Pros: Gently exfoliates without scrubbing; soothes with witch hazel; easy to use
Cons: Pricey
Two dermatologists that we spoke to listed these single-use pads as the best bikini exfoliator on the market because they’re easy to use and gentle enough for sensitive skin. Each wipe contains glycolic acid (an AHA) and salicylic acid (a BHA). These ingredients slough away dead skin cells without any sort of scrubbing, which can cut up the bikini line, while witch hazel soothes.
“The acids help to prevent razor bumps and reduce subsequent blemishing,” says Y. Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm in New York City. Tsippora Shainhouse, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist at SkinSafe Dermatology and Skin Care in Beverly Hills, recommends using the wipes no more than one to two times per week.
“I’ve been a huge fan of these pads for a few years now,” says Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary. “With one swipe, you can almost immediately feel them working, and after the formula dries down, my skin almost immediately looks less red. After continued use, I’ve noticed less bumps and irritation. My skin looks a lot smoother post-shave, and I actually can’t remember the last time I had an ingrown hair.”
Type: Chemical exfoliator / Form: Single-use pads / Key ingredients: Glycolic acid, salicylic acid
How to use: A day after shaving or waxing, swipe a pad over clean, dry skin along the bikini line,underarms or legs. If the product is too drying, rinse it off after 10 minutes and layer it with a moisturizer. Limit your sun exposure, and apply SPF following product use for at least a week.
