The 13 Best Body Scrubs for Soft, Glowing Skin
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For enthusiasts of the everything shower, there’s an essential step you might be overlooking: massaging on one of the best body scrubs. Regardless of your skin type, incorporating a body scrub into your routine can significantly improve your skin health. Just as you exfoliate your face, both chemical and physical body scrubs work to eliminate dry, flaky skin, resulting in silky-smooth skin.
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Body scrubs are particularly beneficial for individuals dealing with skin conditions like keratosis pilaris (KP) or skin concerns like dryness and dullness, as they can help decrease dead skin buildup and improve the skin’s overall firmness, tone, and radiance. While there are numerous options available in the market, the best body scrubs either contain clinical-grade ingredients to swiftly resurface your skin or include natural exfoliants like sugar that gently detach dead skin cells. The best body scrubs for women combine these exfoliants with nourishing ingredients such as coconut oil, jojoba oil, and sweet almond oil to restore hydration, leaving you with baby-soft skin.
Similar to a peel pad or a facial cleansing brush, body scrubs also clear the way for skin care ingredients you apply afterwards. By sloughing away dead skin, they allow the ingredients in your favorite body lotions and body butters to absorb quickly and more effectively. However, it’s important to remember that the manner in which you apply your body scrub is crucial. “The key to avoiding over-exfoliation is to be gentle with your skin,” advises Jodi LoGerfo, a Family Nurse Practitioner certified in Family Medicine and Dermatology. When using a physical body scrub, she recommends applying the product gently using small, circular motions for about 30 seconds, then rinsing off with lukewarm water. If you use a brush or sponge, opt for short, light strokes. Never exfoliate if you have open cuts, wounds, or sunburned skin. And always remember, hydrating your skin is essential after using a body scrub. “Moisturize when your skin is slightly damp, as it can help seal in the moisture and enhance its absorption,” LoGerfo suggests.
Below, explore the 13 best body scrubs that will help you unlock your smoothest, softest and brightest skin yet according to research, testing, and expert recommendations.
Top Body Scrubs of 2023
Best for Strawberry Legs: First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub
Best for Sensitive Skin: Nécessaire the Body Exfoliator
Best Natural Option: Fresh Brown Sugar Body Exfoliator
Best Drugstore Option: Tree Hut Vitamin C Body Scrub
Best for Glowing Skin: Isle of Paradise Brilliantly Bright Body Polish
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BEST BODY SCRUB FOR STRAWBERRY LEGS
First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub
Size: 8 oz
Key ingredients: Glycolic acid, lactic acid, pumice, bisabolol
Exfoliator type: Physical, chemical
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
Sephora Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
Ulta Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
$30
$30
$30
KP can be a challenging issue to tackle, but First Aid Beauty’s body scrub employs a blend of glycolic and lactic acids (totaling to a 10 percent concentration of AHAs) that quickly conquers this skin concern. These acids work to renew the skin’s outer layer, while pumice buffing beads provide physical exfoliation, helping to improve skin texture and eliminate bumps, rough patches, and scaly areas. Moreover, it’s gentle and suitable for sensitive skin. It’s a popular Amazon beauty product, too, with over 23,000 five-star reviewers waxing poetic about its ability to smooth rough patches and zap KP bumps.
What testers say: “My KP was much worse in my youth on my extremely fair skin. I resigned myself early in life to never really showing my legs unless forced. Now that I’ve tried this, I actually stand a chance of wanting to wear a pair of shorts one of these days and not feel nearly as self-conscious. I noticed an immediate difference in the texture of my skin and the reduction of my more troubling KP bumps where the keratin plug/hair follicle was particularly noticeable or pigmented and raised — and these are first use results.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $30
BEST BODY SCRUB FOR SENSITIVE SKIN
Nécessaire the Body Exfoliator
Size: 6.1 oz
Key ingredients: Bamboo charcoal, glycolic acid, salicylic acid
Exfoliator type: Physical, Chemical
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
Sephora Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
Nordstrom Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
$30
$30
$30
Nécessaire is the go-to brand for those in the know, with its sleek packaging and efficacious formulas. The Body Exfoliator contains the holy trinity of exfoliation — bamboo charcoal beads, a physical exfoliator, and both an AHA (glycolic acid) and BHA (salicylic acid) exfoliator. But what sets it apart is that it was designed with sensitive skin types in mind, so it’s gentle enough for anyone to use. Available in three unisex fragrance options, it’s one of the best body scrubs for men. Just make sure to pair it with a good body wash, preferably an unscented body wash if you have sensitive skin.
