It used to be that if you wanted to use chemical exfoliants – acids that dissolve dead cells on your skin’s top layer, making it appear brighter and smoother — serums were your best bet. And while they still are in many cases, there has been an uptick in the proliferation of exfoliating facial pads. Dr. Dennis Gross’ cult fave Alpha Beta Universal daily peel pads were the only effective option for a while, but the high price point has been a barrier to entry for many. Luckily, there’s a noticeable abundance of options now — which means you can snag these effective, convenient facial pads at a price that best suits your own budget. They’re a great way to slather your skin in yummy AHA and BHA goodness — with ingredients like glycolic acid, lactic acid and more helping to smooth and brighten skin — all in a convenient package.Using these formulas can also clear any debris that may be preventing your skin care products from properly absorbing, meaning that products like moisturizers and serum can penetrate even more effectively. This can be especially beneficial during the dry winter months, when skin can be extra parched, flaky and ridden with buildup.Thanks to these easy pads, it’s never been easier to get the glass skin of your dreams. Keep reading to snag one the option that’s best for your unique, individual skin.YourHealthMatters.Your SupportFuelsOur MissionYour SupportFuelsOur MissionProtecting your well-being requires facts, not fiction. With health misinformation on the rise and independent journalism under pressure, your support is more important than ever. Join our membership program today.We remain committed to providing you with the unflinching, fact-based journalism everyone deserves.Thank you again for your support along the way. We’re truly grateful for readers like you! Your initial support helped get us here and bolstered our newsroom, which kept us strong during uncertain times. Now as we continue, we need your help more than ever. We hope you will join us once again.We remain committed to providing you with the unflinching, fact-based journalism everyone deserves.Thank you again for your support along the way. We’re truly grateful for readers like you! Your initial support helped get us here and bolstered our newsroom, which kept us strong during uncertain times. Now as we continue, we need your help more than ever. We hope you will join us once again.Join HuffPostAlready a member? Log in to hide these messages.AmazonA K-beauty cult-faveFew items have impressed me as much as these cult-favorite toning facial pads. Since using them, I've ditched my traditional AHA serums for these bad boys, and my skin has never looked better. The Medicube pads are designed to help exfoliate, balance and brighten skin while reducing oil production, minimizing breakouts and refining the look of pores. They are formulated with powerful alpha and beta hydroxy acids like white willow bark, vitamin C and calming botanical extracts like lavender to soothe skin.My skin is softer, smoother and has a really noticeable glow. Most importantly, I’ve detected a decrease in melasma, which has plagued me since my pregnancy. They’re incredibly potent, and it’s very obvious to me why they’re so popular. I’ve tried out other exfoliating pads and can confidently say that these are just as, if not more, effective at a fraction of the price. They've been a game-changer for my skin in the last couple of months, and I just hope they don't sell out now that the secret's out!SephoraAn affordable and accessible option from a dependable brandThese gentle First Aid Beauty pads are formulated with glycolic and lactic acids, so you can enjoy the many potent benefits from these trusted ingredients. Lemon peel and Indian gooseberry brighten and even tone gently, leaving skin glowing, smooth and ready for the rest of your skin care and makeup products.Promising review: "A must have! Absolutely repurchase this over and over! The best exfoliating pads i’ve tried! Love to use this before doing my makeup and it makes my skin smooth, hydrated, and glowy. I also have sensitive skin and this actually helps my skin with breakouts and sensitivity!" — Kenz227SephoraThe O.G. that launched 1,000 imitatorsI can't leave out the OGs! Each Dr. Dennis Gross treatment contains two pads: one to exfoliate and smooth your skin, and one that provides anti-aging benefits. The pads are pre-dosed with five acids, including glycolic, salicylic and lactic, that each work to reduce dullness and uneven texture, pores and hyperpigmentation. They are on the stronger side, so you should work you way up to using these regularly.Promising review: "I loved it! I started seeing a noticeable difference in just five days. My skin looks smoother, brighter, and more even. It didn’t irritate my skin, and I really feel like it’s improving my texture and giving me a healthy glow. Totally worth it!" — aroojbanoAmazonA solid must-have from a beloved luxury brandThese resurfacing facial pads by Elemis are a great and easy addition to your skin care routine. They harness the power of lactic acid, a super-effective alpha hydroxy acid known to brighten and exfoliate skin, along with nourishing probiotics and smoothing enzymes to leave skin looking and feeling as soft as a baby's bum. They're designed to be gentle enough to use daily but effective enough to reduce the look of hyperpigmentation and can help to brighten and even out your skin when used consistently over time.Promising