What’s the best SkinCeuticals exfoliant? I mean, if you’re gonna spend $80 for an exfoliant, you NEED to know it’ll do the job – WITHOUT irritating your skin. Easier said than done when you have to choose between 10 cleansers, toners, and serums all promising to get those pesky dead cells off your face, get rid of wrinkles and kick acne in the butt (although, for this price, I feel like they should make me coffee too 😉 ).
Where do you even begin? Like, do acids work better in a cleanser or a serum? Is a scrub better than an acid? Are you guaranteed better results if you pay a higher price? Argh, I feel a headache coming on…. Fret not. I’ve put together this quick guide to ALL Skinceuticals exfoliants to help you choose the right one for your skin type, needs and budget:
- What To Look For In An Exfoliant
- Exfoliating Cleansers & Scrubs
- Leave-On Exfoliants
- Skinceuticals LHA Toner ($40.00)
- Skinceuticals Blemish + Age Defense ($106.00)
- Skinceuticals Retexturizing Activator ($90.00)
- Skinceuticals C + AHA ($145.00)
- Skinceuticals Discoloration Defense ($108.00)
- Skinceuticals Glycolic 10 Renew Overnight ($90.00)
- Skinceuticals Phyto A+ Brightening Treatment ($110.00)
- Skinceuticals Cell Cycle Catalyst ($115.00)
- The Verdict
What To Look For In An Exfoliant
Before I tell you what the best Skinceuticals exfoliant is, let’s talk about what to look for in a good exfoliant – and the criteria I use to pick the winners:
- Leave-on VS Rinse off: Exfoliating acids work better when left on the skin for a period of several hours. Adding them to a cleanser you massage on your skin for only a couple of minutes before you rinse them off down the drain makes them less effective, but also gentler on the skin. A trade-off that’s worth it only for sensitive skin that can’t tolerate leave-on acid exfoliants.
- Chemical exfoliants VS Scrubs: Chemical exfoliants refers to exfoliating acids, like Glycolic and Salicylic. They exfoliate skin by dissolving the glue that holds skin cells together, so they can fall off on their own. Plus, they go the extra mile. Glycolic Acid also hydrates skin and fades away dark spots while Salicylic Acid helps to unclog pores and treat acne. Compare them to scrubs, which use physical particles like silica beads and walnut shells. They exfoliate by manually removing dead cells, but don’t have any other superpowers. The jarred edges of exfoliating particles can also irritate sensitive skin.
- Know your skin type: Glycolic Acid is great for dry skin and dark spots. Salicylic Acid is the perfect exfoliant for oily skin, acne, and blackheads. Lactic Acid works better for sensitive skin that can’t tolerate other acids.
Exfoliating Cleansers & Scrubs
Skinceuticals Clarifying Exfoliating Cleanser ($38.00)
What it is: An exfoliating cleanser with a 7% mix of Salicylic, Glycolic, and Lactic acids + pumice beads.
What it does: A chemical and physical exfoliator rolled into one, it removes the dead cells that accumulate on the surface of your skin for a smoother and brighter complexion. Salicylic Acid also gets inside your pores and unclogs them from within to help both prevent and treat acne.
Who should use it: I’m not a big fan of this exfoliant. Chemical exfoliators work better when left on the skin for hours. Physical exfoliator can be harsh, if massaged on the skin too long/too strongly. If your skin can’t tolerate leave-on acids but is ok with pumice, this may be a good option. But this is a very small category of people.
When to use it: If you really want to give it a try, use it no more than once a day. If you have dry skin, use it only 3 times a week.
Side effects: Physical exfoliation can be too harsh for some skin types.
Available at: Blue Mercury and Skinceuticals
Related: Do Exfoliating Cleansers Really Work?
Skinceuticals Simply Clean Gel ($39.00)
What it is: A gel cleanser for oily skin with a fruit acid blend that’s supposed to exfoliate skin (but it can’t).
What it does: Skinceuticals says it contains a fruit acid blend (citric acid and orange?) to exfoliate skin. But there are all kinds of problems with this. First off, there’s barely a few drops of them here. Two: fruit acid blends don’t work that well, especially compared to scrubs or exfoliating acids. And finally, they can be irritating for some skin types. This cleanser can cleanse, but not exfoliate.
Who should use it: It’s a good cleanser for oily skin. It’ll get rid of impurities, excess oil, and makeup. Just don’t expect too much exfoliation from it.
When to use it: Twice a day, morning and night, as the first step of your skincare routine.
Side effects: The citrusy fruit extracts can irritate sensitive skin.
Available at: Blue Mercury and Skinceuticals
Related: The Best Cleansers For Oily Skin
Don’t know which skincare products you can mix and match together and which ones deactivate each other? Download your FREE “How To Layer Actives Like A Pro” cheat sheet to get the most out of your skincare products:
Skinceuticals LHA Cleansing Gel ($45.00)
What it is: An exfoliating cleanser with Glycolic acid, Salicylic acid, and LHA (caproloyl salicylic acid)
What it does: It cleanses and exfoliates skin at the same time, removing both impurities and dead cells from your skim, for a smoother and brighter complexion free of acne. It’s the best exfoliating cleanser Skinceuticals offers, but you’d still get better exfoliation from a leave-on product.
