Dermalogica Superfoliant vs Peelfoliant
Should I choose Dermalogica Daily Superfoliant or Liquid Peelfoliant?
Short answer
Choose Daily Superfoliant if your skin is normal, combination or oily and you want a powder that turns creamy with water, using charcoal, enzymes and a mild acid. Choose Liquid Peelfoliant if you want a stronger chemical exfoliant: a rinse-off liquid peel with glycolic, lactic, salicylic, phytic and tranexamic acids, built up to daily use. Both list citrus essential oils.
What this means for you
Start with what you notice
Both are Dermalogica exfoliants for dullness, texture and pores. Pick between a gentle, powder-to-paste polish and a short-contact acid peel.
The ingredient names, translated
Daily Superfoliant is a powder you mix with water and massage for about a minute. It relies on charcoal, enzymes (papain, subtilisin, lipase), malic and lactic acid, and a fine powder base. Liquid Peelfoliant is a watery gel with several acids, including glycolic, lactic and salicylic, that you leave on for one to three minutes and rinse.
How to decide
- Oily or combination skin and you like a physical polish? Daily Superfoliant.
- Want a stronger acid exfoliant for texture and tone? Liquid Peelfoliant, starting every other day.
- Sensitive skin or avoiding essential oils? Approach both with care; both list citrus oils.
What to expect
Exfoliating can make skin look smoother and brighter, but too much causes redness and sensitivity. Acids increase sun sensitivity, so wear sunscreen. We haven't tested either product.
General guidance, not a test of these products: AAD: how to safely exfoliate at home; FDA: alpha hydroxy acids in cosmetics (sun sensitivity). Each product's label source is linked on its product page.
| Product | Size | Key ingredients | Skin type (brand) | Fragrance | Worth knowing | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand doesn't list it | Activated Binchotan Charcoal, lactic acid, niacinamide and rice powder enzymes | oily, combination, normal skin | Scent ingredients flagged | Citrus Aurantium Amara (Bitter Orange) Peel Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Oil, Limonene, Linalool | Brand's page Checked | |
| Brand doesn't list it | Glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, phytic acid, tranexamic acid and fruit enzymes | Brand doesn't say | Scent ingredients flagged | Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Citrus Nobilis (Mandarin Orange) Peel Oil, Raspberry Ketone, Gamma-Undecalactone | Brand's page Checked |
Powder polish vs liquid peel
Dermalogica Daily Superfoliant Exfoliator is a powder that turns creamy with water. It lists microcrystalline cellulose, sodium bicarbonate, mild cleansers, malic acid, charcoal powder, rice bran, niacinamide, enzymes and lactic acid. Dermalogica recommends it for normal, combination and oily skin.
Dermalogica Liquid Peelfoliant is a 2.0 oz watery gel. It lists pomegranate ferment, glycolic acid, phytic acid, gluconolactone, lactic acid, salicylic acid and tranexamic acid, with sodium hyaluronate, urea and ceramide NP lower down. You leave it on dry, cleansed skin for one to three minutes, then rinse.
Skin Realist check: exfoliating isn’t a daily chore you have to complete. If your skin looks shiny-tight rather than glowy, take a week off.
Label differences worth knowing
Both list citrus essential oils, so neither is a match for fragrance avoidance. If you’re pregnant, trying to conceive or breastfeeding, ask your doctor or pharmacist about salicylic acid products; see our pregnancy skincare guide. See our AHA vs BHA guide for more.
Manufacturer sources
Sources and label-check dates are recorded on the product pages.
Which is best for you?
Dermalogica Daily Superfoliant Exfoliator
Best if your skin is normal, combination or oily and you want a powder exfoliant.
Also consider it when
- You want charcoal and enzymes with a mild acid
Worth knowing
- Scent ingredients on the label: Citrus Aurantium Amara (Bitter Orange) Peel Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Lavandula Hybrida Oil and 5 more
Dermalogica Liquid Peelfoliant
Best if you want a stronger, multi-acid exfoliant for texture and tone.
Also consider it when
- You'd rather rinse off a liquid peel than massage a paste
Worth knowing
- Scent ingredients on the label: Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Citrus Nobilis (Mandarin Orange) Peel Oil, Raspberry Ketone and 1 more
Common questions
How often can I use them?
Dermalogica says to use Daily Superfoliant on alternate days for more sensitive skin until it acclimates. For Liquid Peelfoliant, it says to start every other day and build up to daily use.
Which contains salicylic acid?
Liquid Peelfoliant lists salicylic acid. Daily Superfoliant lists malic and lactic acid but not salicylic acid.
Do they contain essential oils?
Yes. Daily Superfoliant lists bitter orange peel, lavender, lemon peel, rosemary leaf and sage oils. Liquid Peelfoliant lists bergamot and mandarin peel oils.