Skin care is an important part of your wellness regimen. But it’s tricky, because the product your best friend or favorite celebrity swears by might not be the best product for you and your skin. Further, the products you loved in your 20s might not be what your skin needs in your 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond. Every age and type of skin requires different care and, thus, different products. Finding what’s right for you and your skin type takes a lot of trial and error. And many of these products aren’t cheap. So you run the risk of draining your funds on your path to brightening and tightening your skin. If you have sensitive skin, you run an even bigger risk of a product not working out, especially where exfoliants, which can be notoriously harsh, come in.
Exfoliating removes dead skin cells for brighter, glowier skin, but if you have sensitive skin it can react poorly to abrasive treatments leaving your skin red, raw and tight instead. Dermatologists say that you don’t need to avoid exfoliating altogether, but that you should pay attention to what kind of exfoliatiors you use, opting for those that use lactic acid in place of BHAs and glycolic acid. They also suggest exfoliating less frequently, starting at once a week and working your way up if you need more. There is a ton of information to sort through, and the product options can feel endless, so we’ve made a list of six exfoliators that both dermatologists and people with sensitive skin swear by.
Farmacy Honeymoon Glow AHA resurfacing night serum
Farmacy Honeymoon Glow resurfaces, hydrates and clarifies dull skin while you sleep. It uses a blend of lactic, glycolic, citric and fruit acids to promote cell renewal, diminish hyperpigmentation, and reduce the appearance of fine lines. Hibiscus extract gently exfoliates your skin, leaving it bright. And the addition of hydrating and smoothing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and honey make it extra good for sensitive skin.
Sunday Riley Good Genes all-in-one lactic acid treatment
Sunday Riley Good Genes uses purified grade lactic acid, licorice and lemongrass to exfoliate and remove dull, dead skin cells that clog your pores. This leads to clearer, brighter skin and a reduction in the appearance of hyperpigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles. It also uses arnica and prickly pear extract which both soothe skin and reduce the feeling of any discomfort from exfoliation. There are even separate instructions for sensitive skin that have you use it at as a mask in place of a leave-on treatment.
First Aid Beauty resurfacing liquid
First Aid Beauty Resurfacing Liquid. This gentle, leave-on skin resurfacing liquid was designed specifically for sensitive skin. It is a blend of four alpha hydroxy acids, including lactic acid, that exfoliate and resurface your skin, leaving it brighter and with improved overall texture. Licorice, mulberry root and lemon peel brighten your skin. And this product also contains First Aid Beauty’s proprietary Skin Saver Complex, a signature blend of hyaluronic acid, colloidal oatmeal, allantoin, aloe, ceramides and vitamins C and E. This complex soothes, nourishes and supports skin health.
Paula’s Choice 2% BHA liquid exfoliant
Paula’s Choice liquid exfoliant is strong enough to treat mild acne, but still gentle enough to be used on sensitive skin. It contains butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), an antioxidant that sheds layers of built-up dead skin. This leaves your skin looking more smooth, even and bright. Green tea in this products soothes skin and alleviates any irritation that might occur. It is safe to use up to twice daily, but those with sensitive skin should use it less often, starting at every other day.
The Ordinary lactic acid 10% + HA
The Ordinary’s lactic acid liquid is a high-strength exfoliation serum that provides gentle exfoliation with lactic and hyaluronic acids. It also contains a purified Tasmanian pepperberry derivative that reduces signs of inflammation and sensitivity associated with exfoliation.
Naturium Mandelic Topical Acid 12%
This skin perfecting acid utilizes mandelic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid derived from almonds, which is great for sensitive skin because it has larger molecules than other alpha hydroxy acids so it absorbs into the skin more slowly. It pairs the mandelic acid with natural fruit acids and niacinamide which works to prevent dryness and other skin irritations that can occur with exfoliation. The slow penetration of the acids makes for a very gentle exfoliation and removal of dead skin cells, leading to brighter, firmer skin and a reduction in the look of fine lines and wrinkles.
