Best Facial Exfoliators 2022: Top 5 Picks for Radiant Skin

Unveiling radiant, healthy skin starts with effective exfoliation. This year, a plethora of facial exfoliators promise to deliver a youthful glow, but choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. This article cuts through the noise, highlighting five top-performing facial exfoliators for 2022, each catering to different needs and preferences. From natural scrubs packed with potent ingredients like activated charcoal and collagen to chemical exfoliants that gently refine skin texture, we've curated a selection to help you find your perfect match. Whether you're battling acne, aiming for brighter skin, or simply seeking a more radiant complexion, our guide offers expert insights and detailed product reviews to illuminate your skincare journey.We delve into the unique benefits of each exfoliator, comparing their ingredients, textures, and suitability for various skin types. From budget-friendly options to high-end formulas, we consider both chemical and physical exfoliation methods, ensuring diverse choices for every skincare routine. Learn about the science behind each product, discover key ingredients and their benefits, and find out which exfoliator might be the perfect addition to your skincare regimen. Ready to unlock your skin's full potential? Let's explore the best facial exfoliators of 2022!

Pros And Cons

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid
  • Gentle, non-abrasive
  • Reduces enlarged pores
  • Exfoliates dead skin cells
  • Smooths wrinkles
  • Brightens and evens out skin tone
  • Fights redness, blackheads, wrinkles, and signs of aging
  • Dramatically improves skin texture
  • Brings out radiant, youthful, even complexion
  • Salicylic acid sheds dead skin layers, hydrates, brightens, and smooths fine lines
  • Gentle enough for daily use
  • No fragrance, parabens, or fluff
  • Effective, science-backed formulas
St. Ives Radiant Skin Face Scrub
  • Citrusy scent
  • Contains 100% natural exfoliants
  • Eliminates dryness
  • Reveals radiant skin
  • Infused with pink lemon and mandarin peel extract
  • Polishes away imperfections
  • Leaves skin brighter
  • Provides moderate exfoliation
  • All-natural exfoliants (walnut shell powder, apricot fruit extract) remove dirt, debris, and excess oil
  • Leaves skin soft and smooth
  • Oil-free, paraben-free, dermatologist-tested
  • Non-comedogenic
M3 Naturals Activated Charcoal Scrub
  • Natural, easy to use
  • Fights and reverses effects of harmful pollutants
  • Exfoliates without irritation
  • Leaves skin moisturized and refreshed
  • Restores youthful glow
  • Reduces appearance of acne, blackheads, cellulite, stretch marks, and scars
  • Activated charcoal traps chemicals and prevents absorption
  • Dead Sea salt cleans pores and relieves skin ailments (acne, eczema, psoriasis)
  • Hydrolyzed collagen rejuvenates skin, repairs damaged tissue, increases collagen production, protects from free radicals
  • Fruit stem cells promote cell turnover
  • Coconut oil emulates skin, aloe vera soothes
  • Natural and cruelty-free
Era Organics Microdermabrasion Facial Scrub & Exfoliator
  • Gently loosens dirt, grime, and dead skin
  • Nourishes cells
  • Leaves healthy, beautiful complexion
  • Delivers softer, more youthful look
  • Gently breaks apart buildup and dead skin cells
  • High-quality organic skincare product
  • Contains organic aloe vera, manuka honey, walnut, and potent Vitamin C
  • Protects skin from damaging free radicals and premature aging
  • Deep hydration, accelerated skin cell growth, anti-inflammatory properties, improved antibacterial healing, boosted collagen production, improved cellular regeneration, protection against damaging factors

Read more: 5 Best Waterproof Facial Cleansing Brushes

M3 Naturals Activated Charcoal Scrub

M3 Naturals Activated Charcoal Scrub is a powerhouse exfoliator, boasting a unique blend of activated charcoal, collagen, and stem cells. The charcoal effectively draws out impurities, while collagen and stem cells work to rejuvenate and repair damaged skin. This blend promises a youthful glow and addresses various skin concerns, including acne, blackheads, and even stretch marks.

