17 Top Exfoliators for Acne: The Most Effective Products
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Tired of whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples?
The good news is you don’t have to keep suffering from these pesky skin issues.
With the top exfoliator for acne, you can realize your dreams of having clear, bright, fresh, and healthy skin.
And in this article, we’ve rounded up the top 17 of them to help you select the right one for your needs.
- Rice-based powder formulation with salicylic acid for exfoliation
- Has skin-brightening ingredients and colloidal oatmeal and allantoin to lessen irritation
- Cruelty-free and vegan
- Made with 2% salicylic acid for deep exfoliation
- Contains natural exfoliants to renew and refresh the skin
- Cruelty-, paraben-, and oil-free
- Formulated with 25% AHA and 2% salicylic acid blend for powerful exfoliation
- Contains chickpea flour and antioxidants that brighten dull, uneven skin
- Free of SLS, drying alcohols, and silicones
Table of Contents
What Is Acne?
One of the most prevalent skin conditions in the United States, acne is said to affect up to 50 million Americans every year.
While it typically starts in puberty, it also affects many adult men and women.
Acne is characterized by various types of lesions, ranging from mild-looking to more serious.
These are as follows:
- Whiteheads: Also known as closed comedones, these are skin-colored bumps on the surface of the skin.
- Blackheads: These are a lot like whiteheads, except they are exposed to and oxidized by air, making them turn black. They are also called open comedones.
- Papules: These are pimples that do not contain pus. They are usually small and pink.
- Pustules: What differentiates these pimples from papules is that they’re darker (often taking on a reddish tone). They’re also filled with pus and are much more tender to the touch than papules.
- Nodules: These are big solid lesions, and they’re lodged deep within the layers of the skin.
Depending on the type of lesions found on the skin, acne is further classified into three types:
- Mild acne: This features whiteheads or blackheads or both; it is also called comedonal acne.
- Moderate acne: This type is characterized by the presence of papules or pustules but without nodules.
- Severe acne: Those with severe acne can have whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples with the addition of large, deep nodules. This type of acne also usually causes scarring.
What Causes Acne?
Acne forms when the pores or hair follicles — small, tube-shaped cavities found near the surface of the skin — get clogged with oil, dead skin, or bacteria.
Acne is most commonly found on the face, neck, chest, and back, where the skin has the most oil glands. Here are several factors that predispose an individual to acne:
Hormonal Changes
Hormonal changes occur during puberty, menstrual cycles, pregnancy, menopause, and the like.
Changes in your physiology due to hormones lead to increased oil production and inflammation, contributing to the development of acne.
Genetics
Genetics also play a major role in a person’s susceptibility to acne. Some people are more prone to developing the condition because their parents or grandparents had it.
Diet
Your diet plays a crucial role in the health of your skin. Consuming foods high in sugar, dairy, and unhealthy fats can trigger inflammation, leading to breakouts.
On the other hand, a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and lean protein can help maintain healthy skin.
Medication
Some medications (containing corticosteroids, testosterone, or lithium) can also influence hormone levels and trigger or exacerbate acne symptoms in some individuals.
Environmental Factors
Exposure to certain environmental factors, such as pollution and high humidity, can contribute to the development of acne.
Additionally, exposure to greasy or oily substances in the workplace or certain personal care products can exacerbate acne.
Inadequate Skincare Practices
Hair follicles can become clogged with a combination of dead skin cells and sebum. This provides an ideal environment for the growth of bacteria. If not regularly cleaned, your skin will naturally develop acne.
Lifestyle
Lifestyle can also affect skin health and cause breakouts. For example, if you don’t get enough sleep, your body produces more stress hormones, which can trigger breakouts and other skin issues.
Gut Health
A compromised gut barrier, often associated with poor gut health, can lead to leaky gut syndrome.
This increased permeability allows toxins, undigested food particles, and bacteria to enter the bloodstream, potentially triggering an inflammatory response that may manifest as skin issues.
Now what role do the top exfoliators for acne play in all this?
Turns out, a major one.
How Does Exfoliation Help Treat Acne?
Exfoliation is important for addressing and preventing acne. To understand why, let’s look at how it works first.