Who should use it: Sensitive skin who can’t tolerate leave-on acid exfoliants, but still wants its fix.
When to use it: Skinceuticals recommends twice daily, but once is more than enough. If you have sensitive skin, you may want to cut back to 3 or 4 times a week.
Side effects: It doesn’t exfoliate as well as leave-on cleansers. Only for sensitive skin, the trade-off is worth it.
Available at: Blue Mercury, Dermstore, Skinceuticals, and Skin Store
Related: How To Choose The Best Cleanser For Your Skin Type
Skinceuticals Micro-Exfoliating Scrub ($35.00)
What it is: A physical scrub with silica beads.
What it does: Silica particles manually remove dead cells from your skin, leave it softer, smoother and brighter.
Who should use it: I personally don’t recommend physical exfoliation. One: it’s more irritating than acid exfoliants. Two: all you get is exfoliation. Exfoliating acids go the extra mile. They also unclog pores, hydrate skin, reduce inflammation. But if you’re a die-hard fan of scrubs and refuse to use anything else, you’ll like this.
When to use it: Skinceuticals recommends once a day, I’d say three times a week. Physical exfoliation isn’t a daily job!
Side effects: Like all physical exfoliants, it can irritate skin if you overdo it.
Available at: Dermstore and Skinceuticals
Related: Why I Ditched Scrubs And Switched To Chemical Exfoliants
Leave-On Exfoliants
Skinceuticals LHA Toner ($40.00)
What it is: A glycolic acid toner with a little Salicylic acid and LHA (Caproloyl salicylic acid) thrown in.
What it does: A leave-on version of the LHA Cleanser, it has glycolic acid exfoliates skin and smooths away imperfections on the surface, while salicylic acid unclogs pores and gets rid of acne. In the long run, it brightens the complexion, reduces skin roughness, and prevents acne.
Who should use it: Best for aging skin prone to breakouts.
When to use it: Skinceuticals says twice a day, but that’s too much exfoliation for most skin types. Start using it three nights a week and build up frequency gradually (if needed).
Side effects: Can dry out skin if used too often.
Available at: Dermstore, Skinceuticals, and Skin Store
Related: The Best Skincare Routine For Acne + Aging Skin
Skinceuticals Blemish + Age Defense ($106.00)
What it is: A serum that treats both acne and the signs of aging. It has 0.3%Â LHA (Caprolyol Salicylic Acid), 1.5% Salicylic Acid, 3.5% Glycolic Acid and 0.5% Citric Acid.
What it does: All these exfoliants dissolve the glue that holds skin cells together, revealing brighter and smoother skin underneath. But they have different properties. Glycolic acid slowly reduces the appearance of fine lines and dark spots, while salicylic acid unclogs pores and treats breakouts.
Who should use it: People with oily and aging skin that want to tackle acne, wrinkles, and dark spots all at the same time.
When to use it: If you have oily skin, you could use it once a day. But I do recommend it every other day, especially if you’re using a retinol serum in your routine. Use them on alternate nights.
Side effects: Can dry out skin if used too much/too often.
Available at: Dermstore, Skinceuticals, and Skin Store
Related: Glycolic VS Salicylic Acid: Which One Is Right For You?
Skinceuticals Retexturizing Activator ($90.00)
What it is: An oil-free serum that exfoliates, hydrates and strengthen skin’s barrier.
What it does: it uses 25% Hydroxyethyl Urea/Aminosulfonic acid compound to stimulate enzymes that break down the “glue” that holds skin cells together so they can slough off on their own. In other words, it doesn’t exfoliate. It just promotes natural exfoliation without drying out skin. Plus, it hydrates it too.
Who should use it: Sensitive skin that doesn’t react well to exfoliating acids. It’s gentler than scrubs, too.
When to use it: SkinCeuticals recommends twice a day, but for most people once a day will be more than enough.
Side effects: It’s pretty safe and gentle, but I guess there’s always the remote chance your skin may not react well to something in it (sensitive skin is “funny” like that).
Available at: Blue Mercury, Dermstore, Skinceuticals, and Skin Store
Related: Skinceuticals Retexturizing Activator Full Review
Skinceuticals C + AHA ($145.00)
What it is: A daytime antioxidant serum with exfoliating properties. It has 15% L-Ascorbic Acid (the pure form of Vitamin C) to fight wrinkles and a 10% blend of AHAs (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) to exfoliate.
What it does: Chemical exfoliants AHAs remove dead cells and improve the texture of the skin, make it softer and smoother, and fade away dark spots. 15% vitamin C fights wrinkles, boosts collagen and brightens the complexion. I personally prefer it when my Vitamin C serums come with ferulic acid and Vitamin E. This combo has been proven to supercharge Vitamin C, so it works better and faster. Unfortunately, they’re not here.
Who should use it: It’s most suitable for people with dry skin who want to simplify their routine. Instead of Vitamin C serum and an exfoliant, you have 2 in 1 here.
