<p>Trying to achieve naturally <a href=” target=”_blank”>glowing skin</a>? Are you dealing with <a href=” target=”_blank”>dull skin</a> or wishing it felt smoother? There’s an easy solution for any of these issues: a face scrub. Using a face scrub will clean and exfoliate the skin using physical exfoliators (like sugar crystals or silica beads). Though the skin does exfoliate itself, using a face scrub will aid and quicken the process. </p><p>”Exfoliation is the process of removing dead cells in the stratum corneum, the top layer of skin, to increase cell turnover,” explains GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist <a href=” target=”_blank”>Danusia Wnek</a>. What to expect after using a face scrub? Smoother, brighter, clearer and more radiant skin immediately after use and over time.<strong><u><strong></strong></u></strong></p><p>Our <a href=” target=”_blank”>Good Housekeeping Institute</a> Beauty Lab scientists have tested all kinds of exfoliators, including <a href=” target=”_blank”>face exfoliators</a>, <a href=” target=”_blank”>DIY face scrubs</a>, <a href=” target=”_blank”>scalp scrubs</a>, <a href=” target=”_blank”>body scrubs</a> and more. When evaluating face scrubs and exfoliators, our scientists use instruments in the Lab to measure each product’s efficacy. They also send each item to <a href=” target=”_blank”>consumer testers</a> across multiple skin types, who give feedback on each scrub’s performance. <strong>In the Beauty Lab’s most recent test, our scientists tallied 1,375 survey data points</strong> to determine which exfoliating face scrubs are the best on the market. Whether you have <a href=” target=”_blank”>oily skin</a>, <a href=” target=”_blank”>acne-prone skin</a> or <a href=” target=”_blank”>sensitive skin</a>, there’s a face scrub for you. Ahead, our top picks, including drugstore options and face scrubs for men.</p>”/>
Pros
- Gently exfoliates
- Purifies skin
Cons
- Doesn’t give a deep exfoliation
Well-priced and gentle on skin, French brand Horace’s face scrub is loved by our Beauty Director’s husband Michael DiGiovanni. “My husband uses this mild face scrub as a cleanser, as he likes the deeply purifying effects,” she shares. He adds that “it gives a light exfoliation that feels invigorating and rinses off easily.” However, some feel that the exfoliation is too light and wish the formula had a little more texture to it.
RELATED: The Best Face Washes for Men
| Size | 2.5 oz. |
|---|---|
| Key ingredients | Argan seeds, murumuru butter |
4
Best for Sensitive Skin
Dermalogica Daily Milkfoliant
“Mild” and “soothing” according to Wnek, she turns to this Dermalogica exfoliator when her skin is feeling sensitive but still needs some polishing. The format of this scrub is a bit different: It is a powder that you sprinkle onto your hands and add water to, which she notes can be a bit messy. Though it’s pricey, it is also widely loved on Sephora with 4.7 stars. “It leaves my skin feeling smoother without redness or irritation,” says Wnek.
| Size | 2.6 oz. |
|---|---|
| Key ingredients | Coconut milk, oat bran extract |
5
Best for Dry Skin
Is Clinical Cleansing Complex Polish
Pros
- Gentle beads smooth out skin without being overly rough
- Formula doesn’t strip dry skin
Cons
- Pricey
Made with soft, circular beads, Is Clinical’s exfoliating version of its cult-favorite Cleansing Complex is great for all skin types, including dry. Our Beauty Assistant says that this scrub is gentle enough for her to use on dry skin every other day. Although it’s pricey, “the beads are soft and smooth, so the scrub doesn’t feel rough, like you’re scraping or sanding your skin,” she says. “Despite it being so gentle, my skin feels significantly smoother and more supple even after just one use.”
| Size | 4 oz. |
|---|---|
| Key ingredients | Jojoba esters, glycerin, sugarcane |
6
Best for Acne-Prone Skin
SkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser
Pros
- Contains three types of exfoliants for powerful results
- Gentle on skin
Cons
- May be too much for those with very sensitive skin
Triple threat SkinMedica contains AHAs, BHAs and physical exfoliators to cleanse the skin. “I was a little worried about it being a scrub and a chemical exfoliant, but I was pleasantly surprised with how gentle it is,” Wnek reveals. Thanks to salicylic acid, it is also effective for those with acne-prone skin. Though gentle, it could be irritating for extremely sensitive skin types or those with active breakouts due to the inclusion of both physical and chemical exfoliants.
RELATED: The Best Face Washes for Acne-Prone Skin
| Size | 6 oz. |
|---|---|
| Key ingredients | Lactic, glycolic, citric, malic and salicylic acids, jojoba oil |
7
Best Natural
Fresh Sugar Face Polish
A combination of natural ingredients — including strawberry, brown sugar, plum seed oil and grapeseed oil — work together to exfoliate and nourish skin at the same time. Our Beauty Director calls it a “splurge” but “indulgent, thanks to its sugar and fruit extract formula.” She also notes that “it gives skin a good sloughing yet it feels silky instead of dried out. I would use gentle pressure when applying it as the sugar crystals can be coarse for sensitive skin types.”
