6 Best PHA Products to Gently Exfoliate Sensitive Skin

08.07.2026, 18:21 allure.com

When it comes to exfoliants, you no longer have to choose between brighter skin and a happy skin barrier. The best PHA products deliver both, gently whisking away dead skin cells while helping skin stay comfortable. "PHAs, or polyhydroxy acids, are a type of chemical exfoliant—and what makes them special is that they slough off surface buildup much more gently than other acids," says Mamina Turegano, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New Orleans. The most common PHAs you'll spot on ingredient labels are gluconolactone, lactobionic acid, and galactose.

Like alpha hydroxy acids, PHAs work on the skin's surface to smooth texture and brighten the complexion, but “their larger molecular structures reduce the risk of deep penetration through the epidermis, making them a particularly gentle exfoliating option for dry, sensitive, or easily irritated skin,” says Carlos Vieira, a board-certified dermatologist based in Philadelphia. Better yet, "they also act as humectants, meaning they attract water to the skin," adds Dr. Turegano, so you get brighter and hydrated skin with less irritation. The only catch is that PHAs aren't a replacement for pore-clearing salicylic acid (betahydroxy acids are oil-soluble and dive deeper into pores to dissolve excess oil and congestion, making them a better fit for acne-prone skin).

Ahead, we've rounded up the Allure-approved PHA serums, toners, pads, and exfoliants that leave skin smoother and brighter without compromising your moisture barrier.

Eadem

Amazon

Sephora

Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying the Eadam Cashmere Peel Milky Exfoliant & Hydrating Essence

Why it's worth it: A winner of our 2024 Best of Beauty Award, Eadem’s Cashmere Peel Milky Exfoliating & Hydrating Essence stars the brand's proprietary FastFade Complex, which combines gluconolactone, lactic acid, azelaic acid, tranexamic acid, and citric acid to “visibly even skin tone by gently sweeping away dull, pigment-packed surface cells to reveal brighter skin underneath,” says Dr. Vieira.

“It's the perfect pick for anyone dealing with stubborn post-breakout marks or melasma but still wanting that smooth, glowy 'fresh skin' without adding five extra steps to their routine,” he says. "What really makes this formula stand out is how soothing it feels.” Panthenol calms inflammation and supports the skin barrier, while rice water, colloidal oatmeal extract, and glycerin add an extra layer of comfort. It simply feels nice too: "The texture is lightweight, milky, and silky on the skin with an elegant finish,” he says.

Han before applying the Eadam Cashmere Peel Milky Exfoliant & Hydrating Essence

Han after applying the Eadam Cashmere Peel Milky Exfoliant & Hydrating Essence

Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han

“Not only do I love the substantial texture of a milky toner, but the Cashmere Peel offers the best of both worlds—hydrating and exfoliating—it really goes above and beyond. It leaves my skin with a visible glow that even my phone camera can pick up, but more importantly, it sloughs away dead skin cells and makes my almightily annoying nose blackheads less noticeable. My skin does feel a bit tacky afterward, but I think it helps my serum, moisturizing sunscreen, and makeup apply all the better and smoother.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor

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Glow Recipe

Amazon

Sephora

Allure senior staff writer Elizabeth Gulino applying the Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner

Why it’s worth it: Inspired by the Korean aqua peel facial—a treatment similar to a HydraFacial that deeply cleanses, exfoliates, and floods skin with hydrating serums—Glow Recipe’s Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner delivers a gentler at-home alternative. It won't replicate the dramatic results of an in-office treatment, but it does nudge skin toward that same hydrated, glassy glow with minimal irritation. The formula “combines gentle 3% gluconolactone paired with betaine salicylate (a naturally derived BHA) to clear congested pores,” says Dr. Turegano. (BHA, which you might know as salicylic acid, is oil-soluble, so it can penetrate and clear out clogged pores from within.) A 62% “blend of watermelon extract and cactus water, along with glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and polyglutamic acid, keeps skin feeling soothed, hydrated, and balanced,” she adds.

