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For a long time, exfoliating your body meant reaching for a rough, gritty scrub and hoping you wouldn’t regret it afterward. But the best chemical body exfoliators—think lotions, sprays, and washes infused with acids—are here to make smooth, glowing skin a whole lot easier. “Chemical exfoliation can often be more effective and consistent than physical scrubs because ingredients like glycolic, lactic, or salicylic acid dissolve the bonds that hold dead skin cells together rather than just manually sloughing them off,” says Dendy Engelman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. “This is especially helpful for concerns like [body] acne, keratosis pilaris, ingrown hairs, or uneven texture, where a gentle, even exfoliation is ideal.”
Our Top Chemical Body Exfoliators
- Best Overall: Paula's Choice Weightless Body Treatment 2% BHA, $32
- Best Leave-On Body Serum: Soft Services Smoothing Solution AHA Chemical Peel Body Exfoliator, $30
- Best for Rough Skin: Nécessaire The Body Exfoliator, $30
- Best for Keratosis Pilaris: First Aid Body KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub, $30
- Best Exfoliating Body Wash for Sensitive Skin: CeraVe SA Body Wash for Rough & Bumpy Skin, $14
- Best Quick-Drying: PanOxyl Acne Banishing Body Spray, $12
Physical exfoliating body scrubs still have their place from time to time, but Dr. Engelman warns they can irritate sensitive skin or micro-tear the surface if overused. The biggest perk of chemical exfoliants: They do the heavy lifting for you—no vigorous scrubbing needed—leaving skin softer, smoother, and more even with less effort. Here, our favorites.
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Best Overall: Paula's Choice Weightless Body Treatment 2% BHA
Paula’s Choice
Weightless Body Treatment 2% BHA
Amazon
Dermstore
Why it's worth it: Bumpy skin? Redness? Breakout-prone? All of the above? Paula’s Choice Weightless Body Treatment 2% BHA is a salicylic acid–based lotion “great for arms and legs,” says Claire Wolinsky, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. “It absorbs easily and smooths rough skin, otherwise known as chicken skin. The green tea and chamomile combat irritation, allowing the salicylic acid to work its magic.” Its silky texture delivers light hydration on its own, but if your skin runs extra dry, layering a moisturizer on top will help seal it in. Dr. Engelman adds, “This lightweight lotion is one of my go-to recommendations for body acne, clogged pores, or uneven texture because salicylic acid penetrates pores to clear debris while gently exfoliating.” Over time, it leaves skin clearer with every use.
Editor's tip
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Known for its calming and healing properties, allantoin helps reduce redness, ease irritation, and support skin repair.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: 2% salicylic acid, allantoin, bisabolol
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Leave-On Body Serum: Soft Services Smoothing Solution AHA Chemical Peel Body Exfoliator
Soft Services
Smoothing Solution AHA Chemical Peel Body Exfoliator
Sephora
Soft Services
Why it's worth it: With a name like Soft Services, you know silky skin is the mission. Their Smoothing Solution AHA Chemical Peel Body Exfoliator is a lightweight, serum-like treatment powered by lactic acid to gently dissolve dead skin cells, urea to draw in moisture and soften rough patches, and centella asiatica extract to soothe irritation. While it’s a leave-on treatment, the gel formula sinks in fast, so you can get dressed right away without your clothes clinging to your skin.
Tester feedback from contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee
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“I have KP on the backs of my arms, and this has been great for smoothing out that rough, bumpy texture. The clear gel rubs in easily (though just be careful—it's a bit runny so squeezes out of the tube very easily), and beyond exfoliating, it feels surprisingly calming on my skin, helping to reduce redness and irritation over time.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer
More to know
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- Key ingredients: 10% lactic acid, 5% urea, glycerin, aloe, Centella asiatica extract
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Rough Skin: Nécessaire The Body Exfoliator
Nécessaire
The Body Exfoliator
Amazon
Nécessaire
Why it's worth it: Nécessaire The Body Exfoliator gives you the best of both worlds—physical and chemical exfoliation—in a sleek tube. This 2023 Best of Beauty Award winner combines gentle charcoal powder and volcanic pumice with “a blend of glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acid formulated to soften and cleanse skin while clearing out clogged pores,” says Dr. Wolinsky. Unlike a straight-up physical exfoliator, you don’t have to scrub endlessly to see results, as the chemical acids do most of the hard work while the fine particles give that instant smoothness. “I love that you can use this creamy body wash in the shower as a low-effort product for anyone who doesn’t like to apply lotions or treatments to their skin,” adds Dr. Engelman.
