The quickest route to smoother, brighter skin is regular exfoliation. But with so many options on the market, it can be difficult to choose which one will work best for you. That’s where we come in! It’s time to discover the difference between a facial scrub and a peel and learn all about the benefits of exfoliation, such as:

• Why should I exfoliate?
• What’s the difference between a facial scrub and a peel?
• How do I choose the best exfoliator for my face?
• Our favorite peels and facial scrubs

Why should I exfoliate?

To exfoliate or not to exfoliate? It isn’t even a question! If it’s a radiant glow you’re after, exfoliating may be your most important skin care step. As we age, we naturally shed fewer dead skin cells, which can cause a dull-looking complexion, discoloration and clogged pores. Taking the time to exfoliate a few times each week helps remove those dead skin cells, revealing brighter, more radiant skin underneath. Exfoliation allows skin care treatments to absorb properly, makeup to apply more smoothly and improves skin conditions like sun damage, rough skin and acne.

What is the difference between a facial scrub and a peel?

A facial scrub and an at-home peel product will both ultimately give you the glow-inducing results you want. They just do it in different ways. A facial scrub, also known as a physical exfoliator, is formulated with tiny bits of organic matter (ideally not plastic microbeads), which manually slough away the top layer of the epidermis, revealing the new skin underneath. A peel, also called a chemical exfoliator, uses ingredients like alpha and beta hydroxy acids or fruit enzymes to dissolve dead skin cells, allowing them to shed away.

How do I choose the best exfoliator for my face?

Choosing the best exfoliator for your skin depends on two things—your skin type and the concern you wish to improve. The acids used in peels range in strength, so be mindful of which acid you are choosing to avoid excessive irritation. For example, glycolic acid is ideal for normal to oily skin types while lactic acid is great for those with sensitive skin. Facial scrubs are all formulated with particulate matter that physically remove skin cells, so if used gently and sparingly, these shouldn’t cause excess irritation. To address specific skin concerns like sun damage or roughness, choose facial scrubs that are formulated with additional ingredients like vitamin C or nourishing oils.

Here are some of our favorite facial scrubs and peels to try

Peels:

For all skin types, try LovelySkin LUXE Exfoliating Gel Mild 11%.

This chemical exfoliator is a LovelySkin staff favorite for its ability to effectively exfoliate. Powerful yet gentle enough for most skin types (even those with rosacea), it encourages cell renewal with vitamin C and afaLUXE™, a unique ingredient that works synergistically with your skin’s ability to retain moisture. This peel product helps reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, sun damage and more with virtually no irritation.

If you have oily or combination skin, try Peter Thomas Roth Peptide 21 Amino Acid Exfoliating Peel Pads.

Regular exfoliation is key to reducing the appearance of large pores and controlling breakouts and oiliness. This treatment combines salicylic, lactic and glycolic acids (all helpful in treating acne-prone skin) with 10% phytic acid to help lighten discoloration. Additionally, it contains peptides to resurface skin and address additional signs of aging along with green tea and chamomile to soothe irritation and minimize redness.

If you have sensitive skin, try Sunday Riley Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment.

It’s natural to avoid chemical exfoliation if you have ultra-sensitive skin, as many traditional formulas are known to be irritating. If you experience sensitivity, choose an exfoliator with lactic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid derived from milk. This lactic acid treatment gently dissolves the dead skin cells that dull your glow while minimizing discoloration and dark spots with licorice.

If you have mature skin, try DefenAge 2-Minute Reveal Masque.

Since mature skin tends to be thinner, gentler exfoliating treatments are ideal. This treatment combines three fruit enzymes—papaya, pumpkin and pomegranate—along with super-fine sugar crystals that melt in water to reveal the healthier, more youthful-looking skin underneath.

Pro Tip: The instant benefits of exfoliation are amazing, but if done in excess, can be too much of a good thing. Exfoliating once or twice a week is more than enough for any skin type if you want to avoid irritation.

Facial Scrubs:

To improve roughness, try LovelySkin LUXE Microdermabrasion Polish with Triple Sphere Technology.

Physical exfoliators are a great way to immediately improve rough texture, but for additional benefits, you can choose one that contains additional hydrating ingredients. This unique cream formula contains bamboo, jojoba beads and diatomaceous spheres to achieve a controlled exfoliation, plus shea butter to soften and moisturize the skin underneath. Finally, caper floral bud extract minimizes redness and any irritation.

To improve oiliness and large pores, try SkinCeuticals Micro-Exfoliating Scrub.

This cleansing scrub polishes skin with 2% hydrated silica, a naturally-occurring mineral, to provide a mild exfoliation. It’s gentle enough for daily use, making it ideal to control oiliness and the appearance of large pores while softening uneven skin texture. Read more about this pick on the SkinCeuticals Micro-Exfoliating Scrub Reviews page.

To improve sun damage, try Obagi Professional-C Microdermabrasion Polish + Mask 30%.

Formulated with silica to effectively polish the skin while addressing dark spots and hyperpigmentation with 30% vitamin C, this exfoliating scrub improves rough texture, fine lines and wrinkles while doubling as a scrub and mask treatment.

To improve flaky lips, try iS CLINICAL Lip Polish.

You can forget about a smooth lipstick application if your lips are flaky and dry. Exfoliating lips once or twice a week ensures they stay smooth and supple. This lip polish physically removes flaky skin while adding essential moisture with botanical butters and vitamin E!

Pro Tip: Need additional moisture? Try applying FixMySkin 1% Hydrocortisone Healing Lip Balm – Unflavored to lips to keep flakiness, dryness and chapped lips at bay.

Ready to learn more about the benefits of exfoliation? Check out The Five Exfoliating Products You Need Right Now.