BBy Bikram Nath·Researched from UK Amazon listings·Updated 2026-10-16·6 products compared
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This guide contains Amazon affiliate links, and we may earn a commission — at no extra cost to you — but it never changes our rankings.
What are the best luxury face exfoliators to buy in the UK?
Our top pick for Luxury Face Exfoliators in the UK is The Body Shop Edelweiss Liquid Peel 100ml.
The Body Shop Edelweiss Liquid Peel suits buyers who want a routine exfoliator for any skin type, including sensitive, with a gel-to-peel format and a stated 2–3 times a week schedule on the listing.
The Body Shop Edelweiss Liquid Peel is our top pick among luxury face exfoliators because its listing describes a gel-to-peel exfoliator with edelweiss extract for all skin types, including sensitive, gives a 2–3 times a week routine and says it is certified by The Vegan Society. For an acid peel, The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution lists AHA 30% and BHA 2% with a 10-minute rinse-off and says it is ideal for experienced users of acid exfoliation; for a gentle scrub, the Nuxe Very Rose Radiance Face Scrub lists rose extract and apricot kernel powder and says it is suitable for sensitive skin.
This guide compares six face exfoliators from The Body Shop, The Ordinary, Nuxe, ELEMIS, Liz Earle and UpCircle, using what each listing states: format, size, key ingredients, skin type, how often to use it and formula claims. Sizes in the product titles run from 30ml (The Ordinary) to 100ml (The Body Shop and UpCircle).
Buying guide
What should you look for in Luxury Face Exfoliators?
1Format: The Body Shop is a gel-to-peel exfoliator, The Ordinary a rinse-off acid peeling solution and the ELEMIS Papaya Enzyme Peel an exfoliating face mask its listing calls non-abrasive. The Nuxe and UpCircle listings describe scrubs with apricot kernel powder and Arabica coffee grounds respectively, and the Liz Earle listing an exfoliator with fine jojoba beads.
2Skin type: The Body Shop listing says all skin types, including sensitive; Nuxe says suitable for sensitive skin and all skin types; the ELEMIS title says all skin types and its listing names tired or sensitive skin. Liz Earle says not suitable for sensitive skin, The Ordinary says do not use on sensitive or broken skin, and the UpCircle title says normal and dry skin.
3How often: The Body Shop says 2–3 times a week and The Ordinary once or twice a week, rinsed off after 10 minutes. The Nuxe, ELEMIS, Liz Earle and UpCircle listings do not give a frequency in the features we read.
4Formula claims: The Ordinary lists cruelty-free, gluten-free, vegan, alcohol-free, oil-free and silicone-free; The Body Shop 95% ingredients of natural origin and certification by The Vegan Society; Nuxe 98% natural origin ingredients and a vegan formula; UpCircle 100% vegan, cruelty-free and UK-made; Liz Earle cruelty free and certified under the Leaping Bunny Programme. The ELEMIS listing does not mention vegan or cruelty-free status.
5Sun care: The Ordinary's listing says to always use sunscreen and limit sun exposure during use and for one week after. The other five listings do not mention sun exposure in the features we read.
Our process
How do we choose our picks?
We don’t lab-test products ourselves. Instead we synthesise current Amazon UK listings and published specs into clear, honest recommendations. We earn a commission if you buy through our links, but that never changes which products we rank.
Current UK availability
We check each pick against live Amazon UK catalogue data rather than last year’s model lists. Stock moves fast, so a listing can sell out after we publish.
Published specs
We compare manufacturer specifications so each pick is right for a real budget and use-case.
UK-specific fit
We factor in UK voltage and plug/fitting standards — details that generic global lists miss.
