10 BHA Exfoliants That *Genuinely* Work

Exfoliating has been a skincare basic for quite some time.

If healthy skin is a goal, sweeping away dead skin cells with a gentle exfoliating action will surely help you achieve a fresher look.

But, what’s actually in a good exfoliator? And what should you look for in an ingredients list?

Don’t let scientific terms scare you away from sloughing! Just a little skincare knowhow could completely revamp your complexion. A solid BHA chemical exfoliant is often recommended by the beauty community.

There’s no need to scrub at your tender skin with a gritty formula. Good BHA exfoliants are actually oil-soluble acids that cut through sebum build-up on your skin.

If you’ve been suffering with acne, oil build-up, or other imperfections, you might’ve tried Salicylic Acid. Because it can penetrate your pores and clear away debris, Salicylic Acid is a go-to BHA acne treatment for pimples and breakouts that crop up.

Not so scary, huh? Getting to know a little bit more about BHA exfoliant products could help you transform your skin.

We’ve found some of the most-loved BHA exfoliant Australia products and listed them below for you to explore.

Firstly, What Exactly is a BHA Exfoliant?

‘BHA’ is an initialism for ‘beta-hydroxy acid’. BHAs penetrate deep into your pores and help flush away debris and bacteria, leaving your skin smoother and less pimple-prone.

The best BHA exfoliant can reduce inflammation in the skin, help calm a rosacea flare-up, even out your skin’s texture, and decrease the appearance of wrinkles. Pretty impressive stuff!

From a BHA exfoliating serum to the best natural BHA exfoliant, there are a wealth of products containing BHAs for you to try.

Primarily used to ease acne and smooth out sun-damaged skin, BHAs are oil-soluble and gentle enough for even sensitive skin. And if you suffer with milia, the best BHA exfoliant will address your concerns.

Before we give you a round-up of our fave BHA exfoliants, have you heard of our exfoliator finder? Take our exfoliator quiz to find the perfect products for your needs....or continue reading our roundup below!

The 10 Best BHA Exfoliants in Australia

If you need a product to improve the overall texture of your skin, this powerful cleanser can certainly help you achieve your goal. Working to restore skin and give it a soft, supple texture, this cleanser takes a triple-action approach with the 3 exfoliating acids. You’ll get brighter skin and a clearer finish without the need for any harsh scrubbing action. Dull skin is left more radiant, and the overall skin texture is improved.

It’s not often you'll find a product that tackles acne, brightens skin, and helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Murad Age Reform AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser 200ml is one of those rare products. Suitable for all skin types, this cleanser can be used on the face and body to reveal smoother, more radiant skin. A great exfoliant for milia, this cleanser works best for people over 30 years old. Simply apply a small amount to your face, neck, and décolleté after cleansing once or twice a week for best results.

Oily patches can be seriously frustrating. They cause your makeup to slide off. Over time, excess sebum may cause you to break out. If you have blackhead-prone, oily skin, you’ll love this Alpha-H tonic. Crafted to help strengthen the skin’s microbiome and improve the appearance of acne scars, it also leaves your skin with a matte finish. Your skin looks better right from the start!

With a high concentration of Salicylic Acid and SeboClear Mp to prevent acne-causing bacteria from building up, Alpha-H Clear Skin Tonic is a great BHA exfoliant for sensitive skin that tends to break out. Liquorice helps suppress melanin production, thereby minimising pigmentation. Tea Tree, Thyme, and Eucalyptus provide a natural anti-inflammatory, antibacterial solution for the skin. Chamomile, Cucumber, and Arnica reduce swelling and ease redness. The tonic is great for all ages and the face as well as the body. Simply sweep the skin with the formula on a cotton pad every morning and night to start seeing the skin-clearing results.

Your skin deserves a little TLC. From running around in a polluted city to spending hours out in the sun, doing daily damage to your complexion can soon add up to issues. Help reveal smooth, healthy-looking skin with this K-Beauty power liquid. Crafted to accelerate the skin’s cell turnover as soon as you start using it, this formula works to reduce pores, brighten dull skin, and refine the skin’s texture.

