Dull, tired-looking skin is a common worry as the days get shorter, and a good exfoliating step is often the quickest way to bring back a little glow. From a budget-friendly weekly peel to a sugar-polish scrub that smells like a summer drink, here are four picks for a brighter-looking complexion.
1. The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution 30ml
A cult-favourite, wallet-friendly peel for anyone who wants professional-feeling exfoliation at home, with a deep red formula that’s hard to mistake for anything else.
- Formula: A blend of 30% alpha hydroxy acids (glycolic, lactic, tartaric and citric) with 2% salicylic acid, plus hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5 and Tasmanian pepperberry to keep skin comfortable.
- Finish: Brighter, smoother and more even-looking, with a soothing, comfortable feel once rinsed off.
- Good to know: It’s a 10-minute treatment designed for use no more than twice a week in the evening, and it isn’t recommended for very sensitive or compromised skin, so patch test first.
2. Ole Henriksen Dewtopia 20% Acid Night Treatment 30ml
A leave-on option for those who prefer to let their exfoliant work while they sleep, with a lemony scent that makes bedtime feel a little more treat-like.
- Formula: 10% AHAs and 10% PHAs with lemon enzyme, supported by aloe juice, cotton water and birch sap to hydrate as it refines.
- Finish: A velvety, custard-like texture that leaves skin looking smoother and more luminous by morning.
- Good to know: It’s vegan, and the brand’s suggested routine uses it two to three times a week at night.
3. Allies of Skin Mandelic Advanced Pigmentation Corrector Night Serum 1fl. oz
The luxe pick of the bunch, aimed at uneven tone and texture, and ideal if you want gentle exfoliation and hydration in a single overnight step.
- Formula: Mandelic acid combined with AHAs and BHAs, alongside niacinamide, vitamin B5, hyaluronic acid and botanical oils.
- Finish: Skin looks smoother, brighter and more radiant by morning, with a more even-looking complexion.
- Good to know: Shake well, apply one to three pumps to the face and neck at night, avoid the eye area, and wear SPF the next day.
4. Ole Henriksen Strawberry Lemonade Smoothing Scrub 90g
The most traditional scrub here, and the most fun, with a slushy texture and a sweet strawberry lemonade scent that turns exfoliating into a little ritual.
- Formula: Ultra-fine sugar exfoliants and 10% AHAs, including glycolic and lactic acids, with lemon peel extract and soothing holy basil and chamomile.
- Finish: Polished and smooth, with skin looking more even-toned and pores looking less visible.
- Good to know: It combines physical and chemical exfoliation in one step, so it’s a handy all-in-one if you don’t want to layer separate products.
Whether you go for The Ordinary’s budget-friendly peel or Ole Henriksen’s strawberry-scented scrub, these four picks make it easy to chase brighter, smoother-looking skin.