Say goodbye to bumps, flakes, and ingrown hairs.
It can be hard enough to remember to make facial exfoliation a regular part of your routine, let alone your body. Let this serve as your reminder: Don’t let exfoliating the skin below your neck fall by the wayside, either. Just like with your complexion, regularly sloughing off dead, dull skin can make all the difference when it comes to achieving smooth, glowing skin.
There are hundreds to choose from, so to take the confusion out of selecting the right body scrub for you, we handpicked 30 of the most popular options and asked testers to try them out in their own homes. To get the most brutally honest results, testers judged each body scrub based on its consistency, how evenly it distributed across the skin, how effectively it exfoliates, and how their skin looked and felt after use. The highest-rated products made this list.
Best Overall: Nopalera Cactus Flower Exfoliant
If you’re a frequent self-tanning enthusiast like our tester, you’ll love this gentle body scrub from Nopalera. The three-in-one cleanser, exfoliant, and moisturizer cleans, scrubs, and hydrates the skin, while the subtle scent of tangerine oil helps create a calming ambiance. Our tester appreciated how the scrub got to work on dry skin, uneven texture, and self-tanner splotches without causing irritation. In fact, she said the only thing left in the wake of this scrub was “just beautiful smoothness.” The formula features safflower oil, achiote seeds, and nopal and is housed in a reusable (or recyclable) glass jar, which the tester says she wishes came in a bigger size. The only caveat is that since it contains several hydrating oils, the formula can leave behind some oily residue. However, the tester confirmed it washes off with water, and it doesn’t feel slimy or uncomfortable if it’s left on.
Best Budget: Tree Hut Sugar Scrub
If you’re looking for a great-smelling, rich scrub to smooth away dead skin without spending a ton, the Tree Hut Sugar Scrub is your best bet. It’s super thick (so it stays in your fingers as you scoop it out of the tub) and, therefore, is comparably less messy than other options on this list. A tablespoon of scrub can cover one leg, so given that the tub is 18 ounces, you can expect about 36 scrubbing sessions (meaning you get the most out of your money). Each tablespoon contains a ton of exfoliating beads, and our tester felt like she got a really good scrub every time she used it. She often used it before shaving since she found that the scrub helped her achieve a much closer shave than just shaving cream alone. One thing to note: If the scrub gets caught on the tub’s rim, it can be difficult to screw on and off. Take an extra second or two after using the scrub to remove any bits that might dry up and get stuck.
Best Splurge: Fresh Brown Sugar Body Polish Exfoliator
If you’re going to splurge on an exfoliating body scrub, let it be on this one from Fresh. Consisting of real brown sugar crystals, this formula does a great job of scrubbing away dead, dry skin cells without over-drying. Plus, because brown sugar is a humectant, it actually works to prevent moisture loss, too. Our tester specifically loved the texture—it starts out “grainy and exfoliating,” but when it comes into contact with water, it becomes “syrupy” and smooth. After use, she said she noticed her skin felt “silky smooth” and loved incorporating it into her weekly shower routine. The one thing we wish we could change about this fan-favorite scrub is its size. For the cost, we wish that the tub was bigger.
Best Smoothing: Kiehls Creme de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Body Polish
An abrasive scrub isn’t for everyone, especially those with sensitive skin. This Soy Milk & Honey Body Polish from Kiehl’s is great for those who prefer a bubbly lather over a coarser scrub. Formulated with shea and jojoba butter, sweet almond oil, and luffa fruit, this body polish exfoliates skin without over-drying. A quarter-sized amount is all you really need to get a light lather working all over your body. Our tester assured us that once you add water, the product stretches really well. In fact, she said her favorite part about the scrub was that it’s creamy and thick yet not goopy or sticky. It “glides really well” over large stretches of skin and removes dead skin cells with its exfoliating grains.
Best Natural: Osea Salts of the Earth Body Scrub
This standout scrub is so good (and so natural) that it relies solely on a handful of salts, oils, and butters to exfoliate and moisturize the skin. A blend of New Zealand solar salt, pink Himalayan salt, and red Hawaiian sea salt work in tandem with shea butter, olive fruit oil, rosemary extract, and avocado oil to get the job done without risking a weird reaction. Best of all, it feels (and smells) amazing. It’s chunky, so it certainly doesn’t lack in the scrubbing department, but also “lathers up nicely” when it comes into contact with water in the shower or bath to give the skin an effective scrub without being too tough. Our tester said that while her skin never felt irritated, she wasn’t a fan of how oily she felt post-scrub.
