Exfoliation has forever been a well-known and used part of our skincare routines. But did you know that there are two types of exfoliation? Yep, that’s right. There are both mechanical exfoliation and chemical exfoliation.
We all know what mechanical exfoliation is. It usually involves some sort of beads or sugars in a formula that scrubs the dead skin off of your face. While this somewhat does work, new research has come out saying that this method of exfoliation is not the best for your skin. It can actually create small abrasions in the skin that damage it in the long run.
That is why the skincare community has mostly switched over to using chemical exfoliation. Instead of scrubbing dead skin cells off of the skin, chemical exfoliators loosen these particles for them to fall off on their own. They are much gentler than mechanical exfoliators. This makes them especially helpful for people with sensitive or acne-prone skin.
This “skin perfector” uses a 10% blend of skincare acids to loosen and remove dead skin.
One of the most popular chemical exfoliators on the market today is the Glossier Solution. It includes AHA’s, BHA’s, and PHA’s which loosen dead skin cells and unclog pores. However, this product is not as easily accessible as you might have hoped for. Often times it gets sold out and it is not really sold in stores. Not to mention that it is more on the expensive side. Because of this, you may find yourself turning to look for a lower-cost, more accessible dupe.
That is why we’ve rounded up the best dupes for the Glossier Solution. Our favorite is The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution.
The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution
This peeling solution is potent and helps to exfoliate, fade dark spots and unveil a brighter, smoother complexion.
The Ordinary is easily now one of the most popular skincare brands in the beauty community. Their products are all great for your skin and don’t have any harmful ingredients in them. Plus, they are super budget-friendly. The AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution is an excellent chemical exfoliator that is a dupe for the Glossier Solution.
This chemical exfoliator quickly unclogs your pores and creates a radiant glow to your skin. This product is known for its signature red tint and it’s even dubbed the “vampire facial.” One thing people love about this product is that it has transformational results quickly. So you don’t have to wait weeks upon weeks to actually know if the product is working or not. It is great for mature skin, as it fights signs of aging such as wrinkles and fine lines. It doesn’t contain alcohol, parabens, sulfates, and other harmful ingredients. Also, it is cruelty-free and vegan.
When using this product, make sure you are only leaving it on for the recommended amount of time which is 10 minutes. When users left it on for longer, it left their skin feeling and looking red and irritated.
Pros:
- Unclogs pores
- Quick results
- Great for mature skin
- Does not contain harmful ingredients like alcohol and parabens
- Cruelty-free and vegan
- Affordable
Cons:
- Can irritate the skin if left on for too long
Where to buy it: Amazon
Pixi Glow Tonic
Pixi Glow Tonic is a concentrated facial toner that deeply cleans your pores by eliminating excess oil and impurities.
The Pixi Glow Tonic is a common dupe for a lot of high-end expensive toners and chemical exfoliators. It is an excellent well-rounded product for clearing your skin in a way that won’t cause any irritation.
This product is formulated with 5% Glycolic Acid which is the ingredient that aids in exfoliating the skin and getting rid of any dead skin cells. It also gives a youthful, radiant glow to the skin. Also formulated in this product is aloe vera. Aloe vera nourishes and moisturizes the skin. This is essential because exfoliation usually dries out the skin to some degree. This product helps a lot with evening out both the complexion and texture of your skin. It is suitable for all skin types and it is cruelty-free.
One of the major downfalls of this product is the scent. It is very heavily fragranced which could be a dealbreaker to some people. Something else that reviewers say is that this product didn’t give them fast enough results to justify purchasing again.
Pros:
- Gives a youthful, radiant glow to the skin
- Very moisturizing
- Evens out complexion and skin texture
- Suitable for all skin types
- Cruelty-free
Cons:
- Heavily fragranced
- Some didn’t experience quick results
Where to buy it: Amazon
The Inkey List Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Toner
This 10 percent glycolic acid exfoliating toner helps to reduce the appearance of pores and fine lines.
The Inkey List is sold at Sephora and is on the more affordable side. They have tons of amazing skincare products. One of which is the Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Toner which happens to be a dupe for the Glossier Solution.
This product is 10% Glycolic Acid in it which helps to visibly reduce pores, fine lines, and wrinkles. It also makes your skin look and feel much more smooth and supple. It is suitable for all skin types ranging from super dry to super oily. It is even great for people with sensitive or acne-prone skin. It is a lightweight liquid formula that doesn’t feel heavy on the skin. It also has witch hazel in it which aids in controlling excess oils on the skin. The Inkey List is a certified cruelty-free brand.
This is another product that is too heavily fragranced for a lot of people. Also, if you use too much, it can leave behind a sticky residue.
Pros:
- Reduces pores, fine lines, and wrinkles
- Suitable for all skin types
- Good for sensitive skin
- Doesn’t feel heavy on the skin
- Contains witch hazel which controls excess oil
- Cruelty-free
- Affordable
Cons:
- Heavily fragranced
- Can leave behind a sticky residue
Where to buy it: Sephora
E.L.F. Cosmetics Gentle Peeling Exfoliant
This cleanser is formulated with tangerine, papaya, and licorice extracts to gently peels away dead skin, leaving behind healthy, glowing skin.
