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10 Best Exfoliators for Dry Skin UK 2022 | The Ordinary, Paula's Choice and More

10 Best Exfoliators for Dry Skin UK 2022 | The Ordinary, Paula's Choice and More

Using an exfoliator is one of the best things you can do for dry skin. Whether physical or chemical, the main aim of these products is to remove dead skin cells, leaving behind a brighter, softer complexion. There are ever more ways to exfoliate nowadays, from scrubs to acid-based toners and even cleansers and moisturisers, but which are best for dry skin?

In this article, we'll help you distinguish your AHAs from your BHAs and explain how to consider dry skin as you choose your product. We've also searched through the most popular exfoliators on the market and ranked our favourites in order of function and value for money. Read on to discover our top buys from brands like Pixi, The Ordinary and Paula's Choice to get you glowing!

Last updated: 05-08-2022

Table of Contents

How to Choose an Exfoliator for Dry Skin in the UK – Buying Guide

All exfoliators function differently and can help to improve your dry skin in different ways depending on your skin type. When picking a product to exfoliate your skin, there are some key ingredients to opt for and ones you should avoid. It’s also good to consider your skin’s needs.

Choose the Type of Exfoliator Based On Your Routine and Desired Results

The main dry-skin exfoliant types are granular scrubs and acid-based toners, but nowadays, there are exfoliating cleansers and moisturisers too. Pick the product you think will fit best within your skincare routine, or consider trying something new!

Exfoliating Cleansers Reduce the Impact on Your Skin

A face wash with exfoliating properties lets you remove dry skin layers whilst you go about your usual cleansing duties, so they're very easy to slot into your routine.

The downside is that you’ll potentially be exfoliating your skin daily, which isn’t ideal for drier skin types. Certainly if you do choose an exfoliating cleanser, something with very tiny gentle grains will work best.

Exfoliating Toners Are a Quick and Easy Product to Add to Your Routine

Toners, which you run gently over your skin after cleansing using a cotton pad or facecloth, are often associated with oily skin, but the exfoliating versions – containing acids to work away dull surface layers – are very effective for dry skin, and penetrate deeply without causing tightness.

For a chilled-out beauty regime that allows you to apply your exfoliator to specific problem areas if you need to, choose an acid-based toner.

Moisturisers to Hydrate and Exfoliate in One

Believe it or not, you can now exfoliate your dry skin while you moisturise! A number of brands now offer night creams or lotions that work to detach dead skin cells from the skin’s surface. These products usually contain acids, which erase dullness and leave you with a fresh glow.

If you prefer to keep your dry skin super-moist and creamy for as long as possible, pick a two-in-one exfoliator so you can hydrate your face with a relaxing massage before bed – minus unnecessary drying.

Physical Exfoliants Scrub Stubborn Flakes, But Proceed with Caution!

While it can be seriously tempting to scrub your skin raw in an attempt to reveal a glowing new you, the reality is that treating your dry skin roughly will often exacerbate things.

This is certainly a satisfying experience, and if done carefully it can be one of the best ways to exfoliate with instantly noticeable results. In addition, scrubs often contain natural oils which provide deep nourishment for dry skin as they work.

If you do want to include a facial scrub in your routine, make sure to limit your use to twice a week at most to avoid damaging skin cells.

Choose the Right Acids to Shift Dead Cells, Smooth Fine Lines and Perfect Pores

Many exfoliating products contain acids which gently dissolve the layer of dead cells that can lead to a dull, depressing complexion. Known as chemical exfoliants, they typically contain either AHAs, BHAs, or PHAs which can affect your skin in slightly different ways. Here's the lowdown on each.

AHAs (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) Help Dry and Mature Skin Become Plump, Smooth and Moisturised

The key types of acid to look for are AHAs, most notably glycolic acid and lactic acid. These two acids gently clear away the top layer of skin that can cause bumps, imperfections and a flaky appearance, allowing new skin cells to generate. This means they also boast anti-aging properties, and can reduce fine lines and wrinkles over time.

