The Best Chemical Exfoliators to Clear Acne, Brighten Skin and Diminish Fine Lines

Whether you’re new to chemical exfoliation or a seasoned pro, the Inkey List’s PHA Toner is a great place to start. It can be used as often as twice daily to remove dead skin cells and even out skin texture and tone. It’s also relatively affordable compared to other PHA serums, and it’s gentle enough for sensitive skin.

The downsides: If you are a beginner, we recommend applying this PHA toner every two to three days — it can still cause dryness and irritation if overused. Also, a few buyers disliked the tacky finish even after applying moisturizer on top. Note that some customers have received broken packages from Amazon.

Remember that shockingly red skin serum that went viral on TikTok a few years ago? That was The Ordinary Exfoliating Peeling Solution, and it’s still one of the most popular chemical exfoliators on the market. It contains lactic, glycolic and salicylic acid, so it works to not just remove dead skin but also smooth it and clear clogged pores. The red color comes from Tasmanian pepperberry which helps reduce irritation.

The biggest downside of this formula? It’s not for beginners or those with sensitive skin, as it may cause irritation, flaky skin and overly dry skin. While some tingling is common, very strong tingling or burning and excessive redness is not — and you should wash it off if this happens.

Weinberg lists the Sunday Riley Good Genes Serum as one of her top choices, and it’s easy to see why. This formula’s hero ingredient is lactic acid, an AHA that clears pores, evens out hyperpigmentation and reduces dark eye circles. It even improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in as little as three minutes. Other key ingredients include brightening licorice, toning lemongrass and soothing arnica and aloe.

At $85 for just one fluid ounce, this is our most expensive recommendation. In addition, some users have noticed that overuse (more than two to three days per week) leads to dryness and sensitivity. Others wish the pump were removable, which would help when trying to extract the very last of the product.

Lactic acid is one of the gentlest alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) and it has hydrating properties, which makes it a great pick for dry skin. We like the Ordinary Lactic Acid serum because it’s affordable and contains a relatively simple yet hydrating ingredient list.

If you have sensitive skin, this product may still cause dryness and irritation. (We recommend applying it once every three to four days and increasing this frequency as your skin builds a tolerance.) In addition, some customers dislike the tacky feeling once the serum dries.

If you struggle with oily skin that’s also sensitive, the Medik8 Press and Clear toner is the product for you. The key exfoliant in it is salicylic acid, and unlike other products, it’s encapsulated and therefore time released. This gives your skin a steady, low-strength dose of salicylic acid all day long, which means it’s very gentle. The formula also contains tranexamic acid, which helps fade dark spots.

This product is on the pricier side, but it will last a while with five ounces in every bottle. Bear in mind that salicylic acid is drying, so even though this toner has hydrating ingredients, you will likely need a moisturizer on top. Note that a few customers have had shipping issues when purchasing through Amazon.

Dry and oily skin may seem impossible to manage, but a high quality salicylic acid treatment can reset it in no time. We like the Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting Exfoliant Peel because it contains a low dose of salicylic acid, a BHA that dries up oil, and a moderate dose of AHAs, which even skin tone and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The AHAs in this formula — glycolic, lactic and mandelic acid — are gentle and hydrating. We also like that this treatment is a rinse off formula, so it’s not likely to cause long term irritation.

Unfortunately, this product is expensive at $44 for just one fluid ounce. It may also cause redness and a burning sensation if it is left on the skin for more than 10 minutes. Some buyers believe the product isn’t strong enough to effectively reduce oiliness and breakouts.

If you struggle with breakouts and inflammation, chances are you need to clear out your pores and eliminate dead skin cells on a regular basis. The Paula’s Choice BHA Liquid Exfoliant can do both as it contains salicylic acid, an ingredient that does an excellent job of reducing and preventing breakouts when used properly. We love that this formula contains green tea to soothe skin.

Though this product lasts a long time, it’s expensive to buy outright. It can also be drying and somewhat irritating, and may cause flaky skin, a burning sensation and redness.

Adding chemical exfoliators to your skincare routine isn’t easy if you have sensitive skin, but the Selfless by Hyram Exfoliating Serum makes it easier. This gentle formula contains mandelic acid, a mild alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that removes dead skin cells and improves skin texture, a low dosage of salicylic acid to clear pores and rice bran (phytic acid) which brightens skin. You can use it safely every two to four days without irritation.

Since this serum is so gentle, it may not be as effective as stronger products. It’s also expensive at about $18 for just one fluid ounce, though it lasts a long time if used as instructed. Note that this formula is the consistency of water, so it’s a bit difficult to apply.

