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“Having spent years either avoiding exfoliators or having them upset my skin, these are the gentle ones that don’t irritate but leave you silky smooth,” says Charlotte Bitmead, Stylist’s senior beauty writer.
Exfoliation has always been the trickiest part of my skincare routine. Having rosacea, eczema and general sensitivity always makes it a tough juggling act; I want silky smooth skin, but not if it’s going to leave my face feeling like it’s on fire.
For years, I avoided it completely. However, every time I went for a facial, they’d advise me to add one into my routine to help battle congestion and any flakiness. After spending my teens rubbing harsh, grainy scrubs on my skin daily, I was nervous. Were the benefits of exfoliation really worth all the trouble they caused my sensitivity? The answer was no.
But formulas have come a long way since those days. You no longer have to opt for gritty, abrasive scrubs or a blend of acids too strong for your skin; these next-gen products work to slough away dead skin cells gently, to help leave your skin barrier stronger, not compromised.
No matter whether you prefer a handy peel pad for on-the-go or want a mask to do all the work for you, here are the exfoliating products I swear by if you have sensitive skin.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Ultra Gentle Daily Peel (5 Treatments)
Dr Dennis Gross’ peel pads have been my go-to for years now and were the first exfoliator that didn’t leave my skin feeling uncomfortable. This particular formula contains a gentle blend of lactic and mandelic acid that leaves my skin feeling more hydrated after I’ve used them. One side of the pad exfoliates, while the other neutralises, to stop any tingling sensations.
111Skin Precision Peel
This rinse-off treatment is a recent discovery of mine, which I love for how glowy it leaves my skin feeling afterwards. It uses mandelic and salicylic acid to smooth, while milk thistle helps soothe. Leave this gel mask on for up to 20 minutes and you’ll see results as soon as you wash it off.
Summer Fridays Gentle Reset Daily Exfoliating Pads
Packed with PHAs and AHAs, these pre-soaked pads are ideal for travel to leave your skin soft and supple whenever you need. I see added brightness to my skin after one swipe and they have a big impact when it comes to a smooth foundation application. I never travel without one.
Patchology Moodmask Exfoliate Mate Sheet Mask
A sheet mask that doubles up as an exfoliator makes a lot of sense if you’ve got sensitive skin. The star of this one is its plant-derived lactic acid, as well as a trio of fruit enzymes (pineapple, papaya and grapefruit) to deliver radiance after just 10 minutes.
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
As you can tell, I love an exfoliating pad, and these ones deserve all the hype they’ve been getting online. If blackheads are your bugbear, write this one down. They’re soaked with a fruit complex, as well as salicylic and lactic acid. You get a matiffied appearance, as well as smoother skin.
Ole Henriksen Silkfoliant Daily Tri-Acid Smoothing Toner with Mandelic Acid
I’ve been scarred by exfoliating toners in the past, but this smart formula won’t leave your skin feeling raw. It features a cocktail of AHAs, BHAs and PHAs, which all work together to reduce dark spots and leave you with a more even-looking complexion. Scandinavian rowanberry water is also in the mix to help hydrate and leave you with a dewy finish.
Image: 111Skin; courtesy of brands
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