Exfoliating products for the face can be physical (mechanical) or chemical exfoliants. Physical exfoliants involve using some kind of hard material to slough off the dead skin clogging your pores, such as a face scrub, body scrub, or a skin exfoliating brush. Chemical exfoliants, on the other hand, utilize acids or enzymes to loosen the upper layer of dead skin, creating a peeling effect. These exfoliants can be bought over the counter in weaker concentrations of chemicals such as alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA), beta-hydroxy acid (BHA), glycolic acid, citric acid, and salicylic acid, or can be performed professionally by a dermatologist in the form of a chemical peel
. When choosing a physical exfoliant, it is crucial to choose one with the right main ingredient. The granules found in physical exfoliants should be fairly uniform in size and have smooth edges. Some exfoliants that are known to be gentle on the skin include jojoba beads, pumice, and oatmeal
. For sensitive skin, it is essential to pay attention to the ingredients and look for products that contain natural ingredients such as oatmeal, sugar, or fruit enzymes, as these are less likely to cause irritation. Some of the best face exfoliators for sensitive skin include Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant, Era Organics Microdermabrasion Facial Scrub & Face Exfoliator, and a mixture of honey and oatmeal
