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It’s no secret that consistent exfoliation is the key to radiant skin, but whisking away dead skin cells looks different across skin types. To wit: The best exfoliators for mature skin take sensitivity and signs of aging into account, soothing 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 Exfoliators for Mature Skin
- Best Overall: SkinCeuticals Retexturing Activator, $100
- Best for Dry Skin: Tatcha The Rice Polish, $69
- Best for Barrier Repair: PCA Skin Triple Exfoliation Peel Pads, $60
- Best for Large Pores: Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Pore Perfecting & Refining Serum, $68
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
- Should you exfoliate mature skin?
- How do you exfoliate mature, sensitive skin?
- What is the best exfoliating acid for wrinkles?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Best Overall: SkinCeuticals Retexturing Activator
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SkinCeuticals
Retexturizing Activator
SkinCeuticals
Dermstore
Bluemercury
Why it's worth it: SkinCeuticals’ Retexturing Activator (formerly known as the 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 it of moisture. “This does a great job at hydrating the skin while exfoliating,” says Dr. Safaee. Because hydroxyethyl urea is a powerful humectant, she also 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.
More to know
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- Formulation: serum
- Key ingredients: 25% hydroxyethyl urea, hyaluronic acid, 20% glycolic acid, kombucha
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Dry Skin: Tatcha The Rice Polish
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Tatcha
The Rice Polish
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Sephora
Why it’s worth it: As mature skin produces less oil and naturally loses some of its ability to hold onto moisture, exfoliation can be a tricky balancing act. Tatcha's The Rice Polish pulls it off. It’s “ideal for dry to combo skin types because the water-activated powder—finely milled Japanese rice bran and papaya enzymes—transforms into a creamy foam to whisk away dull, flaky skin without leaving your complexion feeling stripped,” says Jane Yoo, MD, a dual board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon based in New York City.
Because it's a powder, you can easily customize the experience: Use a smaller amount and more water for a gentler polish, or a bit more product for a deeper exfoliating treatment. Meanwhile, “Tatcha's proprietary Hadasei-3 complex—a blend of fermented rice, green tea, and algae—to smooth texture and boost radiance, while silk proteins condition and soften dry skin,” says Dr. Yoo. And if your skin is especially reactive, Tatcha also offers a Gentle version formulated with licorice root extract to further soothe and minimize the flakiness and tightness that often accompany dryness.
More to know
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- Formulation: powder
- Key ingredients: Japanese rice bran, papaya enzymes, Hadasei-3 complex (fermented rice, green tea, algae)
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Barrier Repair: PCA Skin Triple Exfoliation Peel Pads
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PCA Skin
Triple Exfoliation Peel Pads
PCA Skin
Why it’s worth it: A healthy skin barrier helps lock in hydration, minimize irritation, and keep skin looking smooth and soft—making it especially important to choose an exfoliator like PCA Skin's Triple Exfoliation Peel Pads. Each pre-soaked pad includes the brand’s Triple Exfoliation Technology, which combines chemical exfoliation from a blend of AHAs (glycolic, lactic, and mandelic acids), BHA (salicylic acid), PHAs (gluconolactone, lactobionic acid, and maltobionic acid), enzymatic exfoliation from prickly pear flower extract, and gentle physical exfoliation from the textured pad itself—all in a single treatment. (Whew.)
Despite all that exfoliation power, “the formula includes ingredients like niacinamide, licorice root, and peptides, which support the skin barrier, improve the appearance of uneven tone, and promote firmer, healthier-looking skin while minimizing the irritation that can sometimes occur with exfoliation,” says Whitney Hovenic, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Reno, Nevada.
More to know
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- Formulation: pads
- Key ingredients: niacinamide, licorice root extract, peptides, prickly pear extract, AHAs (lactic, glycolic, mandelic acid), BHA (salicylic acid), PHAs (lactobionic, gluconolactone)
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Large Pores: Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Pore Perfecting & Refining Serum
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Dr. Dennis Gross
Alpha Beta Pore Perfecting & Refining Serum
Dermstore
Why it’s worth it: Dry skin and large pores aren't mutually exclusive, especially as skin ages. Over time, collagen loss can make the skin around pores less firm, causing them to appear stretched and more noticeable, while years of sun exposure and slower cell turnover can leave pores looking even larger.