M3 Naturals Activated Charcoal Scrub product packaging
M3 Naturals Activated Charcoal Scrub product packaging

The inclusion of Dead Sea salt aids in pore cleansing, further improving skin health. The scrub is also infused with soothing ingredients such as coconut oil and aloe vera, ensuring a comfortable and moisturizing experience. Overall, it's a natural and cruelty-free option designed to revitalize the complexion.

Close-up shot of the M3 Naturals scrub texture
Close-up shot of the M3 Naturals scrub texture

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

For a chemical exfoliation approach, Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant is a popular choice. This non-abrasive liquid contains salicylic acid, which gently exfoliates to reduce the appearance of pores, smooth wrinkles, and brighten skin tone. It tackles several skin issues, including redness, blackheads, and signs of aging.

Paula's Choice product bottle
Paula's Choice product bottle

The formula is gentle enough for daily use, making it a convenient option for consistent skin improvement. The brand emphasizes its commitment to science-backed formulas, free of unnecessary additives like fragrance and parabens. This makes it a great option for sensitive skin prone to breakouts.

Close-up of the liquid exfoliant
Close-up of the liquid exfoliant

Acure Brightening Facial Scrub

Acure Brightening Facial Scrub takes a plant-based approach to exfoliation. This scrub utilizes a blend of plant extracts and antioxidants to improve skin tone and radiance, targeting unevenness for a brighter complexion. It's formulated for all skin types and is free of harsh chemicals, such as parabens, sulfates, and mineral oil.

Acure Brightening Facial Scrub product packaging
Acure Brightening Facial Scrub product packaging

Key ingredients like sea kelp, lemon peel, and madonna lily work in synergy to nourish, detoxify, and brighten the skin. This scrub is designed to gently remove dead skin cells, soften the skin, and draw out impurities, resulting in a healthier and more radiant appearance. The product is also vegan and cruelty-free.

Close-up showing the scrub's texture
Close-up showing the scrub's texture

Era Organics Microdermabrasion Facial Scrub

Era Organics Microdermabrasion Facial Scrub offers a gentle yet effective exfoliation. It loosens dirt and dead skin cells while nourishing the skin, leading to a softer, more youthful appearance. The blend of organic aloe vera, manuka honey, walnut, and vitamin C offers both exfoliation and skin-protecting antioxidant benefits.

Era Organics product packaging
Era Organics product packaging

This scrub acts as both a scrub and a mask, providing deep hydration and promoting skin cell growth. It boasts anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and collagen-boosting properties. The combination of ingredients aims for overall skin health and rejuvenation, tackling various concerns from dullness to signs of aging.

Close-up view of the scrub texture
Close-up view of the scrub texture

St. Ives Radiant Skin Face Scrub

St. Ives Radiant Skin Face Scrub is a budget-friendly option that utilizes natural exfoliants like walnut shell powder and apricot fruit extract. The citrusy scent and blend of pink lemon and mandarin peel extract provide a refreshing experience while polishing away imperfections.

St. Ives Radiant Skin Face Scrub product packaging
St. Ives Radiant Skin Face Scrub product packaging

This scrub targets dryness and dullness, leaving skin feeling soft and smooth. The natural exfoliants help to remove dirt and excess oil, leading to a brighter complexion. It's oil-free, paraben-free, and dermatologist-tested, making it a suitable option for many skin types.

Close up of the scrub texture
Close up of the scrub texture

Conclusion

Each of these facial exfoliators offers unique benefits and caters to different needs and preferences. M3 Naturals and Era Organics provide natural, multi-benefit formulations. Paula's Choice and Acure offer more targeted solutions, with a focus on chemical and plant-based exfoliation respectively. St. Ives presents a budget-friendly option with natural ingredients. The best choice ultimately depends on individual skin type, concerns, and budget.

Consider your skin's sensitivity, desired results, and budget when making a decision. Patch testing is always recommended before applying any new product to your entire face.