Best Scent: Biossance Squalane + Enzyme Sugar Body Scrub
Between its grainy-yet-goopy texture, squeeze bottle container, and (best of all) fragrance, this body scrub has a lot to love. If you, like our tester, prefer scrubs that have a perfect ratio of exfoliating flakes and goop, this super-soft formula from Biossance is for you. You can feel the grains in this one, but they’re not front and center, giving a bit of the spotlight to squalane and the other moisturizing elements. In addition to an ideal distribution, the formula itself goes a long way and doesn’t “cling or clump” to one area. In fact, it evenly wraps the body in a coarse lotion that’s easy to spread and work with. It’s also housed in a squeeze bottle, which our tester thought was a “total game changer” when it comes to using every last drop of product. As for the scent, it’s reminiscent of a bag of fresh market fruits and is “clean and distinct” without being overpowering. Our tester didn’t have an issue squeezing product from the bottle, but some say the crystals can clog the top.
Best for Spa-Like Experience: Necessaire The Body Exfoliator
This just may be one of the best scrubs we’ve ever used, hands down. A Byrdie team fave for the ideal scrubby (though not abrasive) texture, this formula actually doubles down on the exfoliation. How? A combination of bamboo charcoal and pumice mechanically (aka physically) exfoliate while glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acids chemically slough away dead skin cells, rough patches, and more. The fragrance-free variant is a great choice for sensitive skin, though it also comes in sandalwood and eucalyptus scents (a perfect choice for a spa-like ambiance in the shower). All three are sophisticated, as is the chic and minimalist packaging. Since the scrub is on the finer side (as opposed to gritty), it’s gentle on skin and can be easily distributed from the mouth of the squeeze bottle—you don’t have to flex your muscles. The one thing our tester didn’t love: The scrub can be runny. Though it doesn’t waste too much product, our tester pointed out that you’ll want to be extra careful when squeezing it out so that you can “savor every last bit” of it.
Best for Dry Skin: Oui the People Full Disclosure Cream Body Polish
It can sometimes feel like exfoliating dry skin may just dry it out even further—and sure, if you choose the wrong scrub and overdo it, then that can indeed be the case. But exfoliating is even more imperative when you’re dealing with dryness, and this pick is amazing for dry, parched skin. It contains bamboo powder (which has a superfine texture that naturally exfoliates skin), lactic acid (an alpha-hydroxy acid that smooths uneven texture), and olive-derived squalane (a deeply nourishing, anti-inflammatory agent). According to our tester, Senior Commerce Editor Dominique Hobdy, it spreads evenly without much work. The grains “stay together,” so you don’t lose too much scrub as you massage it onto your skin. “A little goes a long way,” ensuring you get your money’s worth.
Best Dual-Purpose: Ouai Scalp and Body Scrub
Our tester sings the praises of this do-it-all formula. The sugar-based scrub is just as effective at sloughing dry patches off your body as it is removing dead skin and product build-up from your scalp. Your scalp is skin, after all, so it needs just as much TLC as the skin on your face and body; regular scalp exfoliation can help ensure your hair stays strong and healthy. Our tester was initially skeptical of the gel-like formula, but once it mixed with water, it foamed up slightly, which, combined with the heavenly rose-musk scent, made for a delightful exfoliating experience.
Best Coffee-Based: SNP Cafferonic Body Scrub
It’s hard to put this scrub from SNP into words simply because it transforms in seconds upon contact with the skin. It starts off as a cream with just a few coffee grains visible. When you apply it to the skin, it becomes transparent, leaving a balmy finish and a slew of coffee grains in its wake. The smooth consistency of the scrub makes it “easier to apply than any other scrub,” according to our tester, all thanks to its serum-like base. Unlike most other coffee-based scrubs, it’s ideal for sensitive skin types and helps skin feel softer, “more supple,” and “hydrated.” Our tester noted that if you prefer a more intense scrub, this one might be too gentle for you.
Best for Bumps: Kopari KP Body Bumps Be Gone with 10% AHA Clarifying Body Scrub
If you have keratosis pilaris (aka KP), which is a skin condition that appears as bumps on the backs of your arms, regular exfoliation can help. This formula from Kopari is especially effective at clearing clogged pores—it acts as a mechanical exfoliant and a chemical peel all in one. Pumice buffing beads do the physical scrubbing, while glycolic and lactic acids tackle the rest. Jojoba seed oil then helps lock in deep hydration and prevents any irritation. According to our tester, although the scrub has noticeable exfoliating particles, they’re not abrasive enough to cause any pain. Her skin felt “smooth,” with an improvement in redness after each use. Although her KP isn’t gone for good, she noted that some of the redness and a few of the bumps dissipated.