Though they perform similarly, glycolic acid has a smaller molecular structure so can penetrate deeper, and may even help with acne as it has antimicrobial properties. However, this can lead to irritation in sensitive skin types or those prone to redness, which is why a patch test is generally advised.

Both types of acid have moisture-boosting properties and will leave skin feeling smooth and looking plump without aggravating skin cells like a scrub might.

BHAs (Beta Hydroxy Acids) Are Better for Clogged Pores or Blackheads

Commonly known as salicylic acid, BHAs are primarily used in skincare formulations to combat acne, though they can help to reduce inflammation and redness, too. As they are oil-soluble and work to clear out pores and prevent blackheads, BHAs tend to be most compatible with oily skin types.

However, BHAs are not to be overlooked completely for your dry skin, especially as there are many people with dry skin who still have congestion or blemishes to contend with! If you look out for an alcohol-free BHA-containing product, you’ll avoid the risk of drying out your skin that can be come from using these acids.

PHAs (Poly Hydroxy Acids) Suit Problematic Dry Skin Conditions

If you suffer from particularly dry conditions, you may want to experiment with the newest discovery in acid-based exfoliation; PHAs, which can appear on the ingredients list as gluconolactone, galactose, or lactobionic acid.

PHAs don’t penetrate as deeply as other types of acid, simply working on your skin’s top layer. This means they’re compatible with dry skin as well as more problematic conditions like rosacea and eczema. They can also improve the efficiency of other products in your routine such as your moisturiser, which is great news for thirsty skin!

Always Check for Moisturising, Hydrating Ingredients

Keep an eye out for other ingredients which can deeply nourish your skin by improving its water content. Glycerin, hyaluronic acid, plant oils and butters such as shea butter and olive oil, and extracts such as aloe vera are all fantastically hydrating ingredients to look out for.

Fruit extracts are also perfect to replenish your thirsty cells as they contain vitamin A – which accelerates the the reproduction of cells, meaning a fast turnover of brand new skin – and vitamin C, which boosts collagen product to add firmness and smooth fine lines.

Though almost all skincare products do contain hydrating ingredients, oils, and humectants, for dry skin it's worth remembering that the higher up on the ingredients list, the greater the percentage it contains!

Don’t Make it Worse: Steer Clear of Drying Ingredients

Just as certain ingredients are a dream for dusty, thirsty skin, there are other names you should watch out for when shopping for exfoliators. Here are the two main culprits that will take your skin from dry to disaster if overused.

Skip Simple Alcohols to Avoid Dryness and Irritation for Sensitive Skin

Alcohol is one of the most common skincare ingredients there is, but unfortunately (as you may well have experienced after several glasses of wine), alcohol can have a drying effect on the skin. Just as consuming it leaves us with a dull complexion, rubbing alcohol-rich products onto the skin can leave your face as thirsty and sad as a bad hangover.

Simple alcohols like ethanol and propanol are added to products for their antibacterial properties, while benzyl alcohol is a useful cosmetic preservative. However, these are the types to avoid if you have dry skin, particularly if it's easily irritated.

That being said, not all types of alcohol are necessarily the enemy. Fatty alcohols cetyl and cetearyl alcohol can actually be beneficial for dry skin as they have hydrating properties.

Watch Out for SLS: It Can Strip the Skin

Sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) is also best avoided, as though it is included to help make products light and foamy, it can strip skin of its natural oils, making dry skin even drier.

Once again, if you have particularly sensitive skin, check the ingredients list to avoid exacerbating your dry skin troubles unnecessarily. When using products containing alcohol or SLS, opt for ones with a lower content and make sure you hydrate your skin extra-carefully after each use.

