If you're reading this article, you're probably already familiar with the exfoliating benefits of AHAs, or alpha-hydroxy acids. As New York City-based dermatologist Dr. Joshua Zeichner explains, when used in a cleaner, they "enhance [the] shedding of dead cells from the surface of the skin to improve radiance and improve skin texture." Bustle contacted Dr. Zeichner to help narrow down the best AHA body washes, which have become increasingly popular for treating keratosis pilaris, body acne, and generally bumpy skin. Scroll on for the top five picks you can buy on Amazon, plus some tips from Dr. Zeichner on how to exfoliate with AHAs safely.
"I generally tell my [patients] to use exfoliating products every other day to make sure that they don't get irritated," Dr. Zeichner suggests. "After several weeks, if they [can] tolerate the product, they can advance to every day." The skin on your body tends to be thicker than the skin on your face, so it can typically withstand harsher ingredients. That said, if you've got sensitive skin, or a condition like eczema, Dr. Zeichner recommends staying away from AHA cleansers.