If you’re looking for a chemical exfoliant that brightens the skin and reduces hyperpigmentation in addition to clearing breakouts, try the Cos De Baha Mild Skin Peeling Solution. This K-Beauty brand is affordable and made without fragrance or alcohol. What makes it great for hyperpigmentation? Salicylic acid encourages cell turnover while niacinamide brightens and evens out skin color. Many buyers say this formula is a dupe for Paula’s Choice.

Since this product is so gentle, some customers found that it didn’t help reduce hyperpigmentation or clear breakouts as much as they’d hoped. A few buyers also find the slightly gooey feel off-putting. The plus side: If this formula isn’t strong enough., Cos De Baha also offers a BHA 4% serum with niacinamide.

If you have rosacea, polyhydroxy acids (PHAs) are considered safe and effective for your skin type. We like the Naturium PHA Topical Acid 12% Exfoliating Solution because it uses AHAs alone to promote cell turnover, reduce breakouts and even out skin tone and texture. It also contains hyaluronic acid to add moisture back to the skin to reduce irritation. Indeed, one Amazon customer noted that this is the one serum that doesn’t trigger her rosacea.

While customers and dermatologists alike find that this product is gentle enough for everyday use, your skin may only tolerate it every two to three days if you’re a beginner. Another downside: A few buyers were disappointed in the packaging, which seemed overdone for a small bottle.

Mature skin doesn’t always take kindly to chemical exfoliants, which can cause irritation and dryness. However, a gentle exfoliant like the Naturium Mandelic Topical Acid 12% can help you achieve smooth skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles without the redness or flaking. This formula contains mandelic acid, a mild AHA, and niacinamide, which naturally brightens skin tone and reduces moisture loss.

Bear in mind that you may not find this product effective if your skin has a high tolerance for chemical exfoliants. If you have sensitive skin, try to use it every three to four days to reduce chances of irritation. Some buyers dislike the smell of this formula.

Did you know that chemical exfoliants are great for the body, too? They can gently remove dead skin cells and clear pores so you don’t have to rely on a scrub brush and a bar of soap (which may be comedogenic if you’re not careful). We recommend the Curology Acne Body Wash because it helps clear and prevent breakouts and ingrown hairs. Since it’s a wash-off treatment, it’s less likely than leave-on treatments to cause irritation.

The downsides: This product is sold only through the Curology website, and you have to create an account and take a skincare quiz to buy it. It may also cause dryness, so be sure to apply a body moisturizer after you step out of the shower.

Need something a little more gentle than the Curology Body Wash? Try the CeraVe SA Body Wash, which contains not just salicylic acid to exfoliate skin and clear pores, but also ceramides to protect the skin barrier. With regular use, this formula should help smooth rough skin and prevent breakouts.

Note that this product is unscented, which some customers don’t like. It also doesn’t lather as much as traditional soap and may cause irritation if you have sensitive skin.

Struggling to get rid of ingrown hairs after shaving? Try applying a First Aid Beauty Ingrown Hair Pad. Each one contains AHA and BHA (glycolic and salicylic acid) to help remove dead skin cells, prevent razor bumps and keep skin smooth.

While many customers love how quickly this product works for them, others claim that it doesn’t do much — especially if the razor bumps and ingrown hairs are already there. A few buyers noticed irritation from this product.

Itchy, dry and flaky scalps may need more than just physical exfoliation (when you work in your shampoo) to stay healthy. The Verb Ghost Exfoliating Scalp Nectar is an excellent chemical exfoliant for the scalp because it contains AHA and PHA to help gently remove buildup, dead skin and excess oil. Moringa oil and vitamin B7 also help restore hydration.

However, some buyers wish this product were stronger because it was hard for them to see a difference. Others note that it’s expensive and hard to apply to the scalp with thick hair.

If you want to brighten your skin and create a more even skin tone, an AHA like glycolic acid is a great choice — it works by removing dead skin cells and smoothing rough textures. We like the Cos de Baha Glycolic Acid Serum because it contains natural ingredients and no colorants, alcohol or fragrance. It dries quickly and within a few uses it gives skin a glowy appearance.

However, a few customers wish this product had a stronger formulation. It may also cause burning and redness on sensitive skin, so wash off immediately if you notice anything beyond slight tingling and redness.

If you want to improve skin texture and reduce the appearance of fine lines, Weinberg recommends The Ordinary Glycolic Acid Toning Solution. This AHA is easier on the skin than BHAs but a little stronger than PHAs, making it a good in-between if you want results and don’t have very sensitive skin.

While this formula is relatively gentle, it isn’t for all skin types — some buyers with fungal acne found that it made their breakouts worse. It can also cause dryness and irritation if used more than twice per week.