When you hear the term exfoliate, you probably imagine rough and grainy scrubs that can be tough on skin. That’s why their makers encourage only sporadic use. But sloughing off those dead skin cells doesn’t have to cause a complexion uproar. Not if you invest in exfoliating moisturizers instead.
Basically, it’s like getting the best of both worlds. Exfoliating moisturizers rely on more gentle forms of exfoliation to reveal more radiant skin. Plus, they’re packed with hydration powerhouses like hyaluronic acid, squalane and jojoba oil.
To prevent any irritation, many of them also include soothing ingredients. Think aloe, shea butter and even cactus fruit extract. There are also nighttime treatments so you can sleep your way to better skin.
Here are the best exfoliating moisturizers for hydrated, glowing skin.
Exfoliating Moisturizers
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Kate Somerville
ExfoliKate Glow Moisturizer, $65 at Sephora
Kate Somerville’s exfoliating moisturizer contains glycolic and lactic acids along with pineapple, pumpkin and papaya enzymes to slough away dead surface skin. Squalane keeps skin moisturized, while cactus fruit extract soothes so you don’t have to worry about irritating your delicate complexion.
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Joanna Vargas
Daily Hydrating Cream, $75 at Joanna Vargas
Give your skin a boost with Joanna Vargas’ exfoliating moisturizer. It relies on naturally-derived galactoarabinan to exfoliate your complexion. With jojoba oil, shea butter, oat amino protein and avocado oil, your skin will be moisturized and absolutely glowing.
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Dr. Dennis Gross
Alpha Beta Exfoliating Moisturizer, $68 at Dr. Dennis Gross
Boasting five powerful yet gentle exfoliating acids, this moisturizer will really get you glowing. Throw in squalane to help lock in hydration along with anti-aging actives to nourish your complexion and you can see why this pick is so popular.
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CeraVe
SA Cream for Rough & Bumpy Skin, $23.99 at Ulta Beauty
This cream actually exfoliates and moisturizes while restoring your skin barrier. It’s all thanks to a combo of salicylic and lactic acids plus a selection of ceramides. Since it’s super gentle, it won’t freak out even the most sensitive skin.
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SkinCeuticals
Renew Overnight Dry, $62 at SkinCeuticals
Suffering from dry skin? Meet your new favorite treatment. It’s enhanced with a 10 percent hydroxy acid blend to gently exfoliate. Meanwhile aloe, chamomile and rose oil soothe and nourish your skin while you sleep.
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Odacité
Beautiful Day Moisturizer, $75 at Odacité
With salicylates from willow bark, this best exfoliating moisturizer won’t upset easily irritated complexions. (Especially since it also has organic aloe.) Plus, organic virgin coconut oil and organic jojoba oil help your skin stay hydrated.
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Acure
Resurfacing Dewy All Day Moisturizer, $18.99 at Target
The gentle glycolic acid in this formula means you can use it on the daily. It doesn’t hurt that there’s also hydration hero hemp seed oil and soothing shea butter.
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ClarityRx
Call Me In The Morning Soothing Recovery Cream, $68 at DermStore
Eliminate dead skin cells overnight with this soothing cream. Alpha hydroxy acids exfoliate, aloe vera supports skin repair and vitamin A encourages cell renewal and collagen production. There’s even hyaluronic acid to maintain moisture levels so you can rest easy.