Compare the Best Exfoliators for Dry Skin

Image	1 The Ordinary	2 Paula's Choice	3 Neal’s Yard Remedies	4 Dermalogica	5 The Body Shop	6 Origins	7 Pixi	8 La Roche Posay	9 REN	10 Clarins
Name	Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution	Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant	Rose Facial Polish	Daily Microfoliant	Vitamin C Glow Boosting Microdermabrasion	High-Potency Night-a-Mins Resurfacing Cream	Glow Tonic	Sensitive Ultra Fine Scrub	Clarimatte Clarifying Toner	One-Step Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser
Features	The Best Glycolic Acid Toner from Skincare Experts	Show Dead Skin the Door With a Gently Acidic Lotion	An Organic Scrub That Exfoliates the Natural Way	Excellent for Acne-Prone Dry Skin	A Zingy Polish Packed With Fruit Nutrients	Overnight Exfoliation to Wake Up Hydrated and Radiant	A Gentle Yet Effective Exfoliating Toner	Hypoallergenic and Soap-Free for Sensitive Dry Skin	AHAs and BHAS for Dry and Combination Skin	A Fruit-Infused Cleanser to Gently Renew
Price	£15.99	£30.00	£14.40	£55.00	£21.61	£30.00	£18.00	£10.00	£12.95	£21.10
Product Type	Toner	Daily exfoliant	Weekly scrub	Daily treatment	Weekly scrub	Moisturiser	Toner	Cleansing scrub	Toner	Facial cleanser
Exfoliants	AHAs (glycolic acid)	BHAs	Physical (wild rose seed powder)	Chemical and physical (BHAs, rice bran, papain fruit acid)	Physical (aluminium silicate)	AHAs, salicylic acid	AHAs (glycolic acid)	Physical	AHAs and BHAs	Silica microbeads, salicylic acid
Hydrating Ingredient	Glycerin, aloe vera	Methylpropanediol, butylene glycol	Aloe vera, olive oil, coconut oil, soy oil	Colloidal oatmeal	Shea butter, almond oil	Glycerin, jojoba oil, fruit oils	Aloe vera, glycerin	Glycerin	Pineapple	Shea butter, glycerin
Alcohol-Free	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Fatty alcohols only	Fatty alcohols only	Yes	Yes	No	No
SLS-Free	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Volume	240 ml	118 ml	100 g	100g	100 ml	50 ml	250 ml	50 ml	150 ml	125 ml
Link	View Amazon View Boots	View Amazon	View Amazon View John Lewis	View Amazon View John Lewis	View Amazon	View Amazon View John Lewis View Boots	View Amazon View Boots	View Amazon View Boots	View Amazon View John Lewis	View Amazon View John Lewis

Top 10 Best Exfoliators for Dry Skin in the UK

With all these tips in mind, we have created a ranking of the top ten exfoliators that should help to banish dry skin and reveal a healthy, glowing complexion. We hope you find something to suit you here!

amazon.co.uk

Clarins One-Step Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser

£21.10

A Fruit-Infused Cleanser to Gently Renew

The biggest advantage of this orange-peel based cleanser is that it’s quick to use and saves you investing in two separate products. As well as gentle scrubby microbeads, it’s high in plant extracts, butters, and oils and is well-suited to combination skin that's dry in some areas but not others.

Unfortunately this product is neither SLS nor alcohol-free, so while its delicious scent and skin-friendly texture are appealing, if you are prone to sensitivities it may not be the best option.

Product Type	Facial cleanser
Exfoliants	Silica microbeads, salicylic acid
Hydrating Ingredient	Shea butter, glycerin
Alcohol-Free	No
SLS-Free	No
Volume	125 ml

amazon.co.uk

REN Clarimatte Clarifying Toner

£12.95

AHAs and BHAS for Dry and Combination Skin

For skin that needs to be thoroughly cleansed but is also desperate for a boost of youthful glow, this product works well, as it contains both AHAs to hydrate and BHAs to excavate clogged-up pores.

We would recommend only using this toner if your skin is more combination/dry, as it does not contain a huge amount of moisturising ingredients. Ultimately, it'd be a good investment if you feel your dry skin is crying out for a little from column A and a little of column B.