What testers say: “Absolutely love how this product exfoliates my skin! I am prone to eczema on my arms and haven’t had any irritation from this product and made sure to get the unscented version. My skin is so soft, smooth and glowy. Highly recommend!”
Price upon publish date of this article: $30
Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Body Scrub
Size: 7.8 oz
Key ingredients: Crushed cupuaçu seeds, pressed pure coconut oil, guaraná extract
Exfoliator type: Physical
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
Sephora Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
$42
$42
Regardless of the time of year, the warm and spicy aroma of Sol De Janeiro’s Bum Bum Body Scrub (or any of the brand’s bestsellers) transports you to a worry-free tropical destination. It contains crushed cupuaçu seeds to polish, sugar crystals that serve as both a gentle exfoliator and hydration enhancer, and pure coconut oil to moisturize dry, sensitive skin. Additionally, it features guaraná extract, which boasts five times the caffeine content of coffee, to energize the skin.
Editor testing and review notes: “I always keep Sol de Janiero’s Bum Bum Cream on hand to make my limbs look smoother and brighter — the rich salve hydrates skin on contact and is so beautifully scented that it can take the place of my favorite women’s perfumes. This body scrub is part of the same popular line from the brand, and it’s a staple in my body care routine year round. The texture is finely-milled but gritty enough to soften rough patches on my elbows and knees without scratching them up.” — Senior beauty and lifestyle commerce editor Claire Sullivan
Price upon publish date of this article: $42
BEST NATURAL BODY SCRUB
Fresh Brown Sugar Body Exfoliator
Size: 14.1 oz
Key ingredients: Brown sugar crystals, evening primrose oil, sweet almond oil, apricot Kernel oil, jojoba oil, ginseng root extract, peppermint
Exfoliator type: Physical
Sephora Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
Nordstrom Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
Ulta Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
$67
$67
$67
One thing about Fresh — the product is guaranteed to revive your skin. Containing brown sugar crystals, this simple physical exfoliation formula gently buffs away dull, dead cells. Unlike harsh, drying scrubs, the beloved Fresh Brown Sugar Body Exfoliator is packed with hydrating oils like evening primrose, sweet almond, apricot kernel, and jojoba oil, so you don’t have to worry about drying out your skin. The scent profile is both sweet and citrusy, thanks to the beautiful blend of brown sugar and oils.
What testers say: “The texture of the scrub is perfect – not too coarse, but just gritty enough to exfoliate effectively. The sugar granules dissolve nicely as you massage it onto your skin, leaving it incredibly smooth and refreshed. What sets this scrub apart is the moisturizing effect. While exfoliating, it doesn’t strip my skin of its natural oils. Instead, it leaves it feeling soft, hydrated, and glowing. I’ve even noticed a significant improvement in the texture and tone of my skin since using this product.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $67
Versed Exfoliating Body Scrub
Size: 6 fl oz
Key ingredients: Lactic acid, glycolic acid, pumice, pomegranate enzymes
Exfoliator type: Physical, Chemical
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
Target Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.6/5 stars
$17.69 $19.99 12% off
$18.29 $19.99 9% off
Chemical exfoliation doesn’t always equate to harshness. Versed’s Exfoliating Body Scrub is fragrance-free, gentle, and suitable for sensitive skin. It’s packed with lactic and glycolic acid to address hyperpigmentation and uneven texture, alongside pumice for physical exfoliation of the body. If you struggle with strawberry legs or scaly skin, this highly-rated product also contains pomegranate enzymes to assist with breakouts and refine skin texture.
What testers say: “This gritty gray exfoliator was gentle on my more sensitive areas (chest, inner arm, and inner thighs) all while smoothing out my tougher skin (my heels, my knees and my shoulders). My favorite time to use this natural-smelling exfoliant is right before shaving my legs. It really helped smooth out the skin on my shins and the back of my legs, allowing me to get a tight even shave that left my skin silky smooth.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $17.69
Osea Salts of the Earth Body Scrub
Size: Size: 12 oz
Key ingredients: New Zealand Solar Salt, Pink Himalayan Sea Salt, Red Hawaiian Sea Salt, Shea Butter
Exfoliator type: Physical
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
Nordstrom Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
Ulta Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
$48
$48
$48
Many physical scrubs typically use sugar for exfoliation, but Osea took a different route by opting for salt in their Salts of the Earth Body Scrub. And not just any salt; it contains mineral-rich salts from around the world to effectively buff away dead skin cells and reveal radiant, soft-to-the-touch skin. Most Osea products deliver hydrating, brightening benefits from seaweed and this scrub is no different — the Gigartina extract nourishes your skin with each use. The product’s chic packaging makes it a great contender for a spa gift basket or a wellness gift.
