Three exfoliators for men by MR HANDSOME: A body scrub with volcanic sand, an overnight exfoliator with 10% AHA and a liquid exfoliator with 5% glycolic acid

3 Exfoliators for Men: Which One Fits Your Skin?

In this post, I’ll break down three different exfoliators for men by MR HANDSOME - how they work, how they differ, and which one is the best fit for you and your skin. This will help you find the right exfoliant to support your skin's natural renewal process.

What Types of Exfoliators Are There for Men?

Men’s skin requires regular exfoliation, but not all exfoliators are created equal. There are physical, chemical, and liquid exfoliants, all of which work differently and are suited for various needs. Let’s take a closer look at these three exfoliant types.

The Classic: Physical Exfoliator

The classic among exfoliators is the physical scrub. It contains exfoliating particles and works through targeted friction on the skin's surface. It is especially ideal for the body to remove dry skin flakes and reduce the risk of ingrown hairs.

Physical exfoliators are easy to use and immediately provide visibly smoother and softer skin. In principle, they are suitable for any skin type, but caution is advised on the face. The persistent myth that physical scrubs help against blemishes has little substance. The rubbing can spread bacteria, cause micro-tears in the skin, and excessive scrubbing can even stimulate sebum production.

Their true strengths lie elsewhere: removing dry skin flakes, smoothing the skin surface like a body polish and lowering the risk of ingrown hairs. If you are prone to ingrown hairs on your body, you should regularly exfoliate those areas - especially after shaving. However, keep your hands off already inflamed, ingrown hairs to avoid worsening the problem.

Benefits

  • Easy application
  • Leaves skin smoother and softer
  • Immediately removes dry skin flakes

Downsides

  • Works only on the surface
  • Risk of micro-tears on the face
  • Does not help against blemishes and wrinkles

Recommendations

  • Body: Use 1–2 times per week. Face: Use 1–2 times per month
  • Apply moisturizer after use
  • Especially effective on hairy areas

Physical Exfoliator Powered by Icelandic Volcanic Sand

The Volcanic Sand Scrub is the physical exfoliator for men who want noticeable results. With fine volcanic sand, it thoroughly removes dry skin flakes, leaves the skin instantly smoother, and prepares it optimally for subsequent care. The finely ground volcanic sand is gently integrated into a rich formulation, taking sensitive skin into account. Especially well-suited for the body from neck to feet. Thanks to the gentle volcanic sand, it is also suitable for use on the face.

The Rising Star: Exfoliating Serum

Exfoliating serums are the modern answer to traditional scrubbing: they work overnight to exfoliate the skin gently and evenly—without any friction. Over the course of several hours, they penetrate deep into the skin, working specifically in the deeper layers. Dry skin flakes are literally melted away by cosmetic acids, pores are deeply cleansed, and excess sebum is cleared out.

The result: fresh new skin comes to the surface, the visibility of wrinkles, fine lines, and blemishes fades, and skin renewal is noticeably boosted. The morning after use, applying sunscreen is essential to protect your fresh skin from sun-induced skin aging and dark spots.

If you are new to exfoliating serums, take it slow. Your skin needs time to get used to the active ingredients. Start by using it once every two weeks. If your skin reacts well, you can increase the frequency to 1–2 times a week.

Benefits

  • Versatile benefits for various skin types
  • Helps with fine lines, blemishes, and dark spots
  • Works evenly and deeply overnight

Downsides

  • Not suitable for sensitive skin and compromised skin barriers
  • Increases sun sensitivity
  • Results are not immediate

Recommendations

  • Start with once every two weeks
  • Increase to 1-2 time per week after your skin adjusts
  • Always apply sunscreen the following morning

Exfoliating Serum with Acids and Botanical Extracts

The Overnight Exfoliator with 10% AHA Lactic Acid and 1% hyaluronic acid is an intensive treatment for men who want thorough results. Overnight, it dissolves dead skin cells, deeply cleanses pores, and promotes skin renewal. The combination with hyaluronic acid as well as extracts of white tea and sage provides the skin with moisture while exfoliating and soothing it. Ideal for use 1 to 2 times a week for a smoother, more even, and clearer complexion.

The Pro Pick: Liquid Exfoliator

Liquid exfoliators are less established than traditional scrubs and not quite as trendy as high-dose serums. Among advanced users and skincare pros, however, they are highly valued—and for good reason.

They exfoliate the skin using cosmetic acids, but thanks to their milder formulation, they are significantly better suited for regular use and boast high skin tolerance. This makes them an ideal starting point to slowly ease your skin into chemical exfoliation.

Liquid exfoliators help combat dark spots and an uneven skin tone, and can visibly reduce fine lines and blemishes. Applied in the evening with a cotton pad to cleansed skin, they work within the upper and middle layers of the skin.

After letting it absorb, be sure to follow up with a moisturizing night cream to protect your skin barrier. The next morning, sunscreen is an absolute must.

Benefits

  • Ideal introduction to acid exfoliation
  • Helps with dark spots and an uneven skin tone
  • High skin tolerance

Downsides

  • Requires a cotton pad for application
  • Less intense than high-dose serums
  • Increases sun sensitivity

Recommendations

  • Use 2–4 times per week in the evening, followed by a night cream
  • Can be used alongside the exfoliating serum
  • Always apply sunscreen the next day

Liquid Exfoliator with 5% Glycolic Acid

The Liquid Exfoliator with 5% glycolic acid is the ideal introduction to acid exfoliation. It helps combat dark spots, ensures a more even skin tone, and reduces the visibility of fine lines and blemishes with regular use. At the same time, it clears clogged pores and is exceptionally well-suited for use after shaving to minimize the risk of ingrown beard hairs.

Ideal for use 2 to 4 times a week in the evening, followed by a moisturizer. For a particularly refreshing sensation, you can store the liquid in the refrigerator.

What is inside the products?

Aqua/Water, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin➁, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate, Kaolin, Volcanic Sand, Parfum/Fragrance, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil➀, Xanthan Gum, Vaccinium Myrtillus (Blueberry) Fruit Extract➀, Tocopherol, Fragaria Ananassa (Strawberry) Fruit Extract➀, Rubus Chamaemorus (Cloudberry) Fruit Extract➀, Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Fruit Extract➀, Sodium Phytate, Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Benzyl Salicylate➂, Limonene➂, Citrus Aurantium Peel Oil, Citral➂
➀ Inhaltsstoffe aus biologischem Anbau
➁ Mit Bio-Inhaltsstoffen hergestellt
➂ Aus natürlichen ätherischen Ölen

Aqua/Water, Lactic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Potassium Hydroxide, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin➁, Sodium Hyaluronate, Camellia Sinensis (White Tea) Leaf Extract➀, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf Extract➀
➀ Inhaltsstoffe aus biologischem Anbau
➁ Mit Bio-Inhaltsstoffen hergestellt
100% Inhaltsstoffe natürlicher Herkunft. Zertifizierte Naturkosmetik

Aqua, Glycolic Acid, Glycerin, Potassium Hydroxide, Betaine, Sodium PCA, Sodium Levulinate, Phenethyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Fruit Extract➀, Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea (Lingonberry) Fruit Extract➀, Alcohol
➀Ingredients from organic farming

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