Chemical exfoliants – particularly BHAs – are excellent for those looking to clear breakouts and keep acne at bay. Here are some of the best drugstore exfoliants for acne.
Our Recommendations
1. Advanced Pore-Refining Treatment 4% BHA
Paula's Choice Exfoliant for Exfoliation, Large Pores, and Acne
Paula’s Choice Advanced Pore-Refining Treatment 4% BHA
This exfoliant contains a powerful concentration of salicylic acid, which works to unclog pores to minimize their appearance while also fighting breakouts.
The 4% concentration of salicylic acid (which is higher than the cult-favorite Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant) helps to unclog pores and promote a more even skin texture and tone. This makes this an excellent exfoliant for those dealing with large pores and breakouts and wanting to improve the overall appearance of the skin.
Pros
- Fragrance-free
- Non-greasy
- Lightweight
Cons
- May irritate sensitive skin
This exfoliant contains additional antioxidant-rich ingredients that protect the skin and fight signs of aging, as well as soothing and hydrating ingredients. This includes glycerin, allantoin, grape seed extract, green tea leaf extract, and matricaria flower extract.
Water (Aqua), Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Salicylic Acid, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Glycerin, Aminomethyl Propanol, Adenosine, Allantoin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizinate, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, Avena Sativa (Oat) Bran Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract, Camellia Oleifera (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Peucedanum Graveolens (Dill) Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Benzyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol
-
National Center for Biotechnology Information. "Over-the-counter Acne Treatments"
Accessed Aug. 27, 2021.
2. Blackhead Power Liquid
COSRX Exfoliant for Acne and Blackheads
COSRX Blackhead Power Liquid
This beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) exfoliator is one of the best COSRX products for those prone to acne and blackheads. It penetrates deep into the skin to unclog pores, which helps maintain clear, smooth skin.
BHAs are some of the most effective chemical exfoliators when it comes to unclogging pores. This product contains gentle BHAs – willow bark water and betaine salicylate – which exfoliate with a minimized risk of irritation.
Pros
- Fragrance-free
- Vegan and cruelty-free
Cons
- May not be suitable for sensitive skin
This product contains sodium hyaluronate (the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid) and panthenol, which help counteract some of the potentially irritating side effects of the exfoliating ingredients.
Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Water, Butylene Glycol, Betaine, Niacinamide, Betaine Salicylate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Xanthan Gum, Ethyl Hexanediol
-
National Center for Biotechnology Information. "Over-the-counter Acne Treatments"
Accessed Aug. 27, 2021.
3. Acne Medication Pads
Stridex Exfoliant for Acne and Blackheads
Stridex Daily Care Acne Medication Pads Maximum Strength
These cleansing pads use the power of salicylic acid to help treat and prevent breakouts.
These pads are soaked with a 2% concentration of salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid (or BHA). Salicylic acid is an incredibly effective chemical exfoliator that unclogs pores to help treat current breakouts and prevent new acne from forming.
Pros
- Lightweight solution
- Exfoliating
Cons
- Contains fragrance
These alcohol-free pads are textured, which increases the product’s ability to sweep away debris and exfoliate the skin.
Salicylic Acid, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Ammonium Xylenesulfonate, Citric Acid, DMDM Hydantoin, Fragrance, Menthol, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Purified Water, Simethicone, Sodium Borate, Tetrasodium EDTA.
-
National Center for Biotechnology Information. "Over-the-counter Acne Treatments"
Accessed Aug. 27, 2021.
4. 25% AHA + 2% BHA Exfoliant Peel
Paula's Choice Exfoliant for Evening Tone and Texture
Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 25% AHA + 2% BHA Exfoliant Peel
This peel contains a high concentration of chemical exfoliators, which work to resurface the skin and unclog pores to smooth fine lines and wrinkles and achieve a more even complexion.
This peel contains an effective blend of chemical exfoliators that work to achieve a smoother and more even skin tone and texture. The AHAs (glycolic acid, lactic acid, mandelic acid, malic acid, and tartaric acid) help minimize fine lines and wrinkles, smooth texture, and diminish hyperpigmentation, while the BHA (salicylic acid) unclogs pores.
Pros
- Fragrance-free
- Exfoliating
Cons
- May irritate sensitive skin
Since the chemical exfoliators can be irritating, this peel contains soothing ingredients, including chamomile, licorice extract, and allantoin. This peel is potent, and you should patch test prior to using (particularly if you’re new to acids).
Water (Aqua), Aminomethyl Propanol (pH adjuster), Glycolic Acid (alpha hydroxy acid/exfoliant), Lactic Acid (alpha hydroxy acid/exfoliant), Mandelic Acid (alpha hydroxy acid/exfoliant), Isoamyl Laurate (emollient), Tartaric Acid (alpha hydroxy acid/exfoliant), Propanediol (hydration), Salicylic Acid (beta hydroxy acid/exfoliant,) Malic Acid (alpha hydroxy acid/exfoliant), Butylene Glycol (texture enhancer), Clitoria Ternatea (Butterfly Pea) Flower Extract (antioxidant/skin-soothing), Sodium Hyaluronate (skin replenishing), Glycyrrhetinic Acid (licorice-derived skin soothing), Glycerin (skin-replenishing), Tocopherol (vitamin E/antioxidant), Bisabolol (skin soothing), Allantoin (skin soothing), Hydroxyethylcellulose (thickener), Hydrogenated Lecithin (skin-restoring), Xanthan Gum (thickener), Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate (emulsifier), Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 (stabilizer/thickener), Titanium Dioxide (Cl 77891) (mineral-derived pigment), Mica (CI 77019) (mineral-derived pigment), Phenoxyethanol (preservative).