When to use it: This is tricky. Skinceuticals recommend you use it every morning. L-Ascorbic Acid helps boost the effectiveness of your sunscreen, so it makes sense. But AHAs make skin more prone to sun damage (all exfoliants do). If you’re religious with sunscreen, apply it generously every day, use it every other morning. If you know you only apply a thin layer or don’t reapply during the day, use it every other night.
Side effects: Using AHAs and vitamin C together may be too much for sensitive skin.
Available at: Blue Mercury, Dermstore, Look Fantastic, Skinceuticals, and Skin Store
Related: Why You Should Add Vitamin C To Your Skincare Routine
Skinceuticals Discoloration Defense ($108.00)
What it is: A skin-lightning serum with very mild exfoliating properties. Instead of an exfoliating acid, it uses 5% Sulfonic Acid (HEPES) to activate natural enzymes in your skin that break the bonds that bind dead skin cells to the surface. It promotes natural exfoliation instead of exfoliating.
What it does: It combines 3% Tranexemic acid, 1% Kojic acid, and 5% niacinamide to fade away dark spots and brighten the skin tone. Hydroxyethyl urea performs a mild exfoliating action, but there’s too little of it to make a difference. This serum’ll help you fade away dark spots, but you still need to use a separate exfoliant with it.
Who should use it: Anyone who wants to fade away dark spots and discolourations.
When to use it: You can use morning and/or night, after cleansing. I recommend once a day, so you can alternate it with a separate exfoliant and tackle dark spots on two fronts.
Side effects: May cause irritation when used too much too often.
Available at: Blue Mercury, Dermstore, Skinceuticals, and Skin Store
Related: Battle Of The Skin-Lighteners: Which Is The Best Alternative To Hydroquinone?
Skinceuticals Glycolic 10 Renew Overnight ($90.00)
What it is: A Glycolic acid exfoliant in cream form.
What it does: Glycolic Acid is my fave exfoliant for dry skin. It removes dead cells, hydrates skin, smooths out wrinkles, and helps to fade away dark spots. See now why I love chemical exfoliants? They do so much more than just exfoliate skin.
Who should use it: Dry and sun-damaged skin.
When to use it: Skinceuticals says to use it every night, but that’s way too much for most people, especially if you’re also using retinol in your skincare routine. Use it every other night, after cleansing.
Side effects: Dryness, redness, flaking, and irritation when used too much/too often.
Available at: Blue Mercury, Dermstore, Look Fantastic, Skinceuticals, and Skin Store
Skinceuticals Phyto A+ Brightening Treatment ($110.00)
What it is: A lightweight moisturiser with powerful skin-brightening properties and a mild exfoliating power to fade away dark spots.
What it does: Alpha Arbutin and Azelaic Acid are two powerful skin-lighteners that help inhibit the production of melanin to reduce dark spots. I usually recommend you pick one or the other to minimise the risk of irritation, but Skinceuticals has formulated them, so you can use both without experience severe side effects. Azelaic Acid also has mild exfoliating properties that also brighten the complexion.
Who should use it: People who want to fade away dark spots.
When to use it: Skinceuticals says to use it twice a day. If that’s too much for you, once a day, either in the morning or at night, is more than enough.
Side effects: It can irritate skin if you overuse it.
Available at: Blue Mercury, Dermstore, Look Fantastic, and Skinceuticals
Skinceuticals Cell Cycle Catalyst ($115.00)
What it is: An anti-aging exfoliant with a 7.7% multi-acid complex: 2% Phytic Acid, 1% Mandelic Acid, 0.2% Salicylic Acid, 2% Lactic Acid, and 2.5% Glycolic Acid.
What it does: Skinceuticals calls it anti-aging, but there’s nothing anti-aging here. It’s just an exfoliant that makes your skin look younger by brightening the complexion and smoothing out wrinkles – same as every other exfoliant does. There’s not enough salicylic acid here to fight acne.
Who should use it: People with dry skin and hyperpigmentation.
When to use it: Every other night, after cleansing.
Side effects: It can irritate skin if you overuse it.
Available at: Skinceuticals
Related: The Complete Guide To Glycolic Acid: What It Is, What It Does, And How To Use It
The Verdict
There you have it, the best Skinceuticals exfoliants. To recap:
- If you have dry skin: Skinceuticals Glycolic 10 Renew Overnight ($90.00). It has 10% Glycolic Acid to exfoliate, brighten, and hydrate.
- If you have combination skin: Skinceuticals Blemish + Age Defense ($106.00). It has both Salicylic Acid to fight acne and Glycolic Acid to brighten and hydrate.
- If you have oily skin: Skinceuticals Blemish + Age Defense ($106.00). It has the highest concentration of Salicylic Acid to unclog pores and fight acne.
- If you have sensitive skin: Skinceuticals Retexturizing Activator ($90.00). It promotes natural exfoliation without the irritation.
- If you want to fade away dark spots: Skinceuticals C + AHA ($145.00). It has enough of both Vitamin C and Alpha Hydroxy Acids to brighten the complexion and fade away dark spots.