Product Type	Toner
Exfoliants	AHAs and BHAs
Hydrating Ingredient	Pineapple
Alcohol-Free	No
SLS-Free	Yes
Volume	150 ml

amazon.co.uk

La Roche PosaySensitive Ultra Fine Scrub

£10.00

Hypoallergenic and Soap-Free for Sensitive Dry Skin

Just like the rest of the brand's range, this cleansing scrub has been meticulously tested to be suitable for even the most sensitive skins, and is a great option for those wanting a good clean without stripping moisture or causing irritation.

Using physical exfoliants to gently purify pores and eliminate dead skin cells, it's also ideal if you're looking to clear up breakouts, and, being non-comedogenic, it won't cause future congestion either. Follow up with a rich moisturiser and your dry skin will thank you!

Product Type	Cleansing scrub
Exfoliants	Physical
Hydrating Ingredient	Glycerin
Alcohol-Free	Yes
SLS-Free	Yes
Volume	50 ml

boots.com

PixiGlow Tonic

£18.00

A Gentle Yet Effective Exfoliating Toner

Ready to get your glow on? This toner has quickly gained an almost legendary status for its ability to exfoliate dead skin away to reveal healthy, bright skin whilst boosting circulation and refining pores.

With a slightly milder 5% glycolic acid concentration than some toners, it contains just the AHAs your dry skin needs to penetrate through its rough surface layers without irritation. It's also alcohol-free and the addition of hydrating and soothing aloe vera gets our approval, too.

Product Type	Toner
Exfoliants	AHAs (glycolic acid)
Hydrating Ingredient	Aloe vera, glycerin
Alcohol-Free	Yes
SLS-Free	Yes
Volume	250 ml

boots.com

Origins High-Potency Night-a-Mins Resurfacing Cream

£30.00

Overnight Exfoliation to Wake Up Hydrated and Radiant

A luxurious, easily-absorbed cream, the star ingredients here are fruit-derived AHAs which will slough away layers of dead skin and deeply hydrate to leave you glowing and fresh come morning. There are even neroli, valerian and vanilla essential oils to help you drift off!

As it contains many other hydrating and anti-aging ingredients including plant oils and antioxidant vitamins A, C and E, this 2-in-1 peel and moisturiser is perfectly suited to anyone looking for youthful, bright skin without the time for a separate exfoliating product.

Product Type	Moisturiser
Exfoliants	AHAs, salicylic acid
Hydrating Ingredient	Glycerin, jojoba oil, fruit oils
Alcohol-Free	Fatty alcohols only
SLS-Free	Yes
Volume	50 ml

ebay.co.uk

The Body ShopVitamin C Glow Boosting Microdermabrasion

£21.61

View product on Amazon

A Zingy Polish Packed With Fruit Nutrients

Microdermabrasion is that expensive facial treatment you spotted in the beautician’s window but decided you couldn’t quite afford. Luckily, The Body Shop’s Vitamin C-enriched facial polish helps you bring this fancy spa experience into your own bathroom for a fraction of the price!

Its gorgeous scent and cruelty-free promise are just more reasons to opt for this scrub, along with the fact that it exfoliates effortlessly to boost radiance and improve dry skin texture. As it doesn’t contain any acids, this could be a good choice if your skin has a tendency to react to strong products.

Product Type	Weekly scrub
Exfoliants	Physical (aluminium silicate)
Hydrating Ingredient	Shea butter, almond oil
Alcohol-Free	Fatty alcohols only
SLS-Free	Yes
Volume	100 ml

johnlewis.com

DermalogicaDaily Microfoliant

£55.00

Excellent for Acne-Prone Dry Skin

What if you could have all the benefits of physical and chemical exfoliants without aggravating dry skin? With Dermalogica's Daily Microfoliant, you can! Using a blend of fruit extracts, salicylic acid and rice bran, this innovative exfoliator is actually a powder, which you apply post-cleanse by mixing with water.

