The Best Exfoliating Pads for Radiant, Glowy Skin

Peel pads changed my life. I’m not exaggerating. They’re so good that anytime someone complains to me about their acne, I basically toss an acid-soaked disc at them. I used to have very stubborn breakouts, relatively mild in severity but still enough that I’d have to excuse myself during dates to dab on more concealer in the bathroom. I dropped a ton of money on charcoal masks and spot treatments and all the salicylic acid in the land, and I now have so many half-empty bottles of benzoyl peroxide cleanser that I could bleach the contents of my closet with it.

Once I swapped in exfoliating pads for my old, not-so-effective acne-fighting products, though, my skin did a 180. I now go outside without makeup. I haven’t touched concealer in months. And, sure, I still get zits from time to time—inevitable, since my oil glands produce more grease than a dollar slice of pizza—but they have a shorter life span and are way less noticeable.

Peel pads are one of the most effective skin care products out there, but you don’t even have to take my anecdotal word for it. Its efficacy is by design. “The pad itself helps to further the exfoliation process,” says Craig Austin, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City. “It gently lifts dead skin cells while wiping your skin's surface clean from debris and makeup.” Using your fingertips just doesn’t have that same exfoliating effect as the pad, and some pads are actually built to maximize that difference with a mesh or nubby texture.

Glycolic acid—my acid of choice—is the most popular ingredient in peel pads since it clears out pores, hydrates, brightens, and smooths out texture. But you don't have to stop at acid. Exfoliating pads can be infused with reparative antioxidants, soothing aloe vera, and skin-firming peptides, which can guide you through the daunting task of figuring out which works best for you.

Another perk: They're idiot-proof. "It's unlikely to 'screw up' when using a peel pad or disc," says David Colbert, M.D., a dermatologist at New York Dermatology Group in NYC. "Make sure the disc is moist and apply light pressure in a circular motion." Still, a word to the wise: Read the directions. While some peel pads involve just a swipe and nothing more, others need to be rinsed off. Use it after you cleanse and give it a minute or two to work its magic before applying your serum or moisturizer (or both).

This exfoliating power may be the reason behind peel pads’ bad rap in the skin care world. The claim: They’re too harsh and irritating for sensitive skin. But unless you're piling on eight different acids, peel pads are totally fine for all skin types. When you first start using a exfoliating pad, "make sure that you're choosing an acid that is lower concentration, such as a 10 percent peel," says Dr. Austin. Like other powerful ingredients (looking at you, retinoids), your skin may need a few weeks to adjust, so start by using pads every other night, only working your way up to every night once your skin becomes acclimated to it. (Once you notice less tingling, you can ramp up your usage.) If you notice any kind of irritation or pain and need relief stat, just splash water on your face. “This will stop the acid from continuing to penetrate your skin until you work up more of a tolerance," Austin says.

And no matter your skin type, slow your roll with other types of exfoliation. “The biggest mistake people make when using peel pads is either overexfoliation with a facial cleansing brush, like Clarisonic or other abrasive cleansers,” says Dr. Austin. Also, follow up any type of peel pad with a high SPF. Since the acids remove dead skin cells—exposing new skin and leaving it more sensitive to light—go with at least SPF 50.

My only regret concerning peel pads is that nobody told me about them sooner. Try them for yourself and feel free to @ me. I'm that sure of them.