Tester feedback from senior editor Jesa Marie Calaor
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“It's the only body exfoliator I use on my KP right now because it smells so good. I use this eucalyptus-scented one, which reminds me of a steam room in a fancy spa and keeps the tiny bumps on the backs of my arms at bay. I love that it doesn't feel too scratchy. I find some body scrubs to be too aggressive, leaving my skin red and irritated. This one is gentle but leaves my skin feeling squeaky clean.” —Jesa Marie Calaor, senior editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: volcanic pumice, salicylic acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid, niacinamide, charcoal powder
- Fragrance-free: no (but there's a fragrance-free option)
Best for Keratosis Pilaris: First Aid Body KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub
First Aid Beauty
KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub
Amazon
Nordstrom
Dermstore
Why it's worth it: There’s something extra satisfying about exfoliating in the shower—steam softens your skin, the water helps whisk away dead skin, and you step out already feeling smoother. First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub takes that to the next level for anyone dealing with keratosis pilaris or stubborn rough patches. “Its lactic and glycolic acids offer gentle exfoliation to buff bumps while urea hydrates. The serum-lotion hybrid texture is lightweight and non-greasy, making it ideal for daily use on arms, thighs, and even the back without irritation,” says Dr. Engelman, who loves that it can deliver visible results in just a few weeks. With pumice micro-crystals for gentle physical exfoliation and a fragrance-free formula, it’s a sensitive skin-friendly way to reveal softer, more even skin.
Tester feedback from content director Kara McGrath
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"First Aid Beauty’s KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub has a potent 10% alpha-hydroxy acid-infused formula, along with a gritty texture to double down on all the clogged pores, ingrown hairs, and keratosis pilaris along my body. This stuff means business, so I usually use this scrub once per week on problem areas, like my upper arms and back, and rougher patches of skin after cleansing." —McGrath
More to know
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- Key ingredients: pumice, 10% glycolic acid, vitamin E
- Fragrance-free: yes, but also comes in Fresh Strawberry and Fresh Peach options
Best Exfoliating Body Wash for Sensitive Skin: CeraVe SA Body Wash for Rough & Bumpy Skin
CeraVe
SA Body Wash for Rough & Bumpy Skin
Amazon
Dermstore
Why it's worth it: CeraVe is a drugstore skin care staple, and its SA Body Wash for Rough & Bumpy Skin is a dermatologist's go-to for smoothing texture, especially for those with sensitive skin. “It cleanses and exfoliates while simultaneously helping to restore the skin barrier with three essential ceramides,” Y. Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, previously told Allure. Along with those barrier-supporting ceramides, it’s formulated with salicylic acid to unclog pores, improve natural cell turnover, and minimize the appearance of keratosis pilaris. Plus, it has hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to hydrate, calm, and strengthen skin.
Tester feedback from Lee
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“I’ve dealt with strawberry skin (those tiny dark dots that look like the seeds on a strawberry, often caused by clogged pores or keratosis pilaris) on my thighs and upper arms for most of my life, and this is one of the few body washes that actually helps without irritating my skin. The gel texture feels silky going on, builds a satisfying lather, and somehow manages to exfoliate while leaving my sensitive skin feeling calm, moisturized, and noticeably smoother.” —Lee
More to know
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- Key ingredients: salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, niacinamide
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Quick-Drying: PanOxyl Acne Banishing Body Spray
Panoxyl
Acne Banishing Body Spray
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Why it's worth it: If you’re dealing with hard-to-reach bacne (or just love the ease of a spray-and-go fix), PanOxyl Acne Banishing Body Spray has you covered. “It contains 2% salicylic acid that is easy to use and absorbs quickly. It also has niacinamide and aloe to combat dryness and irritation from this chemical exfoliant,” says Dr. Wolinsky. The continuous mist even works upside down, letting you target your back, shoulders, and other tricky spots without awkward angles. It dries fast, clears pores, calms redness, and smooths texture, making it a must-have for busy, active days. “I often recommend this spray to use if you can’t shower after the gym,” says Dr. Engelman.
Editor's tip
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The witch hazel in this spray is a natural astringent to help tighten pores, reduce excess oil, and calm inflammation.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: 2% salicylic acid, niacinamide, vitamin C, witch hazel, aloe
- Fragrance-free: yes
Frequently Asked Questions
Is chemical exfoliant “better” for the body?
For many people, chemical exfoliants are the go-to for addressing body concerns like keratosis pilaris, acne, or uneven texture. “Chemical and physical exfoliation can both be effective, but chemical exfoliation is more effective for treating bumpy, rough skin,” says Dr. Wolinsky. In terms of format, “A lotion, spray, or cream that stays on the skin would be the most beneficial versus a scrub or cleanser, as leave-on skin-care products have more time to work. Just remember exfoliation needs to be done regularly to see results,” she says.
Which is the best chemical exfoliant?
The best chemical exfoliant depends on your skin type and concerns. For those with acne-prone skin or clogged pores, salicylic acid is a great option because it gently penetrates the pores to help clear out excess oil and debris. Glycolic acid is a powerhouse for overall smoothing and brightening, though it can be more intense for sensitive skin. Lactic acid, on the other hand, is ideal for dryness or sensitivity. “Lactic acid is one of the most gentle and hydrating chemical exfoliants because it’s a larger molecule, meaning it absorbs more slowly and causes less irritation,” says Dr. Engelman. “It also has a natural humectant property, so it attracts water to the skin while it exfoliates.”
Meet the experts
- Y. Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm based in New York City
- Dendy Engelman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at Shafer Clinic based in New York City
- Claire Wolinsky, MD, a board-certified dermatologist of Spring Street Dermatology based in New York City
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When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best chemical body exfoliators, we considered each product's performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists and cosmetic chemists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
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