Exfoliation is the process in which physical or chemical exfoliants strip away the topmost layer of the skin to stimulate cell turnover, which is the process of shedding dead skin cells and replacing them with new ones.
In other words, exfoliation helps the skin shed the buildup of dead skin cells and oil that leads to acne and also effectively unclogs pores that are already congested with oil, dead skin, and bacteria.
As such, it addresses and treats current breakouts while preventing future blackheads, whiteheads, or pimples.
Exfoliation can help fade acne scars in the same way. Because it helps remove dead and damaged skin cells, it encourages new, healthy ones to come to the surface, which can reduce the appearance of scarring.
Choosing the Top Exfoliator for Acne: What To Consider
Now when it comes to choosing the top product for exfoliation, there are certain things that you must consider.
Here are a few of them:
Type of Exfoliator
There are two types of exfoliants or exfoliators for acne: physical and chemical.
Physical exfoliants refer to tools or products with microbeads or minuscule granules that physically buff the layers of the skin. These include facial scrubs.
They are best suited to mild to moderate acne, as they can only work with surface-level impurities. They may prove insufficient for more serious forms of acne.
Chemical exfoliators, on the other hand, are acids that dissolve the bonds within the layers of the skin, helping it easily and effectively shed dead cells to encourage the growth of new ones.
They are especially ideal for more stubborn forms of acne, especially those characterized by inflamed, pus-filled bumps.
This is because they can penetrate deep into the layers of the skin, dissolve the glue that keeps the layers together, and help facilitate the faster removal of layers that house acne-causing bacteria, targeting acne symptoms at the source.
Chemical exfoliators come in the form of liquid exfoliants, cleansers, masks, and chemical peels.
While many are intimidated by chemical peels, at their core, they’re just products infused with acids or enzymes to speed up the skin’s exfoliation and address symptoms of acne.
Specific Purpose
Not all exfoliators are made equal — and some are better than others at addressing acne-related concerns.
When choosing exfoliators for acne, it’s best to go for products that treat most symptoms of acne, such as the following:
- Scars
- Whiteheads
- Blackheads
- Pustules
- Papules
- Redness
- Cysts
- Crusting
Ingredients Found in the Exfoliator
Aside from the types of exfoliators, you should also think about what exactly you’ll find in these exfoliators.
If you want a physical exfoliator, it’s best to choose one with gentle exfoliants that have smooth edges that won’t irritate or create small tears or microtears in the skin.
These exfoliators include the following:
- Volcanic pumice
- Apricot seeds
- Microdermabrasion crystals
- Coffee beans
Chemical exfoliators, for their part, include these acids that are especially ideal for treating and preventing acne:
- Azelaic acid
- Citric acid
- Glycolic acid
- Malic acid
- Retinoic acid
- Salicylic acid
Your Skin Type
Your exfoliator should be ideal for your specific skin type.
If you have acne-prone sensitive skin, for instance, it’s best to stick to gentler formulations that won’t run the risk of irritating your skin and exacerbating acne.
At the same time, if you have acne-prone but dry skin, you’ll want an exfoliator that won’t leave your skin feeling dry.
This is especially important because when the skin gets too dry, it might produce excess oil to compensate for the lack of moisture, which can lead to the proliferation of acne.
Your Specific Skincare Experience
Finally, consider the type of products your skin has encountered and its ability to withstand certain ingredients.
For instance, if you’re a complete beginner to exfoliation, you might want to avoid any chemical that may be too harsh for your skin.
Or if you have other skin concerns that you’re trying to treat with your existing products, make sure that the exfoliator that you choose won’t have adverse interactions with your other products.
Top Exfoliators for Acne: 17 Options
Both physical and chemical exfoliants can be found in the top exfoliators for acne.
And we’ll list all our top picks here! Let’s start.
Top Physical Exfoliators for Acne
Kicking off our list of the best face exfoliators for acne-prone skin is this all-natural product.
Benefits: Reduces the appearance of pores; blurs fine lines and wrinkles; lasts for 120 days
Features:
- Has non-abrasive pumice granules for gentle but effective exfoliation
- Made from all-natural ingredients like glycolic acid and green leaf tea extract
- Cruelty-, sulfate-, paraben-, and gluten-free
Experience professional results without the pricey bill!
