Best Exfoliators for Dry, Sensitive Skin
When it comes to treating dry, sensitive skin in the winter months, one of the biggest struggles is exfoliating enough to remove the dead skin without going overboard and drying your skin out even more. I’ve tried a lot of physical and chemical exfoliants over the years, and finally found the right combinations that leave me with polished, soft, glowing skin. These are the products I can’t live without for removing the flakes and keeping my dry, sensitive skin hydrated, especially in the colder winter months.
best exfoliators for dry, sensitive skin
ZO Skin Health Exfoliating Polish - This is the best physical exfoliator you can buy for dry, sensitive skin and the results make the price worth it. The scrub is extremely fine and will get all of the flakes and dry patches without causing micro-cuts or damage to your skin barrier. A little goes a long way, and it’s one of the few skincare products I can’t live without.
PCA Resurfacing Serum - This product is my favorite way to get in gentle daily exfoliation without irritating my skin. It’s a serum that goes on after toner and it’s lightweight yet effective. I sometimes notice a slight sting with this toner, but it’s never compromised my skin barrier or left it feeling dry or irritated. My skin looks much more balanced after using this, it’s eliminated all dry patches, and I really do think it’s worth the money.
SkinMedica AHA/ BHA Exfoliating Cleanser – Gentle enough to use daily, this product gently removes dead skin while improving skin tone and texture. I like this more than a hydrating face wash even though my skin is dry, because it helps remove any leftover makeup or pollutants that can clog your pores.
Dr Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Extra Strength Daily Peel – This chemical exfoliant is a great treatment that comes in different strengths, and even the strongest version doesn’t irritate my skin (I did start out with the gentle version and work my way up to it though, which took about a month). You may feel a slight tingle as you apply this product, and it will leave you with glowy, polished skin – no dry patches in sight.
Medicube Zero Pore Pad - The budget-friendly alternative to the Dr. Dennis Gross peel pads, but they’re just as effective and I love that you can buy them from Amazon for extra convenience. Korean skincare is the real deal; these help clear up/ prevent acne as they exfoliate, and don’t leave your skin feeling dry or tight. I especially love to use these after working out.
Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Salicylic Acid Exfoliant – If you prefer a gel exfoliant, this is a great option. This improves skin texture and exfoliates the deeper layers of dead skin that a scrub can’t reach. It also has soothing ingredients, and is gentle enough to use daily.
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner - If you’re on a budget, this toner is incredible. It’s under $15, leaves your skin glowing, and gentle enough for all skin types. I also use this on my body to eliminate ingrowns, and it’s as soothing as it is exfoliating. I do recommend starting slowly (2x a week) to acclimate your skin, and use it as part of your nighttime routine rather than morning.
It’s important to always follow up with a moisturizer after you exfoliate. My favorites are the Obagi Medical Hydrate Facial Moisturizer and Yonka Sensitive Creme, because they deeply penetrate the skin and leave you hydrated all day/ night long without a film or greasy feeling; you can read more about my favorite moisturizers for dry, sensitive skin here.
best body exfoliators for dry, sensitive skin
+ Lux Unfiltered No.28 Exfoliating Body Polish – I hesitate to use products that have fragrance in them since my skin is so sensitive, but this scrub doesn’t cause any irritation and provides a really high-quality experience. The scent is amazing, and men will love it, too. The scrub is fine enough to exfoliate well, and there’s a bit of coconut oil in it to provide moisture back into your skin. It’s definitely worth the money; I subscribe on Amazon to save 5% and receive the product every other month.
OUAI Scalp & Body Scrub - I tend to be skeptical of products that are formulated to work for both hair and body, but this exfoliating scrub actually works. For those who hate the greasy feeling some scrubs can have, this will be your new go-to. It starts as a scrub and then works into a great lather (like a body wash), so you’re able to really exfoliate your skin, whereas some scrubs seem to just fall off the skin and you have to use way more than intended. It does have fragrance, but hasn’t irritated my skin once.
Kopari Coconut Crush Scrub – Another great scrub that you can find at Ulta, Target, or Sephora. This scrub has crushed coconut shell in it, which provides a coarser exfoliation, and smells great. The downside to this scrub is that it kind of gets everywhere in the shower and because it has lots of coconut in it, it can kind of make your shower slippery (and leave your skin a little greasy). I typically use a body wash after applying this scrub to get rid of some of the extra coconut oil, but the double-cleanse might be too much for the most sensitive skin.
Loving Tan Reusable Self Tanner Removing & Skin Polishing Glove – While this is marketed to remove self- tanner, I love it so much more than a loofah for simple exfoliation. You control how much pressure you apply, so you won’t irritate your skin. This is a staple in my body care routine, and helps combat ingrown hair, clogged pores, and product build-up.
Dry Brush – I try to dry brush every night, going from top to bottom in light circular motions. Be careful with how much pressure you apply as too much can cause irritation. I dry brush right before I shower, as you’re supposed to cleanse and moisturize afterwards.
No matter what products I use, I always make sure to apply extra moisturizer to my skin after exfoliating. My go-to body moisturizer is by Aveeno; I’ve tried all the fancy stuff and nothing works as well as Aveeno, and I’ve never had a bad reaction to it. In the winter months, I apply squalene or jojoba oil to extra dry spots like elbows and ankles, especially before bed. If you want something extra decadent, Lux Unfiltered makes a really great body cream that lasts all night long; the only downside is it doesn’t feel like it absorbs completely so it sometimes clings to my pajamas and feels a little damp.