AHA 30%, BHA 2%, hyaluronic acid, pro-vitamin B5 and black carrot
Rose extract and upcycled apricot kernel powder
Extracts of bladderwrack and sunflower
Cocoa butter, eucalyptus, fine jojoba beads and sweet almond oil
Arabica coffee grounds, shea butter, coconut and rosehip oil, sweet orange and lemon…
Skin Type
All skin types, including sensitive (per listing)
For experienced users of acid exfoliation; not for sensitive or broken skin (per listing)
All skin types; suitable for sensitive skin (per listing)
All skin types (title); the listing also names tired or sensitive skin
Dull, congested or flaky skin; not suitable for sensitive skin (per listing)
Normal and dry skin
Size
100ml
30ml
75ml
—
75ml
100ml
Formula
95% ingredients of natural origin; certified by The Vegan Society
Cruelty-free, gluten-free, vegan, alcohol-free, oil-free and silicone-free
98% natural origin ingredients; vegan formula
—
Cruelty free; certified under the Leaping Bunny Programme
100% vegan, cruelty-free and UK-made
The rankings
The best Luxury Face Exfoliators, ranked
1
The Body Shop
Top Pick
The Body Shop Edelweiss Liquid Peel 100ml
The Body Shop Edelweiss Liquid Peel suits buyers who want a routine exfoliator for any skin type, including sensitive, with a gel-to-peel format and a stated 2–3 times a week schedule on the listing.
Format
Gel-to-peel exfoliator
Size
100ml
Key Ingredients
Edelweiss extract
Skin Type
All skin types, including sensitive (per listing)
How Often
2–3 times a week
Formula
95% ingredients of natural origin; certified by The Vegan Society
Warranty
2 year manufacturer
What we like
+Listing says it suits all skin types, including sensitive
+States how often to use it: 2–3 times a week
+Says it is certified by The Vegan Society, with 95% ingredients of natural origin
Worth noting
–The listing does not say how long to leave it on the skin
–The listing gives no full ingredient list in the features we read
£19.00£20.00−5%Amazon.co.uk price as of 25 Oct, 12:00 (London time). Details
The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution 30ml
The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution suits buyers already used to acid exfoliation who want stated acid strengths and a 10-minute, once-or-twice-weekly peel.
Format
Rinse-off peeling solution
Size
30ml
Key Ingredients
AHA 30%, BHA 2%, hyaluronic acid, pro-vitamin B5 and black carrot
Skin Type
For experienced users of acid exfoliation; not for sensitive or broken skin (per listing)
How Often
Once or twice a week; rinse off after 10 minutes
Formula
Cruelty-free, gluten-free, vegan, alcohol-free, oil-free and silicone-free
What we like
+States its acid strengths: AHA 30% and BHA 2%
+Gives clear directions: once or twice a week, rinse off after 10 minutes
+Lists cruelty-free, vegan, alcohol-free, oil-free and silicone-free
Worth noting
–The listing says do not use on sensitive or broken skin
–Requires sunscreen and limited sun exposure during use and for one week after, per the listing
–The listing says it is ideal for experienced users of acid exfoliation
£8.90Amazon.co.uk price as of 25 Oct, 12:00 (London time). Details
The Nuxe Very Rose Radiance Face Scrub suits buyers who want a scrub for sensitive skin, with rose extract, apricot kernel powder and a vegan, 98% natural origin formula on the listing.
Format
Face scrub
Size
75ml
Key Ingredients
Rose extract and upcycled apricot kernel powder
Skin Type
All skin types; suitable for sensitive skin (per listing)
Formula
98% natural origin ingredients; vegan formula
What we like
+Listing says it is suitable for sensitive skin and developed for all skin types
+States 98% natural origin ingredients and a vegan formula
+Says it refines skin texture without dryness or tightness
Worth noting
–The listing does not say how often to use it
–The listing gives no full ingredient list in the features we read
£18.70£22.00−15%Amazon.co.uk price as of 25 Oct, 12:00 (London time). Details
The ELEMIS Papaya Enzyme Peel suits buyers who want a non-abrasive mask-style exfoliator, with bladderwrack and sunflower extracts and all skin types named on the listing.
Format
Exfoliating face mask; non-abrasive (per listing)
Key Ingredients
Extracts of bladderwrack and sunflower
Skin Type
All skin types (title); the listing also names tired or sensitive skin
What we like
+Listing describes it as non-abrasive
+Names tired or sensitive skin, and all skin types in the title
+Says skin is left soft, revitalised and radiant
Worth noting
–The listing does not say how often to use it or how long to leave it on
–The listing does not mention vegan or cruelty-free status in the features we read
£40.00Amazon.co.uk price as of 25 Oct, 12:00 (London time). Details
The Liz Earle Gentle Face Exfoliator suits buyers with dull, congested or flaky skin who want an exfoliator with fine jojoba beads with Leaping Bunny certification, but not sensitive skin.
