While we can appreciate the languid indulgence of a 10-step skincare routine with multiple Korean serums and red light wands, there’s also something to be said for instant gratification. That’s why we’re so fond of exfoliating pads: With just a few quick swipes in mere minutes, they can give your skin a glow that looks like it took months of hard work to achieve.
“Exfoliating pads are pre-soaked cloths or cotton pads containing chemical exfoliants, such as alpha-hydroxy acids, beta-hydroxy acids, and other active compounds,” explains board-certified dermatologist Dr. Anetta Reszko. These chemical exfoliants (often working in tandem with a coarsely-textured pad) slough away dead cells on the skin’s surface, revealing the brighter, healthier-looking skin underneath.
Vogue’s Favorite Exfoliating Pads:
In This Article:
We know what you’re thinking—this sounds like a chemical peel. Unlike traditional liquid or cream peel formulations, though, exfoliating pads deliver a measured dose of active ingredients, making them easy to use, effective, and basically foolproof. And, with the right blend of actives, exfoliating pads work to tackle some of the most common concerns, making them a straightforward solution to addressing your skin goals. “Whether you’re dealing with dullness, congestion, or just want that fresh-faced glow, exfoliating pads can be a game-changer,” says master aesthetician Brittany Blancato. Ahead, discover the best exfoliating pads, plus tips on the ingredients to look for and how to use them to maximize your radiant results.
- Why We Love It: These are one of the original exfoliating pads and remain a cult classic for a reason. The formula combines both alpha- and beta-hydroxy acids (hence the name) to slough away dead skin cells on the surface and within the pore for clearer, brighter, and more even skin, while antioxidants like green tea extract help defend skin from future damage. “Its dual-step process ensures effective exfoliation while providing hydration and skin barrier support,” adds Dr. Reszko.
- Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid, lactic acid, green tea extract
- Best For: Uneven texture and tone; dull skin
- Size: 30 two-step treatments
- Why We Love It: These potent exfoliating pads contain 10% non-neutralized glycolic acid, which features a lower pH than the glycolic acid found in most over-the-counter formulas—making it stronger, comparable to an in-office chemical peel. The exfoliating solution also features pore-clearing salicylic acid and soothing witch hazel, all infused in a very scrubby, textured pad. Be prepared for an intense tingle the first few times you use it, as well as a serious glow—after each use, you’ll find your forehead looks as smooth and fresh as it would after a neurotoxin appointment.
- Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid, salicylic acid, witch hazel extract
- Best For: Experienced peel users; fine lines and wrinkles; acne; hyperpigmentation
- Size: 50 pads
- Why We Love It: These exfoliating pads are saturated with gentle plant extracts like chamomile and lavender that help soothe and calm the skin as glycolic and salicylic acids work to clarify pores and soften rough texture. “A low concentration of glycolic and salicylic acid makes this ideal for beginners,” says Dr. Reszko. They take just one minute to swipe across your face and neck to leave them looking instantly brighter; because they’re individually wrapped pads, they’re perfect for stashing in your travel bag for an on-the-go glow.
- Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid, salicylic acid, chamomile extract
- Best For: Novice peel users; dull skin
- Size: 30 pads
- Why We Love It: While some exfoliating pads can leave the skin feeling tight and dry, these are soaked with a nourishing formula that boosts skin’s brightness as well as hydration levels. In addition to gentle lactic acid, these pads resurface skin with papaya enzyme, which gently removes dead cells without stripping the moisture barrier. Probiotics and shea butter further promote hydration for softer, smoother skin that feels comfortable and looks radiant.
- Key Ingredients: Lactic acid, papaya enzyme, shea butter
- Best For: Dry skin; uneven texture and tone
- Size: 60 pads
- Why We Love It: While most exfoliating pads are just swiped across skin and left to work their magic, the solution in these pads from Jan Marini is actually meant to be washed off “to prevent over-exfoliation for more sensitive skin types,” explains Dr. Reszko. That’s because the blend of acids here is potent—three alpha-hydroxy acids and one beta-hydroxy acid for comprehensive resurfacing benefits. Novice peel users or those with sensitive skin should rinse off the treatment after about five minutes, while those who have worked up their tolerance can wait 15 minutes before washing it off.
- Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid, salicylic acid, mandelic acid, lactic acid
- Best For: Customizing your peel strength; uneven texture and tone; enlarged pores
- Size: 30 pads
- Why We Love It: Those with sensitive skin who want instant results from an exfoliating pad should try this one from BeautyStat, which uses gentle yet effective lactic acid to boost skin’s radiance, salicylic acid and niacinamide to fight blemishes, and glucosamine to amp up hydration. Bonus: The individually-wrapped pads are biodegradable.
- Key Ingredients: Lactic acid, salicylic acid, niacinamide
- Best For: Sensitive skin; acne; dull skin
- Size: 10 pads
- Why We Love It: These potent pads combine exfoliating all-star glycolic acid with algae peptides to leave skin not just radiant and smooth, but hydrated and firm, too. Botanical extracts like kola, guarana, and mate help fade redness, so if you feel any prickly sensation from these highly effective pads, you’ll be the only person that knows.
- Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid, algae peptides, kola seed extract
- Best For: Blackheads; fine lines and wrinkles; dull skin
- Size: 60 pads
- Why We Love It: If your skin is so sensitive that you’ve completely sworn off the idea of an exfoliating pad, these are for you—they contain the ultra-mild polyhydroxy acid, which helps hydrate while simultaneously sloughing away dead skin, as well as super soothing cica and nourishing ceramides to minimize any irritating side effects. Rather than stripping, they support the skin barrier, hydrating and moisturizing as they help fade uneven texture and tone. The pads are also generously sized (and you get a lot of them!), so you’ll be able to easily treat your face, neck, and chest with just one pad.
- Key Ingredients: Centella asiatica, ceramides, polyhydroxy acid
- Best For: Sensitive skin; reactive skin; redness; dryness; uneven texture and tone
- Size: 90 pads
- Why We Love It: These pads are a dream for those with clogged pores. Plant extracts like cypress leaf and skullcap help control oil production to stave off future congestion, while a blend of clarifying willow bark extract and salicylic acid helps break down dead skin cells within the pore to leave them looking clearer, tighter, and smaller. While a lot of pore-focused formulas can make skin feel dehydrated, this product also contains hydrating hyaluronic acid, soothing cica, and conditioning panthenol for a comfortable complexion.
- Key Ingredients: Lactic acid, salicylic acid, willow bark extract
- Best For: Acne; enlarged pores; blackheads; oily skin
- Size: 70 pads
- Why We Love It: When it comes to anti-aging ingredients, retinol is considered the gold standard; this award-winning exfoliating pad features it as part of its signature AlphaRet complex. “The combination of retinol and lactic acid offers both anti-aging and exfoliating benefits, improving skin texture and treating fine lines and hyperpigmentation simultaneously,” says Reszko. There’s also glycolic and salicylic acids for further resurfacing, so expect dramatically clearer, smoother, and brighter skin after use.
- Key Ingredients: Retinoid ester, lactic acid, glycolic acid, salicylic acid
- Best For: Fine lines and wrinkles; hyperpigmentation; mature skin
- Size: 30 pads
Everything You Need to Know
What to Look For in an Exfoliating Pad
The most important factor of an exfoliating pad is the ingredients they’ve been infused with—specifically, the chemical exfoliants. “These ingredients promote cellular turnover by dissolving the intercellular glue that holds dead skin cells together,” explains Dr. Reszko. “This process accelerates the removal of keratinized cells, leading to a smoother, more radiant complexion.” The two main exfoliant categories used in these products are alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs).
AHAs are water soluble, meaning they work best on the skin’s surface, breaking down the dead cells that exacerbate rough texture, fine lines, and dark spots. These are few of the most common AHAs you’ll find in exfoliating pads:
- Glycolic Acid: Naturally found in sugar cane, glycolic acid features the smallest molecule size of all AHAs. “It deeply penetrates to stimulate collagen, brighten dullness, and smooth fine lines,” says Blancato. Because it can absorb more deeply due to its small molecule size, it’s best for those with more resilient or mature skin.