Considered to be the top exfoliator for acne scars, the Microdermabrasion Scrub from DRMTLGY uses extremely fine, non-abrasive pumice granules to deliver gentle but effective exfoliation in a matter of minutes.
With this, it removes blackheads, tightens pores, and reduces the appearance of scars. It also helps slough off dead skin cells and excess oil to reveal brighter, healthier skin underneath!
Plus, this product contains green leaf tea extract, lemon extract, apple extract, and sugarcane extract, which combat acne, improve uneven skin tone, and even reduce puffiness and dark circles!
Need something all-natural? This product from Era Organics won't disappoint.
Benefits: Leaves the skin feeling smooth with no residue; works on scars; reduces the appearance of pores
Features:
- Plant-based, non-abrasive formulation that exfoliates and hydrates skin
- Contains walnut shell powder that removes dead skin cells
- Free of parabens and alcohol
And it's gentle enough to use on sensitive and aging skin!
Known to be the top natural exfoliator for acne-prone skin, this gentle scrub from Era Organics features an all-natural formulation that effectively exfoliates the skin and makes it smoother, brighter, and softer.
It contains walnut shell powder that gets rid of dead skin cells and stimulates cell turnover and renewal, targeting blackheads, acne, and acne scars.
Additionally, it’s formulated with aloe vera, Manuka honey, and orange peel oil to soften and hydrate the skin.
It also minimizes the appearance of pores while reducing the signs of photoaging!
What if your skin reacts to virtually every product? Give this gentle scrub a try.
Benefits: Doesn't dry out the skin; buffs away dead skin cells; brightens and evens out skin tone; helps control oil production
Features:
- Contains microfine granules for gentle exfoliation
- Formulated with glycerin and vitamins B5 and E to moisturize and strengthen skin
- Paraben- and oil-free
And it's great for oily to combination skin!
If you need a product that promotes healthy skin cell turnover but can’t use any chemical exfoliant, the Cetaphil Extra Gentle Daily Scrub is perfect for you.
Also known as the top exfoliator for acne-prone sensitive skin, it features microfine granules that gently but effectively buff away dead skin and surface impurities.
At the same time, it keeps the skin’s protective barrier hydrated and healthy, which can help optimize oil control production to keep your skin pimple-free!
Achieve flawless skin with this exfoliator!
Benefits: Helps eliminate rough texture; targets acne and acne scars; tightens pores; brightens complexion; helps prep the skin to better absorb other skincare ingredients
Features:
- Uses small exfoliating beads to help get rid of dead skin cells
- Contains rosemary and aloe extracts to soothe and hydrate the skin
- Formulated without artificial fragrances
Brought to you by Cure, World Branding Award's Brand of the Year for several years!
Another gentle exfoliator for acne-prone skin, Cure’s Aqua Gel Exfoliator features small beads that appear when you massage it into the skin.
These act as exfoliants that scrub away dead skin cells to reduce the appearance of acne and acne scars and renew the skin.
Additionally, it contains activated hydrogen water and rosemary and aloe leaf extracts, which have anti-inflammatory properties that help ease the redness that sometimes comes with acne.
It’s perfect for anyone who wants powerful exfoliation that cleanses and revitalizes the skin!
Looking for the best exfoliator for acne-prone skin? Look no further than this.
Benefits: Brightens and evens out skin complexion; reduces the appearance of dark spots; lightens acne scars; tightens pores
Features:
- Rice-based powder formulation that releases papaya and rice enzymes and salicylic acid for exfoliation
- Has skin-brightening ingredients and colloidal oatmeal and allantoin to lessen irritation
- Cruelty-free and vegan
This product combines physical and chemical exfoliants to offer top-notch exfoliation like no other.
Dermalogica’s Daily Microfoliant features a rice-based powder that turns into a paste when mixed with water.
This powder doesn’t dissolve completely but instead transforms into fine particles that physically exfoliate the skin to remove dead skin cells.
The formula also releases salicylic acid, rice, and papaya enzymes for chemical exfoliation, dissolving dirt and oil that cause acne.
At the same time, it contains redness-reducing colloidal oatmeal and allantoin.
