Top 5 Exfoliators That Won't Irritate Sensitive Skin

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Are you looking for the best exfoliators that won’t bother your dry skin?

I know it’s important to exfoliate every once in a while, but with sensitive skin, it can be hard to find the right products. Using the wrong exfoliants can redden and itch.

The good news is that many gentle exfoliators on the market will exfoliate and refresh your face without hurting.

Here’s our selection of this blog post’s best sensitive skin exfoliators.

What To Look For in Sensitive Skin Exfoliators?

Gentle, Non-Irritating Exfoliants

What matters is getting exfoliants that are soft enough on your delicate skin. Here are some ingredients to look for:

Polyhydroxy acids (PHAs): PHAs such as gluconolactone and lactobionic acid exfoliate without inflammation. They are best for sensitive and drier skin.
AHAs (Alpha hydroxy acids): Glycolic, Lactic, and Mandelic acids offer chemical exfoliation but start small (5%) or less.
Jojoba beads: Organic jojoba beads rub away dead skin as they harden with touch. Avoid harsh microbeads.
Rice powder: Powdered rice scrubs your skin without tearing.
Coffee grounds: Soft coffee grinds soften and whiten dry skin. Avoid coarse coffee scrubs.

Soothing, Hydrating Ingredients

As exfoliation can be drying on sensitive skin, choose scrubs with moisturizing ingredients such as:

Aloe vera: Calms inflammation and redness.
Honey: Smoothes, moisturizes, and soothes oily skin.
Oatmeal: Prevents dry skin and irritated skin.
Hyaluronic acid: Suppresses water to the skin and reduces sagging.

Fragrance-Free and Essential Oil-Free

Essential oils, perfumes, and herbal extracts can irritate and itch sensitive skin. Be sure to buy fragrance-free exfoliators or those with short ingredient lists.

5 Best Exfoliators for Sensitive Skin

I studied the whole options. Now, I settled on our 5 favorite gentle, non-irritating, and hypoallergenic exfoliators:

#1 Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

This is a huge fan-favorite liquid leave-on exfoliator.

It works because salicylic acid plus BHA dissolves oil and pores, removing and smoothing the skin. This lightweight formula won’t sting or redden sensitive skin.

It’s been on for weeks, and my oily skin is luminous, clear, and calm. It never scabs my face dry and stingy like other liquid BHA scrubs.

Here’s what I found after trying this exfoliant:

Paula’s Choice liquid has a soft, fluid feel that glides all over my face. Patting it on, it absorbs super fast and does not leave a residue. I use it at night after washing and follow with moisturizer.

My skin feels new and fresh in the morning. I have evened out my skin tone, and the BHA has helped with acne and clogged pores. Dry flakes and dryness are wiped off, too.

This one is ultra-gentle, thanks to the exact 2% BHA percentage. It doesn’t make my skin red or itch.

The scrub is loaded with antioxidants, such as green tea, aloe, and chamomile, which calm as they work. Since I have used this product, my sensitive skin has definitely been less irritated. What I also like is that it doesn’t smell and is not harsh.

Pros:

Lightweight 2% BHA that’s good for sensitive skin.
References pore smooth skin and even out skin tone.
Smooths and removes flaky skin.
Relieves sensitivity and redness on the skin.
Non-abrasive, fragrance-free liquid formula
Absorbs quickly without residue
Smooth skin with extracts of plants.

Cons:

Can cause dryness if overused
Not a daily scrub, more of a leave-on treatment

#2 Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant Rice-Based Face Exfoliator https://amzn.to/4er4jxo

It is a mild powder exfoliator that gently exfoliates dry skin. It’s packed with rice bran powder that gently exfoliates dull cells and salicylic acid for an inflammation-free exfoliation.

What I found working with this exfoliator:

It is the softest on my skin compared to all the exfoliators I have used. I never get a sting or scratch on my face from the powder made from rice.

I wash my face with it, spreading the powder onto wet skin and rubbing it in thin, circular movements. When you use it with water, it becomes a cream paste that rubs away dry skin—a foaming, whipped exfoliator that’s not aggressive.

After washing it out, my skin is clean and fresh. There’s no redness or itchiness left behind—just smooth, velvety skin. My face is also squeaky clean.

The salicylic acid in the exfoliator removes pigmentation and eczema. I have fewer pimples and a much more even skin tone, but it never dries my skin with regular use.

Though many scrubs are too abrasive for sensitive skin, this one combines physical and chemical exfoliation to create a gentle daily formula my skin loves. It gives all the benefits of exfoliation without the risk of inflammation or discomfort.

Pros:

Rice powder is super gentle for delicate skin.
Gently scrubs and scrubs away flakes of dead skin cells.
Salicylic acid supports chemical exfoliation.
Instantly glows and smoothens skin.
Do not itch, sting, or redden.
Flash foams to a soft foam.
Rinses clean without residue.