| Size | 4.4 oz. |
|---|---|
| Key ingredients | Strawberry fruit extract, brown sugar, plum seed oil, grapeseed oil |
8
Best Drugstore
St. Ives Fresh Skin Scrub Apricot
Now 25% Off
Pros
- Smells refreshing
- Helps minimizes the appearance of pores
Cons
- Particles may feel coarse and irritating
Exfoliating effectively at a palatable price, the iconic St. Ives drugstore cream scrub lived up to its cult classic status during our Lab tests. Our consumer testers found it checked many boxes: They rated it high for its fresh, fruity scent, dirt and oil removal and minimizing pore appearance, though some found its coarser particles irritating. “It gave my skin a glow and even helped my makeup go on smoother,” a tester noted.
| Size | 6 oz. |
|---|---|
| Key ingredients | Apricot pit, walnut shell powder |
9
Best for Oily Skin
Origins Ginzing Refreshing Scrub Cleanser
Pros
- Cleans skin without irritation
- Proven softening benefits
Cons
- Light exfoliation
The citrus-scented face scrub seriously impressed our consumer testers as it cleansed skin without causing irritation. Many testers noted its light exfoliation, with one tester calling it the perfect combination face wash and gentle scrub.
Another tester who suffered from clogged pores and oily skin said they saw a visible minimizing effect after just one week. “My face is so soft; I haven’t had a soft face in years,” one tester added. “I like the amount of beads in the product, I feel like it gives me more scrubbing power.” Testers shared it provides lighter exfoliation, so if you’re looking for something deeper, then this may not be the pick for you.
RELATED: The Best Face Washes for Oily Skin
| Size | 5 oz. |
|---|---|
| Key ingredients | Ginseng, caffeine, jojoba, salt |
How we test face scrubs
Our Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab scientists test face scrubs and exfoliators both in the Lab using technical instruments and on consumer testers around the country with all skin types. After rounding up the best face scrubs across price points, our scientists pre-screen the scrubs by evaluating their ability to remove full-coverage foundation in order to gauge deep-cleansing efficacy.
We label-mask the products and distribute them to hundreds of testers who use them as part of their skincare routine. Testers then give a full report on their ease of use (scent, cleanliness, irritation, level of exfoliation), plus effectiveness in removing dirt, oil and impurities, making skin feel softer and smoother and look brighter and more radiant and reducing the appearance of pores. In the Beauty Lab’s most recent test, 1,375 survey data points were tallied to find the best face scrubs money can buy.
What to look for when shopping for a face scrub
When it comes to finding the best match for your skin, there are generally two types of exfoliants: physical (a.k.a. mechanical) and chemical formulas. Choose based on your skin type and needs.
✔️ Physical exfoliants “use particulates or granules or devices like cleansing brushes to physically rub off the dead cells on skin,” Wnek explains. Face scrubs are generally best for oily and dry skin types because they buff away dry skin patches and dramatically change skin texture, says Dendy Engelman, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City.
✔️ Chemical exfoliants exfoliate skin by using chemicals (like salicylic acid or glycolic acid), which loosen the bonds between dead skin cells so they can be dislodged. “A chemical exfoliant goes deep into the pore and unclogs it,” Dr. Engelman says. Chemical picks are best for those with acne-prone skin.
How often should you use a face scrub?
Use your face scrub two to three times per week (avoiding the eye area), sweeping it onto damp skin in circular motions with very light pressure to prevent irritation and micro-tears, the Beauty Lab recommends. Apply a broad spectrum SPF 30 or higher face sunscreen each morning to protect freshly exfoliated skin.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Our Good Housekeeping Institute beauty team gathered this list of best face scrubs. Senior Chemist Danusia Wnek recommended and evaluated the Lab-tested picks in this list. During her 10-year tenure at the Beauty Lab, she’s tested skincare products spanning eye creams, serums and facial oils, using specialized skin evaluation lab equipment to gauge changes before and after product use.
As an expert in all face and body skincare product categories, Beauty Director April Franzino collaborated with the GH Beauty Lab to round up all the picks above, while also making a few recommendations based on her 15+ years in the industry.
Beauty Assistant Catharine Malzahn updated this story to freshen up product picks, including new Lab test winners and Beauty Award winners as well as some of her favorites. She works closely with the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab to help deliver fact-based, science-backed beauty coverage and has tested hundreds of skincare products, including exfoliators.
April (she/her) is the beauty director at Good Housekeeping, Prevention and Woman’s Day, where she oversees all beauty content. She has over 15 years of experience under her belt, starting her career as an assistant beauty editor at GH in 2007, and working in the beauty departments of SELF and Fitness magazines.
Catharine (she/her) is the beauty assistant at Good Housekeeping, Woman’s Day and Prevention, working closely with the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab to write science-backed beauty content. She was previously an assistant beauty editor at Group Nine Media and returned to Hearst in 2022 after having held editorial internships at Harper’s Bazaar and CR Fashion Book. Catharine received a B.A. in journalism from the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.
Danusia (she/her) is a senior chemist in the Beauty, Health and Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she evaluates haircare, skincare, cosmetics and beauty tools. She holds a B.S. in chemistry from St. John’s University and a M.S. in pharmaceutical sciences with concentration in cosmetic science from the University of Cincinnati. Danusia has over 10 years of experience in the personal care industry including formulation, product development, claim evaluation and efficacy testing.
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