It’s no secret that consistent exfoliation is the key to soft, radiant skin, but whisking away dead skin cells looks different across skin types. To wit: The best skin exfoliators for mature skin take sensitivity and signs of aging into account, working to soothe the skin while smoothing texture and fine lines. “It’s important to remember that as our skin ages, it naturally becomes drier, thinner, and more sensitive to chemicals,” says Maryam Safaee, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Santa Monica, California. “Therefore, one has to be extra mindful when picking the right exfoliating product for mature skin.”
Ahead, find the exfoliators board-certified dermatologists recommend for every step of the skin-care regimen, from cleansing to toning and overnight serums that boost cellular turnover as you sleep. Cap it off with a nourishing moisturizer, and get ready for silky skin at any age.
Our Top Skin Exfoliators for Mature Skin
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Overall: SkinCeuticals Reactivating Texturizer
Why it’s worth it: SkinCeuticals’ Reactivating Texturizer is a serum whipped up with hyaluronic acid for hydration, kombucha for making the skin baby-soft, and a proprietary cocktail of hydroxyethyl urea and aminosulfonic acid. The latter ingredient stimulates enzymes to gently break the bonds that bind dead skin cells to the skin’s surface—in short, it reveals a fresher, dewier complexion without stripping the complexion of moisture. Dr. Safaee recommends the formula to her mature patients. “This does a great job at hydrating the skin while exfoliating,” she says.
Dr. Safaee calls this an “excellent option” for those with very dry or sensitive skin. As always, you can patch-test to check for any adverse reactions.
Formulation, key ingredients, and fragrance-free
serum; hyaluronic acid, AHA (glycolic acid), kombucha; yes
Best Face Wash: La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Facial Gel Cleanser
Why it’s worth it: “The Mela B3 Facial Gel Cleanser is an exciting new addition to the La Roche-Posay line,” says Dr. Safaee. “It uses Melasyl, a unique pigment-correcting ingredient that’s gentler than traditional options like hydroquinone and tranexamic acid—but still very brightening.” She adds niacinamide helps strengthen the skin barrier, making the cleanser perfect for sensitive skin. “Overall, it’s a great choice if you’re looking for a brightening cleanser that exfoliates without being too harsh,” she says. With a light, foaming gel texture, the cleanser can be used morning and night—massage it into the skin using gentle, circular motions for the best results.
Janet Allenby, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Delray Beach, Florida, explained that niacinamide, unlike other actives, doesn’t increase sun sensitivity. Rather, niacinamide is a photo-protectant, so it gives your sunscreen a bit of a boost.
Formulation, key ingredients, and fragrance-free
cleanser; Melasyl, niacinamide, PHA; no
Best Face Scrub: Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Why it’s worth it: “Be careful when picking the right scrub,” Dr. Safaee says. “For mature skin, pick one that has a creamy base and super-fine particles that are non-abrasive.” Dermalogica’s Best of Beauty-winning Daily Microfoliant checks all the boxes. The formula contains a rice-based powder that releases exfoliating papain, salicylic acid, and rice enzymes when it’s activated by water. As it’s worked into the skin, the exfoliant becomes a creamy salve, and it can also be mixed into cleanser.
Though this product can be used daily, you shouldn’t necessarily take its name at face value. Dr. Safaee says that those with mature or sensitive skin should hold off on using an exfoliating scrub more than one to two times a week.
Formulation, key ingredients, and fragrance-free
scrub; papain, salicylic acid, rice enzymes; yes
Best Toner Pads: Neostrata PHA Renewal Pads
Why it’s worth it: Designed for those new to exfoliation—or anyone with dull, dehydrated, or redness-prone skin—Neostrata PHA Renewal Pads take the guesswork out of the toning step. The tonic pads are pre-soaked with the right amount of product for each application, and the brand recommends sweeping one pad over the face after cleansing, morning and night. It’s that simple. Additionally, “This is great for thin skin,” Dr. Safaee notes. “It has the PHA gluconolactone as an active ingredient, which is a great, mild exfoliator.”
Dr. Safaee says that PHAs, or polyhydroxy acids, are a gentler alternative to AHAs for exfoliation. “PHAs are a great option for sensitive or mature skin,” she says.
Formulation, key ingredients, and fragrance-free
toner pads; 4% polyhydroxy acid (PHA), green tea extracts, cucumber extracts; no
Best for Wrinkles: Sunday Riley Good Genes All-in-One Lactic Acid Treatment
Why it’s worth it: A longtime favorite of Allure editors, this Best of Beauty award winner also has a stamp of approval from Dr. Hartman. “Sunday Riley Good Genes All-in-one Lactic Acid Treatment absorbs quickly into the skin, making it easy to add into your skincare routine for exfoliation,” he says. “The formula also has prickly pear extract, which will help soothe redness.” With consistent use, he says the product can also reduce the appearance of wrinkles and support a more even-toned complexion.
For more sensitive skin types (or exfoliation newbies), the brand recommends using the serum as a leave-on product for about 15 minutes, then rinsing it off.
Formulation, key ingredients, and fragrance-free
serum; lactic acid, prickly pear extract, blue agave extract; yes
Best for Sensitive Skin: First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads
Why it’s worth it: Gentle enough for daily use, even on sensitive skin, First Aid Beauty’s derm-loved Facial Radiance Pads have a knack for brightening. Infused with lemon peel and licorice root, the pre-soaked pads promote a more even (and more radiant) complexion. They also use a blend of glycolic and lactic acids to slough off dead skin cells while tightening pores. These are another go-to exfoliant for Dr. Safaee, who likes that they’re fragrance-free and recommends them to patients with sensitive skin. Along with exfoliating, the pads have other skin-loving powers: They create a smooth, radiant canvas for makeup and help other products absorb more efficiently.
