on your face. Better yet, this cares for your skin barrier with its clean and gentle ingredients. It's effective, but won’t strip skin of its natural oils and sebum production. Formulated with a blend of natural AHAs from lactic, glycolic, and fruit acids, it works to remove dead skin cells and promote cell turnover. It’s alcohol-free and contains willow bark extract to help minimize pores and reduce congestion, while aloe vera soothes and hydrates the skin.

7. Best Chemical Exfoliator for Blackheads:

BEAUTYSTAT Universal Triple Action Daily Peel

Pesky blackheads can be hard to manage and get rid of for good. But, it can be done with the right maintenance product. Powered by a potent blend of lactic acid, glycolic acid, and willow bark extract, this daily peel exfoliates dead skin cells, refines texture, and helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It also contains soothing ingredients like chamomile and green tea extracts to calm and nourish the skin, making it suitable for sensitive skin types.

8. Best Chemical Exfoliator for Redness:

PAULA’S CHOICE Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

This product is a cult-favorite skincare solution renowned for its ability to unclog pores and refine skin texture. Formulated with 2% salicylic acid (BHA), it gently exfoliates the skin's surface and within pores, removing dead skin cells and excess sebum. This non-abrasive liquid also calms redness and promotes a more even skin tone, making it suitable for acne-prone and sensitive skin types.

9. Best Chemical Exfoliator for Anti-Aging:

U BEAUTY Resurfacing Compound

Courtesy of U BEAUTY

This multitasking serum features a unique blend of AHAs, BHAs, and potent antioxidants like vitamin C, promoting gentle yet effective exfoliation to reveal smoother, brighter skin. Designed to target multiple skincare concerns such as fine lines, uneven texture, and dullness, it also helps to improve the appearance of pores and pigmentation.

10. Best Spa-Like Chemical Exfoliator Treatment:

DR. DENNIS GROSS Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel

Courtesy of DR. DENNIS GROSS

These two-step daily peel pads will seriously help you skip your facial appointment. Yes—they're that good, and we believe everyone needs to have these in their beauty arsenal, whether you’re prepping for self tanner or just looking to slough off those dead cells and showcase glowing skin. This iconic peel combines gentle yet effective alpha and beta hydroxy acids to exfoliate dead skin cells, refine pores, and improve skin texture. It also includes anti-aging ingredients like retinol and resveratrol, which help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while promoting a radiant complexion.

11. Best Chemical Exfoliator for Sensitive Skin:

FIRST AID BEAUTY Facial Radiance Pads

These are the most convenient daily exfoliating pads designed to brighten and refresh your complexion because they're so gentle. Each pad is infused with a blend of lactic and glycolic acids, along with cucumber and Indian gooseberry extracts, which work together to gently exfoliate dead skin cells, promote cell turnover, and improve skin texture. These alcohol-free pads are also enriched with soothing ingredients like aloe vera and hyaluronic acid to calm and hydrate.

12. Most Beginner-Friendly Chemical Exfoliator:

GLOW RECIPE Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner

Loved by the TikTok beauty community and teens alike, this toner helps to tighten pores and refine skin texture, thanks to its blend of AHA, BHA, and PHA acids. It gently exfoliates dead skin cells, balances oil production, and brightens dull skin, leaving a smoother and more radiant complexion. Enhanced with hydrating hyaluronic acid and soothing cactus water, it nourishes and calms the skin, making it suitable for all skin types.

13. Best Drugstore Chemical Exfoliator:

E.L.F. Cosmetics Holy Hydration Gentle Peeling Exfoliant

Courtesy of E.L.F.

This is actually a treatment you can use in the shower, like a skincare buddy to your daily cleanser. Because it’s infused with a blend of natural fruit enzymes and hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5, this exfoliant gently buffs away dead skin cells while providing essential moisture. Ideal for sensitive skin, it helps improve skin texture, minimize the appearance of pores, and enhance the absorption of skincare products. With regular use, your complexion appears refreshed, refined, and glowing.

14. Best Overnight Chemical Exfoliator:

GOOD MOLECULES Overnight Exfoliating Treatment

Courtesy of GOOD MOLECULES

Be careful, it’s strong! A potent yet gentle skincare solutiondesigned to rejuvenate the skin while you sleep. Formulated with a 10% concentration of alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) including glycolic and lactic acids, this treatment effectively exfoliates dead skin cells and promotes cell turnover. It also contains calming ingredients like aloe vera and niacinamide. With regular use, the Overnight Exfoliating Treatment helps improve skin texture, diminish fine lines, and enhance overall skin clarity.

15. Best Chemical Self Tan:

M-61 Powerglow Peel Gradual Tan

Courtesy of BLUEMERCURY

Who doesn’t love a 2-in-1 product? These peel pads combine the benefits of a facial peel with a gradual self-tanning effect for a radiant complexion. Each pre-soaked pad is infused with glycolic and salicylic acids to exfoliate dead skin cells, refine pores, and promote smoother skin texture. Simultaneously, the formula includes DHA and erythrulose to deliver a subtle, buildable tan over time, providing a natural-looking glow. They also contain vitamin K to help reduce the appearance of dark circles and provide antioxidant benefits.

16. Best Chemical-Physical Exfoliator Combo:

KATE SOMERVILLE ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment

Brighter, smoother skin in just two minutes is actually possible with this wonder product. ExfoliKate has a blend of natural exfoliants including papaya, pineapple, and pumpkin enzymes, along with lactic acid and salicylic acid, this treatment gently yet effectively buffs away dead skin cells, revealing a smoother, brighter complexion. Infused with soothing ingredients like aloe vera, honey, and vitamin E, it also helps calm and nourish the skin, making it suitable for sensitive skin types. Ideal for weekly use, ExfoliKate leaves the skin refreshed, revitalized, and ready to absorb the benefits of subsequent skincare products for a radiant glow.