With a selection of BHA ingredients, COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid 100ml is a gentle blend that even sensitive skin will love. Designed to help serums sink into the skin easily, this formula is dermatologically tested and won’t clog your pores. Engineered to buff and polish the skin, this formula will reveal a smooth complexion that’s free from pigmentation and blemishes. Suitable for all skin types and ages, this formula works best when applied a couple of times a week in the evening.

If you’re looking for an affordable BHA option, you know you can rely on this easy-to-use formula from award-winning brand The Ordinary. Designed to give pores a deep clean with a high concentration of Salicylic Acid, this highly absorbent blend works to regulate oily skin while targeting existing blemishes. A masque made to reduce the size of enlarged pores, this product will ease your woes when your skin breaks out. Great for all skin types (except sensitive skin), this formula evens texture to reveal smoother, healthier-looking skin.

Perfect for those in their teens, 20s, and 30s, The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque can be used once or twice a week on clean, dry skin. Leave the mask on your complexion for up to 10 minutes and the rinse thoroughly. The Squalane in the formula boosts the skin’s hydration levels. Amazonian Clay absorbs excess oil, leaving the skin shine-free and smooth. Black Charcoal and Salicylic Acid work together to clear the skin of debris, so you can enjoy flawless skin.

Can’t find anything to help clear your skin? This toner will help you get things back on track. Perfect for all skin types, this chemical exfoliating toner improves the power of your serum and makes your skin feel clean and fresh. Working to reduce the appearance of enlarged pores, this blend softens the skin and leaves it looking supple and smooth. The low pH balance ensures efficacy, and any signs of pigmentation are reduced.

If you’re looking for a powerful toner to help clear up your skin, SOME BY MI AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner 150mlcould be a great addition to your arsenal. Glycolic Acid keeps skin looking bright, and Salicylic Acid clears debris away from pores. Plus, no synthetic fragrances have been added to this potent solution, which is great for all ages. Simply pour a small amount of the product onto a cotton pad and smooth over your face, neck, and chest before bed.

A great option for addressing excessively oily skin, acne, and imperfections, this formula is also gentle enough for sensitive skin. And the micropeeling action isn’t limited to facial use! Cleanse your entire body with this formula to help tackle imperfections like bacne and… buttne? Anyone of any age can enjoy this product.

2% Salicylic Acid works to clear oil from deep in the pores, leading to smoother skin. LHA prevents future blemishes from popping up. Zinc keeps the skin looking matte and promotes healing. La Roche-Posay Effaclar Micro Peeling Cleanser 200ml also contains soothing Thermal Spring Water, which rehydrates the skin and offers it a sense of calm—perfect for a complexion that’s red and inflamed. Apply the formula to damp skin, lather up, and rinse thoroughly. Use as often as you feel your skin needs.

Radiant skin will always make you feel good. Help bring your skin back into balance with this gentle foaming cleanser. Formulated to clear blocked pores and soften the appearance of fine lines, this blend removes debris from the skin and washes away any debris. It won’t dry the skin out and you’ll enjoy a softer, smoother, more hydrated complexion after every cleanse. Suitable for all skin types, this formula gently exfoliates and cleanses the skin at the same time.

You’ll soon start to enjoy a brighter complexion when you use Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse 150ml. Perfect for all ages to enjoy, the foaming formula won’t dry skin out or leave it feeling tight and uncomfortable. A great daily exfoliator to tackle the appearance of blemishes, this cleanser works best when massaged into damp skin. For best results, use it morning and night. Follow up with your favourite serum, moisturiser, and SPF.

With a blend of Niacinamide and natural Witch Hazel, this gel treatment cleanses the skin and helps reduce the appearance of pores. Acting as an exfoliant, the gel works to prevent future blemishes from forming, and the complexion is left shine-free. Mandelic Acid and Glycolic Acid help improve the skin’s texture. And Zinc Gluconate reduces the likelihood of acne scarring. Apply a pump of the formula to the face and neck in the morning and night. Or use directly on a blemish to help it diminish.