“Lactic acid works to remove dead skin by dissolving the bonds that hold skin together,” says Corey L. Hartman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Birmingham, Alabama. “That enables the dead skin to be exfoliated, revealing brighter skin and reducing the appearance of dark spots, fine lines, and wrinkles.” He adds that the ingredient is well-tolerated by patients with all skin types, including sensitive skin.
Formulation, key ingredients, and fragrance-free
toner pads; glycolic acid, lactic acid, aloe, cucumber water lemon peel; yes
Best Overnight Treatment: Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Frambroos Glycolic Resurfacing Night Serum
Why it’s worth it: Exfoliation made so easy, you can do it in your sleep. “Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum contains several exfoliating acids— glycolic, lactic, tartaric, and citric,” says Dr. Safaee. “It’s best to use this overnight for deep penetration and full exfoliation.” She adds that the serum can improve dullness and even out pigmentation over time, if used consistently. Pro tip: The brand recommends mixing the serum with a good face oil to give mature skin a boost of moisture overnight.
According to Dr. Safaee, serums are effective exfoliators for mature skin because they can penetrate deep into the skin to target hyperpigmentation and fine lines.
Formulation, key ingredients, and fragrance-free
serum; salicylic acid, raspberry fruit extract, T.L.C. Frambroos AHA blend; yes
Best Retinol: Peter Thomas Roth Retinol Fusion PM Night Serum
Why it’s worth it: “Peter Thomas Roth Retinol Fusion PM Night Serum is one of my top recommendations for patients looking to add a retinol to their evening routine in the form of a serum,” Dr. Hartman says. “It uses 1.5% encapsulated retinol, which makes it more stable and easier to tolerate.” He adds that the retinol in the serum will help exfoliate the skin, while vitamin E moisturizes and vitamin C gives the complexion a brightening boost.
Encapsulated retinol is gentler on mature skin because it tends to be a more stable form of retinol; plus, it’s released gradually into the skin rather than all at once.
Formulation, key ingredients, and fragrance-free
serum; retinol, vitamins C & E; yes
Best Drugstore: Cetaphil Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser
Why it’s worth it: While serums, scrubs, and pads are all effective exfoliators for mature skin, don’t sleep on the basics. “The cleansing step is also ideal for exfoliation, and Cetaphil Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser is gentle enough for daily use,” says Dr. Hartman. “The formula uses a mix of salicylic acid, mandelic acid, and gluconolactone, which effectively removes oil, exfoliates the skin, and retains the skin’s moisture.” He adds that the foaming gel formula, which is fragrance-free, is ideal for sensitive skin.
The cleanser was designed to tackle five common side effects of sensitive skin: dryness, irritation, roughness, tightness, and a weakened skin barrier.
Formulation, key ingredients, and fragrance-free
cleanser; mandelic acid, salicylic acid, gluconolactone; yes
Frequently Asked Questions
Should you exfoliate mature skin?
“Exfoliation should be a key component of your skin-care routine, especially as we age,” says Dr. Hartman. “I recommend regular exfoliation to patients with mature skin to help their skin look and feel its best.” The reason? Cellular turnover—or the body’s natural exfoliation process—slows as we age. As a result, dead skin cells accumulate more readily on the surface of the skin, and it takes longer for new skin cells to rise to the surface and replace them. Enter exfoliants such as scrubs, serums, and pads, which can help speed the process to keep skin radiant and smooth.
How do you exfoliate mature, sensitive skin?
In general, Dr. Hartman recommends chemical exfoliants over physical exfoliants for sensitive or mature skin. (There are exceptions, such as the gentle, creamy Dermalogica Daily Microexfoliant.) “A physical exfoliant can oftentimes be too rough for mature skin,” Dr. Hartman says. “In addition to exacerbating sensitivity and causing redness, physical exfoliants may tug at the skin, and excessive tugging can lead to wrinkling or loose skin.” For patients new to chemical exfoliation, he recommends starting with a gentle AHA, like lactic acid, and using it one to two times per week to start; he also recommends using products that contain salicylic acid, mandelic acid, and other chemical agents that help break the bonds between dead skin cells.
What is the best exfoliating acid for wrinkles?
Of all the ingredients said to tame wrinkles, retinol is often considered the gold standard. The vitamin A derivative has a proven ability to stimulate cellular turnover, and its active form, retinoic acid, is particularly effective at kickstarting collagen production for firmer, smoother skin. Typically available by prescription, “Retinoic acid is going to be my top recommendation for exfoliation [that targets wrinkles],” Dr. Hartman says. But for those without access to—or the desire to try—Retin-A or tretinoin, an over-the-counter product such as Peter Thomas Roth Retinol Fusion PM Night Serum will also work to target multiple signs of aging, including wrinkles. “In my opinion, everyone should be using a retinoid,” says Dr. Hartman. “It is one of the most studied ingredients and has unparalleled benefits, from exfoliation to improving skin texture, evening skin tone, fading dark spots, and treating acne.”
Meet the experts
- Corey L. Hartman, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, Alabama.
- Maryam Safaee, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in Santa Monica, California.
- Janet Allenby, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in Delray Beach, Florida.
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For our list of the best exfoliators for mature skin, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
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