5 Gentle Exfoliating Acid Products That Don’t Give my Skin That Dreaded “Ouch!”
As with all acids in skincare, start slow, a few times a week and then build up as tolerated. This list is showcasing acids than can be used daily if desired, but tolerance will vary so of course listen to your skin.
Consider that you might have overlapping ingredients from other products in your routine also.
build (skincare) a-gel
Salicylic acid is kind of finnicky to formulate with, and often results in a texture that feels slippy and oily. Especially in the higher percentages.
Read: How to Use Salicylic Acid Without Irritating Your Skin: Tips and Troubleshooting
I can't even express how utterly perfect the texture of a-gel is. It's a cushiony gel serum that instantly breaks onto the skin when applied, absorbs in moments, and leaves a tiny hint of a silky skin feel.
a-gel features 1% salicylic acid, which is the sweet spot, imo, especially as I use a dedicated AHA/PHA product in Lotion P50 and of course retinoids outside of that.
a-gel is very easy to integrate, can be used either AM or PM, and although this leans gentle, it's still super effective at curbing texture, keeping pores clean, and combating whiteheads/ blackheads.
I also love to use it as an after shaving lotion because it feels so weightless.
Tingle level: No tingle
Format: Gel serum
Acid: Salicylic acid
Recommended for: Keeping pores clear, improving texture, combating whiteheads, blackheads, and helping to control sebaceous filaments.
Fresh Lotus AHA Gentle Resurfacing Serum
This is a standout product from Fresh, and a great cross between hydration and light exfoliation. Definitely gentle enough to use regularly, if not daily, and therefore suitable across skin types.
The pH of this serum sits at 4-4.5 so it will slow down the effects of glycolic feeling too harsh on the skin. As far as I can tell, Fresh doesn't disclose the acid percentage, which is actually a good thing.
Percentages, especially in acid products that are made to be gentle, really isn't useful comparative information.
The serum is bolstered with hydrating and barrier support ingredients like polyglutamic acid and ectoin. And it has a really nice gel serum texture with a signature Fresh fragrance.
It kinda reminds me Jf the experience of using Sunday Riley Good Genes, only this serum is far more gentle.
Tingle level: Low
Format: Milky serum
Acid: Glycolic acid
Recommended for: People looking for gentle surface exfoliation for a plumper and more glowy complexion.
Cool as a Cucumber Balancing Act
This ticks a lot of boxes as overall care for acne, breakouts, and congestion.
With a focus on mandelic acid, but also supported by lactic acid and 0.05% salicylic acid - this serum is a thoughtful blend.
It also features a couple of plant extracts known to help with sebum regulation and inflammation such as silymarin and lilac leaf. The price point is quite high, but considering the blend of ingredients and the fact this is a new small brand, it's more palatable.
I would say it's best suited to people who don't have chronic acne, or as a conjugative treatment product to use alongside retinoids and benzoyl peroxide without being too harsh on the skin.
Because this product is so well rounded, and includes things like niacinamide and licorice, it should make for a good product to combat residual pigmentation too. Plus a blend of humectants makes it a great hydrating serum.
Tingle level: Low to moderate
Format: Clear gel
Acid: Mandelic, lactic, and salicylic
Recommended for: People dealing with mild to moderate breakouts also wanting to tackle post inflammatory erythema and/or pigmentation at the same time.
Chanel La Mousse Clarifiante
This is essentially an acid toner that dispenses as a foam but breaks on the skin into a watery texture almost instantly.
And comes in a pump bottle which is super handy. The acid duo is interesting as Chanel opts to use tartaric acid and citric acid in lieu of the acid superstars.
Tartaric is known to also have antioxidant properties and is typically well tolerated vs other acids.
Chanel also blends in camellia yeast extract, and a bunch of humectants. I find this product intensely hydrating, like, more than most actual hydrating serums.
My skin literally feels wet and saturated when I use this. A great way to achieve gentle refinement, while bydrating your skin. Note that this does feature a noticeable Chanel floral fragrance.
Tingle level: No or low
Format: Foam to watery toner
Acid: Tartaric, citric
Recommended for: People focused on hydration who still want subtle refinement.
Jordan Samuel Mandelic Exfoliating Mask
This is a unique product as it provides the purifying effects of a clay mask with gentle acid exfoliation, in a jelly hydrating format using glycerin and squalane.
A great option if you tend to avoid acids altogether but still want some level of exfoliation that you can use on an as needed basis, rather than trying to make room for it in your regular routine.
Tingle level: Low
Format: Gel clay
Acid: Mandelic acid
Recommended for: All skin types, wanting a product to clarify skin on a situational basis.
Summing it up
Please note that the tingle descriptions I've given are based on the acid sensation on my skin. If you have delicate skin, products may feel differently. Chanel would probably be the most gentle on this list.
In my own routine, I use Lotion P50 (a stronger acid) as my main exfoliating product and also a retinoid. Plus, @buildskincare a-gel a few times a week, cause I’m extra prone to enlarged and congested pores.
What propelled this list is that not everyone wants, or needs, an intense focus on exfoliation. And I’ve been using these products over the last couple of months while I’ve been trying to lift my tretinoin usage.
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