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So, face exfoliating products can make all the difference.

Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask  one of the best face exfoliators of 2024

Photo: Courtesy of Tata Harper

Read on to discover the best face exfoliatorsalong with important ingredient callouts and app best practices.

Physical exfoliation is done using granular scrubs with varying particle size, dermaplaning or microdermabrasion, he says.

Dissolving this glue helps the skin cells turn over and shed.

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Foracne-prone skin, salicylic acid is the best choice.

Glycolic is a great choice for an overall glow.

The former penetrates deeper into skin, the latter provides a gentler, more surface-level exfoliation.

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What to look for in a face exfoliator?

For more melanated skin, there is a misconception that certain exfoliants are verboten.

This, like much of skincare on social media, lacks nuance and is largely untrue.

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One can use most; its just important to do so judiciously.

Mandelic acid is a favorite for this, says Dr. Hirsh.

For dry, sensitive skin, its essential to limit how often you exfoliate even moreless is more!

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For most people, these can be too harsh on the skin and lead to over-exfoliation and/or micro-abrasions.

Is it possible to over-exfoliate?

Not only is it possible but it is damn near possible!

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How often should I be exfoliating my face?

According to Dr. Hirsh, its very hard to set a one-size-fits-all rule.

For dry or sensitive skin, less is recommendedmaybe once a week.

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For normal skin, perhaps twice a week, and for oily skin, even more often than that.

Meet the experts

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