Should You Exfoliate Sensitive Skin? Dermatologists Explain (2024)

Should You Exfoliate Sensitive Skin? Dermatologists Explain (1)

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If you have sensitive skin that immediately turns red to the touch or stings whenever you add a new product to your routine, you might think that all bets are off when it comes to exfoliation. But while it may seem counterintuitive to apply a formula that sloughs off dead skin cells to your highly reactive skin, those with sensitive skin can exfoliate and reap its glow-giving, tone-smoothing, texture-softening benefits. "It just needs to be done with caution and care," explains Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist.

What to consider

Exfoliating sensitive skin is possible as long as you use the right type of exfoliator. "Stick with chemical exfoliants; they are gentlest," says Omer Ibrahim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. "The physical pressure that physical exfoliators can inflict can cause rashes, breakouts, inflammation, and micro-injury to sensitive skin." That said, be weary of strong alpha hydroxy acids, like glycolic acid or trichloroacetic acid, because they can penetrate deeper into the skin, promoting more substantial skin turnover and potentially irritating sensitive skin, explains Lauren Penzi, a board-certified dermatologist of MDCS Dermatology. "Look for gentle AHAs, such as lactic acid, mandelic acid, and polyhydroxy acids. These have a larger molecule size that causes them to penetrate the skin more slowly and shallowly, leading to less irritation."

How to exfoliate sensitive skin

"I recommend starting once a week. If your skin is tolerating it, then you can build up the frequency as needed," says Ibrahim. Also, make sure to skip other potentially irritating products on the nights you exfoliate, such as acne formulas or retinol, says Penzi. "Only use a gentle cleanser, then the exfoliator, and follow with a moisturizer."

The experts:

Best for Uneven Texture

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant

Should You Exfoliate Sensitive Skin? Dermatologists Explain (2)

Why We Love It
  • Should You Exfoliate Sensitive Skin? Dermatologists Explain (3)Increases cellular turnover
  • Should You Exfoliate Sensitive Skin? Dermatologists Explain (4)Helps even out skin texture
What to Consider
  • Should You Exfoliate Sensitive Skin? Dermatologists Explain (5)Some reviewers don't like the smell

If you have sensitive skin and deal with texture, be it breakouts, bumps, pores, or lines, Penzi recommends this formula. It contains a mix of gentle chemical exfoliants, such as mandelic acid and lactic acid. The addition of yarrow root extract offers a boost of antioxidant protection from environmental aggressors and helps soothe. "These ingredients help gently increase cell turnover and exfoliate the skin by dissolving bonds between dead skin cells, revealing fresh, smooth skin underneath," says Penzi.

Key ingredients:Mandelic acid, lactic acid, and yarrow root extract
Size:3.0 oz
How to use:Apply day or night onto cleansed skin using a cotton round

Best for Large Pores

Tatcha The Deep Cleanse

Should You Exfoliate Sensitive Skin? Dermatologists Explain (6)

Why We Love It
  • Should You Exfoliate Sensitive Skin? Dermatologists Explain (7)Controls excess sebum production
  • Should You Exfoliate Sensitive Skin? Dermatologists Explain (8)Helps reduce the look of large pores
What to Consider
  • Should You Exfoliate Sensitive Skin? Dermatologists Explain (9)It's more expensive than other options on this list

Pro tip: "Exfoliating cleansers are a great idea because the short contact on the skin minimizes the chance for irritation," says Gohara. This formula contains a mix of popular Japanese ingredients, such as luffa fruit (a natural exfoliant), antioxidant-rich wild rose, and leopard lily, which calms the skin. It deeply cleanses the skin, helps control excess sebum production, and tightens the look of large pores. It's oil-free, non-comedogenic, dermatologist-tested, and cruelty-free.

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Why We Love It
  • Should You Exfoliate Sensitive Skin? Dermatologists Explain (11)Affordable
  • Should You Exfoliate Sensitive Skin? Dermatologists Explain (12)Vegan and cruelty-free
  • Should You Exfoliate Sensitive Skin? Dermatologists Explain (13)Reduces look of redness and uneven skin tone
  • Should You Exfoliate Sensitive Skin? Dermatologists Explain (14)Contains soothing aloe
What to Consider
  • Should You Exfoliate Sensitive Skin? Dermatologists Explain (15)Some reviewers have experienced a leaky bottle

"Polyhydroxy acids are a gentler alternative to AHA's and BHA's because they help to exfoliate the skin, prevent sun damage, and improve skin tone and texture while hydrating the skin," says Penzi. She recommends this affordable pick, which contains niacinamide to tackle redness, uneven skin tone, and blemishes. You can also find aloe vera leaf juice in this formula to help soothe sensitive skin.