And for extra perks, you also get a skin-brightening blend of rice bran, white tea, and licorice to perk up dull, dry skin.
These specific properties are exactly why many believe it to be the top facial exfoliator for acne-prone skin!
Got oily skin? This next product helps control oil without overdrying your face!
Benefits: Minimizes the appearance of pores; does not dry out the skin; leaves skin feeling soft
Features:
- Gel-to-foam formulation with luffa fruit fibers to exfoliate and decongest pores
- Features wild rose, leopard lily, and proprietary Hadasei-3 for skin nourishment
- Free of sulfates, parabens, and mineral oils
And with just one use, 100% of clinical study participants said it did everything it said it would!
Offered by Tatcha, a Japanese beauty-inspired brand, The Deep Cleanse Exfoliating Cleanser features Japanese ingredients that are known to help the skin shed dead cells and look fresher and brighter.
Considered to be the top exfoliator for acne-prone oily skin, this product uses ground fibers from luffa fruit for physical exfoliation that promotes skin cell turnover, decongests the pores, and lifts dirt, oil, and impurities away.
Moreover, it contains wild rose, leopard lily, and the brand’s proprietary Hadasei-3 complex, which all combine to deliver hydrating, soothing, nourishing, pore-minimizing, and anti-aging benefits.
This exfoliating scrub has both men and women singing its praises.
Benefits: Leaves skin feeling soft; decongests pores; helps fight acne breakouts
Features:
- Contains volcanic pumice and bamboo to provide gentle but effective exfoliation
- Has organic aloe vera and green tea, blueberry, and pomegranate extracts to revitalize the skin
- Vegan and free of phthalates, sulfates, and parabens
Used two to three times a week, it can radically change the way your skin looks and feels!
Rounding off our countdown of the top physical exfoliants for skin with acne is the all-natural formulation of Beauty by Earth’s Superfruits & Chlorophyll Facial Scrub.
An all-natural product, it leverages the power of volcanic pumice and bamboo, which are both known to be effective but non-abrasive exfoliants that can remove layers of dead skin.
These ingredients also get rid of blackheads and impurities and cleanse the skin, removing dirt and grime that can exacerbate existing acne and contribute to the formation of acne.
If you need something that meets your budget but still delivers, there's none better than this.
Benefits: Effective against acne scarring; leaves skin feeling soft; doesn't dry out the face
Features:
- Made with 2% salicylic acid for deep exfoliation
- Contains natural exfoliants to renew and refresh the skin
- Cruelty-, paraben-, and oil-free
Why choose between physical and chemical exfoliation when you can have both in one product?
The St. Ives Acne Control Face Scrub is considered to be the top drugstore exfoliator for acne-prone skin.
It’s packed with natural physical exfoliants made from walnut shell powder and apricot extracts, which work to buff away impurities and refresh and brighten the skin.
And like all the top anti-acne products, it features salicylic acid, which ensures deep exfoliation to clear clogged pores and prevent the oil and dirt buildup that causes them.
Don't want to buy a new product for acne and just make use of what you have? Just add these crystals!
Benefits: Helps lighten acne scars and dark spots; delivers anti-aging benefits; leaves skin feeling soft and clean
Features:
- High-purity, white aluminum oxide crystals with salicylic acid that provide microdermabrasion
- Can be added to any product to create an effective exfoliating agent
- Cruelty-, GMO-, paraben-free
And it also works as a primer to help your skin better absorb other products!
Up next in our collection of good acne exfoliators are the microdermabrasion crystals from NeedCrystals, which contain salicylic acid.
When added to any facial product, they become exfoliating agents that powerfully scrub away dead skin cells to reveal fresher, more radiant skin while using salicylic acid to deeply clean the pores!
This makes it a fantastic addition to any skincare arsenal, as you can still use your old products as they are and add the crystals when you need them.
Also, it helps your skin better absorb other products.
Top Chemical Exfoliators for Acne
Want an award-winning product that is a staple in so many skincare arsenals? This one's your best bet.
Benefits: Mild enough for daily use; leaves skin feeling refreshed and clean; reduces the appearance of pores; eases redness
Features:
- Contains 2% salicylic acid that unclogs and clears pores
- Lightweight texture
- Award-winning formula
And it has green tea extract, which offers anti-aging benefits for the skin!
