Face Exfoliators

Ingredient Reports Using Research From
A good face exfoliator is hard to come by. Plenty of products claim to do the job, but some are too severe for your sensitive skin. By knowing what’s in your face exfoliator you can make sure you’ve got the product that’s just right for you.

Best For Face Exfoliators

Indicates ingredients best for exfoliating products.

Good Ingredients

Indicates ingredients with nice to have or neutral benefits.

Unfavorable Ingredients

Indicates ingredient which may be considered unfavorable.

Garnier SkinActive Clean+ Blackhead Eliminating Scrub

11/19 Best Ingredients
7/19 Good Ingredients
1/19 Unfavorable Ingredient
4/19 Natural Ingredients
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IngredientSpy Rating
350+ Reviews Details on Amazon.com
Abrasive Ingredients (Best For Face Exfoliators)
3
  • salicylic acid 2%
    Salicylic Acid. Used to treats numerous skin conditions including eczema and acne. Also has exfoliating properties.
  • polyethylene
    Polyethylene. Abrasive agent
  • sodium chloride
    Sodium Chloride. Table salt. Used as preservative or abrasive ingredient.
Anti-aging Ingredients (Best For Face Exfoliators)
1
Cleansing Ingredients (Best For Face Exfoliators)
7
  • sodium laureth sulftate
    Sodium Laureth Sulfate. Surfactant, cleansing agent
  • cocamide mea
    Cocamide Mea. Cleansing agent
  • charcoal powder
    Charcoal Powder. Skin cleansing ingredient
  • citric acid
    Citric Acid. Natural preservative, chelating agent, removes unwanted compounds from the skin.
  • polyglyceryl 10 myristate
    Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate. Cleansing agent
  • ppg 5 ceteth 20
    Ppg-5-ceteth-20. Surfactant, cleansing agent
  • trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate
    Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate. Chelating agent, removes unwanted compounds from the skin.
Conditioning Ingredients
1
  • polyglycerin 10
    Polyglycerin-10. Skin-conditioning agent
Neutral Ingredients
6
  • water
    Aqua. Water
  • acrylates copolymer
    Styrene/acrylates Copolymer. Filler
  • iron oxides
    Iron Oxides. Color
  • polyglyceryl 10 stearate
    Polyglyceryl Stearate. Emulsifying agent
  • sodium hydroxide
    Sodium Hydroxide. Controls pH levels. Skin irritation or pain if used above concentration limits.
  • fragrance
    Fragrance.
Unfavorable Ingredients
1

Revive + Microdermabrasion

8/14 Best Ingredients
3/14 Good Ingredients
3/14 Unfavorable Ingredients
7/14 Natural Ingredients
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IngredientSpy Rating
3,050+ Reviews Details on Amazon.com
Abrasive Ingredients (Best For Face Exfoliators)
1
  • juglans regia (walnut) shell powder
    Walnut. Abrasive properties
Anti-aging Ingredients (Best For Face Exfoliators)
1
Cleansing Ingredients (Best For Face Exfoliators)
1
  • citrus sinensis (orange) oil
    Orange. Fragrance, cleansing ingredient
Healing Ingredients (Best For Face Exfoliators)
4
  • panthenol (vit b5)
    Vitamin B5. Heals broken or itchy skin
  • leptospermum scoparium (manuka) mel
    Honey. Antibacterial properties. Heals broken skin.
  • lecithin
    Phospholipids. Improves dry skin and is an essential structural components of cell membranes
  • centipeda cunninghamii (cehami)
    Centipeda Cunninghamii. Anti-inflammatory flower extract
Moisturizing Ingredients (Best For Face Exfoliators)
1
  • oat amino protein
    Oat. Moisturizer
Neutral Ingredients
3
  • emulsifying wax
    Emulsifying Wax. Emulsifier
  • behentrimonium methosulfate ( naturally derived from rapeseed oil)
    Behentrimonium Methosulfate. Emulsifying agent
  • ppg­3 caprylyl ether
    Ppg­3 Caprylyl Ether. Solvent
Unfavorable Ingredients
3

