18 Exfoliators We Love for Soft, Smooth Skin

We've all had days when our skin seems dull or our pores are unusually clogged and we just need a little boost. That's when finding the best exfoliant for your face comes in handy. The key to exfoliating correctly is that a little bit goes a long way. Some exfoliants can produce a noticeable difference in skin tone and texture almost instantly. The downside: Too much of a good thing is a one-way street to sensitized skin and other forms of irritation.

Hadley King, a dermatologist at Dr. Hadley King Dermatology in New York City, notes the many benefits of regularly exfoliating your skin. "Regular exfoliation is key to glowing skin," she says. "Physical and chemical exfoliation help to brighten the complexion by sloughing off the old dead skin cells and revealing the fresh new cells underneath." And to protect the skin barrier, "Follow exfoliation immediately with a good moisturizer to lock in moisture and protect the newly revealed surface skin cells," she advises.

How Often Should You Exfoliate?

If you're new to the game, she suggests starting out with a gentle exfoliation once or twice per week. If your skin doesn't get irritated or dried out, then you can go ahead and increase the frequency or strength of the exfoliant as tolerated by your skin.

What Type of Exfoliant Should You Use?

Exfoliants are broken down into two broad categories: physical (also called manual or mechanical) and chemical. Physical exfoliants are your scrubs or microfiber cloths that physically remove dead skin cells from your face. While physical exfoliating products can be great, King cautions against using products that are too abrasive because "particles that are large and rough with sharp edges" can actually create micro-tears in the skin, which can lead to irritation or even infection. "Look for a product with very fine particles and use very gentle pressure, and depending on your skin type, this should be fine. If you have very sensitive skin that easily becomes inflamed and irritated, then sticking to chemical exfoliation may be the right answer for you," she says.

Many experts prefer chemical exfoliants, which are acids and enzymes that help to resurface the skin. "Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) in chemical exfoliants dissolve the bonds that hold dull, dead skin cells on the surface of the skin so the skin will gently shed, revealing smoother, brighter skin underneath," King says.

Ready to dive right into the world of the best exfoliants, both chemical and physical? We've rounded up 18 amazing, BAZAAR editor-approved products to check out.