15 Glow-Inducing Exfoliating Pads For Radiant Skin

Exfoliation helps to remove dead cells on the surface of the skin that can clog pores and cause a dull complexion. It also promotes smoother, brighter skin while keeping pores clear. 

Regular exfoliation is the foundation of a good skin care routine and can be done with mechanical or chemical exfoliants.

This post focuses on how to use chemical exfoliants in convenient to use exfoliating pads for glowing skin. 

Keep reading to browse 15 of the best exfoliating pads, their ingredients and how they can improve your complexion. Plus, I explain the difference between AHAs and BHAs so you can choose the right exfoliant for your skin care needs.

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AHA vs. BHA 

Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) are both types of chemical exfoliants commonly used in skincare, but they have some key differences in terms of their benefits and how they work on the skin:

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs):

1. Exfoliation: AHAs, such as glycolic acid, mandelic acid and lactic acid work primarily on the surface of the skin by dissolving the bonds between dead skin cells, helping them shed more easily. This process helps cell turnover and reveals smoother, brighter skin underneath.
2. Skin Texture: AHAs are particularly effective at improving skin texture, softening fine lines and wrinkles, and reducing the appearance of surface imperfections like rough patches and uneven skin tone.
3. Hydration: Some AHAs, like lactic acid, have humectant properties, which means they can help attract moisture to the skin, making it look plumper and more hydrated.
4. Sun Sensitivity: AHAs can increase the skin’s sensitivity to the sun, so it’s essential to use sunscreen regularly when incorporating them into your skincare routine to protect against sun damage.

Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs):

1. Penetration: BHAs, such as salicylic acid, are oil-soluble, which allows them to penetrate deep into the pores. This makes them particularly effective for treating acne, blackheads and other pore-related issues.
2. Exfoliation: BHAs work by exfoliating both the surface of the skin and inside the pores, dissolving excess sebum (oil) and dead skin cells that can contribute to clogged pores and acne breakouts.
3. Anti-inflammatory: BHAs have anti-inflammatory properties, making them suitable for calming redness and irritation associated with acne and sensitive skin conditions like rosacea.
4. Oil Control: Because BHAs can penetrate deep into the pores and dissolve excess oil, they are beneficial for controlling oil production and preventing acne breakouts in oily and acne-prone skin types.
5. Less Sun Sensitivity: BHAs are generally less likely to cause sun sensitivity compared to AHAs, although sunscreen is still essential for overall skin health and protection.

While both AHAs and BHAs offer exfoliation and skin-renewing benefits, AHAs primarily target the skin’s surface and are excellent for improving texture and hydration, whereas BHAs penetrate deep into the pores, making them effective for treating acne, controlling oil, and reducing inflammation.

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When To Exfoliate In Your Skin Care Routine

As acid exfoliants can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, I recommend using exfoliating pads at night (if used in the morning, always apply sunscreen!). After cleansing, rub the exfoliating pad all over the face and neck before continuing on with your regular skin care routine.

My night time skin care routine when I exfoliate looks like this: cleanse, exfoliate, hydrating toner/essence, hyaluronic acid serum, eye cream, moisturizer.

Note: To avoid irritation, avoid exfoliating in the same routine that you apply vitamin C or retinol. 

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15 Best Exfoliating Pads For Glowing Skin

1. Pixi Glow Tonic To-Go Exfoliating Pads
   • Ingredients: Glycolic Acid, Aloe Vera, Ginseng
   • Benefits: Brightens and smooths skin, unclogs pores, evens skin tone, and promotes cell turnover.
2. Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel
   • Ingredients: Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Lactic Acid
   • Benefits: Smooths skin texture, reduces fine lines and wrinkles, clears congested pores and evens skin tone.
3. Neogen Bio-Peel Gauze Peeling Lemon
   • Ingredients: Lemon Extract, Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid
   • Benefits: Exfoliates dead skin cells, brightens complexion, and improves skin tone.
4. Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Daily Cleansing Pads
   • Ingredients: Glycolic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Blue Daisy Extract
   • Benefits: Exfoliates, hydrates, and soothes the skin, reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
5. First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads
   • Ingredients: Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Cucumber, Indian Gooseberry
   • Benefits: Improves skin texture, brightens dull skin, and helps to even out skin tone.
6. Peter Thomas Roth Max Complexion Correction Pads
   • Ingredients: Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Allantoin
   • Benefits: Targets acne, minimizes pores, exfoliates dead skin cells, and reduces excess oil production.
7. Cosrx One Step Original Clear Pads
   • Ingredients: Betaine Salicylate, Willow Bark Water
   • Benefits: Gentle exfoliation, clears pores, reduces inflammation, and prevents acne.

8. ELEMIS Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads

• Ingredients: Lactic Acid
• Benefits: Helps reduce the look of dark spots, pores and uneven skin texture.

       9. Bliss That’s Incredi-Peel Glycolic Resurfacing Facial Pads

1. • Ingredients: Glycolic Aid
   • Benefits: Made to smooth and brighten skin.

  10.Pacifica Beauty, Glow Baby Brightening Peel Pads

• Ingredients: Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Niacinamide
• Benefits: Brighter, more even skin tone with pore minimization.

  11. Yes To Grapefruit Weekly Acid Pads

• Ingredients: Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid
• Benefits: Deep cleans, exfoliate, prevent the appearance of fine lines, and enhance skin glow.

  12. Stridex Medicated Acne Pads

• Ingredients: Salicylic Acid
• Benefits: For moderate acne, to remove dirt, oil, penetrates to unclog pores, and dissolve deep down oil.

  13. Skinfix Resurface+ AHA/BHA Niacinamide Exfoliating Pads

• Ingredients: Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Niacinamide
• Benefits: These pads target rough texture, look of spots, fine lines, and acne-prone skin while maintaining the skin barrier

  14. MEDIHEAL Phyto Enzyme Peeling Pad 

• Ingredients: Lipohydroxy Acid (AHA), Natural Papaya Enzyme:
• Benefits: Deep cleaning product that helps to remove dead skin cells and blackheads with pore minimizing properties.

  15. DERMA E Ferulic Acid Resurfacing Pads

• Ingredients: Ferulic Acid, Lactic Acid
• Benefits: Combining physical and chemical exfoliation these exfoliating pads gently removes dead skin cells from dull-looking skin for facial radiance.

Tip: Always listen to your skin! Begin exfoliating once or twice a week in the evening and reduce use if excess redness, burning or irritation occurs.

Chemical exfoliation helps to keep skin clear, even and looking its best and using some of the best exfoliating pads make exfoliation super easy and mess free.