Olay Exfoliating Renewal Cleanser

11/17 Best Ingredients
4/17 Good Ingredients
2/17 Unfavorable Ingredients
2/17 Natural Ingredients
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IngredientSpy Rating
610+ Reviews Details on Amazon.com
Abrasive Ingredients (Best For Face Exfoliators)
2
  • polyethylene
    Polyethylene. Abrasive agent
  • sodium chloride
    Sodium Chloride. Table salt. Used as preservative or abrasive ingredient.
Anti-aging Ingredients (Best For Face Exfoliators)
1
Cleansing Ingredients (Best For Face Exfoliators)
6
  • lauramidopropyl betaine
    Lauramidopropyl Betaine. Cleansing agent
  • sodium cocoyl isethionate
    Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate. Surfactant, cleansing agent
  • peg 200 hydrogenated glyceryl palmate
    Peg-200 Glyceryl Palmate. Cleansing agent
  • citric acid
    Citric Acid. Natural preservative, chelating agent, removes unwanted compounds from the skin.
  • potassium hydroxide
    Potassium Hydroxide. Cleansing agent, safe as used in cosmetics
  • disodium edta
    Edta. Chelating agent, removes unwanted compounds from the skin. Considered safe because it's difficult to absorb through skin
Healing Ingredients (Best For Face Exfoliators)
1
  • sorbitol
    Sorbitol. Repairs and moisturizes skin
Moisturizing Ingredients (Best For Face Exfoliators)
1
  • peg 7 glyceryl cocoate
    Glyceryl Monoester. Skin-conditioning agent, emollient
Neutral Ingredients
4
  • water/eau
    Aqua. Water
  • acrylates copolymer
    Styrene/acrylates Copolymer. Filler
Unfavorable Ingredients
2

Clean & Clear Deep Action Exfoliating Scrub

11/25 Best Ingredients
12/25 Good Ingredients
2/25 Unfavorable Ingredients
5/25 Natural Ingredients
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IngredientSpy Rating
290+ Reviews Details on Amazon.com
Abrasive Ingredients (Best For Face Exfoliators)
2
  • polyethylene
    Polyethylene. Abrasive agent
  • talc
    Talc. Abrasive agent
Cleansing Ingredients (Best For Face Exfoliators)
5
  • lauryl glucoside
    Lauryl Glucoside. Cleansing agent
  • disodium lauroamphodiacetate
    Sodium Lauroamphoacetate. Cleansing Agent
  • sodium laureth sulfate
    Sodium Laureth Sulfate. Surfactant, cleansing agent
  • disodium edta
    Edta. Chelating agent, removes unwanted compounds from the skin. Considered safe because it's difficult to absorb through skin
  • citric acid
    Citric Acid. Natural preservative, chelating agent, removes unwanted compounds from the skin.
Healing Ingredients (Best For Face Exfoliators)
2
  • menthol
    Menthol. Anti-irritant properties
  • panthenol
    Vitamin B5. Heals broken or itchy skin
Moisturizing Ingredients (Best For Face Exfoliators)
2
  • methyl gluceth20
    Methyl Gluceth20. Moisturizer
  • dimethicone peg8 meadowfoamate
    Dimethicone Peg8 Meadowfoamate. Emollient
Neutral Ingredients
12
  • water
    Aqua. Water
  • peg80 sorbitan laurate
    Sorbitan Laurate. Emulsifying agent
  • acrylates/c1030 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer
    Acrylates/c10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer. Useful for combining ingredients, film forming, emulsion stabilizing, viscosity controlling
  • fragrance
    Fragrance.
  • microcrystalline wax
    Microcrystalline Wax. Binder, stabilizer
  • sodium hydroxide
    Sodium Hydroxide. Controls pH levels. Skin irritation or pain if used above concentration limits.
  • polyquaternium7
    Polyquaternium 7. Anti-static agent
  • sodium benzotriazolyl butylphenol sulfonate
    Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate. UV absorber
  • blue 1
    Pigment. Pigment for skin care products.
  • yellow 5
    Pigment. Pigment for skin care products.
  • red 30
    Pigment. Pigment for skin care products.
  • ultramarines
    Ultramarines. Cosmetic color
Unfavorable Ingredients
2