As thetop exfoliator for acne and blackheads, the Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant by Paula’s Choice has received plenty of accolades for its amazing ability to exfoliate acne-prone skin and promote cell turnover.
It does this by leveraging the power of 2% salicylic acid and green tea extract.
The former mimics the skin’s natural capacity to shed dead skin cells to unclog pores and clear up your skin, while the latter relieves the redness and inflammation associated with acne.
Need something trusted by dermatologists worldwide for acne-prone skin? This should be your new go-to.
Benefits: Prevents new breakouts; safe for sensitive skin; minimizes the appearance of pores; leaves skin feeling fresh and clean without drying it out
Features:
- With salicylic acid and hectorite clay for exfoliation and oil control
- Contains niacinamide and three ceramides for hydration and nourishment
- Fragrance- and paraben-free
And while being the best chemical exfoliator for acne-prone skin, it's still gentle enough for sensitive skin!
Touting itself as the number one recommended brand by dermatologists for acne, the Acne Control Cleanser from CeraVe features 2% salicylic acid for exfoliation, as well as hectorite clay with oil control technology to combat the production of excess oil.
As such, it doesn’t only treat current breakouts, but it also prevents future ones.
And it’s formulated with hydrating and nourishing ingredients like niacinamide and three types of ceramides (1, 3, 6-11) to keep the skin visibly smooth and healthy.
On the hunt for something that does more than other exfoliants? This next option is just right for you.
Benefits: Brightens and evens out skin tone; great for reducing the appearance of acne scars; helps prep the skin for better makeup application; does not dry out the skin
Features:
- Bi-phase peeling formulation of AHA, BHA, and TXA
- Provides multi-level exfoliation as well as skin nourishment
- Free of parabens, sulfates, and phthalates
And it's even great for aging skin!
Up next on our list of products that provide the top exfoliation for acne is Murad’s Replenishing Multi-Acid Peel.
True to its name, it’s formulated with an AHA and BHA blend that delivers multi-level exfoliation.
Additionally, it has TXA or tranexamic acid, which is believed to help ease erythema, a skin condition characterized by red, pink, or purple discoloration that sometimes accompanies acne breakouts.
These ingredients reportedly stimulate cell renewal in as early as seven days, giving you clearer, brighter skin! They also help reduce acne and acne scarring.
And while this product is a chemical peel, it’s gentle enough for various skin types — even aging skin!
For an at-home facial that delivers fresher, clearer, and more youthful skin, try this out!
Benefits: Tightens pores; brightens skin tone; helps improve fine lines
Features:
- Formulated with 25% AHA and 2% salicylic acid blend for powerful exfoliation
- Contains chickpea flour and antioxidants that brighten dull skin
- Free from SLS, drying alcohols, and silicones
Apply this to your face once a week and get ready to see renewed skin!
The Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Babyfacial is a great exfoliator for acne-prone skin that combines the power of AHAs and salicylic acid to deeply penetrate the layers of the skin and promote cell turnover.
This powerful blend also unclogs the pores and removes dirt and oil buildup without taking up much of your time! Just leave it on for 15 minutes and rinse it with warm water.
The end result? Clearer, brighter, softer, and smoother skin.
How about something lightweight that still packs a powerful punch? This Korean skincare product is a must.
Benefits: Gentle enough for daily use; treats current and prevents future breakouts; tightens pores; eases inflammation and redness
Features:
- Formulated with 4% BHA and 2% niacinamide to exfoliate and renew skin
- Contains willow bark water for skin nourishment
- Sulfate-free, paraben-free, and phthalate-free
With its oil-like consistency, it glides on smoothly and leaves glowing, healthier skin in its wake.
For those looking for a good exfoliant for acne-prone skin in a leave-on formulation, this COSRX serum features 4% BHA and 2% niacinamide with willow bark water to exfoliate and nourish the skin.
This product unclogs pores, fights acne-causing bacteria, and helps control oil production. Additionally, it mitigates possible redness and inflammation.
And the best part? It does all of those things while also enhancing the way your skin looks and feels, making it soft and radiant! No wonder many consider it the top Korean exfoliator for acne-prone skin.
