Exfoliators & Peels

Facial exfoliators and peels have exploded in popularity simply because they really do boost skin's radiance, restore softness and result in a more youthful appearance. At Nordstrom, you'll find safe and effective skin care products, including the long-trusted Clinique Exfoliating Scrub, a best-selling face scrub that's gentle enough for daily use. And thanks to glycolic acid and other breakthrough ingredients, rejuvenating face peels no longer require a spa visit—as loyal fans of the Alpha Beta Peel from Dr. Dennis Gross have discovered. And for more powerful results from nature, be sure to check out the Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel, a nonabrasive, rinse-off cream designed for all skin types. You can always count on Nordstrom for the best exfoliators and peels anywhere. 

FAQ's:

How do I exfoliate my face?

How you do a face scrub depends on your unique skin type. First, you'll want to choose between a physical and chemical exfoliator (more on that later). With a physical exfoliating scrub, you simply make small circle motions rubbing it over your face with either your fingers or an exfoliating tool. A chemical exfoliator can come in the form of a toner, mask or even serum and can be applied based on which category it falls into.

What does exfoliating do?

The best face exfoliators remove dead skin cells from the outer layer of your skin.

What are the benefits of exfoliating?

If you exfoliate, you're removing dry and dull skin. This can result in smoother, clearer skin for a brighter complexion.

How often should you exfoliate your face?

Wondering how to exfoliate your face? How often you exfoliate all depends on your skin type. Generally, it's a good idea to exfoliate a few times a week. If you have sensitive or very dry skin, you can start out slowly and see how well your skin tolerates exfoliation before making it a bigger part of your routine. If you have oily skin, you can likely exfoliate more frequently as your skin can likely tolerate it more. Exfoliating can also be great for acne and balancing an oily complexion.

Should I exfoliate before or after shaving?

Experts suggest you exfoliate skin before shaving. That's because the best face scrubs can remove dead skin cells that are clogging hair follicles. This can result in a smoother shave, less ingrown hairs and a more normalized hair texture when your hair is growing out.

What are the different types of exfoliators?

There are two different types of exfoliating face scrubs: physical and chemical.

What is the difference between chemical and physical exfoliators?

Physical exfoliators, such as exfoliating face wash, contain tiny abrasive particles such as sugar granules, coffee, or jojoba beads. Typically, the best physical exfoliators are rubbed into the skin to remove dead skin cells, then washed off. Chemical exfoliators contain active ingredients such as AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), BHAs (beta hydroxy acids) and fruit enzymes, which help remove dead skin cells from the surface of your skin. Chemical exfoliators can come in the form of a toner, mask or even a serum.

What is a chemical peel?

Face peels or chemical peels are another type of chemical exfoliators. Many chemical peels at home come in the form of glycolic acid peels. A chemical exfoliant peel for face removes dead skin cells and gives you a healthy glow.

Is a chemical face peel good for skin?

One of the best chemical exfoliants is a chemical peel. Chemical peel benefits include brightened skin, smoother skin and softer skin.