We also love that the formula is gentle enough to be used every day and a great all-rounder for many skin concerns including anti-aging, but especially those with dry skin that's also prone to acne, breakouts and pore congestion. At over fifty pounds it's a luxury buy, but if you fancy the splurge we won't blame you!

Product Type	Daily treatment
Exfoliants	Chemical and physical (BHAs, rice bran, papain fruit acid)
Hydrating Ingredient	Colloidal oatmeal
Alcohol-Free	Yes
SLS-Free	Yes
Volume	100g

amazon.co.uk

Neal’s Yard Remedies Rose Facial Polish

£14.40

An Organic Scrub That Exfoliates the Natural Way

With a dreamy scent of roses, this facial polish uses only natural physical exfoliants (as opposed to plastic microbeads that aren't so good for marine life) so you can gently scrub away dryness with a clear conscience.

Though made with quality, organic ingredients, this bottle will last for ages as just a small dab will suffice when lathered up with warm water. It's designed to be used once or twice weekly and is certainly gentle compared to other scrubs, plus, it's chock-full of hydrating plant oils too.

Product Type	Weekly scrub
Exfoliants	Physical (wild rose seed powder)
Hydrating Ingredient	Aloe vera, olive oil, coconut oil, soy oil
Alcohol-Free	Yes
SLS-Free	Yes
Volume	100 g

amazon.co.uk

Paula's ChoiceSkin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

£30.00

View product on Amazon

Show Dead Skin the Door With a Gently Acidic Lotion

A real cult favourite among those in the know and made with only the best ingredients, this is one of very few products containing BHAs which will still suit dry, sensitive skin types since it is completely alcohol- and fragrance-free. The addition of green tea also soothes and calms redness.

Designed to be used as a chemical 'scrub' after cleansing and toning, it also contains salicylic acid which will not only leave your skin feeling softer and smoother, but will also act to reduce fine lines and wrinkles as well as clogged or enlarged pores and acne. Overall, it's an excellent all-rounder that's well worth its price tag.

Product Type	Daily exfoliant
Exfoliants	BHAs
Hydrating Ingredient	Methylpropanediol, butylene glycol
Alcohol-Free	Yes
SLS-Free	Yes
Volume	118 ml

ebay.co.uk

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution

£15.99

The Best Glycolic Acid Toner from Skincare Experts

The Ordinary's incredibly popular toning solution contains a generous 7% dose of dry skin’s best friend; glycolic acid. It's pH formulated for maximum effectiveness, free from any unnecessary additives and chemicals, and really will improve the appearance and feel of your dry skin.

Easily incorporated into your routine, simply swoosh over your face with a soaked cotton pad to slough away tired old skin cells and fix an uneven skin tone and texture, all while soothing with aloe vera, Tasmanian pepperberry, and ginseng root. Affordable and effective, no wonder it's our winning exfoliator for dry skin!

Product Type	Toner
Exfoliants	AHAs (glycolic acid)
Hydrating Ingredient	Glycerin, aloe vera
Alcohol-Free	Yes
SLS-Free	Yes
Volume	240 ml

More Ways to Care for Dry Skin

The right caring and nourishing ingredients can bring real relief to dry skin, and with winter on the way, it's probably a good time to get your skincare arsenal sorted! Check out our suggestions for the best products to add to your routine.

10 Best Facial Cleansing Oils UK 2022

10 Best Toners for Dry Skin 2022 | UK Makeup Artist Reviewed

10 Best Moisturisers for Dry Skin 2022 | UK Dermatologist Reviewed

Summary

Overall you can see that taking care to select the perfect exfoliator for your skin will have countless benefits. Whether you opt for a chemical or physical exfoliant to get rid of gloomy dead cells, remember everyone’s skin is different, so it’s always best to experiment carefully with a new product.

Author: Annie Hopkins