Don’t let a bad skin day get you down. Société Blemish Clarifying Complex 59ml has a low pH and contains a unique blend of natural actives to mattify and calm the skin. A great acne treatment that all ages can enjoy, it eases hormonal acne and reduces scarring. Perfect to use as a targeted treatment, or something you slather gently over the face, this gels works quickly to reduce redness and ease inflammation.

There’s nothing like a quick face mask to help lift your look and your mood. Designed to brighten your skin with a slew of naturally occurring ingredients, this peeling mask tackles acne breakouts, excess shine, and even dull patches. Teens to the over-50s will enjoy using this product. The nourishing formula won’t dry skin out or leave you feeling tight and uncomfortable.

innisfree Green Barley Gommage Peeling Mask is a fast-acting exfoliating mask that will help reveal a brighter-looking complexion. After just one use, your skin will feel softer and more supple. Working to clear debris from your pores in just 3 minutes, this exfoliating mask leaves the skin looking and feeling smoother than ever. After cleansing your face, apply a moderate amount to your complexion and gently massage. Rinse with lukewarm water to reveal healthier-looking skin. Use a couple of times a week for best results.

Perfect for all ages and all skin types, this powerful serum tackles acne as well as helping to slow visible ageing. Sun damage can signal disaster for your skin. This formula stimulates healthy skin-cell turnover and promotes collagen production, which boosts the skin’s existing collagen reserves. Designed to help fade pigmentation and perk up a tired complexion, this formula will leave you loving the way your skin looks and feels.

 asap radiance serum is a serum that’s suitable for all skin types. A vegan formula that really packs a punch, it contains Salicylic Acid to exfoliate pores from within, fight acne breakouts, diminish acne scars and prevent future blemishes. Apply a pea-sized amount of this night-time formula to clean, dry skin and finish with your favourite moisturiser. Always wear a sunscreen the next day to keep your skin in tip-top condition.

How Often Should You Use a BHA Exfoliant?

How often you use a BHA exfoliant really depends on your skin type and the concern you want to treat. Smoothing away dead skin cells is never a bad idea.

For general skin improvement, you might feel comfortable applying an exfoliating toner BHA every morning and night.

Or you might decide to use a daily BHA exfoliating cleanser just a few times a week at first and see how it works for you.

There’s no doubt about it: blackheads and pimples negatively change the texture of your skin, which, in turn, can ruin your confidence.

If you want to target acne specifically, know that Salicylic Acid acne products will help clear your complexion and give it an overall more radiant look.

Want to know more about exfoliation? Jo takes us through all the basics of skin exfoliation in the video below...

How to Use BHA Exfoliant

How you use a BHA exfoliant depends on the product itself and your specific skin concern.

If you’re struggling with acne, the most common and highly favoured treatment to use is a Salicylic Acid BHA exfoliant.

Salicylic Acid will help calm redness and reduce inflammation caused by pimples and more. This ingredient gets inside your pores to clear them out.

Blackheads and pimples are visibly reduced when you persist with an exfoliating serum designed for acne prone skin.

The best BHA exfoliant for acne might be one that contains a high concentration of Salicylic Acid.

A more potent formula used less often could be more effective than one you use daily. It’s all about getting to know what your skin loves to drink up and what it doesn’t.

What Is the Best BHA Exfoliant?

Of course, a daily treatment has its benefits. And you don’t need to spend a fortune on it either! An affordable BHA exfoliant can be just as effective as one that’s more high-end.

If you’ve been wanting to try a BHA exfoliant but don't know where to start, don’t worry, we’ve got you.

From gentle formulas that soothe the skin to more potent blends that get to the heart of your skin issues, we’ve combed the reviews and found the most loved, best BHA exfoliators for you to try out.

Rather than backing away from scientific skincare terms, embrace some new knowledge so your skin can reap the rewards.

If you’re suffering from imperfections and redness, a BHA exfoliating product will soon brighten up your skin and give it a smoother, more even finish.

Brand and product inclusions are at the sole discretion of Adore Beauty. We do not seek or accept payment from brands or individuals listed in our guides.