10 Best Exfoliating Solutions For Glowing Skin

Exfoliation is an important step that happens regularly in a good skincare regimen.

However, the tricky thing about achieving glowing skin with exfoliation is finding the right product and frequency that will ensure your skin remains healthy and not over-exfoliated, which can lead to barrier damage and symptoms such as dryness, redness, flaking, and irritation.

Therefore, to ensure you find the right exfoliator, I have listed the ten best exfoliating solutions for glowing skin that contain various supporting ingredients to address a particular skin type and concern and improve your skin’s health and condition without causing side effects.

Additionally, by the end of the article, you can read more about how to exfoliate properly, how often you should do it, and how to use an exfoliating solution correctly for best results.

L’Oreal – Revitalift 5% Pure Glycolic Acid Peeling Toner

Best exfoliating solution for dull skin.

The L’Oreal Revitalift 5% Pure Glycolic Acid Peeling Toner is an excellent exfoliating solution for dull skin that looks flat and dry and lacks glow and radiance.

Formulated with 5% glycolic acid, this toner effectively removes dead skin cells and reveals brighter, smoother skin underneath that bounces light and appears more luminous.

Moreover, the toner also contains a small percentage of salicylic acid, a beta-hydroxy acid that unclogs pores and soothes acne, making it suitable for those with dull skin prone to acne and blackheads.

Furthermore, the lightweight solution is enriched with antioxidants such as watermelon fruit extract and vitamin C derivatives, as well as soothing aloe vera to prevent redness and irritation from the potent actives.

A perfect addition to your nighttime routine, the L’Oreal Revitalift 5% Pure Glycolic Acid Peeling Toner is also a great budget-friendly option for those looking to improve the overall appearance of their skin without breaking the bank.

Paula’s Choice – 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

Best exfoliating solution for dry skin and large pores.

The Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant is a gentle yet effective exfoliating solution perfect for dry skin types and large pores.

Formulated with 2% salicylic acid, this liquid exfoliant penetrates deep into the pores to dissolve the cellular debris made up of dead skin cells sticking together instead of traveling towards the skin’s surface, where they will act as a barrier to prevent moisture loss and dryness.

This will result in clear pores that serve as passages for the dead skin cells to move toward the skin’s surface and the minimized appearance of large pores that are no longer stretched with excess cellular debris.

Moreover, this exfoliant is enriched with several antioxidants, such as green tea extract and chamomile flower extract, to hydrate and improve cellular function, and it has a nourishing consistency that leaves a beautiful glow once it settles on the skin.

REN Clean Skincare – Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic

Best exfoliating solution for glowing skin.

The REN Clean Skincare Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic is a powerful yet gentle exfoliating solution that will help you achieve glowing skin in no time.

Formulated with lactic acid, the gentlest alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), this toner encourages the skin cells to shed and renew themselves faster, revealing a brighter and smoother complexion from underneath.

Additionally, the formula also contains azelaic acid, which is fantastic for reducing the appearance of acne and redness, as well as targeting pigmentary skin concerns, such as acne scarring and uneven skin tone.

The consistency of the Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Toner is similar to the Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant and is super nourishing, leaving the skin with a beautiful glow once it settles on the surface.

However, even though the packaging markets this toning solution as a daily toner, keep in mind that exfoliating daily can lead to a compromised skin barrier as well as redness and irritation; therefore, stick to using it 2-3 times a week, depending on your skin type and concerns.

PCA – SKIN Smoothing Toner

Best exfoliating solution for skin texture.

The PCA SKIN Smoothing Toner is an excellent option for those looking to improve skin texture and achieve a smoother, softer complexion.

Formulated with gentle lactic acid, this toner dissolves the protein bonds holding dead skin cells tightly packed together on the skin’s surface and encourages them to shed, revealing a brighter, even, and more refined and polished complexion underneath.

Additionally, the toner is enriched with several antioxidants, including calendula extract, a component renowned for its soothing benefits, as well as burdock extract, and anti-inflammatory components with antibacterial benefits that will keep bacteria on the skin’s surface in check.

The toner has a lightweight, non-greasy consistency and absorbs into the skin relatively quickly, leaving a refreshed, slightly matte complexion once it fully settles.

NEOSTRATA – Clarify Oily Skin Solution

Best exfoliating solution for oily skin and acne.

The Neostrata Clarify Oily Skin Solution is a lightweight, fast-absorbing toner that contains 8% glycolic acid to effectively exfoliate oily skin and prevent acne breakouts.

With a simple formula consisting of only nine ingredients and one active component, this simple and straightforward product can be used 2-3 times a week to tackle inflammatory skin concerns such as acne while keeping oil production balanced and refining skin texture.

Vivant Skin Care – 3% Mandelic Acid 3-in-1 Toner

Best exfoliating solution for acne-prone skin.

The Vivant 3% Mandelic Acid 3-in-1 Toner is a potent exfoliating toner that eliminates whiteheads, blackheads, and acne by dissolving congestion inside the pores.

