The 17 Best Exfoliating Peel Pads to Brighten and Smooth Skin

Best Overall

Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel

View On Amazon $20 View On Nordstrom $153 View On Sephora $20

We’ve been using these peels for over a decade and won’t stop anytime soon! They’re also a favorite of Dr. Kiran Mian, a board-certified dermatologist at Hudson Dermatology & Laser Surgery. “I love Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta peel pads for those with acne as they really help combat the keratin buildup in the skin,” she says.

Unlike most peels on the market, this derm-developed formula features two steps — one exfoliator and one neutralizer — to deliver concentrated doses of ingredients for maximum results. When using the first step, lactic, salicylic, malic, and more acids work to resurface skin, while the second step infuses the skin with retinol, green tea, and antioxidants to pamper, nourish, and deliver further anti-aging results. 

The second step is a good thing: It means you won’t have to rinse your face after using, so you can swipe this peel on with ease, whether you’re on the go or lazing around on the couch watching TV. You’ll instantly see more luminous and smoother skin, but over time, you’ll watch as your fine lines, wrinkles, enlarged pores, and discoloration fade away.

For those who are easily annoyed by multiple skincare steps, you could be irked by the fact that this peel features a second step, but don’t be put off — this product couldn’t be easier to use. Just swipe, wait two minutes, and swipe again. While we’d recommend following the second step with moisturizer, we’ll note that if you’re truly feeling lazy, this product doesn’t leave our skin feeling super stripped, so go ahead and hit the hay without it if you must!

Active Ingredients: Glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid｜Best for: Dullness, acne, fine lines and wrinkles｜Size: 35 treatments

Best Budget

ELF SuperGlow AHA Peel Pads

View On Elfcosmetics.com View On Target $10

It’s rare to find such a great peel at this price point, especially one that won’t irritate sensitive skin. It uses a gentle blend of AHAs and fruit enzymes to break down and remove dead cells; the peel pad isn’t textured so it won’t feel abrasive on the skin.

While those with coarser skin may prefer texture, it’s this smooth finish that makes the product especially ideal for easily sensitized skin. However, the pads are fairly thin, meaning that they don't hold as much solution as other peel pads on our list. If you’re expecting to use one pad across a lot of real estate, you'll probably only get face and neck coverage before needing to grab a second wipe.

Active Ingredients: Alpha-hydroxy acids, papaya enzymes｜Best for: Dullness｜Size: 45 treatments

Best Drugstore

L'Oréal Paris Anti-Aging Exfoliating Peel Pads

View On Amazon $19 View On Walmart $17 View On Walgreens $20

Most peels smell like a noxious blend of chemicals, which we typically choose to ignore considering all the benefits they provide our skin once we power through every use. These peels from L’Oréal are a pleasant surprise — they deliver real results while offering a subtle citrusy aroma. Those results come courtesy of glycolic acid, one of the most popular alpha-hydroxy acids due to its ability to powerfully resurface skin. The formula also features glycerin, a humectant that helps prevent skin from dehydrating, a common side effect of chemical peels. 

These peels are potent, with some users reporting irritation and breakouts after a few treatments. That can be par for the course with some peels, as the cellular turnover can cause blemishes to rise to the surface and leave skin feeling sensitive. More resilient skin, including mature skin, may do best with this drugstore treatment.

Active Ingredients: Glycolic acid, glycerin｜Best for: Dullness, fine lines｜Size: 30 treatments

Best for Hyperpigmentation

StriVectin Daily Reveal Exfoliating Face Pads

View On Amazon $45 View On Nordstrom $45 View On Sephora $45

These peels from StriVectin feature a veritable alphabet soup of exfoliating acids. Amongst the AHAs, you’ll find glycolic acid, BHA salicylic acid, and tranexamic acid, one of the most powerful ingredients in the hyperpigmentation-fighting arsenal. The chemical peel pads feature a nubby texture that further helps to resurface skin. With consistent use of these peel pads, you’ll see a brighter, clearer complexion with smoother texture, fewer dark spots, and smaller pores. 

Because of the powerhouse blend of ingredients in this peel solution, these pads are very strong. This isn’t a bad thing, as it tends to equal visible results for super stubborn skin concerns, hyperpigmentation and large clogged pores, that are quick to appear after just a few treatments. These peels are meant to be used daily, but considering their strength, it's a good idea to start slowly integrating it into your routine once or twice a week and ramping up from there as your skin tolerates the actives.