Editor testing and review notes: “A little goes a long way with this Osea body scrub — it has a putty-like texture that prevents it from melting off your skin before you have time to massage it on in the shower. It’s also one of the most hydrating scrubs I’ve tested, making body lotion or body oil an optional choice once I’ve toweled off.” — Sullivan
Price upon publish date of this article: $48
Dionis Goat Milk Whipped Body Scrub
Size: 6 fl oz
Key ingredients: Sugar, goat milk
Exfoliator type: Physical
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
$13.98 $15 7% off
This physical body scrub from Dionis uses tiny grains of sugar to gently exfoliate the body and remove dry, flaky skin cells. What sets it apart from other sugar scrubs on the market is its inclusion of the brand’s signature goat milk, which is rich in vitamins and nutrients to support your skin’s microbiome, and hydrate and soften the skin rather than stripping it. Available in six different scents such as vanilla bean and sea treasures, there’s sure to be a fragrance for every preference.
What testers say: “Fell in love with this product after purchasing at a small store in Vermont. I use it almost daily now, alone, or in combination with Eminence Stone Crop Oil Cleanser. There is nothing I do not love about this. It has a refreshing fragrance and dissolves easily when wet resulting in a gentle scrub.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $13.98
BEST DRUGSTORE BODY SCRUB
Tree Hut Vitamin C Body Scrub
Size: 18 oz
Key ingredients: Sugar, Shea Butter, Vitamin C, Lactic Acid
Exfoliator type: Physical, Chemical
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
Ulta Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
$7.94 $10.49 24% off
$10.49
TikTok-famous beauty products come and go but this Amazon bestseller is here to stay. Don’t let the under $10 price tag fool you; the Tree Hut Vitamin C Body Scrub is packed with the good stuff, including sugar, shea butter, vitamin C, and lactic acid, an AHA that paves the way for soft, smooth skin. Additionally, it contains a blend of oils like avocado, macadamia, grapefruit, orange, and more— meaning it smells like citrus but is safe for sensitive skin or those irritated by fragrance due to its natural ingredients.
What testers say: “This scrub has quickly become an essential part of my skin care routine. The first thing that caught my attention was the delightful scent of oranges and the rich, creamy texture of the scrub. It’s not too abrasive, which is perfect for my sensitive skin. The shea butter in the scrub provides a moisturizing element that leaves my skin feeling incredibly soft and hydrated after each use. I’ve noticed a visible improvement in my skin’s brightness and evenness since incorporating this scrub into my routine.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $7.94
Alo Yoga Renew & Glow Exfoliating Body Polish
Size: 9.1 oz
Key ingredients: Sugar, amla, coconut oil, meadowfoam oil
Exfoliator type: Physical
Sephora Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
Revolve Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
Shopbop Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 5/5 stars
$42
$42
$42
Alo Yoga offers more than just a killer pair of leggings and luxurious workout clothes. They’ve recently ventured into the skin care space, and the Alo Yoga Renew & Glow Exfoliating Body Polish’s is one of the brand’s top offerings. It’s a physical scrub that relies on sugar to do the heavy lifting, balanced by amla (a popular Ayurvedic ingredient that adds much-needed glow), coconut oil to protect the skin barrier, and meadowfoam oil to hydrate the skin. It’s gentle enough to be used multiple times a week, and with its citrus scent, it can help wake you up on those mornings when you regret staying up past your bedtime.
What testers say: “Absolutely adored this scrub! It was the perfect ratio of oil to scrub. It got off all the dirt and dead skin in the shower then left my skin feeling soft and silky. I use this product 2 to 3 times a week in the shower and my skin has never looked better!”
Price upon publish date of this article: $42
BEST BODY SCRUB FOR GLOWING SKIN
Isle of Paradise Brilliantly Bright Body Polish
Size: 7.77 fl oz
Key ingredients: Vitamin C, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid
Exfoliator type: Chemical
Sephora Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
$28
If you’re looking to not only exfoliate but also brighten your skin, then Isle of Paradise Brilliantly Bright Body Polish is for you. It contains vitamin C, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid to remove dead skin and reveal brighter, more even, and softer skin in its place. The texture is more creamy and less gritty than other scrubs, but it works just as effectively thanks to its gentle exfoliants. Additionally, it has an addicting tropical scent with notes of grapefruit, pineapple, and apple blossom.
