8 Best Chemical Exfoliants to Use for Softer Skin in 2025
After trying this cult beauty brand’s new product, I was absolutely floored by the “instant glow” it offers.
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Anyone else still haunted by those gritty physical scrubs (looking at you, St Ives Apricot Scrub) that felt like sandpaper on fresh teen skin? I know I am.
But don’t let the word ‘exfoliant’ scare you off. These days, many of us are ditching harsh physical scrubs in favour of chemical exfoliants – and they’re a whole different story. In fact, adding a chemical exfoliant to your routine can be a total game-changer.
They tackle a whole bunch of skin concerns – think dullness, hyperpigmentation and even clogged press. Plus nowadays, chemical exfoliants are created to be gentle yet powerful, helping to shed away dead skin cells to reveal a smoother, softer and brighter complexion.
Below we’ve rounded up the best chemical exfoliants for every skin type and budget, including a newly launched product – the Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Exfoliating Toner Pads – inspired by the cult fave liquid version that’s so popular one bottle sells every second worldwide.
We’re also big fans of the Alpha-H Liquid Gold Exfoliating Treatment. With over 1000 five-star ratings, shoppers say it makes a “noticeable difference” to their skin.
OUR TOP PICKS
EDITOR’S PICKS: BEST CHEMICAL EXFOLIANTS
Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Exfoliating Toner Pads, $26 at Paula’s Choice
Why we love it: They’re convenient, travel-friendly and offer instant results.
What to consider: It does create single-use rubbish.
Skin type: All skin types | Size: 10 count
Tried and Tested by Marina Tatas, Senior Shopping Writer
Now you may be thinking – why should I try these toner pads? Why not just stick to the best selling formula that sells every second worldwide?
A few reasons: the toner pads are great for beginners, because they give you more control over how much product you’re applying, so it lessens the chance of over-exfoliating and damaging your skin barrier.
They’re also super convenient and portable – you can use it on your face but also anywhere on your body that needs some extra attention.
And how do they actually work on the skin? All I can truly say is wow!
The instant glow these humble toner pads give my skin is seriously unmatched. I’m so impressed with the formula, thanks to the 2 per cent salicylic acid concentration – and how easy they are to use, they are a must-have in my skincare routine for smoother and brighter skin.
Liquid Gold Exfoliating Treatment, $76.95 at Alpha-H Skincare
Why we love it: This is a cult-fave bestseller for over 25 years.
What to consider: Higher price tag than others on the market.
Skin type: All skin types | Size: 100ml
What You Need To Know
If you’ve ever wondered what a clinical skin treatment from home feels like, Alpha-H’s best selling Liquid Gold treatment is about as close as it gets.
Formulated with a unique low-pH delivery system to ensure your skin doesn’t fry off, the Liquid Gold Treatment is designed to improve the tone and texture of your skin by gently exfoliating dead skin cells.
This will help increase overall skin luminosity – and who doesn’t want that?
Rave reviews from Alpha-H shoppers have named this a “forever staple”, also noting they’ve seen “an improvement in skin texture and less breakouts”.
BEST BUDGET-FRIENDLY PICK
Bondi Sands Buff N Polish Gentle Chemical Exfoliant, $19.95 at Adore Beauty
Why we love it: Budget-friendly price tag, plus it’s also suitable for more sensitive skin types.
What to consider: The formula may not feel as premium as other picks on our list.
Skin type: All skin types | Size: 30ml
What You Need To Know
For just under $20, you can pick up the Buff N Polish Gentle Chemical Exfoliant from Bondi Sands. Packed with two different types of exfoliating acids – lactic acid (AHA) and polyhydroxy acid (PHA) – it works hard to remove dead skin cells, leaving you with soft, smooth skin.
Five-star rating Adore Beauty shoppers agree, noting this is a “must have” for a “gorgeous glow” on the skin.
The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution, $10.70 at Priceline
Why we love it: Low price tag.
What to consider: Simple formula, not as premium and complex as others on our list.
Skin type: All skin types, especially those with blemish-prone skin | Size: 30ml
What You Need To Know
Another budget buy that’ll make your wallet happy is the Salicylic Acid 2% Solution from The Ordinary. It’s a water-based serum, packed with the perfect concentration of salicylic acid to help remove dead skin cells that can also clog pores.
It’s been named a “game changer” by five-star shoppers, with others commenting that it’s “helped with my skin so much ever since I started using it”.
BEST FOR BRIGHTENING
Ultra Brightening Serum, $169 at Ultraceuticals
Why we love it: Hardworking formula that helps to visibly brighten the skin.
What to consider: Higher price tag and may be too intense for sensitive skin types.
Skin type: Most skin types | Size: 30ml
Tried and Tested by Marina Tatas, Senior Shopping Writer
If you’re looking for an advanced, exfoliating serum that’s really going to work hard at brightening your skin, this pick from Ultraceuticals is a great choice.
