The Chemical Exfoliants That Earn Plastic Surgeons’ Approval
NewBeauty Facebook Pinterest Instagram Youtube find a doctor Face Adult Acne Antioxidants Anti-Aging Celebrity Chronic Skin Conditions Eye Hydration Hyperpigmentation Makeup View All Eyebrows Eye Color Foundation Fragrance Lip Color Makeovers Male Skin Care Peels Pre-Event Prep Sensitive Skin Skin Care Skin Health Smile Sun Care Treatments Fillers Microneedling Post-Procedure Skin Care Neurotoxins Regenerative Aesthetics Skin Lifting Body Body Sculpting Breasts Butts Cellulite Hair Removal Hands + Nails Legs Pregnancy Find a Doctor Hair Bond Repair Celebrity Dry Hair Frizzy Hair Gray Hair Hair Color Hair Growth Hair Repair Scalp Health Styling + Tips Awards NB100 Awards 15th Annual Beauty Awards 2025 NewBeauty Readers’ Choice Awards Shopping Gift Guides Product Reviews NewBeauty Storefront Wellness Fitness GLP-1s Health Menopause About Us TESTTUBE Search for: Search HomeFaceSkin CareExfoliators The Chemical Exfoliants That Earn Plastic Surgeons’ Approval Clearer, brighter skin starts with these picks. Marisa Petrarca Published: Nov 17, 2025 We may earn commission from links on this page. Each product featured has been vetted and chosen by our editors. Catherine Falls Commercial/ Getty Images Chemical exfoliants are one of those categories that can get confusing fast, especially when you’re staring at a shelf (or more likely, a screen) packed with AHAs, BHAs and PHAs and trying to figure out what actually deserves a spot in your cart. A quick refresher: Unlike physical exfoliants, which rely on gritty particles to manually buff away dead skin, chemical formulas use acids to dissolve the bonds holding those cells in place. The differences come down to the type of acid—some are derived from natural sources, like fruit sugars, while others are lab-created. In short: it’s a skin-care category that truly deserves its own deep dive. Ahead, the formulas they reach for again and again—and exactly why they love them. And remember: It’s always best to check…