Size:3.4 oz
How to use:Apply day or night onto cleansed skin using a cotton round
Key ingredients:PHA, niacinamide, and aloe vera leaf juice

Best for Oily Skin

Cetaphil Gentle Exfoliating Facial Cleanser

Should You Exfoliate Sensitive Skin? Dermatologists Explain (16)

Why We Love It
  • Should You Exfoliate Sensitive Skin? Dermatologists Explain (17)Sloughs away flaking skin
  • Should You Exfoliate Sensitive Skin? Dermatologists Explain (18)Doesn't strip skin
  • Should You Exfoliate Sensitive Skin? Dermatologists Explain (19)Budget-friendly
What to Consider
  • Should You Exfoliate Sensitive Skin? Dermatologists Explain (20)Some reviewers say it has a clinical smell

"When in doubt, Cetaphil is a trusted name in the sensitive skin department," says Ibrahim, which is why he recommends this exfoliating cleanser. Even though it's a physical exfoliant with micro-fine granules, he says it's gentle enough to use daily because it contains anti-inflammatory vitamins E and B5. It's a great choice for those with combination or oily skin, which tend to be more tolerant to physical exfoliants than dry, sensitive skin types.

Key ingredients:Skin Tone Improvement, Exfoliating, Basic Cleansing, Pore Cleansing
Size:6.0 oz
How to use:Apply it to wet skin until it forms a lather and then rinse it off

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Best for Very Sensitive Skin

Aveeno Calm + Restore Nourishing PHA Facial Exfoliator

Should You Exfoliate Sensitive Skin? Dermatologists Explain (21)

Why We Love It
  • Should You Exfoliate Sensitive Skin? Dermatologists Explain (22)Hypoallergenic
  • Should You Exfoliate Sensitive Skin? Dermatologists Explain (23)Softens skin
What to Consider
  • Should You Exfoliate Sensitive Skin? Dermatologists Explain (24)Some reviewers say it's almost too gentle and takes a while to see results

This PHA exfoliating facial cleanser was made with sensitive skin types in mind, says Ibrahim. It's hypoallergenic and fragrance-free, and contains oat oil to moisturize and protect the skin barrier. You work the silky lather onto your skin before rinsing it off with water. The cherry on top is it's affordable and easily accessible at your local drugstore.

Key ingredients:PHA and oat oil
Size:4.0 oz
How to use:Apply a quarter-size amount to wet or dry skin and massage it to remove dirt and impurities. Then, rinse.

Best Soothing

Dermalogica Daily Milkfoliant Exfoliator

Why We Love It
  • Should You Exfoliate Sensitive Skin? Dermatologists Explain (27)Travel-friendly
  • Should You Exfoliate Sensitive Skin? Dermatologists Explain (28)Calming
  • Should You Exfoliate Sensitive Skin? Dermatologists Explain (29)Soothing
What to Consider
  • Should You Exfoliate Sensitive Skin? Dermatologists Explain (30)Be careful not to get the bottle wet because the powder formula can get messy

Soothe and exfoliate with this unique powder formula. It starts off like a powder and then turns into a creamy and milky lather that cleanses the skin without stripping it of moisture or causing irritation. Papaya enzymes clear out dead skin, oat bran extract calms, and hyaluronic acid hydrates. It's so gentle you can use it daily. "I'm obsessed with this formula because my skin feels so clean but comfortable after every use," says Genesis Rivas, Oprah Daily beauty editor.

Key ingredients:Papaya enzymes, oat bran extract, hyaluronic acid,
Size:2.6 oz
How to use:Apply a half-teaspoon into wet hands and create a creamy lather by rubbing hands together. Then, massage into face and rinse.

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Best for Uneven Skin Tone

Dr Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel

Should You Exfoliate Sensitive Skin? Dermatologists Explain (31)

Why We Love It
  • Should You Exfoliate Sensitive Skin? Dermatologists Explain (32)Targets signs of aging
  • Should You Exfoliate Sensitive Skin? Dermatologists Explain (33)Reduces look of hyperpigmentation
What to Consider
  • Should You Exfoliate Sensitive Skin? Dermatologists Explain (34)May be too much for extremely sensitive skin

Sensitive skin exists on a spectrum, says Ibrahim. If you're not as reactive or easily irritated, he says you can get away with trying these pads. They contain gentle lactic, mandelic, and willow bark to help reduce the look of hyperpigmentation, fine lines, and large pores, he explains. Green tea extract and vitamins C and E soothe and protect skin from environmental aggressors. Each treatment comes with two pads: one to exfoliate and one packed with antioxidants to neutralize and protect skin.