Cons:

Higher price point
Not as many added skin soothing ingredients

#3 OSEA Ocean Cleansing Milk – Sensitive Skin Exfoliator

Another gentle exfoliating cleanser that I prefer is OSEA Ocean Cleansing Milk. It buffs dry skin with jojoba beads, lactic acid, and aloe. The sultry, milky cleanser dissolves dead skin cells and contaminants without itching or stinging.

Here’s what happened when I tested that out:

My dry skin loves the soft exfoliation this creamy OSEA cleanser offers. The jojoba beads provide slight physical exfoliation, and the 6% lactic acid provides chemical exfoliation that isn’t itchy.

I slather the cleanser onto my scaly skin and feel the velvety jojoba crystals working to remove dead skin cells. It makes a thin lather and is washable. The beads are round, not even to rough skin.

Now that I have used it, my skin is much less oily and so smooth! The resurfacing action also smooths fine lines. But more than anything, it never makes my face raw, dry, or stingy.

Its formula is full of anti-inflammatory aloe, soothing seaweed extract, moisturizing glycerin, and antioxidant green tea. The ingredients stay out of the redness and stinging, so my sensitive skin is happy.

Pros:

Jojoba beads provide gentle physical exfoliation
Lactic acid offers chemical exfoliation without irritation
Creamy, milky texture cleanses without stripping skin
Aloe, glycerin, and seaweed hydrate and calm skin
Leaves skin feeling soft and smoothed
Non-abrasive formula good for daily use
No fragrance or essential oils

Cons:

It contains some botanical ingredients that may irritate very sensitive skin
You Need to use a washcloth to activate jojoba beads
It does Not as thorough exfoliation as manual scrubs
Higher price point

#4 Andalou Naturals Pumpkin Honey Glycolic Mask

I like the mild exfoliating mask and the Andalou Naturals Pumpkin Honey Glycolic Mask. It’s loaded with pumpkin fruit enzymes, glycolic acid to smooth skin, and raw honey to soothe dry skin.

Here’s my review of it:

I once used it on my sensitive skin, which is very exfoliating. The AHAs and fruit enzymes provide just enough exfoliation without going overboard.

I apply a thin layer on freshly cleansed skin and set it for 10 minutes every other week. It dries with a very slight tingle, which I can tell is because the acids are scavenging dead cells. But neither the tingling nor the burning ever progresses.

When I rinse, my face is lighter and very supple. The honey and glycerin give a shot of moisture, so you don’t dry out, either.

The exfoliating ingredient reveals younger-looking, smoother skin over time. My skin appears even and luminous, but the mask never causes problems with my delicate skin.

I love to have this gentle resurfacing treatment on hand for that little extra bit of exfoliation. It blots away monotony without drying or burning my face. And the pumpkin honey scent smells delicious, too!

Pros:

Glycolic acid and fruit enzymes are used to exfoliate gently.
Raw honey moisturizes and calms dry, itchy skin.
Lightens and smooths skin every week.
Feels light
Sweet pumpkin honey smell

Cons:

It must be thoroughly wiped off.
Not for daily exfoliation

#5 Herbivore Jade Roller + Gua Sha Set

The Herbivore Jade Roller and Gua Sha Set are my go-to items for an exfoliating body scrub. Scrubbing your face with these handheld tools scrapes off dead skin. It is also a circulatory and lymphatic drainer.

Here’s my experience using them:

Jade roller and gua sha are great for more sensitive skin. They just require a bit of scrub. In small, upward movements, these small tools massage the face effectively.

After rolling it on my face for 10 minutes, I feel brighter and more youthful. The pressure draws blood, and the rolls scrape away dead surface cells.

My skin is brightened, smoothed, and very supple. Unlike harsh scrubs, jade and rose quartz are cool and cool to irritated skin. They don’t ever make you red or itchy.

I keep mine in the fridge, which is awesome first thing in the morning! The cold stones also relieve lymphatic drainage, sagging, and dark circles.

It is a gentle, at-home facial with this hand process for clear, radiant skin. I love it because it is so gentle when my skin is sensitive or reactive.

Pros:

Scrubs and rubs naturally into the skin.
Adds brightness, suppleness, and circulation.
Gently approach with cool jade and quartz.
It fights puffiness and reenergizes skin.
Non-irritating for sensitive skin

Cons:

Needs a time investment for facial massage.
It won’t buff off as deep as other scrubs.

Final Thoughts

Exfoliating is part of every skin care routine, even for sensitive skin. If you use the right exfoliators, you can be left with new, velvety skin that isn’t irritated.

Check for soapy beads, mild acids, antiseptics, and non-rubbing. When in doubt, patch test first.

These exfoliators in this post are the best I have found for effectively but gently resurfacing sensitive skin. Include one of these in your regime to get refreshed, radiant skin!

Comment below with any other favorite sensitive skin exfoliators you use.

Top 5 Exfoliators That Won’t Irritate Sensitive Skin