Philosophy Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash

14/26 Best Ingredients
8/26 Good Ingredients
4/26 Unfavorable Ingredients
10/26 Natural Ingredients
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IngredientSpy Rating
300+ Reviews Details on Amazon.com
Abrasive Ingredients (Best For Face Exfoliators)
3
  • solum diatomeae/diatomaceous earth/terre de diatomees
    Diatomaceous Earth. Natural abrasive agent
  • sodium chloride
    Sodium Chloride. Table salt. Used as preservative or abrasive ingredient.
  • sodium glycolate
    Sodium Glycolate. Exfoliating properties.
Anti-aging Ingredients (Best For Face Exfoliators)
3
Cleansing Ingredients (Best For Face Exfoliators)
6
  • sodium cocoyl apple amino acids
    Sodium Cocoyl Apple Amino Acids. Surfactant, cleansing agent
  • decyl glucoside
    Decyl Glucoside. Cleansing agent
  • lauryl glucoside
    Lauryl Glucoside. Cleansing agent
  • disodium cocoamphodiacetate
    Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate. Cleansing agent
  • tetrasodium edta
    Edta. Chelating agent, removes unwanted compounds from the skin. Considered safe because it's difficult to absorb through skin
  • citric acid
    Citric Acid. Natural preservative, chelating agent, removes unwanted compounds from the skin.
Healing Ingredients (Best For Face Exfoliators)
2
  • helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil
    Sunflower Seed Oil. Sunflower seed oil is used as an emollient. It is a good source of Vitamin E and helps heal dry skin.
  • panthenol
    Vitamin B5. Heals broken or itchy skin
Conditioning Ingredients
2
  • borago officinalis seed oil
    Borage. Skin-conditioning agent.
  • magnesium nitrate
    Magnesium Nitrate. Hair conditioning agent also used in skin care.
Neutral Ingredients
6
  • aqua/water/eau
    Aqua. Water
  • acrylates/steareth 20 methacrylate crosspolymer
    Acrylates⁄steareth-20 Methacrylate Crosspolymer. Film former
  • oryza sativa (rice) bran oil
    Rice. Skin-conditioning agent
Unfavorable Ingredients
4

Cure Natural Aqua Gel - Japanese Exfoliator

4/9 Best Ingredients
4/9 Good Ingredients
1/9 Unfavorable Ingredient
4/9 Natural Ingredients
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IngredientSpy Rating
2,570+ Reviews Details on Amazon.com
Anti-aging Ingredients (Best For Face Exfoliators)
3
Cleansing Ingredients (Best For Face Exfoliators)
1
  • dicocodimonium chloride
    Dicocodimonium Chloride. Surfactant, cleansing agent
Protective Ingredients
1
  • rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf extract
    Rosemary. Antimicrobial, skin-conditioning agent
Neutral Ingredients
3
  • water
    Aqua. Water
  • acrylates/c 10 30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer
    Acrylates/c10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer. Useful for combining ingredients, film forming, emulsion stabilizing, viscosity controlling
  • steartrimonium bromide
    Steartrimonium Bromide. Preservative
Unfavorable Ingredients
1

Vernal Age-Defying Microdermabrasion Advanced Skin Exfoliant

7/13 Best Ingredients
4/13 Good Ingredients
2/13 Unfavorable Ingredients
4/13 Natural Ingredients
Show Ingredients
IngredientSpy Rating
200+ Reviews Details on Amazon.com
Abrasive Ingredients (Best For Face Exfoliators)
2
  • polyethylene
    Polyethylene. Abrasive agent
  • (exfoliating beads) copernicia cerifera (carnauba) wax
    Carnauba Wax. Thickening agent and exfoliator
Moisturizing Ingredients (Best For Face Exfoliators)
5
  • jojoba esters
    Jojoba. Moisturizer
  • polydimethylsiloxane
    Dimethicone. Moisturizer
  • c13 14 isoparaffin
    C13-14 Isoparaffin. Emollient
  • caprylyl glycol
    Caprylyl Glycol. Skin conditioner, moisturizer
  • hydrogenated camelina sativa seed oil
    Camelina Seed Oil. Emollient
Neutral Ingredients
4
  • deionized water
    Aqua. Water
  • polyacrylamide
    Polyacrylamide. Solvent polymer
  • laureth 7
    Laureth-7. Emulsifying agent
  • natural fragrance
    Fragrance.
Unfavorable Ingredients
2