Best Non-Abrasive: Avène Gentle Body Scrub
You can exfoliate if you have sensitive skin—you just need to be a little more strategic in your sloughing and use an exfoliator for sensitive skin. Enter this formula from Avene: it’s a super gentle version of the rest of the exfoliators in this list. It relies on teeny-tiny jojoba beads for a very gentle exfoliation (so much so that it feels like a body wash). Meanwhile, the brand’s patented thermal spring water plus a trio of nourishing oils help to impart hydration (without the greasy residue). Our tester explains that it felt similar to a body wash with some exfoliating grains in it. As someone with eczema, she loved the product and found that it exfoliated nicely, but the oils made sure she didn’t experience irritation. Plus, because it’s only meant to be used once or twice a week, one bottle lasts a while.
Best for Ingrown Hairs: First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub 10% AHA
Dealing with annoying ingrown hairs? Our tester, who frequently finds ingrown hairs, says that this product from First Aid Beauty is especially helpful in treating and preventing more from forming. Because it’s so gentle, she explains, she could scrub as hard as she wanted, and she didn’t have to worry about causing scrapes of microabrasions. As a result, she was able to target all of the dead skin and ingrown hairs that had been bothering her.
She has “very sensitive skin that does not take kindly to most things” and yet experienced no irritation. In fact, this formula actually helped irritated skin heal faster.
Final Verdict
Exfoliating most definitely deserves a spot in your body care routine. The Nopalera Cactus Flower Exfoliant is our favorite go-to since it tackles dry patches and bumps yet features nourishing, skin-loving ingredients like safflower seed oil, shea butter, and jojoba oil to keep everything calm. There are tons of great wallet-friendly options out there, too, like the Tree Hut Sugar Scrub, which is a great-smelling, rich scrub that smooths away dead skin and offers a calming moment of spa-like rejuvenation.
How We Tested
Byrdie editors did extensive research on popular body scrubs, taking expert recommendations and consumer reviews into account before choosing 14 to test out first-hand. Each tester considered each set’s ease of use, magnet attraction, comfort, overall look, and ease of removal before deciding on a rating from one to five. Those with the highest scores made the list. All tests were performed in The Lab, our Manhattan product testing facility.
What to Look For in a Body Scrub
Ingredients
Ingredients are an important part of any formula, but they’re especially integral when inside something you’re going to be rubbing all over your body. After you’ve checked for any potential allergens in a product’s ingredient list, look for softening, hydrating, and nourishing ingredients like shea butter and jojoba oil (which are in the Kiehl’s Soy Milk & Honey Body Polish and OSEA Salts of the Earth Body Scrub, for example). These ingredients help keep the skin soft and supple, which is key after scrubbing abrasive particles all over.
Type of Scrubbing Particles
According to Jaliman, the main thing to consider (aside from the ingredients) are the scrubbing particles. Sugar-based options (like the Fresh Brown Sugar Body Polish Exfoliator) are more hydrating and less harsh, making them a good pick for those with sensitive skin. “Salt scrubs are good for those with very dry, rough skin who need deep exfoliation,” she explains. The options don’t end there. Other exfoliating particles worth your while are jojoba beads (which are typically gentler) and more abrasive nut or seed shells (like those found in the SNP Cafferonic Body Scrub).
Scrubbing Particle Size
Size matters here. Fine particles (like the ones in the Necessaire Body Exfoliator) are gentler on the skin, while larger-sized particles (like the ones in Biossance Squalane + Enzyme Sugar Body Scrub) can be too abrasive on some skin types.
FAQ
What do body scrubs do?
Body scrubs remove dead skin cells, leaving skin radiant and healthier. They also allow for your moisturizer to penetrate your skin better, says Jaliman.
How do you use a body scrub?
Jaliman suggests cleansing first, as this helps prep the skin for exfoliation. “Apply a generous amount of the scrub all over the body and gently rub it in a circular motion,” she recommends. “Rinse it off after a few minutes and towel dry your skin. Then apply a moisturizer immediately after use.” As a general rule of thumb, aim to use a body scrub once or twice per week or less if your skin is very sensitive.
Are body scrubs safe for sensitive skin?
Yes, as long as you choose the right one. Look for gentle exfoliants in formulas that contain extra moisturizing ingredients, Jaliman says. Just steer clear of coarse, dry scrubs.