Active Ingredients: Glycolic acid, gluconolactone, tranexamic acid｜Best for: Dullness, discoloration, uneven texture｜Size: 60 treatments

Best for Sensitive Skin

Lancer Skincare Gentle Exfoliating Peel Pads

View On Dermstore $75 View On QVC $75 View On Saks Fifth Avenue $75

Chemical peels often leave skin feeling irritated, making it hard for people with sensitive skin to find an exfoliation solution that works for them. This derm-developed peel is gentler than most, thanks to lactic acid and bakuchiol, a plant-based ingredient that offers results that are comparable to those of true retinol, but without the irritating side effects. It also helps slough off dead skin with papaya enzymes, which help dissolve the bonds securing those cells to the surface, leaving skin looking refreshed. But our favorite ingredient, oatmeal, simultaneously helps calm skin and seal moisture for a stronger skin barrier.

The only irksome factor of this product is how it dries — it can cause the skin to feel sticky, even after the formula has dried. However, there’s an easy solution to that: Just use it at night before moisturizing. This way, it won’t interfere with any makeup application.

Active Ingredients: Bakuchiol, lactic acid, papaya enzyme｜Best for: Dullness, discoloration, fine lines｜Size: 45 treatments

Best for Mature Skin

Dr. Loretta Micro Peel Peptide Pads

View On Nordstrom $65 View On Dermstore $65 View On Skinstore.com $65

While not all chemical peel brands disclose the concentration of ingredients used in their formulas, this dermatologist-created formula does — and it contains a remarkable 10 percent concentration of glycolic acid to effectively slough away dead skin cells to fade fine lines and discoloration while reducing the appearance of enlarged pores. Guarana extract, a powerful antioxidant, protects skin from free radical damage and amino acid-rich algae peptides penetrate into the skin's deeper layers to speed up collagen production and visibly firm skin.

Because these peels are so strong, you’ll have to rinse them off 10 to 20 minutes after using them for the first few weeks (your skin will need time to learn to tolerate the formula’s potency). This may be annoying, but it's temporary; once you get past the initial acclimation period, you won’t have to rinse off the treatment and the results are worth it.

Active Ingredients: Glycolic acid, algae peptides, guarana extract｜Best for: Fine lines, discoloration, enlarged pores｜Size: 60 treatments

Best Korean

DERMALOGY by NEOGENLAB Bio-Peel Gauze Peeling Pads

View On Amazon $27 View On Neogenlab.us

While many peels feature strong chemical aromas, this one features a botanical fragrance that won’t irritate sensitive noses — and the product won’t irritate your complexion either. It boasts centella asiatica, green tea, and hyaluronic acid to help soothe, calm, and hydrate, as well as a bevy of exfoliants, including PHA, a notoriously gentle ingredient that resurfaces skin without causing too much sensitivity. 

Each pad is designed like a little pouch so you can insert your fingers into it to use both the coarser woven texture (which is meant to take off dead skin) and a lightly textured side to push the solution into the skin while boosting skin’s hydration levels. These peel pads are so big that some people even cut them in half to get double the peels out of each jar. 

Despite the blend of potent ingredients, this peel is not super powerful (which is what makes it so ideal for sensitive skin). If you’re looking for a hardcore formula, try one of the brand’s other peel iterations, like lemon.

Active Ingredients: PHA, green tea, centella asiatica｜Best for: Dullness, redness, dry skin｜Size: 30 treatments

Best for Toner

TULA Biodegradable Toner Pads

View On Nordstrom $36 View On Tula.com View On Ulta $36

If you have acne, you know it’s especially important to balance your skin’s pH with toner — except when you're also using an exfoliating peel pad. Tula's chemical peel is designed to be used in lieu of toner and even better, the formula taps gentler ingredients, like apple cider vinegar rather than alcohol, to loosen debris found in clogged pores. Along with pomegranate water, willowherb, probiotics, and prebiotics to avoid potential irritation, your skin will have no clue it's interacting with a powerful peel.