-
National Center for Biotechnology Information. "An antiaging skin care system containing alpha hydroxy acids and vitamins improves the biomechanical parameters of facial skin"
Accessed Aug. 2, 2021. -
National Center for Biotechnology Information. "Over-the-counter Acne Treatments"
Accessed Aug. 2, 2021.
5. Anti-Redness Exfoliating Solution
Paula's Choice Exfoliant for Acne, Blackheads, Hyperpigmentation and Redness
Paula's Choice Clear Regular Strength Anti-Redness Exfoliating Solution With 2% Salicylic Acid
This gentle exfoliating product is ideal for skin prone to breakouts, as it unclogs pores to minimize blemishes while soothing the skin to decrease redness.
This product contains a 2% concentration of salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid that is able to work deep in the pores to unclog and treat breakouts (and prevent new blemishes from forming). It also helps minimize the appearance of pores, and will work to diminish the appearance of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation from previous blemishes. This concentration is high enough to be effective on acne-prone skin, but still gentle as to reduce the risk of irritation.
Pros
- Fragrance-free
- Lightweight
- Non-greasy
Cons
- May irritate sensitive skin
Additional hydrating and soothing ingredients are paired with the salicylic acid to minimize irritation and reduce redness. This includes glycerin, hyaluronic acid, allantoin, and panthenol.
Salicylic Acid 2%, Water (Aqua), Dipropylene Glycol (hydration), Pentylene Glycol (hydration), Polysorbate 20 (stabilizer), Butylene Glycol (hydration), Glycerin (skin replenishing), Sodium Hyaluronate (hydration/skin replenishing), Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate (skin-soothing), Allantoin (skin-soothing), Panthenol (hydration), PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer (texture-enhancing), Methyl Gluceth-20 (hydration), Glycereth-26 (texture-enhancing), Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane (hydration), Sodium Hydroxide (pH adjuster), Tetrasodium EDTA (stabilizer), Sodium Metabisulfite (stabilizer).
-
National Center for Biotechnology Information. "Over-the-counter Acne Treatments A Review"
Accessed Aug. 31, 2021.
6. 2% BHA Exfoliant
Paula's Choice Exfoliant for Gently Exfoliating and Preventing Breakouts
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
This cult-favorite product contains salicylic acid, a chemical exfoliator that gently exfoliates dead skin cells and unclogs pores for a clear complexion.
This is a best seller at Paula’s Choice, and for a good reason. Salicylic acid (a beta-hydroxy acid, or BHA) is an excellent chemical exfoliator that sheds excess skin cells and decongests pores to fight acne and blackheads and promote a more even skin tone.
Pros
- Fragrance-free
- Lightweight
- Non-greasy
Cons
- May irritate more sensitive skin types
This product also contains green tea, which soothes irritation and provides anti-aging benefits.
Water (Aqua), Methylpropanediol (hydration), Butylene Glycol (hydration), Salicylic Acid (beta hydroxy acid/exfoliant), Polysorbate 20 (stabilizer), Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract (green tea/skin calming/antioxidant), Sodium Hydroxide (pH balancer), Tetrasodium EDTA (stabilizer)
-
National Center for Biotechnology Information. "Over-the-counter Acne Treatments"
Accessed Jul. 30, 2021.
FAQs
What exfoliant is best for acne-prone skin?
Beta hydroxy acid (BHA) is the best chemical exfoliant for acne-prone skin. This chemical exfoliant is oil-soluble, and is able to work deep in the pores to unclog debris. While alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) are less targeted towards acne, they can help fade post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation from previous breakouts, and can also help smooth skin texture.
Is it okay to use a chemical exfoliant everyday?
Some people can use a milder chemical exfoliant every day. However, others may find that their skin becomes irritated if they use an exfoliant daily. This is especially true for people who are new to using chemical exfoliants. Start by using a new chemical exfoliant every other day or every couple of days. Once you see how your skin reacts, you can decide whether you’d like to use it more often. Also, keep in mind that some products are only meant for weekly (or less often) use. Read the instructions label for the most accurate usage information.
What should I put on my face after exfoliating?
After applying your chemical exfoliant, you should apply a moisturizer to hydrate the skin, especially since exfoliants can be drying. If you use any other serums or oils in your routine, you can also apply them after applying your chemical exfoliant and before moisturizing. That said, there are many skincare ingredients that should not be layered with beta hydroxy acids and alpha hydroxy acids, particularly those that may also irritate or dry out the skin (like retinol). If you’re unsure whether you should be using a different product at the same time as your chemical exfoliant, do a quick Google search of the active ingredient prior to using. Similarly, in the case of peels that you wash off (like the Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 25% AHA + 2% BHA Exfoliant Peel), you don’t want to apply anything else that can irritate the skin. Stick with a moisturizer, and a gentle serum and/or oil if you’d like.
The Bottom Line
Chemical exfoliant products are excellent tools for those with acne-prone skin to use in their skincare routine. Consistently use one of the best drugstore exfoliants for acne in your routine to fight current breakouts and prevent future acne.
