5 of the Best Exfoliating Pads for Smoother, Brighter and Glowier Skin, Daily
Sadaf Razi is Adore Beauty's Senior Beauty Editor.
She's a former fashion editor (who worked at various glossy mags) and stylist-turned digital beauty and lifestyle writer. She has been in the lifestyle/media industry for over 10 years and her work has also been featured on international covers like Elle France and Vanity Fair Mexico.
Some of her fave Adore Beauty products include Cicaplast B5, CeraVe Cleansing Oil and Lancôme Renergie Triple Serum.
If your skin has been looking a little lacklustre lately - think texture, congestion, or that frustratingly flat kind of dullness, daily exfoliating pads might just be the low-effort answer your routine has been missing.
Pre-soaked with skin-boosting ingredients (think glycolic acid, fruit enzymes etc.), they're designed to gently resurface dull skin by sweeping away dead skin cells.
Fuss-free and perfect for daily use, these swipe-and-go pads are an easy entry point if you’re not quite ready for a strong chemical exfoliant.
Basically, they're an instant face lift. Personally, I love using them for a bit of an instant glow up before makeup application or after a sweaty walk.
Below, we’ve rounded up five of the best exfoliating pads to slot into your daily routine for clearer, smoother, hydrated and glowier-looking skin.
Are Exfoliating Pads Good for Your Skin?
What are the benefits of exfoliant pads?
Often formulated with hardworking yet skin-friendly actives like glycolic acid pads and salicylic acid, they help to unclog pores, smooth uneven texture and keep post-workout breakouts at bay, all while being gentle enough for regular use.
When to Use Exfoliating Pads?
They are great for daily use, but another great hack we were recently given by our skincare team is that they're also the ultimate gym bag essential!
Perfect for a quick skin reset after a sweaty session, whether you’re heading straight home or jumping back into the car. And yes, they’re even a great fuss-free option for men too, especially those who want a simple, effective way to keep breakout-causing bacteria in check between workouts and showers.
Best Exfoliating Wipes for Face
What are the best exfoliating pads? Here’s just five to add to cart now...
1. First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads, $34
Fast facts:
- Good for: sensitive skins
- Contains 28 gentle exfoliating pads
- Is infused with AHAs to brighten and tone skin
- Key ingredients include: glycolic and lactic acids to exfoliate skin and help it appear brighter and improve texture. Also includes:
- Lemon peel: Helps brighten skin’s appearance
- Cucumber water: Helps cool and soothe skin
- Indian gooseberry: Helps tone skin
- Licorice root: Rich in antioxidants. Help protect skin from environmental aggressors
- Over time, skin is revealed to be radiant and smooth
- Is also vegan-friendly and non-comedogenic, so it won’t clog pores. It’s also suitable for all skin types including sensitive skins
First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads reviews:
"Great pads for combination, acne prone skin." - AB customer PK
"I've used these before and they make your skin feel so nice and smooth. Love them so much." - AB customer
2. Société Clear Skin Boosting Pads, $135
Fast facts:
- Good for: those with blemish-prone skin
- Contains a triple blend of AHI’s including glycolic acid lactic acid and mandelic acid
- Helps improve skin texture and even complexion
Société Clear Skin Boosting Pads reviews:
"These pads are so easy to use and effective at exfoliating. They leave my skin brighter and smoother, reducing the appearance of dark spots over time. Definitely a game changer for glowing skin." - AB customer Vivian
"These peel pads are a game changer for my texture and pores. They're strong but not irritating, and I always wake up with smoother, more radiant skin after using them." - AB customer Jess.
3. Mediheal Phyto-Enzyme Peeling Pad, $49
Fast facts:
- K-Beauty exfoliating pads from viral brand Mediheal
- Helps reduce the look of blackheads and minimise the look of pores
- Made from vegan gauze wipes
- How to use exfoliating pads? These can be used as an intensive 15 minute treatment or swiped onto skin as a toner
- Comes with 90 pads and is made in Korea
Mediheal Phyto-Enzyme Peeling Pad reviews:
"I have acne-prone, oily-combination skin with large pores and lots of texture. I started with patch-testing the toner pad on my arm overnight for my Keratosis Pilaris. Exfoliated first, popped it on for 15 minutes, then finished with lotion. Honestly, when I woke up, most of the bumps and texture were literally GONE. Then I tried it again as a 15-minute treatment in the morning on my face, and the moment I took it off, my skin looked almost poreless I was shocked! SO GOOD, works instantly, and sits beautifully under makeup. Definitely my new fave skincare find!!" - AB customer A.L
"Normally i dont buy those stuff but i bought it anyways and let me tell ya .. best decision ever got rid of my oily skin in less then 3 weeks."- AB customer Nea
4. Murad Blemish Control Retexturizing Body Pads, $92
Fast facts:
- Body pad treatment from dermatologist-founded brand Murad that helps smooth and soothe irritated body skin
- Good for: those tackling body breakouts, bumpy skin and ingrown hairs
- Infused with azelaic acid (rebalances), salicylic acid, glycolic acid and patented amino acid technology
- Also helps even out skin tone
- How to use body exfoliating pads? Cleanse your body and pat dry. Gently sweep one pad over targeted areas of the body for a once-a-day selfcare moment. Do not rinse.
Murad Blemish Control Retexturizing Body Pads review:
"I have used these pads now for 3 weeks and honestly i can see a big difference. My KP on my arms is almost gone and I feel confident enough to wear sleeveless tops. I do apply a moisturiser after to make it feel smoother. Definitely recommend!" - Pia, Murad customer.
5. Cosmedix PREP AND RESET: Dual-sided Lactic Acid Exfoliating Facial Pads, $129
Fast facts:
- Good exfoliating pads for mature skin
- Helps smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- Also boosts radiance and better preps skin for follow up serums and moisturisers
- Key ingredients include: niacinamide and papaya fruit extract for brighter, smoother, softer looking skin
Cosmedix PREP AND RESET: Dual-sided Lactic Acid Exfoliating Facial Pads reviews:
"These exfoliating pads have retextured my skin with impressive finesse. They eradicate congestion while leaving behind a smooth, clarified canvas devoid of irritation."- AB customer Ally
"I get an instant glow straight away, it exfoliates and helps with uneven texture.It is a fantastic addition to my skin routine." - AB customer Violet
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