Key ingredients:Lactic acid, mandelic acid, willow bark extract, and green tea extract
Size:2.2 ml each step
How to use:Apply step 1 pad to clean, dry skin until the pad feels dry. Wait for two minutes before following up with pad 2.

Best for Dry Skin

Sunday Riley Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment

Should You Exfoliate Sensitive Skin? Dermatologists Explain (35)

Why We Love It
  • Should You Exfoliate Sensitive Skin? Dermatologists Explain (36)Targets fine lines and wrinkles
  • Should You Exfoliate Sensitive Skin? Dermatologists Explain (37)Moisturizing
What to Consider
  • Should You Exfoliate Sensitive Skin? Dermatologists Explain (38)It's more expensive than other options on this list

You'll love this two-in-one treatment for its ability to exfoliate the skin without making it feel stripped of moisture. It feels like a lightweight hydrating serum, except in addition to moisturizing and plumping, it contains lactic acid to clear skin. Lemongrass, licorice, and aloe extracts also help achieve a more even-looking complexion by increasing radiance, reducing the look of fine lines and wrinkles, and soothing. If you have very sensitive skin, the brand recommends using it as a mask instead of a leave-on treatment. Apply one to two pumps and leave it on for 15 minutes before rinsing.

Key ingredients:Lactic acid, licorice, lemongrass, and aloe extract
Size:1.7 oz
How to use:Apply 1 to 2 pumps to clean, dry skin and leave on for 15 minutes. Rinse well and pat dry.

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Best Drugstore

CeraVe Skin Renewing Nightly Exfoliating Treatment

Should You Exfoliate Sensitive Skin? Dermatologists Explain (39)

Why We Love It
  • Should You Exfoliate Sensitive Skin? Dermatologists Explain (40)Available at the drugstore
  • Should You Exfoliate Sensitive Skin? Dermatologists Explain (41)Promotes cellular turnover
  • Should You Exfoliate Sensitive Skin? Dermatologists Explain (42)Brightens
  • Should You Exfoliate Sensitive Skin? Dermatologists Explain (43)Hydrates
What to Consider
  • Should You Exfoliate Sensitive Skin? Dermatologists Explain (44)May be too much for extremely sensitive skin

CeraVe is known for including skin-repairing ceramides in all of its formulas, and this one is no different. In addition to exfoliating glycolic and lactic acids, this formula contains licorice root extract to brighten and hyaluronic acid to hydrate. It's a leave-on formula that you apply at night onto cleansed skin. Find it at your local drugstore store.

Key ingredients:Glycolic acid, lactic acid, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides
Size:1.7 oz
How to use:Apply onto clean skin at night

Best for Redness

Peach & Lily Glass Skin Face Polisher

Should You Exfoliate Sensitive Skin? Dermatologists Explain (45)

Why We Love It
  • Should You Exfoliate Sensitive Skin? Dermatologists Explain (46)Suitable for dry or rosacea-prone skin
  • Should You Exfoliate Sensitive Skin? Dermatologists Explain (47)Calms skin
What to Consider
  • Should You Exfoliate Sensitive Skin? Dermatologists Explain (48)It's more expensive than other options on this list

As the name suggests, this formula delivers glass-like skin that's smooth, radiant, and even. It's gentle enough for dry skin and those with rosacea. It's a rice-based enzyme powder that exfoliates and deeply cleanses skin while allantoin reduces redness and heals irritation. It also has green tea for its moisturizing and calming benefits.

Key ingredients:Rice-based enzymes, allantoin, and green tea extract
Size:2.64 oz
How to use:Apply a dime-sized amount onto wet hands and rub to create a creamy texture. Then, massage into face for a minute and rinse.

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How We Chose the Best Exfoliators for Sensitive Skin

Should You Exfoliate Sensitive Skin? Dermatologists Explain (49)

Our beauty team is dedicated to finding you the best of the best formulas. We spoke with expert dermatologists to learn about what to look for in an exfoliator for sensitive skin and got their go-to recommendations. We also researched and tested top-rated and brand-new formulas that hit the market to help you find the best products out there.

Should You Exfoliate Sensitive Skin? Dermatologists Explain (50)

Genesis Rivas

Genesis Rivas is the Beauty Editor at Oprah Daily, where she covers hair, makeup, skin, nails, and more. Before joining the Oprah Daily team, she wrote for several publications, including InStyle, Real Simple, and Shape. When she’s not testing, researching, and writing fun and educational beauty content, you can find her dancing and eating her way through New York City. Follow her on Instagram or TikTok

Should You Exfoliate Sensitive Skin? Dermatologists Explain (2024)

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