10 Best Exfoliators for Sensitive Skin in the Philippines | Buying Guide Reviewed by Dermatologist

Exfoliate your skin with Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost Exfoliating Cleanser. It is a lightweight gel-based facial wash infused with a combination of AHAs such as glycolic and lactic acid and papain extract. These ingredients gently exfoliate the skin to reveal a brighter and more even complexion. 

Moreover, it contains hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid to increase your skin’s hydration and lock it in. Hyaluronic acid is known for stimulating soft tissue growth as well as collagen and elastin production. In its hydrolyzed form, it can effectively penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin.  

This leaves your skin feeling soft and hydrated. Plus, the combination of ingredients makes this cleanser mild enough for everyday use. That way, you can reap the benefits of exfoliation without aggravating your skin! 

Cure Natural Aqua Peeling Gel is made of 91% activated hydrogen water making it the mildest exfoliant on this list! No wonder it is one of Japan's best-selling and award-winning skincare brands! Unlike other exfoliants, this one doesn’t use chemical acids to break down skin cells. 

Instead, the activated water gently attracts dead skin cells and lifts them away from your skin, giving you a more youthful glow. It is also infused with aloe, ginkgo, and rosemary extracts, which are all excellent ingredients for soothing the skin and preventing inflammation. 

Moreover, it does not contain any fragrances and has a short ingredient list. This makes it suitable even for those with ultra-sensitive skin. If you’re looking for a basic and mild exfoliator, then this is it! 

Get instantly smoother skin every time you cleanse with this facial wash from Céleteque. Instead of using plastic microbeads, you’ll be happy to know its beads are made of granulated Vitamins C and E that dissolves as you lather. These ingredients will promote skin cell turnover and help maintain its elasticity. 

Aside from vitamin beads, it also contains lactic acid, which gently sloughs off dead skin cells, revealing softer skin underneath. Céleteque is also hypoallergenic, dermatologist-tested, and non-comedogenic. For best results, you may use this product 2-3 times a week. 

South Korean skincare brands recently gained popularity owing to their mild formulas that are nourishing to the skin. This Calendula peel from Aprilskin is an example of that. It is a hybrid chemical and physical exfoliant, giving you the best of both worlds. It contains 0.3% PHA to gently break down oil and dirt buildup without irritating your skin.

Moreover, it contains cotton fibers that adhere to dead skin cells, which you can use to scrub your face. It is also infused with calendula extract to promote healing and hyaluronic acid to provide moisture to your skin. What’s also great about this is it can be used for both your face and body! 

Another Korean skincare brand that gained many followers is COSRX. Their Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser works well, particularly if your skin is on the oilier side. It contains 0.5% salicylic acid that helps unclog pores and prevent blackheads and whiteheads from forming. It is also very gentle so you can use it every day. 

In addition, it also contains a fusion of botanical ingredients such as tea tree oil, which has antibacterial properties to reduce breakouts, and willow bark water to keep your skin soft and hydrated. Altogether, this product is great for preventing breakouts, which is helpful if you have acne-prone skin. 

If you’re on the hunt for organic exfoliators, look no further than Andalou Naturals’ exfoliator. This product is packed with micropearls made from fruit stem cells such as apple and grape to gently exfoliate dull and dry skin cells, revealing a more flawless-looking complexion. 

It is also infused with alpine rose and pomegranate extract, which has moisture-binding humectants that help maintain your skin’s moisture barrier. Moreover, its primary ingredient consists of aloe vera instead of water, making it helpful for soothing irritated skin. 

CeraVe is one of those skincare brands that meticulously work with dermatologists in developing products geared for sensitive skin, and this cleanser is no exception. It contains salicylic acid, which is great for exfoliating and smoothing rough skin as well as removing oil and dirt. 

But it won’t dry out your skin as it is infused with hyaluronic acid to keep your skin hydrated and ceramides to maintain your skin’s moisture barrier. It is also formulated with niacinamide to help calm down redness. If you’re looking for a non-drying exfoliator, then you can never go wrong with this one. 

e.l.f. is known for their affordable but quality cosmetics, and they do well in skincare too. Their Gentle Peeling Exfoliant removes dry and dead skin cells, allowing you to bring your best face forward. It uses papaya extract to gently exfoliate and brighten your skin. It also has anti-inflammatory properties to help soothe skin.

In addition, it contains licorice root and tangerine extract to rejuvenate the skin. For best results, massage the exfoliant on dry skin before rinsing with water. This preps your skin to absorb your skincare products better. For vegan skincare enthusiasts, you’ll also be happy to know this product is vegan and cruelty-free. 

Those who have acne-prone skin often suffer from blemishes and scars; therefore, exfoliating is one of the best ways to go about reducing their appearance. The Ordinary’s 2% Salicylic Acid Solution removes dead skin cells and lightens them to improve the appearance of scars. 

Exfoliation also helps prevent pores from clogging, which can contribute to breakouts. For best results, it is recommended to use this product at night as a spot treatment or all over the face for general use. However, if your skin is extra sensitive or easily prone to redness and peeling, this product might be too potent for you. 

One of the most affordable but quality products you can buy off the drugstore shelves are products from the Himalaya brand. If you like the feeling of facial scrubs, then consider this apricot scrub. It is soap-free, dermatologically tested, paraben-free, and environmentally friendly. 

This product uses micro granules made from apricot seeds to exfoliate dead skin cells and unclog pores, preventing blackheads. It is also combined with neem and lemon extract to remove excess oil as well as aloe vera to retain your skin’s natural moisture balance.