Amazing chemical exfoliants for acne scars and clogged pores

What do alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) and beta hydroxy acids (BHA) do for our skin? How can you incorporate chemical exfoliants into your skincare routine? Here are my top picks for combination, acne-prone skin with additional tips for dry skin.

Gone are the days where rough facial scrubs are widely recommended in skincare routines. Not naming any names, but a gritty, fruity drugstore scrub jumps out at me. (No shame – I happily scrubbed away with it in my teens!)

Physical exfoliants – or products with small granules to slough off the outermost layer of skin – can have a place in a skincare routine. They just need to be used carefully, since some skin types may experience irritation from abrasive products. More on that later.

I mentioned in my 5 simple ways to transform your skin post how incorporating chemical exfoliants into my skincare routine drastically improved my clogged pores and texture. They’re my go-to products, along with SPF, now that I’m trying to fade acne scars and hyperpigmentation.

The difference between AHAs and BHAs

Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) are water-soluble and they help peel away the top layer of your skin to reveal fresher, smoother and visibly firmer skin over time. AHAs are fantastic for mild hyperpigmentation like age spots and melasma, fine lines and uneven skin tone.

They work well for dry and aging skin, but should be introduced gradually into your routine to avoid major irritation. The maximum concentration of AHAs in your products should range from 10-15%. For anything stronger, I’d personally leave it to a professional.

Examples of AHAs include glycolic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, mandelic acid and citric acid.

Beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) are oil-soluble and they help to “unglue” the structure holding dead skill cells on the surface of your skin. They typically penetrate deeper into your pores to remove the dead skin and oil inside of them. BHAs are great for acne, blackheads and closed comedones.

They work well for oily, combination and acne-prone skin to calm down inflammation and redness. Generally, you’ll find a concentration of 0.5-5% depending on the type of product.

Examples of BHAs include salicylic acid and willow bark extract.

Chemical exfoliants and SPF

Note: It’s crucial to wear sun protection every day, especially when using AHAs. Chemical exfoliants tend to make your skin much more sensitive to the sun’s UV rays.

Now, my top chemical exfoliants for acne scars…

These four chemical exfoliants for acne scars are well-loved in my current skincare routine. I’ll give a brief overview of each product below. If you have an amazing chemical exfoliant for acne scars I should try next, let me know in the comments or on Instagram!

Consonant Skincare DHE Mask

This is the face mask that does it all, seriously. The mineral-rich clay base, willow bark (BHA) and tea tree extracts detoxify the skin. The HydrExtreme (Consonant’s award-winning hydrator), grape seed and olive oils deliver hydration and radiance, and a blend of AHA fruit enzymes gently exfoliate the top layer of skin.

I use this clay mask twice a week, focusing on the areas I tend to get breakouts and clogged pores. After 30 minutes, the mask dries down, but not in an unpleasant, “I can’t move my face” way. It rinses off beautifully with a soft microfibre washcloth, leaving my complexion fresh and purified for a few days afterwards.

Rating: 4.5/5 stars (0.5 off for the strong tingly feeling, which may irritate very sensitive skin types).

Check out the DHE Mask’s ingredients here. If you’d like, you can use my code “NICESKINDAYS” for 10% off all Consonant Skincare orders. It applies on top of sales, too!

Instanatural Exfoliating Glycolic Mask

Remember when we touched on how physical exfoliants can be great if used gently? This mask is a perfect example. The creamy formula contains both physical and chemical exfoliants: glycolic acid (AHA) and fine quartz crystal granules for dual-action exfoliation. It also has pumpkin, vitamin C and turmeric to brighten and soften skin. Fun note: it actually smells like pumpkin pie and reminds me of the Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask!

This is my go-to treatment about once every couple of weeks, whenever my skin feels congested. I love the texture – it starts off like a warming gel-cream, but transforms into a milky scrub when massaging into the skin with water. Rinses off like a dream!

Rating: 5/5 stars. Check out the Exfoliating Glycolic Mask here.

Consonant Skincare Maximum Glycolic Meta Serum

This gel serum is formulated to be “at the juncture of hydration and functional exfoliation.” It contains a concentration of four types of AHAs, as well as BHA to smooth out skin texture, fine lines and unclog pores. Also, there’s botanical extracts in the formula to soothe and protect against dryness and irritation. Talk about a power serum!

I absolutely love this chemical exfoliant for acne scars because it makes my skin so radiant and smooth without any irritation. The clogged pores on my cheeks and chin have dramatically reduced after using this product 4-5 times a week at night. If I’m using the DHE mask, I skip the Meta Serum that night. I’m almost at the end of my 10mL size of the product and will be repurchasing the full 30mL size soon!

Rating: 5/5 stars. Check out the Maximum Glycolic Meta Serum here.

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution

This is the first product I’ve tried from the ever-popular brand, The Ordinary. It’s actually also the first AHA product I tried. This liquid solution contains a 7% concentration of glycolic acid, along with ginseng root, aloe vera and a Tasmanian Pepperberry derivative to soothe skin. This ingredient also apparently gives the product the slight tinge of colour, which varies by batch!

I have to say, it’s quite a strong chemical exfoliant even for my combination skin which usually tolerates products well. Especially if I have any active or healing breakouts, it will string quite a bit once applied. I had to rinse it off because it stung so much on a few occasions when my skin barrier wasn’t in its best shape.

So, why is this still in my favourite picks? Because it’s so potent, it works well for spot chemical exfoliating (if that’s a thing?). If I have a rough spot on my chin or a particularly stubborn clogged pore, I’ll dab this on and apply a soothing moisturizer. The spot is reduced by the next day!

Rating: 4/5 stars. Check out the Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution here.

If you haven’t already, check out my 5 ways to transform your skin featuring some of the products above.

Note: I'm not a trained aesthetician, skincare expert or medical professional. In sharing my skincare journey and the tips I've learned along the way, my goal is to help inform and inspire others to take charge of their own skincare and wellness journey. What works for me may not always work for you, and I encourage seeking advice from a licensed healthcare professional for specific health-related concerns. Thank you so much for reading!