E.L.F. Cosmetics is mainly known for producing high-quality drugstore makeup for an affordable price. But did you know that they also make skincare products? The Gentle Peeling Exfoliant is a fan favorite that is also a great dupe for the Glossier Solution.
This chemical exfoliant loosens the dead skin cells and leaves your skin looking radiant and glowy. It is formulated with tangerine, papaya, and licorice extracts for added nourishment and hydration. It provides very quick results that users love. One of the biggest results of this product is that it improves the texture of the skin. It is very gentle and does not cause a lot of irritation, so it is great for sensitive skin. Also, E.L.F. Cosmetics is cruelty-free and vegan!
One of the things users dislike about this product is that it didn’t have transformational results. They might have seen a small difference in their skin but nothing to justify repurchasing. However, this was only present in a handful of users. Others found it did wonders for their skin. Also, the packaging tends to break, fall apart, or not work easily.
Pros:
- Leaves skin looking radiant and glowy
- Hydrating
- Quick results
- Improves texture of the skin
- Great for sensitive skin
- Cruelty-free and vegan
- Budget-friendly
Cons:
- Some users didn’t notice a huge difference in their skin
- Not great packaging
Where to buy it: Amazon
Pacifica Clean Shot BHA/AHA 25% Peel Solution
This peel solution is formulated with glycolic acid, vegan lactic acid, willow bark, salicylic acid, turmeric, basil, azadirachta flower, and eggplant to dissolve the dirt and debris in your pores.
Pacifica is a commonly known brand at the drugstore, and some of their products are sort of hit or miss. The Clean Shot BHA/AHA 25% Peel Solution is definitely a hit, and it’s a great dupe for the Glossier Solution.
This product is made with tons of amazing, skin-loving ingredients. Some of which include salicylic acid, glycolic acid, vegan lactic acid, turmeric, and more. It helps to dissolve any dead skin cells, dirt, or debris that may be present on your skin. It also reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, so it is great for more mature skin. It is suitable for all skin types ranging from super dry to super oily. Also, it is cruelty-free and vegan. Not to mention it is very affordable.
One of the things I want to point out about this product is the scent. Some say it smells good, but to a lot of people, it is going to come off as very heavily fragranced. If this is an issue for you, I would stay away from this product.
Pros:
- Dissolves dead skin cells, dirt, and debris on the skin
- Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- Great for all skin types
- Cruelty-free and vegan
- Affordable
Cons:
- Heavily fragranced
Where to buy it: Ulta
Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid is a gentle leave-on exfoliant with salicylic acid that quickly unclogs pores, smooths wrinkles, and brightens your skin.
Although Paula’s Choice products tend to be within the same price range as Glossier’s products, I still wanted to include it on this list. For the price, they are well worth buying. In my opinion, they are even better than Glossier products. So let’s talk about the Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant.
This chemical exfoliant has noticeably improved the skin’s complexion for so many users. This includes improving any discoloration or other skin imperfections that may be present. Also, it evens out the texture of the skin making it feel much smoother. It has salicylic acid in it which minimizes the appearance of pores, fine lines, and wrinkles. This makes it a great product for those with more mature skin. It is also formulated with green tea extract which reduces inflammation and redness in the skin. This product is free from any parabens, sulfates, oils, fragrance, and other harmful ingredients. Also, it is cruelty-free and vegan.
An obvious con for this product is the price. It is completely understandable that it is out of some people’s budget. But, if you do have some extra cash to spend, this is definitely worth it. Something that users dislike about this product is that, if you use too much, it can leave a sticky residue behind.
Pros:
- Improves discoloration
- Evens out the texture of the skin
- Reduces the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and pores
- Reduces inflammation in the skin
- Free from harmful ingredients like parabens, fragrance, and more
- Cruelty-free and vegan
Cons:
- Out of some people’s budget
- Can leave behind a sticky residue if you use too much
Where to buy it: Amazon
Final Thoughts
Although the Glossier solution is a cult favorite, it just might not be accessible to a lot of people. Out of all the dupes on this list, we hope you found one that works you and your unique skin type. Our favorite is The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution. But you really can’t go wrong with any of the other dupes we’ve listed!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of a chemical exfoliant?
Chemical exfoliants tend to quickly aid in reducing discoloration in the skin. This results in a much more even complexion. This also holds true in evening out the texture of the skin. It is great for people with acne-prone skin since it tends to reduce the number of breakouts on the skin. It is also great for mature skin as it fights signs of aging such as fine lines and wrinkles.
What are some common ingredients in chemical exfoliants?
There are a bunch of different ingredients found in chemical exfoliants. But some of the popular ones are different acids, as they are the actual ingredients that do the exfoliating. These are BHA’s, AHA’s, and PHA’s. Some other popular ingredients include green tea extract, aloe vera, and more.
What is the best way to apply a chemical exfoliant?
The easiest way to apply a chemical exfoliant is with a cotton pad. Apply a small amount to a cotton pad and apply it gently to your entire face. This should be done after cleansing your skin but before moisturizing.