review: "Must have for women over 30! This product has CHANGED my skin. Reducing dark spots, pores, and any other signs of aging. I have rebought this product multiple times. Perfection." — JennyDermstoreA well priced option from reader-beloved brand StriVectinThese incredibly highly-rated pads are piquing my interest. They're formulated with a very potent blend of acids that include AHAs, PHAs, BHAs and tranexamic acid. They can help to leave skin clear, smooth and bright with just once a day usage. It does have a mild citrus scent, but reviewers seem to enjoy it.Promising review: "I would give this more than 5 stars if I could, this reminds me or a more expensive peel, but it really does a great job of exfoliating my skin and general enough that I could use it daily, my skin is nice and glowing, acne scars are less pronounced and you can’t beat the price really, I was paying a lot more DDG so I am very happy." — Amazon customerSephoraIndividually packaged pads that are a great option for travel daysObsessed with the cult-fave Paula's Choice BHA toner? You're in luck, because these handy pads are pre-soaked in the beloved formula of 2% BHAs, green tea extract and methylpropanediol. The BHAs slough off skin buildup and fight acne-causing bacteria while the green tea extract is a powerful antioxidant that can soothe and calm skin. Methylpropanediol drenches the skin in hydration and can even help to prevent moisture loss, leaving skin soft and glowy. It's another great option for travel!Promising review: "I love these for taking on travel with me over the liquid bottle!! It also feels like the pads do a mini exfoliating as well, the material is very gentle and is soaked with enough BHA that I apply to my face and neck with just one sheet!!" — Chips86SephoraA powerful formulation that can help with multiple skin issuesI'm a big fan of SkinFix's hydrating moisturizer, so it's no surprise that shoppers are raving about the brand's exfoliating pads. They harness the power of glycolic, lactic and salicylic acids along with niacinamide to exfoliate, clean pores and refine texture with one easy swipe. These pads can even help to reduce rough texture, KP, acne, dark spots and even fungal acne. They can even be used on your body as well. Promising reviews: "I have purchased these pads multiple times, I love them so much. For me, they help most with texture and hyperpigmentation. Whenever my skin needs a pick-me-up, these are a must!" — Shawntelli"I use the pads for my body - during my period or multiple days of heavy workouts / sweating, I usually get body acne all over. (Chest, back, arms, etc) This product, paired with the Skinfix 2% BHA, (I use in shower as dual body wash) is a holy grail and tames any breakouts right away. I don’t really use it for my face - solely body, but I can tell a HUGE difference during body breakouts when I use this versus when I don’t. 100% recommend." — Rosemarie99SephoraExfoliating pads that one reviewer called "perfection"Get all the benefits of glycolic, mandelic and even fruit acids with these gentle resurfacing pads from Innbeauty Project. Ectoin, qqualane, and peptide can help to smooth fine lines, wrinkles and support the skin barrier — a must during the dry winter months. They're on the pricier side, but the high-performance ingredients speak for themselves. These pads even have a finger pocket to make it easy to use and have a luxurious, oversized shape. Promising review: "These pads are perfection! As someone who likes to use exfoliating toner pads to prep my skin for makeup about every other day, these really deliver! They are gentle enough for daily use and leave my skin feeling so hydrated you’d never know it was also exfoliating! The ingredient list is top tier and includes those I seek out when searching out products. After using for almost 3 weeks, I can see a difference in the texture of my skin a truly look forward to using these!" — MonicaonsocialSephoraA "holy grail" option for people with acne-prone skinIf you're someone with acne-prone skin, then you may want to give these Peter Thomas Roth pads a try. They're formulated with 2% salicylic acid and glycolic acid that not only can help to clear pimples, but it can even help minimize the look of pores and textures. It's also infused with alo and allantoin to soothe irritated, inflamed skin. One reviewer called it their "holy grail."Promising review: "I’ve been using these correction pads for 2 months now. I had hormonal acne on my jawline that I couldn’t get rid of. I started seeing improvements after week one and most of my acne is gone now." — ADavis1SephoraIndividually packaged pads from a celebrity-beloved brandI, along with several celebs, am a big fan of Summer Fridays products, so I'm excited to see that the brand has come out with its own daily exfoliating pads. Unlike other pads, they are individually wrapped as opposed to being in jars, which makes them extra convenient for travel. They've been formulated in Korea with AHAs and PHAs to help give skin a smooth texture, even tone and added brightness. Hydrating glycerin keeps the skin soft and hydrated. Promising review: "These became a staple in my skincare routine! They are so gentle and I use them every morning after washing my skin & doing gua sha. It really does give that “post facial” look. I use retinol at night and it has caused zero irritation. These are the perfect pre makeup prep! They don’t leave my skin dry at all. Highly recommend!" — Ashb3