Best Exfoliator in 2022?

[PrinzussLeah]

I'm wondering what everyone's using to exfoliate these days? I'm 50 and need to find a serious exfoliator that's next level. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

[WinglessOne]

Hi @PrinzussLeah ! I'm also 50. What do you consider to be a "next level" exfoliant? Is there a particular strength of exfoliant you need? Is your current exfoliant (if you use one) not cutting it—and if so, why? What's your skin type/behavior? Just tying to get a better idea of what you're looking for. When I think of "serious exfoliator that's next level," I immediately think in-office chemical peels at a dermatologist's office/clinic. That's something you may want to consider. 

My skin type/behavior, for reference: 

Spoiler

I have mostly-dry combo skin: oily on and around my nose; forehead leans dry in winter and oily in summer; and dry everywhere else. My skin's quite reactive/inflammation-prone and hates certain ingredients, including nearly all essential oils. 

All my lines/wrinkles are under my eyes, and I'm not super annoyed by them. I do also have hyperpigmentation: melasma plus PIH (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation). One of several ingredients I use to combat that is retinaldehyde each night, everywhere on my face except my eye area. On my undereyes and neck, I use a gentler retinol + HPR (granactive retinoid) serum a few nights a week. I routinely layer exfoliants with my vitamin A products, but only because I very gradually introduced my skin to that layering. 

1-3 times a week, I use Paula's Choice Advanced Smoothing Treatment 10% AHA on my face. That's my regular method of removing dead skin cells from the surface of my face. It's very effective for me, contains good-for-me ingredients, and doesn't burn my face off. On my neck and undereyes, I use The INKEY List Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) Gentle Exfoliating Toner 3.4 oz/ 100 mL for much gentler exfoliation. 

Also 1-3 times a week (sometimes layered with the above AHA, sometimes not), I use a leave-on BHA exfoliant to keep my pores clear, especially in my oily zone. I use various strengths of Paula's Choice products. My usual pore maintenance product is Paula's Choice CLEAR Anti-Redness Exfoliating Solution with 2% Salicylic Acid 4 oz/ 118 mL . Sometimes I use Paula's Choice Advanced Pore Refining Treatment 4% BHA, usually if I have active acne somewhere. If my lower jaw breaks out in an acne, I area-treat with Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting BHA 9 Treatment 0.3 oz/ 9 mL + Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster 1 oz/ 30 mL to amp up the anti-acne fight and reduce post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. 

1-2 times a month, I use Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 25% AHA + 2% BHA Exfoliant Peel 1 oz/ 30 mL on my face. It's my occasional deeper exfoliation treatment. Sometimes I use The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Exfoliating Peeling Solution 1 oz/ 30 mL instead, but I prefer the Paula's Choice product. I don't use these higher strength exfoliants more frequently because my skin doesn't need more frequent use. I don't recommend anyone use these more than once or twice a week—and for my reactive skin, twice a week would be playing with fire. 😂 

Oh, and for travel, I pack either a Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads —just the step 1 pad, because I can neutralize this peel with plain ol' water (besides, the step 2 neutralizer pad contains retinol which I don't need, because I already use a vitamin A product on my face nightly)—or one Exuviance Performance Peel AP25. I prefer the Exuviance peel.