Need the best body exfoliator for acne? This product has people raving!
Benefits: Exfoliates the back, chest, and shoulders; does not leave pore-clogging residue; prevents future breakouts
Features:
- Non-comedogenic formulation with salicylic acid for full-body use
- Contains glycerin that hydrates the skin
- Comes from a dermatologist-recommended brand
Just lather it onto your body and rinse it off for healthier skin with a radiant glow!
Using the power of its 2% salicylic acid formulation, this body scrub from Neutrogena penetrates deep into the pores and decongests them, helping treat and prevent acne.
It’s perfect for the entire body, from your chest and shoulders to your back!
Also, it combines physical and chemical exfoliation! It’s free of plastic microbeads, which can be rather abrasive exfoliants.
Instead, it uses small, gentle beads to increase the exfoliating power of salicylic acid and scrub away dead skin, making it ideal for daily use.
Need something that can exfoliate backne? This next one's a keeper.
Benefits: Exfoliates skin with pimples to reveal clearer skin; smooths out the texture of the skin; helps protect against environmental damage that may contribute to acne
Features:
- Full-body treatment with 2% salicylic acid
- Also contains vitamin E and antioxidants to soften skin
- Leaping Bunny-certified cruelty-free
Plus, it hydrates and softens the skin!
Many consider the Weightless Body Treatment from Paula’s Choice to be the top exfoliator for back acne!
Why? It features acne-fighting salicylic acid for the effective shedding of dead skin, wherever it is on your body.
This means it gets deep into the layers of the skin, sloughing off dead cells, dirt, and oil and helping stimulate the emergence of better, healthier skin.
Clinically tested to reduce acne after six weeks, these wipes are the most convenient path to clear skin.
Benefits: Unclogs pores while brightening the complexion; smoothens the skin; also helps control oil production
Features:
- Dermatologist-developed formulation of 10% glycolic acid and 2% salicylic acid for exfoliation
- Includes witch hazel that helps reduce pore size and tone skin
- Cruelty-, fragrance-, paraben-free
Just swipe these pads onto your face twice a day and watch them work their magic!
Another inclusion in our list of the top exfoliators for face acne, Replenix’s Gly-Sal 10-2 Clarifying Pads leverages a dermatologist-developed formula with 10% glycolic acid and 2% salicylic acid for powerful exfoliation.
In fact, it’s so powerful that it’s been found to reduce acne after six weeks, according to clinical studies.
And it has witch hazel, which is an excellent toner that helps reduce the appearance of pores while calming redness.
FAQs
Is It Better To Exfoliate Acne-Prone Skin During the Day or at Night?
It depends; if you have dry or dull skin, exfoliating in the morning might help with perking up your complexion and treating symptoms of acne.
But for most people, exfoliating before bed is better. As you’ll get to rest after, your skin will have ample time to undergo cell renewal and turnover.
If you have other skincare products that you’re using for acne, exfoliating before you go to bed will also help the skin absorb them better.
Should I Wash My Face After Exfoliating?
Some products require rinsing off with lukewarm water, while others don’t.
In fact, with some products, you can just apply the exfoliator as a leave-on treatment and go about your day.
How Often Should I Exfoliate?
It depends on what kind of exfoliant you’re using.
Some exfoliants are gentle enough for daily use, while others should be limited to twice or thrice a week.
Enjoy the Benefits of the Top Exfoliator for Acne
Using the top acne exfoliator is an integral part of a proper skincare routine designed to address and prevent acne, along with the right face wash, serums, moisturizer, and sunscreen.
With our list of recommended products above, you can easily choose a physical or chemical exfoliant that targets your acne symptoms while also complementing your skin type and addressing your needs.
Just remember to read product labels and instructions carefully so that you can harness the full power of the exfoliator’s formulation.
Thanks to these acne-fighting exfoliators, you can achieve the clearer, fresher, and brighter skin you’ve always wanted!
Did You Like This?
Here are some more articles on the topic of acne that you might want to check out:
- Hyaluronic Acid for Acne: How It Works
- 5 Probiotics for Acne + What You Need To Know
- 6 Products for Closed Comedones