10 Best Exfoliators for Sensitive Skin

Exfoliating your skin is a crucial part of your skincare routine.

It keeps your skin feeling smooth, allowing it to glow and have an easier application for your makeup.

If you have sensitive skin, you will need an exfoliator that won’t irritate the skin.

Using a standard exfoliator on sensitive skin can cause rashes to form, unsightly red skin or even have the opposite effect of an exfoliator by making the skin come out in red bumps. 

The Best Exfoliators For Sensitive Skin

Below we’ve compiled a list of 10 of the best exfoliators for those of you with sensitive skin.

REN Clean Skincare Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic

This product is a tonic rather than an exfoliator, so it will be gentler on the skin. This brightening tonic breaks down dead skin cells and tightens pores for more radiant skin. 

The ingredients in the tonic mean that it will naturally exfoliate.

There are no hidden ingredients in this product to cause irritation to the skin, it’s even gentle enough to use every day. 

All you have to do is wipe the toner over your skin after cleansing to leave your skin looking brighter and smoother. 

First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads

Use these pads daily to help exfoliate the face. They will also help to tone and brighten and can be used on even the most sensitive of skins.

They contain just the right amount of glycolic and lactic acid to ensure the pads still work effectively at exfoliating the skin, just without causing any irritation. 

Regular use of these pads will help to refine your skin’s texture by tightening your pores and enhancing your natural glow to make sure you have a smooth application when applying your makeup. 

These pads are also dermatologically tested and free from any nasty ingredients that your sensitive skin would hate such as gluten, oil, nuts and silicone. Vegan and cruelty free, non-comedogenic product.

Aveeno Calm + Restore Nourishing PHA Facial Exfoliator Daily for Sensitive Skin

Formulated with non-abrasive PHA and oat oil, this product will gently exfoliate to leave skin feeling smooth and cleansed.

The exfoliator will help to renew the skin’s surface to reveal a refreshed complexion that will also protect the skin’s moisture barrier and leave it feeling hydrated. 

It’s a hypoallergenic product that has been tested on sensitive skin, so you can rest assured that it won’t irritate your skin.

It’s free from all of your usual irritants such as fragrances, parabens, sulfates, alcohols and dyes. The nourishing cleanser is non-comedogenic, so it won’t clog pores.

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Extra Strength Daily Peel

Coming in a box of 60 treatments, not only will these peels help exfoliate the skin, but they will also reduce the appearance of fine lines and help to tighten the pores.

They target dark spots and improve skin tone and also your skin’s texture. 

To use this product, you should apply this product to freshly cleansed skin in circular motions from your forehead to your neck. Keep using until the pad feels dry, wait two minutes and then start on step two. 

Face Wash by Cetaphil Healthy Radiance Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser

This cleanser will work by gently exfoliating the skin while also cleansing to reduce the appearance of dark spots and reveal skin that looks smoother and more radiant. 

Formulated with vitamin B3 and other powerful antioxidants, this exfoliator will also help to reduce hyperpigmentation and post-acne scars to leave your skin looking and feeling its very best. 

Created with PHA, this is a skin-friendly product perfect for anyone with sensitive skin.

It can be used daily to remove dead skin cells without irritation and is hypoallergenic so it won’t clog pores or irritate the skin. 

Neutrogena Skin Perfecting Daily Liquid Facial Exfoliant With 7% AHA

This is the perfect exfoliator if you have dry and sensitive skin. It’s been formulated to complement dry skin, instead of stripping away any of your natural oils that can leave your skin feeling even dryer. 

It works at polishing the skin while still being gentle and nourishing so that it feels hydrated all day long. 

Add it to your skincare routine to leave your skin feeling soft and smooth. It’s free from parabens and dyes, making it the perfect product to use on your sensitive skin. 

e.l.f. SKIN Gentle Peeling Exfoliant Face Cleanser

This gentle exfoliant will peel away dead skin to leave your face glowing and looking renewed. You can say hello to healthy and smooth skin without the product causing you any irritation. 

E.l.f. creates all of its skincare products using healthy ingredients such as tangerine, papaya and liquorice extracts. The brand’s products are vegan and cruelty-free, making them gentle on the skin even if it’s sensitive. 

To use this product, you should dampen the hands and the skin and then apply the product to the face in circular motions. Rinse with water and apply your moisturiser after.

To see results, you should use the product two to three times a week. 

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant

Allow your skin to look brighter and feel smoother with this gentle exfoliator. In the unique form of a powder, you’ll need to wet your skin and powder to see results when the exfoliator is rubbed onto your face. It will help to balance any uneven skin while also calming it, perfect if it’s a little sensitive. 

It will remove any surface debris that collects in the skin and is gentle enough for everyday use, you can ensure your skin stays consistently bright and smooth. 

You should dispense the powder onto wet hands, rub them together to create a paste and then apply it to your face, rubbing in circular motions. 

No artificial fragrances and color. Cruelty free and Vegan product.

Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Salicylic Acid Exfoliant

Target blackheads and large pores with this exfoliator that’s also suitable for sensitive skin.

It’s gentle and non-abrasive so won’t irritate your skin but is still able to leave it feeling soft and smooth.

Not only will it exfoliate away dead skin cells, but it will also reduce any redness, wrinkles, and ageing. 

The salicylic acid that’s been infused in this product will help to shed any extra skin layers that can cause the blockage of pores and blackheads. 

This exfoliator is gentle enough to use every day and suitable for all skin types. Make sure you apply to both the face and neck for the best results. 

Mother Made Exfoliating Vegan Facial Peel Gel 

This is a Korean facial exfoliator that will instantly leave the skin feeling baby soft.

It will remove the build-up of dead skin cells ensuring that your skin stays looking radiant instead of dry and flaky. 

Regular use of this product will enable your skin to look youthful and radiant. Also infused with powerful natural ingredients such as green tea, vitamin E and hyaluronic acid, this exfoliator will be suitable for sensitive skin with these ingredients leaving it to feel soothed and hydrated. 

You don’t just have to use this exfoliator on your face, it’s also suitable for your body and feet, making it a great multi-use product. 

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It can be frustrating trying to find an exfoliator that won’t aggravate your sensitive skin. Many include harsh ingredients that will strip away your skin and this is the last thing you need for someone with sensitive skin. It can cause your face to redden, become cracked and sore or even flake or break out. 

Luckily, there are plenty of exfoliators on the market that have been specially created for sensitive skin.

When trying to find your perfect one, you’ll want to look for an exfoliator that is gentle on the skin. This will usually be advertised as one you can use every day, however, if your skin is particularly sensitive then you may want to limit it to two or three times a week. 

Many exfoliators designed for sensitive skin will be packed full of soothing and hydrating ingredients. You can look out for exfoliators that include aloe, green tea, vitamin E or hyaluronic acid. All of these are powerful ingredients that will leave your skin feeling soft and soothed and protect it from any irritants. 

Having sensitive skin shouldn’t mean that you should have to skip the exfoliating part of your skin routine, after all, everyone deserves to have smooth and glowing skin! 

To give your face a real treat, check our reviews for the Best Facial Steamers, they are a vital part of any professional facial treatment which you can do at home. They are the ultimate skin decongestant tool, allowing any active ingredients you use on your face afterwards to more effectively sink into your skin.