Considering how many skin issues there are — fine lines, acne, dullness, etc. — it's hard to believe there's actually one treatment that can help them all: exfoliation. We're not talking about scrubs and other forms of manual exfoliation, which can sometimes be too harsh and actually exacerbate the problem. We're talking about chemical exfoliation that penetrates the skin to help heal it from the inside out.

If you're not a skin care junkie, chemical exfoliation can seem pretty scary. You probably think back to movie scenes where women are left with skin that is flaking and peeling all over the place. While there are some high-potency peels that may have that effect, many chemical exfoliants — like those found in exfoliating pads — are gentle enough to use as often as twice a day.

Exfoliating pads typically contain a mild concentration of acids, like glycolic or lactic, to help slough off dead skin cells and address issues like breakouts and fine lines, without fear of irritation. The acids are often combined with brightening vitamin C, hydrating hyaluronic acid and other actives that provide a multitude of skin benefits.

Read on for 9 exfoliating pads to add to your beauty routine for bright, glowing skin.

Image via Go-To Skincare

Cover image via @gotoskincare

Best for: Dryness, dullness, uneven skin tone and texture

Formulated with a powerful blend of 10% glycolic and vitamin C, radiant skin is just a few swipes away. Dr. Murad created this at-home peel to help gently, yet effectively, retexturize skin, enhance radiance and help even out skin tone without the irritation and downtime that most peels require.

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Best for: Acne, fine lines, uneven texture

Thanks to lactic acid and hydrating essential oils, clear and even skin is within reach. These 'gram-worthy wipes can be swiped on for 60 seconds then rinsed off to reveal beautiful, exfoliated skin. You'll also love the addition of aloe vera to make sure there's no flaking or redness involved.

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Best for: Acne

Breakouts seem to take forever to heal and when they do, we're often left with annoying post-acne redness and marks. These treatment pads, pre-soaked with azelaic amino acid, malic acid and willow bark, not only help fight the causes of hormonal, stress-related and other forms of acne, but they also help heal blemishes and fade acne marks. One step, indeed.

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Best for: Uneven skin tone, dullness, oiliness

Many of the exfoliating pads we're used to only provide a chemical exfoliation, but not these lemon wipes. The peel is soaked onto a triple-layer gauze pad that also offers manual exfoliation while AHAs deeply penetrate skin and vitamin C brightens.

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