The New Exfoliating Cleansers

Photo by Spencer Jones for Glasshouse Images.

We all know that exfoliating is the key to soft skin, but until now exfoliators were too harsh for daily use. Thanks to new cleansers that contain gentle ingredients, however, getting a radiant complexion can be part of your daily routine. "By removing all of the dead cells and buildup on skin, exfoliators help moisturizers penetrate more effectively," says Virginia Fry, lead aesthetician at New York City's Avon Salon & Spa. The result? A more glowing, gorgeous you!

Our picks:

Alpha Hydrox Nourishing Cleanser, $7.99 (above) Chock-full of vitamins, it includes antioxidant vitamins A and E and conditioning B5 as well as soy for softening skin.

Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel, $12 This gel features papaya and grapefruit extracts to slough away dead skin cells while maintaining moisture levels.

Olay Regenerist Daily Regenerating Cleanser, $8.99 The cleanser doubles its exfoliating power with salicylic acid and gentle-on-the-skin oxygenated beads.

Pond's Fresh Start Daily Exfoliating Cleanser, $6.99 It deep cleans with china clay and has vitamins A and E and white tea extracts.

Neutrogena Deep Clean Invigorating Cleanser Mask, $6.99 This clay-infused purifying cleanser can be used daily or left on for three minutes as a cleansing mask.

Vichy Detoxifying Rinse-off Foam Cleanser, $12 It features soothing Vichy thermal spa water, plus ubiquinone, a coenzyme that helps skin detoxify itself.