courtesy of brands
Just like using a face scrub can
make skin glow, a body scrub can improve the skin below your neck. “Gently sloughing dead cells away can reveal softer, smoother, and more luminous skin,” says dermatologist
Shari Marchbein, M.D., assistant clinical professor of dermatology at New York University School of Medicine. “It also allows the skin the absorb moisturizers applied afterwards more effectively.”
Body scrubs are mechanical [also known as physical] exfoliants. “They use abrasive particles or granules such as sugar or salt, ground nut shells, cornmeal, or beads made from a natural ingredient like silica or jojoba to lift and remove dead skin cells and dirt with friction,” says Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab senior chemist Sabina Wizemann. If you don't exfoliate, dead skin "can pile up into a thick, rough layer that scatters light rays and causes skin to appear ashy and dull,” says Wizemann. “The over-accumulation of dead skin can also lead to acne, clogged pores, and premature signs of aging.”
Ready to get silky, touchable, glowing skin you’ll want to show off? Shop our list of Good Housekeeping Institute- and reviewer-approved exfoliating body scrubs for all skin types.
Our top picks:
1
Best Value Body Scrub
Coconut Butter Scrub Softsoap
Read More
2
Best Body Scrub for Dry Skin
Exfoliating Body Scrub Macadamia & Rice Milk Dove
Read More
3
Best Body Scrub for Ingrown Hairs
KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub First Aid Beauty
Read More
4
Best Scrub for Face and Body
Fresh Skin Face Apricot Scrub St. Ives
Read More
5
Best Body Scrub for Sensitive Skin
Almond Milk & Honey Body Scrub Exfoliator The Body Shop
Read More
You can read more about how we evaluate body scrubs in our lab and consumer tests — plus everything you need to know about finding the best body body scrub for your skin type — at the end of this guide. Looking for more ways to improve your skin? Check out our guides to the best body washes and the best body lotions for your money.
1
Best Value Body Scrub
Softsoap
Coconut Butter Scrub
2
Best Body Scrub for Dry Skin
Dove
Exfoliating Body Scrub Macadamia & Rice Milk
3
Best Body Scrub for Ingrown Hairs
First Aid Beauty
KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub
4
Best Scrub for Face and Body
St. Ives
Fresh Skin Face Apricot Scrub
5
Best Body Scrub for Sensitive Skin
The Body Shop
Almond Milk & Honey Body Scrub Exfoliator
6
Best Purifying Body Scrub
Necessaire
The Body Exfoliator
7
Best Hydrating Body Scrub
Ren Skincare
Guerande Salt Exfoliating Body Balm
8
Best 2-in-1 Body Scrub + Bath Soak
Indie Lee
I-Recover Body Soak
How we choose the best body scrubs
The GH Beauty Lab frequently evaluates face and body exfoliators. First, the beauty team scans the market for the latest scrub launches across price points, from drugstore to high-end brands, and Beauty Lab scientists test how well they remove a full-coverage foundation to gauge deep-cleaning ability.
Then, we mask labels of the top-performing products to eliminate bias before they are distributed to testers across the country. Testers use them as part of their regular skincare routine for at least one week, evaluating them on attributes like ease of use, including scent and application; removal of dirt, oil, and impurities; level of exfoliation from gentle to deep; skin irritation; and look and feel of skin after use.
How often should you use a body scrub?
“As long as it is not causing skin irritation, you can do it daily if desired,” Dr. Marchbein says. “Personally, I recommend exfoliating no more than three times weekly — once per week is even sufficient for most people.” For best results, apply a dollop of the product on damp skin in the shower, buffing in circular motions from your chest down to your feet, then rinse.
What to look for when shopping for the best body scrub
To find the best scrub for your skin type, look at a body scrub’s ingredients. “In general, sugar is softer and thus gentler than salt, cornmeal, and nut shells, and may be more suitable for sensitive skin,” Wizemann explains.
April Franzino Beauty Director April [she/her] is the beauty director at Good Housekeeping, Prevention and Woman's Day, where she oversees all beauty content.