I'm sure you hear it all the time: exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate. Although it is important to buff away dead skin on the surface of your complexion, it can be tough to narrow down which is right for you—a chemical or physical exfoliant. And don't forget the matter of what kind of exfoliant. Exfoliants range from toners and face washes to masks. To help you narrow down which will work best for you, Tiffany Libby, a board-certified dermatologist, is here to assist. "It's helpful to take time to assess your skin type so that you can appropriately select products that will be beneficial for your skin," she says. If you have dry or sensitive skin, you'll probably want to use a gentle exfoliant like lactic acid in a low concentration and only one to two times a week.
Personally, I like using both physical and chemical exfoliants. As long as a scrub doesn't irritate my skin and isn't super abrasive, I'll use it. Libby, however, prefers chemical exfoliants. "I am not typically a fan of physical exfoliants, as I find chemical exfoliants do a better job of dissolving away the top layer of dead skin cells and have a whole host of additional skin benefits from brightening skin to unclogging pores and improving skin texture," she shares. "If you are going to use a physical exfoliant, opt for one that is designed for sensitive skin, like Cetaphil’s Extra Gentle Daily Scrub which has micro-fine bamboo granules that buff away dead skin cells. I would recommend those with sensitive and/or dry skin types to avoid physical exfoliants because they can cause irritation."
With that in mind, keep reading below for Libby's recommendations for exfoliating face masks and a few of my own favorites.
"For normal skin, I recommend using Farmacy's 10% Niacinamide Night Mask. Niacinamide is a multi-tasking ingredient that helps brighten skin, reinforce the skin’s moisture barrier, calm and soothe skin, and treat dark spots."—Tiffany Libby
"For oily skin, I like using exfoliating face masks with kaolin clay like Cetaphil’s DermaControl Clay Mask which helps to absorb excess oil and is formulated with hydrating and moisturizing ingredients so the mask does not dry out."—Libby
"I also recommend face masks with salicylic acid like The Ordinary’s Salicylic Acid 2% Masque, as salicylic acid, a beta-hydroxy acid is lipophilic meaning oil-loving, and helps to unclog pores and rid skin of excess oil while improving skin’s texture."—Libby
"For combination skin, I recommend Glytone’s Rejuvenating Mini Peel Gel, which uses glycolic acid to exfoliate and improve the tone and texture of the skin. Leave this on for five to 10 minutes, then rinse off, and use it two to three times weekly for the best results."—Libby
If an exfoliating solution is more your jam, opt for Maysama's gentle toner. With an 11% blend of exfoliating acids and green rooibos extract, it exfoliates without being harsh, moisturizes, and brightens all at once.
This purification mask performs some serious wizardry—I can personally attest to it. Any time I use this exfoliating mask with lactic acid, the next day, my skin is clearer and brighter than ever before. I always reach for it if I've had a breakout or two and it never lets me down.
Caudalie's gentle enzyme peel mask with glycolic acid reveals a smoother and even complexion after just one use. It also helps with things like uneven texture, dark spots, and overall dullness.
I use this mask a few times a week to really deep clean my pores. It's definitely a great option for oily and acne-prone skin, but sensitive and dry skin types may want to skip it. It definitely stings for a bit upon application because the acid concentration is stronger, but my skin always looks and feels so smooth after using it.
This cult-loved peeling solution from The Ordinary always gets the job done. People love it for its wallet-friendly price tag and ability to provide an at-home facial in record time. It contains a 30% AHA and 2% BHA blend for an extra-deep clean.
BIossance's Glycolic Renewal Mask is an all-in-one peel, exfoliator, and mask. The fine mineral spheres in this mask gently polish the skin while licorice root calms and reduces irritation. Deeply hydrating squalane also leaves the skin moisturized and glowing.
Another great option for a night sleeping mask is Glow Recipe's Watermelon + AHA Glow Mask. The formula is loaded with watermelon extract, hyaluronic acid, lactic acid, glycolic acid, and peony root to leave skin looking brighter, smoother, and more hydrated.
Turmeric is one of my all-time favorite ingredients for the skin because it brightens and provides unmatched antioxidant protection for your complexion. This mask contains a high dose of it along with papaya enzymes to gently exfoliate and aspen bark to help clear clogged pores.
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