The Best Physical Exfoliators Don't Mess With the Balance Of Things - Men's Folio
Grooming, Skincare

The Best Physical Exfoliators Don’t Mess With the Balance Of Things

  • By Bryan Goh

The Best Physical Exfoliators Don't Mess With the Balance Of Things
It is with some kind of trepidation that we’d like to introduce the best physical exfoliators of 2022 because after all, in the grand scheme of skincare things, chemical exfoliants have always been the most efficient way to decongest pores and renew the skin. However, besides the risk of sensitivity, nothing beats the feeling of physically scrubbing down after a day.

While we’re not here to recommend old school ones (sharp bits, drying formulas, and 70% alcohol), the best physical exfoliators either do the following: they contain an AHA or BHA to smoothen things out quickly, double up as a leave on mask or even come suspended in an oil or cream to minimise tugging or abrasion.

Pictured Above: Sisley Exfoliating Enzyme Mask
In just one minute (minus the few seconds used to create a foam-cream with just a few drops of water), expect clearer and brighter skin thanks to the mask’s use of papain. It can be used too on sensitive skin as the product is low in sulfates.


Alpha-H Micro Super Scrub With 12% Glycolic Acid
The 12% glycolic acid in this physical exfoliator might be too strong for some but for those with oily and congested skin, it can be left on for around one to two minutes. A tip too to reduce sensitivity would be to use the fleshy part near one’s wrist to exfoliate instead of using the fingertips.


Cle de Peau Skin Refining Skincare Clay Scrub
With exfoliating bits suspensed in a rich and thick clay, one needs to apply some pressure when it comes to one of the best physical exfoliators on the market. If need be, it can be left on as a clay mask for up to five minutes to absorb impurities and oil.

The Best Physical Exfoliators Don't Mess With the Balance Of Things
Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse Off Formula
Its moniker suggests that it should be used every seven days and it makes sense as it is one of the “toughest” physical exfoliatirs in this list. The foam it produces though is very moist and foamy which makes this product double up as a makeup remover.

The Best Physical Exfoliators Don't Mess With the Balance Of Things
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Gentle enough for daily use, the hyper-exfoliating properties of papain enzymes, salicylic acid, and phytic acid does everything from fading dark spots to clearing clogged pores which oatmeal calms the skin down by reducing irritation.


Fresh Umbrian Clay Mattifying Face Exfoliant
One of the best physical exfoliators triples up as an oil-controlling scrub, a leave-on mask (Umbrian Clay is noted to be very detoxifying), and a product too that can be used on the body too to fade stretch marks.

The Best Physical Exfoliators Don't Mess With the Balance Of Things
L:A Bruket 050 Face Scrub Petitgrain
The exfoliator in the product is sea salt which makes this one of the most powerful exfoliators but its base of sweet almond oil moisturises at the same time while preventing one from going too heavy on his face.


La Mer The Replenishing Oil Exfoliator
The two physical exfoliators in this product — sugar crystals and sea salt — works together with Miracle Broth™ oils to smoothen, soften, and replenish. As the holy grail of physical exfoliators, it washes off completely clean without leaving a mess in the sink.

The Best Physical Exfoliators Don't Mess With the Balance Of Things
Ole Henriksen Lemonade Smoothing Scrub
Best used on people with oily skin, the fastest working physical exfoliator in this list has high-potency AHAs to loosen dead skin cells, lemon peel powder to buff, and sugar exfoliants to smoothen.

Once you’re done with this story, click here to catch up with our November 2022 issue!