- Mandelic Acid: Mandelic acid has a larger molecule size than glycolic acid, which makes it absorb more slowly into the skin for a gentle-yet-effective treatment. It also has antibacterial properties. “It’s ideal for acne-prone skin and those with deeper skin tones, since it helps prevent post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation,” says Blancato.
- Lactic Acid: This AHA also has a larger molecule size, making it ideal for sensitive or dry skin. “It works to exfoliate while also promoting hydration and overall skin glow,” says Dr. Reszko. Dairy products contain natural concentrations of lactic acid.
BHAs are oil soluble. “They penetrate deep into pores to effectively exfoliate inside, making them highly effective for acne-prone or oily skin,” says Dr. Reszko. The only one you’ll really see in skin-care products is:
- Salicylic Acid: “This is the ultimate pore de-clogger,” says Blancato. By breaking down sebum and sweeping away the dead skin cells that can congest pores, it can clear up breakouts.
While these are the most essential ingredients to look for in an exfoliating pad, there are others that can make a good formula even greater.
- Retinol: A form of vitamin A, retinol is perhaps the most iconic anti-aging ingredient of all time. “It accelerates cell turnover and stimulates collagen production, making it ideal for anti-aging and improving the appearance of acne scars,” says Dr. Reszko.
- Humectants: Humectants like hyaluronic acid and glycerin work like magnets to attract moisture and hold onto it, adding hydration, “so your skin doesn’t feel dry or tight afterward,” Blancato says.
- Antioxidants: Vitamin C, vitamin E, and green tea are just a few examples you’ll find in peels to help defend skin from free radical damage.
- Anti-Inflammatory Agents: Ingredients like niacinamide, centella asiatica (cica), aloe vera, and green tea are “calming agents that help soothe potential irritation and inflammation, keeping skin happy and balanced,” says Blancato.
How to Use an Exfoliating Pad
While you might be tempted to use them like a face wipe, it is critical that you wash your face to remove makeup, dirt, and excess oil before using an exfoliating pad—without grime in the way, those active ingredients can get right to work. Once you’ve toweled off, you can gently swipe the exfoliating pad across your face using gentle pressure, avoiding the eyes, until the pad no longer feels damp. (If you feel like your face has gotten enough treatment, go ahead and use it on your neck, chest, and hands, too!) Once the pad’s solution has absorbed into your skin, apply serums and moisturizer. “Some pads are leave-on, while others require rinsing—so always check the directions,” says Blancato.
The most confusing aspects of using exfoliating pads are when to use them and how often. Because exfoliating pads can be a little sensitizing, we’d recommend using an exfoliating pad as part of your evening routine, but regardless of when you use it, make sure that sunscreen is the final step in your morning regimen. “SPF is crucial after exfoliating, as chemical exfoliants increase skin sensitivity to UV radiation,” warns Dr. Reszko.
As for frequency, your skin’s tolerance of an exfoliating pad will help you determine that. Our experts recommend starting slowly, using a pad once or twice a week and slowly increasing how often you use them. This will help your skin adjust and prevent irritation. If you have normal or oily skin, you may be able to handle using an exfoliating pad five times a week or more. Dr. Reszko notes that acne-prone skin can be treated with salicylic acid pads daily to prevent breakouts, so long as your skin feels OK. The moment “[skin] starts feeling tight, looks red, or is overly dry, take a step back,” Blancato cautions. “More isn’t always better when it comes to exfoliation!”
Who should use exfoliating pads?
Nearly anyone who wants brighter, smoother skin can use an exfoliating pad, so long as they’re selecting the right ingredients for their skin type and goals. For example, those with oily skin should look for salicylic acid, which can cut right through sebum to decongest pores, while those with sensitive skin should seek out gentler chemical exfoliants like lactic acid or polyhydroxy acid. That said, both our experts recommend being especially cautious if you have extremely sensitive or compromised skin—think rosacea or eczema. “Some ultra-gentle formulas can work, but over-exfoliation can easily lead to irritation,” warns Blancato.
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