Dr. Dennis Gross’ Alpha Beta Pore Perfecting & Refining Serum tackles the look of large pores with a lightweight formula that combines the brand's signature Alpha Beta Acids—a blend of glycolic, lactic, mandelic, and salicylic acids—to dissolve dead skin cells, clear out buildup, and support healthy cell turnover for a smoother-looking complexion. Soothing ingredients like sodium hyaluronate, panthenol, and prickly pear extract offset dryness, while retinol supports firmer-looking skin, “The lightweight, fast-absorbing formula layers well under moisturizers and makeup, too,” says Dr. Hovenic.
More to know
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- Formulation: serum
- Key ingredients: glycolic, lactic, mandelic, and salicylic acids, sodium hyaluronate, panthenol, prickly pear extract, retinol
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Beginners: Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
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Dermalogica
Daily Microfoliant
Amazon
Dermstore
Ulta Beauty
Why it’s worth it: A word to the wise? “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, especially if you’re new to exfoliants. Dr. Safaee says that those with sensitive skin should hold off on using an exfoliating scrub more than one to two times a week.
More to know
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- Formulation: scrub
- Key ingredients: papain, salicylic acid, rice enzymes
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Advanced Users: Revision Skincare Triple-Action Exfoliator
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Revision Skincare
Triple-Action Exfoliator
Amazon
Dermstore
Why it’s worth it: If you've already graduated from beginner exfoliants and want something with a little more power, Revision Skincare’s Triple-Action Exfoliator delivers a deeper resurfacing experience without completely abandoning mature skin's need for hydration. "The formula combines three powerful forms of exfoliation packed into one treatment," says Dr. Elizabeth Geddes-Bruce, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Austin. It pairs an immediate physical polish from rice hull powder, bamboo extract, and jojoba esters with glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acids that dissolve dead skin cells and support healthy cell turnover. “Pomegranate enzymes further support gentle exfoliation, while hydrating ingredients like glycerin, shea butter, mango seed butter, and hyaluronic acid keep skin feeling balanced,” she says.
More to know
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- Formulation: scrub
- Key ingredients: rice hull powder, bamboo extract, jojoba esters, glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Sensitive Skin: Sunday Riley Good Genes All-in-One Lactic Acid Treatment
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Sunday Riley
Good Genes All-in-One Lactic Acid Treatment
Amazon
Dermstore
Why it’s worth it: While the lactic acid featured in Sunday Riley’s Good Genes All-in-One Lactic Acid Treatment is great for all skin types, it is especially helpful for those with signs of aging. “Mature skin often benefits from exfoliation that improves dullness and texture without overly compromising the skin barrier, and this treatment delivers a smoother, brighter, more radiant look while still feeling relatively hydrating and cosmetically elegant on the skin,” Mamina Turegano, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New Orleans, previously told Allure.
The Best of Beauty award winner also has a stamp of approval from Corey L. Hartman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Birmingham, Alabama. It “absorbs quickly into the skin, making it easy to add to your skin-care routine for exfoliation,” he says. “The formula also has prickly pear extract, which will soothe redness.” With consistent use, Dr. Hartman says the product can also reduce the appearance of wrinkles and support a more even-toned complexion.
Tester feedback from contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee
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“I can count on one hand the products that I routinely go back to, and me and Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment have been BFFs for about a decade now. As I enter the last year of my 30s, I depend on this more than ever to keep my dry, sensitive skin from flaking and looking dull. It delivers consistent exfoliation and keeps rough patches at bay, and despite being an acid treatment, it's never irritated my skin.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer
More to know
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- Formulation: serum
- Key ingredients: lactic acid, prickly pear extract, blue agave extract
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Drugstore: Cetaphil Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser
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Cetaphil
Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
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’s 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.” The cleanser was designed to tackle five common side effects of reactive skin: dryness, irritation, roughness, tightness, and a weakened skin barrier. Better yet, the foaming gel formula, which is fragrance-free, is ideal for sensitive skin, according to Dr. Hartman.
More to know
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- Formulation: cleanser
- Key ingredients: mandelic acid, salicylic acid, gluconolactone
- Fragrance-free: 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 IOPE’s Expert Retinol RX 1% Super Bounce 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
- Janet Allenby, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in Delray Beach, Florida
- Corey L. Hartman, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, Alabama
- Whitney Hovenic, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of Spooge based in Reno, Nevada
- Maryam Safaee, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in Santa Monica, California
- Jane Yoo, MD, a dual board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon based in New York City
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that's included in every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
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.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
