What are the best exfoliants for combination skin?
The exfoliating rules are simple:
Got blackheads, pimples or any form of acne? Salicylic Acid is your BFF.
Got dry skin and/or sun-damage to fade away? Glycolic Acid will do the trick.
Combination skin often has acne AND dry patches. Which option should you go for?
It depends on what your skin needs the most. Here are the best exfoliations for every combination skin concern:
- Best Overall Exfoliant For Combination Skin: Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum (£90.00)
- Best For Combination AND Acne-Prone Skin: Paula’s Choice Clear Regular Strength Anti-Redness Exfoliating Solution With 2% Salicylic Acid ($29.50)
- Best For Combination Skin That Leans More On The Dry Side Or Has A Lot Of Sun Damage: Paula’s Choice Resist Weekly Resurfacing Solution With 10% Alpha Hydroxy Acid ($36.00)
- Best For Combination AND Sensitive Skin: The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA ($6.50)
- The Bottom Line
Best Overall Exfoliant For Combination Skin: Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum (£90.00)
Why choose if you don’t have to? Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum has both Salicylic Acid and Glycolic Acid (and Lactic Acid, too!) to give you the best of both worlds. All these acids exfoliate the top layers of skin, revealing a brighter, smoother complexion. Salicylic Acid goes a step further. It goes inside your pores to remove blackheads and acne. Plus, this exfoliant is loaded with antioxidants to keep premature wrinkles at bay. Did I mention the lightweight gel texture absorbs quickly into your skin?
Available at: Cult Beauty, Sephora and SpaceNK
Related: My Full Review Of Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum
Don’t know which skincare products you can mix and match together and which ones deactivate each other? Download your FREE “How To Layer Actives Like A Pro” cheat sheet to get the most out of your skincare products:
Best For Combination AND Acne-Prone Skin: Paula’s Choice Clear Regular Strength Anti-Redness Exfoliating Solution With 2% Salicylic Acid ($29.50)
If your combination skin is very prone to acne and you’re constantly battling the blackheads and zits that are popping up all over your face, you need salicylic acid in your skincare routine. Paula’s Choice Clear Regular Strength Anti-Redness Exfoliation Solution With 2% Salicylic Acid is my fave pick because of its toner-like, lightweight texture that absorbs easily into your skin. Yet, it packs an exfoliating punch: it exfoliates the surface of your skin, gets rid of acne, and even helps tone down the redness that always comes along with pimples.
Available at: Cult Beauty, Dermstore, and Paula’s Choice
Related: Why Salicylic Acid Is Key To Spot-Free Skin
Best For Combination Skin That Leans More On The Dry Side Or Has A Lot Of Sun Damage: Paula’s Choice Resist Weekly Resurfacing Solution With 10% Alpha Hydroxy Acid ($36.00)
If your combination skin barely has any acne, but suffers from a case of dryness and dark spots, Glycolic Acid is the best option for you. Paula’s Choice Resist Weekly Resurfacing Solution With 10% Alpha Hydroxy Acid contains a big dollop of it. It exfoliates the surface of your skin to fade away wrinkles, flakiness, and hyperpigmentation – not acne and blackheads. Plus, it has its fair share of antioxidants to slow down premature aging. The lightweight, toner-like texture is a pleasure to use and absorbs quickly.
Available at: Paula’s Choice and SpaceNK
Related: The Complete Guide To Glycolic Acid: What It Is, What It Does, And How To Use It
Best For Combination AND Sensitive Skin: The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA ($6.50)
Is your skin so sensitive, both Glycolic Acid and Salicylic Acid irritate it? Your best bet is Lactic Acid. A member of the Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) family like Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid has a bigger molecular structure that doesn’t penetrate skin as well. That means it takes longer to exfoliate skin – but it’s also way gentler and unlikely to cause irritations (unless you overdo it). Plus, The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA also contains hyaluronic acid to deeply hydrate skin. Just don’t expect this exfoliant to do much for acne.
Available at: Asos, Beauty Bay, Cult Beauty, and Ulta
Related: Glycolic Acid VS Lactic Acid: Which One Should YOU Use?
The Bottom Line
If you have blackheads, pimples, or any other form of acne, go with Salicylic Acid. But that’s not always the biggest concern for combination skin. If you have more dryness or dark spots than acne, you’ll see better results with Glycolic Acid. If your skin is very sensitive, Lactic Acid is your best bet. And if you’re struggling to choose, opt for an exfoliant that has all the acids.