Format
Face exfoliator with fine jojoba beads
Size
75ml
Key Ingredients
Cocoa butter, eucalyptus, fine jojoba beads and sweet almond oil
Skin Type
Dull, congested or flaky skin; not suitable for sensitive skin (per listing)
Formula
Cruelty free; certified under the Leaping Bunny Programme
What we like
+Names four key ingredients, including fine jojoba beads and cocoa butter
+States the skin it is for: dull, congested or flaky
+Cruelty free and certified under the Leaping Bunny Programme, per the listing
Worth noting
–The listing says it is not suitable for sensitive skin
–The listing does not say how often to use it
£14.21£18.00−21%Amazon.co.uk price as of 25 Oct, 12:00 (London time). Details
The UpCircle Coffee Face Scrub suits buyers with normal or dry skin who want a coffee-ground scrub with nourishing oils, a vegan, UK-made formula and a glass jar.
Format
Coffee face scrub
Size
100ml
Key Ingredients
Arabica coffee grounds, shea butter, coconut and rosehip oil, sweet orange and lemon verbena essential oils
Skin Type
Normal and dry skin
Formula
100% vegan, cruelty-free and UK-made
Packaging
Glass jar; fully recyclable packaging
What we like
+Formulated for dry, dehydrated skin, per the listing
+100% vegan, cruelty-free and UK-made, per the listing
+Housed in a glass jar with fully recyclable packaging
Worth noting
–The listing names normal and dry skin; other skin types are not mentioned
Product prices and availability are accurate as of 25 Oct, 12:00 (London time) and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Editor's Note
These listings state formats, key ingredients and skin types clearly, but only The Body Shop and The Ordinary give a usage frequency. None of the six gives a full ingredient list in the features we read, and the ELEMIS listing says nothing about vegan or cruelty-free status.
Our Take
The Body Shop Edelweiss Liquid Peel is the default pick: a gel-to-peel exfoliator its listing says suits all skin types, including sensitive, with a stated 2–3 times a week routine. Choose The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution if you are experienced with acid exfoliation, or the Nuxe Very Rose Radiance Face Scrub for a scrub its listing says suits sensitive skin.
Questions & answers
Frequently asked questions
Which luxury face exfoliators suit sensitive skin?
The Body Shop Edelweiss Liquid Peel and the Nuxe Very Rose Radiance Face Scrub are described as suitable for sensitive skin in their listings, and the ELEMIS Papaya Enzyme Peel listing names tired or sensitive skin. The Liz Earle Gentle Face Exfoliator listing says it is not suitable for sensitive skin, and The Ordinary's says do not use it on sensitive or broken skin.
How often should you use The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution?
The Ordinary's listing says to use the AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution once or twice a week on clean, dry skin, applied across face and neck while avoiding the eyes, and rinsed off after 10 minutes. It also says to always use sunscreen and limit sun exposure during use and for one week after.
What does The Body Shop Edelweiss Liquid Peel do, per its listing?
The Body Shop Edelweiss Liquid Peel is a gel-to-peel exfoliator: its listing says the formula gently exfoliates and lifts away pollutants, dead skin cells and impurities, and recommends using it 2–3 times a week. It is enriched with edelweiss extract, per the listing.
Which face exfoliators are vegan?
The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution, The Body Shop Edelweiss Liquid Peel, the Nuxe Very Rose Radiance Face Scrub and the UpCircle Coffee Face Scrub are described as vegan in their listings; The Body Shop's says it is certified by The Vegan Society. The Liz Earle listing states cruelty free and Leaping Bunny certification, and the ELEMIS listing does not mention vegan status in the features we read.
Is the ELEMIS Papaya Enzyme Peel abrasive?
No: the ELEMIS listing describes the Papaya Enzyme Peel as non-abrasive, an exfoliating face mask with extracts of bladderwrack and sunflower. It says skin is left soft, revitalised and radiant.
Which of these exfoliators name their exfoliating particles?
The Liz Earle Gentle Face Exfoliator uses fine jojoba beads, the UpCircle Coffee Face Scrub uses Arabica coffee grounds and the Nuxe Very Rose Radiance Face Scrub uses upcycled apricot kernel powder, according to their listings.
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