Vivite Exfoliating Facial Cleanser

15/26 Best Ingredients
5/26 Good Ingredients
6/26 Unfavorable Ingredients
4/26 Natural Ingredients
Show Ingredients
IngredientSpy Rating
180+ Reviews Details on Amazon.com
Abrasive Ingredients (Best For Face Exfoliators)
3
Anti-aging Ingredients (Best For Face Exfoliators)
1
Cleansing Ingredients (Best For Face Exfoliators)
9
  • sodium laureth sulfate
    Sodium Laureth Sulfate. Surfactant, cleansing agent
  • cocamidopropylamine oxide
    Cocamidopropylamine Oxide. Surfactant, cleansing agent
  • di ppg 2 myreth 10 adipate
    Di-ppg-2 Myreth-10 Adipate. Emollient and surfactant
  • sucrose polysoyate
    Sucrose Polysoyate. Surfactant, emulsifying agent
  • peg 6 caprylic/capric glycerides
    Peg-6 Caprylic/capric Glycerides. Surfactant, cleansing agent
  • peg 120 methyl glucose dioleate
    Peg-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate. Surfactant, cleansing agent
  • coco glucoside
    Coco-glucoside. Coconut derived surfactant, cleansing agent
  • citric acid
    Citric Acid. Natural preservative, chelating agent, removes unwanted compounds from the skin.
  • disodium edta
    Edta. Chelating agent, removes unwanted compounds from the skin. Considered safe because it's difficult to absorb through skin
Moisturizing Ingredients (Best For Face Exfoliators)
2
  • coconut alcohol
    Coconut Alcohol. Surfactant, emollient, emulsifier
Conditioning Ingredients
1
  • glycol palmitate
    Glycol Palmitate. Skin-conditioning agent
Neutral Ingredients
4
  • purified water
    Aqua. Water
  • cetearyl alcohol
    Cetearyl Alcohol. Thickening agent
  • ceteareth 33
    Ceteareth-20. Solvent
  • hydroxyethylcellulose
    Hydroxyethyl Cellulose. Emulsifying and thickening agent
Unfavorable Ingredients
6

St. Ives Even & Bright Pink Lemon & Mandarin Orange Scrub

8/20 Best Ingredients
9/20 Good Ingredients
3/20 Unfavorable Ingredients
4/20 Natural Ingredients
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IngredientSpy Rating
6,960+ Reviews Details on Amazon.com
Abrasive Ingredients (Best For Face Exfoliators)
1
  • hydrated silica
    Silica. Abrasive agent
Anti-aging Ingredients (Best For Face Exfoliators)
1
Cleansing Ingredients (Best For Face Exfoliators)
6
  • sodium methyl 2 sulfolaurate
    Sodium Methyl 2-sulfolaurate. Surfactant, cleansing agent
  • decyl glucoside
    Decyl Glucoside. Cleansing agent
  • disodium 2 sulfolaurate
    Disodium 2-sulfolaurate. Surfactant, cleansing agent
  • cocamidopropyl pg dimonium chloride phosphate
    Cocamidopropyl Pg-dimonium Chloride Phosphate. Cleansing agent with rare cases of contact allergy
  • disodium edta
    Edta. Chelating agent, removes unwanted compounds from the skin. Considered safe because it's difficult to absorb through skin
  • citrus nobilis (mandarin orange) peel extract
    Mandarin Orange. Fragrance, cleansing ingredient
Sunscreen Ingredients
1
  • titanium dioxide (ci 77891)
    Titanium Dioxide. Sunscreen ingredient
Neutral Ingredients
8
  • water (aqua)
    Aqua. Water
  • acrylates/palmeth 25 acrylate copolymer
    Acrylates/palmeth-25 Acrylate Copolymer. Thickener
  • acrylates copolymer
    Styrene/acrylates Copolymer. Filler
  • fragrance (parfum)
    Fragrance.
  • ppg 2 methyl ether
    Ppg-* Methyl Ether. Fragrance. Generally considered safe for use in cosmetics.
  • phenethyl alcohol
    Phenethyl Alcohol. Fragrance
  • polyacrylamide
    Polyacrylamide. Solvent polymer
  • red 30 (ci 73360)
    Pigment. Pigment for skin care products.
Unfavorable Ingredients
3

Boots No7 Total Renewal Micro-Dermabrasion Exfoliator

8/16 Best Ingredients
4/16 Good Ingredients
4/16 Unfavorable Ingredients
3/16 Natural Ingredients
Show Ingredients
IngredientSpy Rating
100+ Reviews Details on Amazon.com
Abrasive Ingredients (Best For Face Exfoliators)
1
  • alumina
    Alumina. Abrasive agent
Anti-aging Ingredients (Best For Face Exfoliators)
1
Cleansing Ingredients (Best For Face Exfoliators)
2
Moisturizing Ingredients (Best For Face Exfoliators)
4
  • capric/caprylic stearic triglyceride
    Caprylic Acid. Coconut oil based skin-conditioning agent, emollient
  • dimethicone
    Dimethicone. Moisturizer
  • glyceryl stearate
    Glyceryl Monoester. Skin-conditioning agent, emollient
  • petrolatum
    Petrolatum. Helps other moisturizing ingredients by keeping them on the skin longer
Neutral Ingredients
4
  • water
    Aqua. Water
  • cetearyl alcohol
    Cetearyl Alcohol. Thickening agent
  • sodium polyacrylate
    Sodium Polyacrylate. Absorbing agent
  • xanthan gum
    Xanthan Gum. Thickening agent
Unfavorable Ingredients
4