Ranked by ingredients
Best Exfoliants
The 10 highest-scoring of the 48 exfoliants we scored, ranked on what is in the bottle rather than what is on it. Every score comes from the product's own ingredient list; no brand pays to be here.
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Haruharu Wonder$28.00 · 120mlHaruharu Wonder 3% PHA Gentle Liquid Exfoliating Serum2 high-impact actives: Gluconolactone, Ectoin. Fragrance-free
Actives: Gluconolactone, Centella Asiatica Extract, Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid
A92 - 2
medicube$21.00medicube Red Succinic Acid Peeling Pad2 high-impact actives: Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid. Loses points on safety: 1 moderate-irritation ingredient: Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil
Actives: Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Tocopherol
A91 - 3
RoC$38.99RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing 2-Step Peel Pads5 high-impact actives: Glycolic Acid, Mandelic Acid, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate +2 more. Loses points on safety: 1 moderate-irritation ingredient: Glycolic Acid
Actives: Glycolic Acid, Mandelic Acid, Phytic Acid, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Gluconolactone
A91 - 4
Farmacy$60.00 · 30mlFarmacy Honey Glow 17% AHA + BHA Resurfacing Acid Serum5 high-impact actives: Glycolic Acid, Saccharomyces Ferment, Bee Propolis +2 more. Loses points on safety: 2 moderate-irritation ingredients: GLYCOLIC ACID, PROPOLIS EXTRACT
Actives: GLYCOLIC ACID, SACCHAROMYCES FERMENT, SALIX ALBA (WILLOW) BARK EXTRACT, PROPOLIS EXTRACT, ROYAL JELLY EXTRACT
A90 - 5
Mad Hippie$25.99Mad Hippie AHA + BHA Milk Serum3 high-impact actives: Glycolic Acid, Gluconolactone, Salicylic Acid. Loses points on safety: 1 moderate-irritation ingredient: GLYCOLIC ACID
Actives: GLYCOLIC ACID, GLUCONOLACTONE, SALICYLIC ACID, TOCOPHEROL
A90 - 6
medicube$26.00medicube Kojic Acid Turmeric Peel Shot5 high-impact actives: Kojic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Gluconolactone +2 more. Loses points on safety: 3 moderate-irritation ingredients: Propylene Glycol, Kojic Acid (300 ppm), Ascorbic Acid
Actives: Kojic Acid (300 ppm), Tocopherol, Salicylic Acid, Gluconolactone, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
A90 - 7
Numbuzin$26.00Numbuzin No.4 Ceramide AHA Glazed Skin Prep Serum5 high-impact actives: Glycolic Acid, Gluconolactone, Niacinamide +2 more. Loses points on safety: 1 moderate-irritation ingredient: Glycolic Acid
Actives: Glycolic Acid, Gluconolactone, Niacinamide, Beta-Glucan, Tocopherol
A90 - 8
Pixi$22.00Pixi Glow Peel Pads2 high-impact actives: Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid. Loses points on safety: 1 moderate-irritation ingredient: Glycolic Acid
Actives: Glycolic Acid, Tocopherol, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
A90 - 9
Skinfix$30.00Skinfix 2% BHA Spot Treatment5 high-impact actives: Salicylic Acid, Azelaic Acid, Kaolin Clay +2 more. Loses points on safety: kB-flagged antagonistic interaction
Actives: Salicylic Acid, Azelaic Acid, Kaolin, Niacinamide, Zinc PCA
A90 - 10
Skinfix$33.00Skinfix Glycolic Renewing Scrub1 high-impact active: Glycolic Acid. Loses points on safety: 1 moderate-irritation ingredient: Glycolic Acid
Actives: Glycolic Acid, Bisabolol, Tocopherol, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract
A90
38 more exfoliants are scored in the Formulate app.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best exfoliant?
Haruharu Wonder 3% PHA Gentle Liquid Exfoliating Serum by Haruharu Wonder scores highest of the 48 exfoliants Formulate has scored, at 92/100 (grade A). 2 high-impact actives: Gluconolactone, Ectoin. Fragrance-free.
How are these exfoliants ranked?
Each product is scored out of 100 on its formula: how well-researched its actives are, whether the label discloses their concentration, the research behind them, and how complete and well-built the formula is. Safety is checked separately — irritants, fragrance, EU-listed allergens, endocrine concerns and pore-clogging ingredients — and only costs points when it falls below 95. No brand pays to be listed.
Are these exfoliants fragrance-free?
44 of the 48 exfoliants scored contain no synthetic fragrance. 37 lost points on the safety check.
Best skincare by type
Educational only. Scores rate a product's formula, not how it will suit your skin. Patch-test new products, and see a dermatologist for persistent skin conditions. Some links are affiliate links; they never affect a score.