Meanwhile, salicylic acid, niacinamide, and azelaic acid work in tandem to combat acne and fade post-breakout dark marks. The solution is all delivered via a textured, biodegradable pad that further helps to whisk grime and bacteria off the skin. 

The only downside of this toner-peel pad hybrid is that they can leave the skin feeling a little sticky, which can be frustrating if you use them in the morning. Our workaround is to use these at night and embrace the stickiness by layering a thicker moisturizer on top to turn it into our own overnight treatment.

Active Ingredients: Salicylic acid, niacinamide, azelaic acid｜Best for: Acne, discoloration｜Size: 30 treatments

Best for Body

Skinfix AHA/BHA Niacinamide Exfoliating Pads

View On Sephora $50 View On Kohls.com $50 View On Walmart $40

We've often used our facial peels on other areas of our body to quickly resolve a backne situation, but the tougher skin on our arms and legs usually need more oomph. That's when we go for this Superman-strength peel. Loaded with high concentrations of glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acids, plus a healing boost of niacinamide, the mountain-sized bumps on our arms and legs soften as the formula purges congested pores, blackheads, and fungal acne. If your acne rudely left red angry dots in its wake, it neutralizes those too.

We love that the pads are textured and biodegradable, but we do wish they were a little larger. They’re larger than most, but we wish they were a bit bigger so we could use one pad on our whole body and our face, rather than one for each. 

Active Ingredients: Salicylic acid, lactic acid, niacinamide｜Best for: Rough texture, discoloration, dullness｜Size: 60 treatments

Best for Acne

Jan Marini Multi-Acid Corrective Pads

View On Amazon View On Dermstore $98 View On Bluemercury.com $95

Clinical skincare brand Jan Marini has a celebrity cult following due to the real results its formulas deliver. This acne-targeting peel is no exception. It boasts three effective resurfacers, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and azelaic acid, but it's the azelaic that does the heavy lifting to curb inflammation (making it great for cystic acne) and ease discoloration, while niacinamide targets post-breakout scars.

It's tough to beat the convenience and efficacy of these peels, despite the fact that they're not a leave-on formula. Unlike other peels, you'll wait 15 minutes after wiping down your face before rinsing it off. If you’re someone who likes to do their skincare routine in bed (no judgment!), be sure to build extra time into your regimen for this formula.

Active Ingredients: Salicylic acid, glycolic acid, azelaic acid｜Best for: Acne, discoloration, dullness｜Size: 30 treatments

Best for Bikini Area

First Aid Beauty Ingrown Hair Pads

View On Amazon $20 View On Nordstrom $36 View On Nordstrom $36

These pads are specifically designed to be used on armpits, the bikini line, and anywhere else you remove body hair. The blend of glycolic and salicylic acids rids skin of the dead skin cells that get lodged within hair follicles and block hair growth. This allows the hair to grow out naturally and prevents ingrown hairs from developing, so you can get a painless and bump-free shave.

There is one caveat to these peels: You need to be a planner to use them. These pads are resurfacing your skin, leaving it somewhat tender, and using a razor on vulnerable skin is a painful nightmare waiting to happen. Wipe your legs down the day before you want to shave and prepare for the smoothest, silkiest skin ever. 

Active Ingredients: Glycolic acid, salicylic acid, aloe｜Best for: Ingrown hairs, rough texture, ｜Size: 60 treatments

Best for Rosacea

Ever Skincare Reveal Biomimetic Peel Pads

View On Ever.com

There are very few chemical peels that can be comfortably and effectively used on rosacea-prone skin — and that short list includes this clean formula from Ever Skincare. The star ingredient here is azelaic acid, which can be used to rosacea at prescription-strength levels. It works by gently resurfacing while reducing redness; caviar lime and willow bark help lightly smooth, brighten, and clarify. 

A light tingly sensation is normal, but because the formula is non-irritating, most people can use the pads every day. If rosacea makes your skin extra sensitive, start with just twice a week and listen to your skin. If it becomes angry and red, slow it down even more.