Gulino before applying the Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner

Gulino after applying the Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner

Tester feedback from senior staff writer Elizabeth Gulino

“This exfoliating toner works magic on my pores—I usually apply it with a cotton pad and am left with smooth and hydrated skin. While the scent of watermelon in this product is definitely noticeable, it's a plus if you're into fruity, summery fragrances.” —Elizabeth Gulino, senior staff writer

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SkinCeuticals

SkinCeuticals

Dermstore

Bluemercury

Why it's worth it: The peptides in this 2025 Best of Beauty Award winner may get lots of love, but they don't deserve all the credit for the formula’s smoothing abilities. The SkinCeuticals P-Tiox Serum also packs 5% gluconolactone, along with 5% niacinamide to even out hyperpigmentation and support the skin barrier and 1% laminaria digitata extract (“derived from sea kelp extract, which delivers antioxidant protection,” Rachel Westbay, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, previously told Allure). Together, they target aging skin from multiple angles, improving texture and luminosity while “softening the appearance of expression lines and wrinkles," says Dr. Turegano.

Allure editor in chief Jessica Cruel applying the SkinCeuticals P-Tiox

Cruel after applying the SkinCeuticals P-Tiox

Tester feedback from editor in chief Jessica Cruel

“There is a combination of peptides, niacinamide, and PHA in this serum to help target a very specific sign of aging: expression lines. As someone who loves to laugh, I am particularly concerned about my nasolabial folds a.k.a. smile lines. I use this serum so they don't get any worse. I have to say, I find my filler is lasting a lot longer in that area. It is not a complete replacement for aesthetic treatments like filler or neurotoxin, but this serum can complement those in-office treatments as maintenance. I like to switch off between this and my retinol.” —Jessica Cruel, editor in chief

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Some by Mi

Amazon

Ulta Beauty

Why it's worth it: Ask an Allure editor where they first fell for PHAs, and don't be surprised if the answer starts with K-beauty, as Korean skincare has long prioritized gentle, barrier-conscious formulas that don't skimp on results. Some By Mi's AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Truecica Clear Pads are a bit stronger than your average PHA formula, so we'd stick to using them once or twice a week. That’s because lactobionic acid works in tandem with 0.5% betaine salicylate (a gentler BHA derived from beets), citric acid, and 85% willow bark water to smooth rough texture, clear clogged pores, and rein in excess oil. While the PHA provides gentle resurfacing and hydration, tea tree and the brand's soothing Truecica complex, spotlighting Centella asiatica, calm and balance acne-prone and oily skin.

Allure commerce market editor Sarah Hoffmann using the Some by Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Truecica Clear Pad

Hoffmann after using the Some by Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Truecica Clear Pad

Tester feedback from commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann

“I treat these toner pads like a first aid kit for my skin. Whenever I'm inconsistent about skin care, the first place the neglect starts to show is around my nose and chin, where I'm prone to clogged pores. Whenever I notice this kind of congestion, a day or two of using these exfoliating pads clears that right up. My skin is pretty sensitive, so I appreciate how these toner pads are perfectly dosed with the right amount of product, so I don't need to stress about over-exfoliating. The first time I used these after a week of not-so-great skin, I woke up the next day and genuinely thought, ‘Well, that made my skin perfect.'" —Sarah Hoffmann, commerce producer

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The Inkey List

Amazon

Sephora

Allure contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee applying The Inkey List PHA Toner

Why it's worth it: Known for its less-is-more approach to skin care, The Inkey List has built its reputation on making active ingredients easy to understand—and The Inkey List PHA Toner, aptly named for its hero ingredient, is a prime example. The straightforward formula doesn't try to do too much beyond its core ingredients, which include “a lower concentration of 3% gluconolactone to gently smooth rough skin texture,” says Dr. Vieira. It’s paired with 3% niacinamide to brighten and support the skin barrier, while aloe vera and glycerin replenish moisture so skin never feels stripped. Sensitive skin types will especially appreciate the gentle approach, as will anyone dealing with redness or rosacea, according to Dr. Turegano.

Lee before applying The Inkey List PHA Toner

Lee after applying The Inkey List PHA Toner

Tester feedback from contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee

“The Inkey List PHA Toner is about as uncomplicated as a toner gets. There's no sting, no irritation, no sticky residue, and no scent, so it gets to work smoothing away rough, built-up skin without making my sensitive skin unhappy. I did notice a tiny bit of pilling before makeup one morning, but I suspect that had more to do with all the dead skin it was lifting (and me not giving it quite enough time to dry) than the formula itself. Its travel-friendly size makes it easy to bring along wherever you go—I'm almost out for toting this around and definitely need to restock." —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer

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Mara

Amazon

Sephora

Bluemercury

Allure beauty director Sarah Kinonen applying the Mara Flower Acid Algae Serum

Why it's worth it: If you already have dry skin, the last thing you want is an exfo