The Best Chemical Exfoliants for Sensitive Skin

Skin smoothing with acids can be scary, but glow up with ease, thanks to these expert-recommended peels, serums, and cleansers.

Skin-sloughing is key when it comes to achieving — and maintaining — healthy, glowy skin. “Exfoliation removes the outermost layers of the epidermis to reveal the newer skin beneath,” board-certified dermatologist Hadley King, MD, who is based in New York City, tells Allure. “Regular exfoliation is key to a glowing complexion.”

While there are two different types of exfoliants — physical and chemical — the latter is especially ideal for those with sensitive skin since they are less abrasive than the former, explains board-certified dermatologist Marie Hayag, MD, who is also based in New York City. Additionally, “chemical exfoliants can penetrate deeper into the skin and work by breaking apart the bonds that hold dead skin cells together,” Dr. Hayag explains.

Board-certified dermatologist Orit Markowitz, MD, who is based in New York City, also tells Allure that alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) are two of the most common types of chemical exfoliants. According to Dr. Markowitz, these ingredients “gently exfoliate the buildup of dead skin cells and reveal softer, more hydrated skin without damaging the skin.” Fruit enzymes like papaya and pineapple are another type of chemical exfoliant, which, as Dr. Hayag notes, are great for sensitive skin since they gently slough.

Polyhydroxy acids (PHAs) are also ideal for those with sensitive skin. According to board-certified dermatologist Karyn Grossman, MD, who is based in Santa Monica, PHAs penetrate the skin slower than AHAs and BHAs — thus creating less irritation. “These acids are much milder than AHAs or BHAs, which makes them an excellent alternative for individuals with sensitive skin,” explains board-certified dermatologist Michele Green, MD, who is based in New York City. “Additionally, PHAs have humectant properties, so [they] are able to draw in moisture [and] minimize dryness,” board-certified New York City-based dermatologist Marisa Garshick, MD, tells Allure.

Just be sure you’re not over-exfoliating, which may cause inflammation, breakouts, dryness, and redness — especially if you’re already prone to sensitive skin. How often you exfoliate primarily depends on your skin type. New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Shari Marchbein, MD, previously shared with Allure that those who have combination or oily skin can exfoliate “up to three times weekly.”

To help navigate the (sometimes) intimating world of chemical exfoliants — especially if you have sensitive skin — we narrowed down the top dermatologist-recommended products that are smooth without irritation.

SkinCeuticals Glycolic 10 Renew Overnight

Not only is SkinCeuticals’s Glycolic 10 Renew Overnight a Best of Beauty Award winner, but the overnight treatment is formulated with two types of AHAs to slough away dead skin. “This is a very gentle glycolic and phytic acid [blend] that works overnight to promote cell turnover,” says New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Paul Jarrod Frank, MD, tells Allure. “I love this one in particular because it does not contain any alcohol or fragrance, which can irritate sensitive skin.”

Charlotte Tilbury Glow Toner

Charlotte Tilbury isn’t only killing it with her makeup launches. According to Dr. King, the Daily Glow Toner is different than most exfoliating toners because it’s acid-free. Instead, this milky liquid is made with prickly pear extract to get rid of dead skin, peptides for brightness, and niacinamide for smoothing.

Revision Skincare Papaya Enzyme Cleanser

Dr. King is a fan of Revision Skincare’s Papaya Enzyme Cleanser because of its gentle formula. The star of said formula is papain, an enzyme from papaya extract that gently exfoliates, leaving the skin softer, smoother, and more vibrant.

Cosrx Low pH Good Night Soft Peeling Gel

Another one with papain in it is the Cosrx Low pH Good Night Soft Peeling Gel. Dr. King loves recommending this fragrance-free treatment to those with sensitive skin because it’ll slough off all dead skin cells without irritating the skin. Plus, it has three different forms of hyaluronic acid in it, so hydration is big here.

Naturium Mandelic Topical Acid 12%

Don’t be intimidated by the percentage of acid in Naturium’s Mandelic Topical Acid 12%. “This contains a blend of 12 percent mandelic acid, natural fruit acids, and niacinamide to exfoliate without leaving the skin dry or irritated,” Dr. Garshick tells Allure. “Making it a great option for those with sensitive skin.” As an added bonus, it’s also fragrance- and paraben-free — two additives that can further irritate skin.