Editor testing and review notes: “I’ll usually swipe on self tanner a few times a month to give my fair skin a subtle glow. But here’s the thing about faux tanner during winter: It’s prone to streaking when you have little to no natural warmth to your skin. This body polish has a way of making any tanning foam or mist melt into my skin (and makes quick work of removing patchiness after a week or two).” — Sullivan
Price upon publish date of this article: $28
Ouai St. Barts Cleansing Scalp & Body Sugar Scrub
Size: 8.8 oz
Key ingredients: Sugar crystals, panthenol, coconut oil
Exfoliator type: Physical
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
Sephora Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
$40
$40
Think of the Ouai Body Scrub as a BOGO. It’s not just a scrub for your body but also for your scalp — the skin on your head deserves some love, too. Formulated with sugar crystals, it deeply cleanses and exfoliates while also promoting circulation on the scalp, removing any buildup. Not only that, but it also contains hydrating glycerin and panthenol, as well as nourishing coconut oil. With notes of dragon fruit, orange blossom, tuberose, and baltic amber, it’ll send your senses on a tropical vacation.
What testers say: “I heard great things about this product from a friend. I’ve tried a few things from this brand and really like the leave in conditioner spray when I’m on a beach vacation. So I gave this product a try because I really wanted a scalp scrub… Well I used it last night and it was incredible. First I was surprised that the scrub turns into a foam after being in contact with water — that was super cool and made the process of the scalp scrub way better than what I anticipated. Then I applied the scrub all over my body and got out of the shower feeling squeaky clean. After applying lotion I could see my skin glow. I will forever have this gem in stock.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $40
Oui The People Full Disclosure Exfoliating Body Polish
Size: 4.2 oz
Key ingredients: Bamboo powder, lactic acid, squalane
Exfoliator type: Physical, chemical
Sephora Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
$48
This physical-meets-chemical body polish from Oui The People may be exactly what you need to clear pores and improve skin texture. Safe for all skin types, it contains super-fine bamboo powder to remove dead surface layers and lactic acid to address dark spots and hyperpigmentation, which is especially important for those with deep skin tones. And, of course, no good body scrub is complete without a hydrating ingredient to lock in moisture, and this formula has squalene to moisturize and smooth.
What testers say: “Probably the best body polish I’ve tried in a looong time. I have acne prone bumpy skin and I’ve been on a search for a good polish that exfoliates without damaging the skin. I’m super happy I found this product! A little goes a long way and the product actually does its job exfoliating and my skin looks super energized and smooth after! A mix of AHA and squalene is perfect for blemish prone skin and I’ve started noticing a lesser amount of breakouts. Overall amazing product and 100% worth the money.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $48
Tata Harper Smoothing Body Scrub
Size: 6 fl oz
Key ingredients: Organic raw sugar, apricot microspheres, Himalayan pink salt, Hawaiian salt, cranberry seed fibers, argan oil
Exfoliator type: Physical
Neiman Marcus Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.4/5 stars
$90
$90
If you’re seeking to transform your shower into a spa-like experience, consider a luxury body scrub such as Tata Harper Smoothing Body Scrub. (It’s also a great gift — wrap it up with a pair of silk pajamas for the ultimate wellness gift or spa gift.) Although it might be a bit pricey, it’s loaded with nourishing exfoliating ingredients like organic raw sugar, Himalayan pink salt, Hawaiian salt, and cranberry seed fibers, which refine skin texture and deliver the sought-after glow. Moreover, Tata Harper is renowned for their skin care farm, so no product would be complete without a precious harvest of items from their garden, including arnica, borage, alfalfa, meadowsweet, and calendula, to truly nourish the skin.
What testers say: “Do you want soft, silky glowing skin? Tata’s body scrub will leave you feeling like you just left the spa. The smell is amazing and my skin feels rejuvenated right after. Use the body balm or oil right after for your softest skin ever.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $90
The Benefits of Body Scrubs
According to LoGerfo, most body scrubs employs manual exfoliation, where ingredients like sugar or salts physically remove dead skin. “Manual or mechanical exfoliation with a scrub can help clear away dead skin cells and improve the look and feel of your skin,” she explains. Some body scrubs also team this manual exfoliation with chemical exfoliants (like lactic acid or glycolic acid) that detach dead cells for smoother skin. Regular exfoliation with a body scrub can soften skin, smooth unwanted texture, and create a more even-toned and bright appearance. How, you ask? “Exfoliation assists the skin in accelerating the skin renewal process — speeding up cell turnover and eliminating old skin cells,” she adds.