I’ve been using it on and off for the past few months and let me tell you – this stuff is strong, but so good!
While I wouldn’t recommend this for more sensitive skin types, I will say that I notice a visible difference to my skin after using it. It’s formulated with a powerful complex of mandelic acid, niacinamide, hydroxyresveratrol and acetyl zingerone to really improve the look of discolouration and dark spots. This is the perfect exfoliating serum if you want something that’s going to brighten too.
BEST FOR ACNE
Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner, $13.70 at The Ordinary
Why we love it: This is one of The Ordinary’s bestsellers, nicely priced at under $14.
What to consider: Probably only best to use in your night time routine.
Skin type: All skin types | Size: 100ml
What You Need To Know
The Ordinary’s Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Toner is a water-based toner that’s gentle enough to be used daily, while also working hard to improve the overall look of the skin.
Glycolic acid helps to smooth skin texture, improve skin tone and enhance glow and luminosity, which are all great for acne-prone skin types.
It’s racked up over 800 five-star ratings on The Ordinary’s website, with shoppers saying it helps them get a “glass look” to their skin.
A happy reviewer said, “After incorporating it twice a week, I noticed a noticeable improvement in my skin texture within just two weeks.”
BEST FOR ENLARGED PORES
Urban Jungle Swipe Right Liquid Exfoliant, $42 at Sephora
Why we love it: Especially formulated for more sensitive skin types.
What to consider: May not be strong enough for those looking for intense exfoliation.
Skin type: All skin types | Size: 150ml
What You Need To Know
Urban Jungle’s Swipe Right is formulated with PHAs, which is the more gentle version of AHAs and BHAs, so this liquid serum is great for those who want a super gentle yet effective exfoliation.
There’s also added allantoin to help encourage exfoliation, while vitamin E and geranium flower oil give the skin some extra love.
Five-star rating Sephora shoppers agree, commenting that it “feels gentle, absorbs into skin without any stickiness”.
BEST FOR SENSITIVE SKIN TYPES
Viviology Liquid Exfoliant, $55 at Adore Beauty
Why we love it: Includes sweet cherry extract to help refine and brighten the skin at the same time.
What to consider: Higher price tag than others on our list.
Skin type: Most skin types | Size: 200ml
What You Need To Know
For those who aren’t as confident to step into the world of chemical exfoliants, this one from Viviology is a great first step.
It’s gentle yet effective at removing dead skin cells, while also containing a bunch of hydrating ingredients to really give your skin some extra love.
Formulated with a blend of AHAs, PHAs, sweet cherry extract and niacinamide to help brighten, while native Australian plant extracts provide extra hydration.
Five-star rating Adore Beauty shoppers have noted this “shrunk my pores and helped with texture within days. Holy grail status!”
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING A CHEMICAL EXFOLIANT
When choosing chemical exfoliants to include in our list, we evaluated several factors:
Price: We’ve got picks from as little as $10, so you don’t have to break the bank when it comes to clearer and smoother skin.
Formula: Chemical exfoliants come in a range of forms – whether that be serums, creams, liquid toners, or even toner pads like the new release from Paula’s Choice.
Ingredients: There are three main types of exfoliating acids – BHA’s, AHA’s and PHA’s – and they’re all suited to different skin types and skin goals.
HOW WE CHOOSE PRODUCTS
With hundreds of chemical exfoliants available, it’s impossible to test every product out there. Our content is based on a range of different types of research – the team’s first-hand experience with products, hours of research, scouring through pages of consumer reviews or information, and advice from experts we trust – including Deborah Kilgoure, the Director of Global Skincare Knowledge at Paula’s Choice.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHY DO I NEED TO USE A CHEMICAL EXFOLIANT?
“Our skin has a natural exfoliation process that can get faulty over time due to age and
environmental stressors,” explains Deborah.
“When this process stops performing at its peak, the results can be dullness, dryness, clogged pores, breakouts, and more visible signs of ageing.
“Chemical exfoliants like AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) and BHA (beta hydroxy acid, or salicylic acid) help to gently dissolve the bonds between dead skin cells, allowing them to shed more effectively. This process reveals smoother, brighter, and healthier-looking
skin. It also supports skin barrier by way of better cell turnover.
“Chemical exfoliants also allow other skin care products to absorb better, boosting their
effectiveness and maximising overall results.”
CAN I USE A CHEMICAL EXFOLIANT EVERY DAY?
No, it’s not recommended to use a chemical exfoliant everyday.
If you’re a beginners, it’s recommended to start with using it once a week, gradually increasing to two or three times a week at most – it all depends on how well your skin reacts to it.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL EXFOLIANT?
As the name suggests, physical exfoliants use abrasive materials to manually remove dead skin cells. Chemical exfoliants, on the other hand, rely on exfoliating acids to renew the skin for you.
More Coverage
Generally speaking, chemical exfoliants are considered gentler and more effective. Some physical exfoliants can be too harsh, leading to micro-tears and long-term damage to your skin barrier.
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