Active Ingredients: Azelaic acid, caviar lime extract, willow bark extract｜Best for: Dullness, discoloration, enlarged pores｜Size: 45 treatments

Best Brightening

BeautyStat Triple Action One-Step Daily Exfoliating Peel Pad

View On Nordstrom $29 View On Ulta $29 View On Dermstore $21

Developed by a beauty chemist, these pads use a comprehensive blend of actives, including niacinamide, antioxidants, and plant extracts, to hone in on uneven skin tone and discoloration. It uses time-released salicylic acid instead of the traditional form, which slowly absorbs into the skin to exfoliate each pore from the inside out and shrinking them in the process. Polyglutamic acid, a humectant, pulls and binds water to the skin to stave off dryness. We love this bonus benefit, considering how drying so many peels can be.

The alpha-hydroxy acid featured in this formula is the gentle lactic acid, as its larger molecule size prevents it from sinking into the skin's deeper layers, like glycolic acid. However, this’ll mean that it’ll take more consistent use over a longer period of time to achieve the results you might be looking for. If you have sensitive skin, though, this peel will be a nice option for you.

Active Ingredients: Salicylic acid, lactic acid, polyglutamic acid｜Best for: Dullness, acne, discoloration, dehydration｜Size: 30 treatments

Best for Dull Skin

Sonäge Glycolic Acid Peel Pads

View On Amazon $30 View On Sonage.com

Unsurprisingly, chemical peels are not often the cleanest skincare products out there, given the fact that chemicals make up the formula foundation. Yet, we were pleasantly surprised by the extent of this formula's ingredient list comprised mostly of natural, clean actives that still pack quite a punch, starting with glycolic acid to exfoliate and rebalance the skin's surface for a more even complexion. There’s also nourishing coconut milk, soothing lavender oil, hydrating glucosamine, and moisturizing beet sugar to leave skin looking plump and dewy after every use.

The only drawback is that it leaves skin tingly for a few minutes after use. We actually like this — it makes us feel like it’s working! — but it's not for everyone, and beginners should consider a less intense peel. If it gets to be too much, we just splash some water on our face and it subsides (although it also makes it less effective).

Active Ingredients: Glycolic acid, glucosamine, beet sugar｜Best for: Dullness, dehydration｜Size: 30 treatments

Best for Uneven Texture

BABOR Refine RX AHA Peeling Pads

View On Amazon $85 View On Nordstrom $85 View On Lovelyskin.com

Though this peel from Babor features a list of ingredients that looks simple, don’t confuse them with basic. It's a hardworking formula comprised of three alpha-hydroxy acids — lactic, glycolic, and citrus — to promote cellular turnover, shedding dead skin cells for a smoother and more even complexion, both instantly and over time. With the addition of hydrating glycerin and conditioning panthenol in the formula, you don't have to worry about the peel stripping your skin of moisture.

You get 60 peel pads in a jar and are supposed to give yourself a treatment once or twice a week. Although that sounds like it'll last you awhile, you're meant to use two pads for every application, one on your face and the other on your neck and chest, so one box won't take you quite as far as you think.

Active Ingredients: Lactic acid, citric acid, glycolic acid｜Best for: Dullness, fine lines, enlarged pores｜Size: 60 treatments

Best for Wrinkles

Skinbetter Science AlphaRet Exfoliating Peel Pads

View On Skinbetter.com View On Lazskincare.com

SkinBetter Science is a longtime favorite of senior beauty commerce editor, Kaitlin Clark, for their potent formulas that don't compromise results, yet also don't trigger a wave of angry redness from her sensitive skin.

These peel pads are especially terrific for those looking to proactively curb the signs of aging. Each one is saturated with a mix of alpha-hydroxy acids, lactic and glycolic acids, along with the beta-hydroxy acid, salicylic acid, to seriously resurface the top layer of skin and digging deep into pores to leave skin looking firmer, brighter, and smoother. Plus, with the brand's proprietary AlphaRet technology, a lactic acid and retinoid cocktail, your skin will be lavished with anti-aging benefits. “These peel pads are a perfect combination of retinol plus alpha hydroxy acids for mature skin in addressing fine lines and dullness,” says Dr. Mian. 

They're undeniably impressive (just check out the brand’s unretouched before-and-after photos for yourself!), but they do come at a price. You’re only meant to use them up to three times a week, so you’ll get around three months of treatment out of one box; you’ll still pay more for these than other treatments on this list. However, this expense will be worth it to those looking to achieve significant results.

Active Ingredients: Retinoid, lactic acid, glycolic acid｜Best for: Dullness, fine lines, enlarged pores｜Size: 30 treatments