Body scrubs can also improve the efficacy of skin care ingredients in your body serums and lotions. Accumulation of skin cells and debris on the skin surface can hinder the absorption of ingrdients, preventing them from penetrating effectively. “Removing those dead skin cells on the surface can help improve the concentration of skin care products in the skin,” says LoGerfo. Body scrubs may even help with body acne. Dead skin cells and debris can gather in the skin pores, leading to clogging and acne breakouts. “Regular exfoliation helps to remove dead skin cells and debris, preventing pore-clogging and subsequent breakouts,” she adds.
What to Look for in the Best Body Scrubs
Physical exfoliants: Ensure that the scrub you use is gentle, particularly if it’s a physical scrub — look for ingredients like sugars and salts that dissolve on your skin as you massage them onto your limbs. Daily physical exfoliation, in particular, might be too irritating for delicate, dehydrated, or aggravated skin, especially in winter or if you suffer from eczema or KP. If you have oily, thicker skin, stronger physical exfoliation may be suitable.
Chemical exfoliants: Those with certain skin types or skin concerns, whether it’s extra rough skin or KP, will benefit from a body scrub with the addition of chemical exfoliants like lactic acid, glycolic acid, or salicylic acid. These ingredients work in tandem with physical exfoliators to refine skin, as they loosen up the bonds between dead skin cells and the fresh cells beneath them. Strong physical exfoliation can increase risk for hyperpigmentation in dark skin tones, according to LoGerfo. So those skin types may do best with a gentle exfoliant, like sugar, paired with a hydrating chemical exfoliant such as lactic acid.
Hydrating ingredients: When selecting body scrubs, prioritize those containing hydrating ingredients to prevent drying out your skin. LoGerfo recommends searching for olive oil, avocado oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil, natural sugar, and vitamin E on the ingredient label.
Top Body Scrubs for Keratosis Pilaris
According to LoGerfo, “Emollients and topical keratolytics are the primary treatments for keratosis pilaris.” However, she notes that body scrubs can be beneficial for a skin condition such as KP. LoGerfo notes that while lactic acid and salicylic acid can help soften and flatten the keratotic papules associated with KP, they may not reduce or alleviate the redness often linked to this condition.
Gently exfoliating with a body scrub, such as First Aid’s Body Scrub or Necessaire’s The Body Exfoliator, can complement the effects of topical medications by reducing and smoothing these keratotic papules. However, LoGerfo warns, “If the KP is irritated, using a body scrub might be harsh on the skin, especially if applied too aggressively. It’s important to use body scrubs gently, particularly if you have an underlying skin condition.”
How We Chose the Best Body Scrubs
Since 1910, WWD — often referred to as “the fashion bible” — has been the leading industry voice of authority for senior executives in the global women’s and men’s fashion, retail and beauty communities, while also informing the consumer media that cover the market. Today, WWD’s breaking news and trend coverage continues to be a trustworthy resource for both fashion insiders and consumers alike. Our shopping editors continue to uphold WWD’s editorial standards and values with quality, expert-backed product selections.
In order to select the best body scrubs to remove dead skin, we cross-checked customer reviews, researched ingredients and new releases, and narrowed down a list of the 13 best body scrubs on the market. We also interviewed experts, and tested the products on our own to ensure our list caters to different skin tones, skin types, and skin concerns. Learn more about us here.
Meet the Experts
Jodi LoGerfo is a Doctor of Nursing Practice and a Family Nurse Practitioner certified in Family Medicine and Dermatology. She has been at the Orentreich Medical Group, LLP since 1997 and became a Nurse Practitioner practicing alongside her mentors, Drs. Norman, Catherine and David Orentreich in 2002. She has over two decades of experience in treating a vast array of skin disorders, using the full modern arsenals of lasers and light devices, platelet rich plasma treatment, injectables and skin care products.
Meet the Author
Iman Balagam is a freelance writer with over five years of experience covering the beauty industry. Her work has been featured in outlets like Teen Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Byrdie, and Harper’s Bazaar. To write this story on the best body scrubs, Balagam interviewed experts, tested products, and researched the market to select top options for different skin types and skin concerns.
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