The gentle yet powerful formula combines 3% mandelic acid with lactic acid to dissolve cellular debris, such as dead skin cells and hardened sebum inside the pores, and prevent future breakouts.

Moreover, the added antioxidants help protect the skin from free radicals and environmental stressors, while niacinamide and witch hazel work together to brighten the complexion and refine large pores.

This toner is excellent for all skin types prone to congestion, whiteheads, blackheads, and acne and can be used a few times a week for best results.

Vivant Skin Care – Normalizing Tonic

Best exfoliating solution for hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone.

The Normalizing Tonic from Vivant is a powerful exfoliating solution that targets hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone.

Formulated with glycolic acid, lactic acid, and niacinamide, this tonic removes dead skin cells and improves cellular turnover while preventing excess melanin from being distributed unevenly throughout the layers of the epidermis and causing dark patches.

Moreover, the toner is enriched with hydrating humectants such as urea and glycerin to prevent dryness and irritation from the potent actives and the alcohol it contains to improve penetration.

Ideal for anyone dealing with pigmentary concerns such as uneven skin tone from UV damage or hormonal conditions such as melasma or post-acne scarring, the Normalizing Tonic can be used 2-3 times a week for best results.

Medik8 – Press & Clear

Best exfoliating solution for sensitive and acne-prone skin.

The Medik8 Press & Clear is a gentle exfoliating solution for sensitive skin prone to acne.

This lightweight, fast-absorbing toner contains gluconolactone, a polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that effectively sheds dead skin cells away without causing irritation as many stronger exfoliating acids can.

It also contains glycerin, a skin-identical ingredient that helps hydrate and retain moisture in the skin and keep the complexion plump and smooth.

Finally, it is infused with soothing aloe vera juice to calm and reduce redness, making it perfect for sensitive or reactive skin, clearing existing breakouts, and preventing new pimples from forming.

Naturium – BHA Liquid Exfoliant 2%

Best exfoliating solution for dry skin and acne.

The Naturium BHA Liquid Exfoliant 2% is a gentle yet effective exfoliating solution for those with dry skin and acne.

Formulated with 2% salicylic acid, this liquid exfoliant penetrates deep into the pores to dissolve excess oil and dead skin cells that can lead to breakouts.

Additionally, it also contains glycerin and diglycerin, a mix of humectants that help hydrate and plump the skin, preventing dryness and flakiness often associated with dry skin that’s experiencing acne breakouts due to clogging caused by excess dead skin cells.

SkinCeuticals – Conditioning Clarifying Toner

Best exfoliating solution for body acne.

The SkinCeuticals Conditioning Clarifying Toner is technically a facial toner; however, due to containing pretty harsh and drying ingredients as well as a potent combination of exfoliating actives, it may be better for anyone experiencing body acne in areas that can’t really be treated with a body cleanser that only stays on the skin for a limited time.

The toner contains a combination of glycolic and salicylic acids to dissolve cellular debris that’s clogging the pores and causing acne breakouts, as well as eucalyptus extract for antibacterial benefits that will help keep the acne-causing bacteria in check.

It can be used by simply swiping a larger cotton round soaked in the toner onto the areas where you’re experiencing body acne or with your hands if you’re just dealing with bacne or chest acne.

Additionally, since the skin on the body is more resilient than facial skin, you can use this toner more often than 2-3 times a week to tackle breakouts and achieve clearer, smoother skin in visible and hidden body parts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Does Exfoliation Do To The Skin?

Exfoliation is a key process that involves the shedding of dead skin cells from the skin’s surface.

When young, our skin naturally sheds these cells every 28 days, but as we age, this process slows down, leading to dull, uneven skin, clogged pores, and breakouts.

Exfoliation clears away these cells, enhancing skin radiance, health, and smoothness. It also boosts the effectiveness of skincare products as it clears the blocked pathways for various ingredients to penetrate better.

However, while every skin could benefit from exfoliation, over-exfoliation, on the other hand, can harm the skin, so it’s important to find a suitable frequency based on your individual skin needs.

How Often Should You Exfoliate?

The ideal exfoliating frequency for most skin types and concerns is 1-2 times a week.

However, if your skin tolerates the exfoliating product and you are trying to address a particular concern, such as acne or hyperpigmentation, you can exfoliate up to three times a week.

On the other hand, if you’re new to exfoliating or your skin is sensitive and reactive, start with once a week and gradually increase the frequency if needed.

How to Use an Exfoliating Solution?

The best way to use an exfoliating toner or solution is by adding a few drops of product onto a cotton round and gently swiping it across your face, neck, or body areas you are treating.

On the other hand, if you want to minimize wastage, you can pour a small amount of the exfoliating toner or solution into your hands and pat it directly onto your skin.

Always follow up with a moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated and sunscreen in the morning to prevent UV damage and various skin concerns and conditions that may arise from it.