I Tried A Bunch Of Internet-Favorite Body Scrubs – These Are My 14 Favorites

I’ve been a dedicated fan of OSEA for years for their clean, ocean-positive formulas packed with mineral-rich seaweed. I used their Undaria Body Oil throughout both of my pregnancies to minimize stretch marks. I think of this microbiome-friendly body polish almost more like a treatment than a scrub. While it is formulated with pumice and Kiwi AHA Infused Rice Particles, both which provide a bit of grit to gently buff away dead skin, it’s the product’s gel-to-milk texture that gives it a treatment-like quality. It’s packed with naturally derived, moisture-rich ingredients like glycerin and sunflower oil, but won’t leave skin greasy or slippery. If you’re looking for something with more grit, like a traditional salt scrub, their Salts of the Earth Body Scrub is also a fan favorite.

I’ll admit, I was skeptical. I wasn’t sure how a body scrub was going to benefit both my body and my hair. Then I tried it, and now I understand why this product is on so many “Best Of” lists. For one, it lathers, which I didn’t expect. The sugar crystals in this formula are big and gritty, which feels fantastic. The product texture is substantial without being abrasive. I applied it first thing, before my shampoo or conditioner. Upon rinse-out, my hair did feel a bit dry, but that was quickly remedied after applying my usual shampoo and conditioner. Once my hair had air-dried, my roots and scalp had that extra-clean feeling without looking or feeling stripped of moisture. You could say I was blown A-OUAI. (Sorry, I had to.)

I’ve been a Biossance fan for years and have yet to try a product I didn’t like. What makes this scrub so special is a triple-fold: Pomegranate enzymes help break down and whisk away dead skin cells, water-soluble sugar crystals gently buff away the top layer, and the brand’s sugarcane-derived squalane oil hydrates and minimizes irritation. It left my skin feeling refreshed and never greasy. In a clinical perception study, 100% said that within two weeks, the product reduced the appearance of bumpy skin, uneven texture, and flakiness. Plus, it’s got this wonderfully thick texture and it smells amazing.

You might think that a body bar can’t possibly exfoliate skin as well as the gritty sugar granules that come soaking in pots of oil. Think again. The Soft Services website says it best when they refer to the bars as “exfoliating bricks.” Made of superfine sanding crystals, these “bricks” manage to make the sensation of rubbing sandpaper over one’s body feel downright decadent. Moisture-drenching ingredients like glycerin, shea butter, and jojoba esters leave skin refreshed and clean without feeling stripped. Keep in mind it’s not recommended for those with sensitive skin, and it’s not meant to be used in place of a cleanser, but it is good for tackling ingrown hairs.

Full disclosure: This was not my favorite scrub, but I’m in the minority here. People love this product. It physically buffs away dead skin with volcanic pumice and bamboo charcoal and uses chemical exfoliation by way of glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acid. It’s effective and non-drying and is made without silicones, parabens, phthalates. It’s also recommended for those with sensitive skin. Though I personally prefer something slightly creamier, as far as quality and effectiveness is concerned, Necessaire has the receipts.

Made obvious by the name, this body scrub doesn’t shy away from the oil. It’s kind of their thing. Though this vegan, paraben-free scrub uses sugar granules so as to not dry out skin (as opposed to salt), the major players in this formula are argan oil, shea butter, and coconut oil, all of which hydrate, condition, and nourish skin. While it certainly left my skin slicker than other scrubs, the glossy finish was largely absorbed by the time I patted dry. I chose the Topless Tangerine scent because I’m a sucker for citrus, and can attest that this creamy, indulgent scrub is perfect for those who want to feel wrapped in hydration.

Sometimes when I’m at the beach and my skin is feeling dry, I do a little DIY exfoliating by rubbing grainy, tightly packed East Coast sand all over my legs. Just a girl, on the beach, using nature’s exfoliant. Bom Dia Body Scrub is a bit like that, but better. For one, it smells amazing, but it’s not overpowering. This microbead-free scrub uses crushed cupuaçu seeds, sugar crystals, caffeine-rich guaraná, and coconut oil to buff away dead skin and support firmer-looking skin, leaving no oily residue. Just softer, smoother skin.

Of all the body scrubs I tried, this was easily one of my favorites. It’s also one of the most cost effective. It’s creamy, it’s got grit without being too slick, and it washed off easily, leaving my skin feeling refreshed, soft, and extra-smooth. Pumice and biodegradable jojoba esters work with a combination of glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and polyhydroxy acid to gently lift dead skin from the surface, smooth skin’s texture, and even skin tone.

The texture of this products feels, to me, more like a body wash than a scrub. Non-abrasive upcycled rice beads are the physical exfoliant, paired with 1% lactic acid and a 2% AHA blend of glycolic and malic acids, which means The Everywhere Exfoliator is soft on skin––even the most intimate parts. I like that Luna Daily products are specifically formulated to be microbiome friendly and to be used, eh hm, everywhere. This is an excellent choice for those with sensitive skin who struggle with ingrown hairs, but want to exfoliate with something extremely gentle.

What I like most about this scrub is that it has grit. Thanks to raw sugar cane, it’s got that sand-between-your-fingers feel that I look for in my body scrubs. Lemongrass, lemon balm, and vanilla give it a fresh-from-the-beach fragrance that instantly transported me to a tropical vacation, which is always a good thing. It’s worth noting, however, that the coconut and jojoba oils make it one of the more slippery scrubs––you know, the kind that makes your skin water repellant? Some people love this Moo Deng-like glaze, and I was on the fence as to whether or not I’m one of those people. That said, my skin didn’t stay oily. The slick finish absorbed quite nicely, leaving my skin soft and smooth.

What’s unique about this chemical-and-physical exfoliator is that it’s meant to be applied on dry skin before the shower. The texture feels a bit like a grainy lotion, which lends it to dry-skin application. Glycolic acid helps remove dead skin while lactic acid decreases discoloration, smooths, and brightens. Willow bark extract, a BHA, helps unclog pores for clearer skin. It’s an excellent choice for those with dull skin. It’s also free of fragrances, parabens, sulfates, essential oils, formaldehyde, phthalates, lanolin, petrolatum, and gluten.

While I was mostly drawn to the combination of chemical and physical exfoliators, I was delightfully surprised by how much I liked this product. For some reason I expected it to be thick or sticky, but it was neither. Instead, it was featherweight, absorbed quickly, and didn’t leave any residue. It contains 8% glycolic acid to help even skin tone, 2% salicylic acid to help smooth skin and reduce keratosis pilaris, and 3% tranexamic acid to help treat melasma, UV-induced hyperpigmentation, and other post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. It’s also non-comedogenic and free of fragrances and essential oils.

I am a diehard fan of Oui The People’s Featherweight Hydrating Body Gloss, and generally love this brand for their tidy curation of effective body care. Their Full Disclosure Body Polish was a fan favorite on the Internet before it was discontinued, so I knew I had to try Cheat Sheet, which took its place. This serum not only brightens dark spots and helps slough away dead skin, smoothing its texture and evening skin tone, it also hydrates, calms, and replenishes the skin barrier while supporting collagen production. This is a great choice for those looking for more than in-shower exfoliation.

It’s not a chemical exfoliator, but it’s one of the more gentle, barely buffing bars I tried. Though the MARLOWE soap bar is marketed to men, that shouldn’t stop others from using it. (I like smelling of pine, too! Though, to be fair, this was one of my husband’s favorites.) Gentle pumice paired with ingredients like olive oil and shea butter make MARLOWE. scrub bars an excellent choice for gentle exfoliation while simultaneously hydrating skin.