Exfoliating.

Top picks (Strong tier)

• Gl

  Glycolic Acid

  Exfoliating

  Exfoliates the surface of your skin to smooth rough texture and fade dullness. The strongest of the AHAs, so start slow.

• La

  Lactic Acid

  Exfoliating · Hydrating

  A gentler exfoliator that also hydrates as it works. Good entry point if you have sensitive skin and want to try acids.

• Md

  Mandelic Acid

  Exfoliating

  The slowest, gentlest exfoliating acid. Resurfaces with the least irritation, especially friendly to sensitive and deeper skin tones.

All exfoliating ingredients (12)

• Glycolic AcidStrong evidence

  Exfoliates the surface of your skin to smooth rough texture and fade dullness. The strongest of the AHAs, so start slow.

• Lactic AcidStrong evidence

  A gentler exfoliator that also hydrates as it works. Good entry point if you have sensitive skin and want to try acids.

• Mandelic AcidStrong evidence

  The slowest, gentlest exfoliating acid. Resurfaces with the least irritation, especially friendly to sensitive and deeper skin tones.

• Salicylic AcidStrong evidence

  Goes into your pores and dissolves the oil and dead skin clogging them. Best for blackheads, whiteheads, and oily, acne-prone skin.

• UreaStrong evidence

  A small molecule your skin already makes. Low concentrations deeply hydrate dry skin; higher concentrations soften thick, scaly patches. A workhorse for eczema and ichthyosis.

• Lactobionic AcidModerate evidence

  A "next-gen AHA" that exfoliates and hydrates at the same time, with much less stinging than glycolic. Sensitive-skin or rosacea-prone users tolerate it where stronger acids fail.

• PHAModerate evidence

  The mildest exfoliating acid. Refines texture and hydrates at the same time, and it's sensitive-skin friendly.

• Phytic AcidModerate evidence

  A plant-derived acid that blocks the enzyme your skin uses to make pigment, fading dark spots and post-acne marks. Clinical trials show it measurably reduces hyperpigmentation and improves skin luminosity, with significantly less irritation than stronger AHAs. A good option for sensitive skin that still wants a brightening acid.

• ProteaseModerate evidence

  A gentle alternative to acids. It uses enzymes to "eat" the glue holding dead skin cells together, leaving skin smooth without the stinging or redness of AHAs. Ideal for sensitive skin that needs surface smoothing without the downtime.

• Citric AcidAnecdotal evidence

  A fruit-derived AHA that exfoliates and antioxidizes. It shares the same basic mechanism as glycolic and lactic acid but is weaker gram-for-gram; in practice you'll see it doing dual duty (a little exfoliation plus pH stabilisation) in multi-acid toners and serums. When it appears low on an ingredient list, it's adjusting pH; higher up, it's contributing real exfoliation.

• Silica SpiculesAnecdotal evidence

  Liquid microneedling in a bottle. It causes a temporary prickly sensation but creates tiny pathways in your skin so all your other expensive serums can actually penetrate deeper.

• Tartaric AcidAnecdotal evidence

  A gentler grape-derived AHA that exfoliates and helps multi-acid formulas stay at the right pH to work. Less studied than glycolic or lactic acid as a standalone, but well-tolerated in combination peels, and the antioxidant side effect is a genuine bonus.