No7 Laboratories Resurfacing Peel 15% Glycolic Acid

As the name suggests, No7’s Laboratories Resurfacing Peel 15% Glycolic Acid is formulated with glycolic acid, one of the most common and powerful types of AHAs. To avoid any irritation, board-certified dermatologist Tess Mauricio, MD who is based in Beverly Hills, recommends applying the liquid after cleansing and leaving it on for 10 minutes before rinsing. “Your skin can feel immediately smoother even after the first application,” she tells Allure.

Biologique Recherche Lotion P50

Biologique Recherche Lotion P50 is a fan-favorite lotion that’s formulated with multiple chemical exfoliants, including lactic acid (an alpha hydroxy acid), and salicylic acid (a beta hydroxy acid). According to Dr. Hayag, the formula is also infused with hydrating ingredients like niacinamide to “help leave your skin with a more radiant complexion.”

Obagi Clinical Kinetin+ Exfoliating Facial Cleansing Gel

Board-certified dermatologist Elyse Love, MD, who is based in New York City, recommends Obagi Clinical’s Kinetin+ Exfoliating Facial Cleansing Gel for sensitive skin since it’s formulated with gentle papaya-derived exfoliants. The hypoallergenic cleanser also effectively removes dirt, oil, and makeup while unclogging pores and leaving skin soft and smooth.

The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA

The Ordinary’s Lactic Acid 10% + HA peel is especially ideal for sensitive-skinned folks since it’s formulated with hyaluronic acid, which hydrates skin and prevents dry out as the acid smooths away dullness.

The Inkey List PHA Toner

“This toner helps to improve the texture and tone of the skin as it uses PHAs to gently remove dead cells,” Dr. Garshick explains. Additionally, The Inkey List PHA Toner also contains moisturizing aloe leaf juice and niacinamide. Garshick credits both of these ingredients with being “calming and soothing on the skin.”

Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment

Allure editors have already confirmed that Sunday Riley’s Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment lives up to the hype, and board-certified dermatologist Debra Jaliman, MD, agrees. “The lactic acid plumps the skin,” she tells Allure. According to Dr. Jaliman, the glowy skin-inducing treatment is infused with licorice extract to diminish the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation. There’s also aloe to eliminate redness, and lemongrass, which gets rid of bacteria with its natural antiseptic properties.

First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads

In addition to First Aid Beauty’s Facial Radiance Pads being free of irritation-inducing alcohol, artificial fragrances, parabens, and phthalates — the pads are soaked in a combination of lactic and glycolic acids. “These exfoliating peel pads leave the skin looking and feeling soft and smooth,” says Dr. Garshick.

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask

Sloughing has never been sweeter, thanks to Glow Recipe’s Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask. “This product combines AHAs with a soothing moisturizer to decrease chances of irritation,” Dr. Love tells Allure. The mask features hydrating hyaluronic acid, antioxidant-rich pumpkin extract, soothing watermelon extract, and a blend of AHAs, including glycolic and lactic acids, to smooth skin overnight as you sleep.

Bliss Jelly Glow Peel

Tiny plant-based fibers in this Bliss Jelly Glow Peel act, as the brand describes, like micro-lint rollers to catch and sweep away flaky, dry skin. There are also pineapple and papaya enzymes, which exfoliate from beneath the skin’s surface. Niacinamide brightens while a trio of moisturizers — including hyaluronic acid, coconut fruit extract, and pro-vitamin B5 — hydrate skin. The gel is basically a one-step glow-up in a tube.

E.L.F. Cosmetics Gentle Peeling Exfoliant

Another Best of Beauty winner, E.L.F. Cosmetics’s Gentle Peeling Exfoliant looks to a combination of brightening licorice root, exfoliating papaya extract, and antioxidant-enriched tangerine extract to protect skin and reveal a smoother, brighter complexion in seconds.

Lauren Dana Ellman is an NYC-based writer and editor whose work has been featured in publications including ELLE, POPSUGAR, Self, and Brides, among other lifestyle-oriented publications. She graduated from Syracuse University with a B.S. in magazine journalism. When she’s not glued to her iPhone or computer screen, you can find her… Read more