The 15 Best Face Exfoliators For Clear and Soft Skin

You know the saying: Skincare is a marathon, not a sprint. But, there’s still something incredible about seeing near-instant results. The single most rewarding step in my (admittedly thorough) skincare routine is exfoliating. Will you go to bed with a face full of blemishes and wake up looking like an Instagram filter? Of course, not. But while you’re waiting for the long-term benefits to come home to roost, your skin will start to look glowing, radiant, and healthier.

You've got two routes when it comes to exfoliators. Physical exfoliators will use tiny grains or granules to rid the surface of dead skin. Chemical exfoliators, on the other hand, rely on face acids to remove dirt and oils. I’m a chemical exfoliator kind of girl, but even using a gentle scrub from time to time makes me suddenly want to take too many makeup-less selfies. And the truth is, finding any facial exfoliator is hard, and trial-and-error can include unwanted steps like redness, irritation, and a damaged skin barrier. So take the guesswork out of your skincare routine, and here, find the 15 best face exfoliators that treat everything from breakouts, hyperpigmentation, enlarged pores, and fine lines.