Even if you faithfully wear sunscreen, commit to investing in high-quality serums and creams, and mask regularly, you’re not going to see optimal results if you’re not using an exfoliator scrub. 

Not only does a face exfoliator help the skin become smoother, clearer, and brighter immediately and over time, but all of the other products in your regime will work more effectively. This is because they’ll be able to penetrate the skin — not harbor on the surface with dead cells. But even the best exfoliating face wash can’t replace the best exfoliating face scrub because it doesn’t have the same mechanical action to sweep away dead skin cells. 

Ahead, the best exfoliating scrubs to reveal a fresher, more vibrant complexion while maximizing the results of your entire skincare regimen. 

Best Exfoliator for the Face: The List

BEST OVERALL

Carrot & Stick The Micro Polish Exfoliator
This professional grade microderm cream exfoliates built-up layers of dead skin cells to reveal the younger, more vibrant-looking skin beneath. It unplugs pores and brightens the complexion without irritation.

We recommend their Peel + Polish Set as it contains the exfoliator as well as a peel serum. 

FULL LIST

Herbivore Botanicals Coco Rose Coconut Oil Body Polish

Aesop Geranium Leaf Body Scrub

Naturopathica Manuka Honey Shower Body Exfoliator

Kora Organics Turmeric Invigorating Body Scrub

Eminence Organic Skin Care Stone Crop Revitalizing Body Scrub

ESPA Exfoliating Body Polis, Sisley Paris Energizing Foaming Exfoliant For The Body

Osea Salts of the Earth Body Scrub

African Botanics Clay & Volcanic Ash Exfoliating Body Treatment

Necessaire The Body Exfoliator at Amazon

The Science Behind Exfoliation 

Skin cell turnover — a repetitive process that happens approximately every 28 days —  occurs when the living cells from the lowest epidermis layer gradually move up to the skin’s top layer. A healthy renewal cycle is essential for an even, spotless glowing complexion, yet the renewal process slows down with age.

There are two types of exfoliants: physical and chemical. While the former is the gritty, scrub-like formula you may be more familiar with (and that we’re focusing on in this piece), chemical exfoliators dissolve dead skin cells versus sweeping them away.

How to Choose the Best Exfoliator for the Face 

An exfoliating face scrub can be an adequate product to add to your skincare routine, providing you’re choosing a safe formula for your skin type and tone.

It’s interesting to note that scrub reviews have increased an impressive 121% since 2018, and the market itself has grown significantly between 2016 and 2020. This growth is due to a rise in demand for lightening, anti-aging, male, and chemical-free exfoliators and scrubs. With that said, scrubs are getting the attention of influencers, consumers, and pros alike.

Skin Type

While there are face scrubs on the market that cater to each skin type, the reality is, scrubs aren’t as good of an option as chemical exfoliants (which can be used by every skin type) for those with acneic, ultra-dry/mature, or sensitive skin. This is not to say you can’t give a scrub a go. Just be sure to choose a formula that hydrates, nourishes, and protects as well as exfoliates.

Skin Tone

Avoid an intense mechanical exfoliator if you have a darker skin tone because it can result in hyperpigmentation — especially after acne breakouts, burns, surgeries, injuries, or bug bites.

Exfoliating Elements

Do you remember the St. Ives lawsuit of 2017? While the case was thrown out of court in 2018, the company was under fire for its cult Apricot Scrub, which was believed to create micro-tears in the skin. Though the product still has a loyal following today, many other companies have opted to develop face scrubs with less abrasive ingredients such as jojoba beads, poppy seeds, oatmeal, bamboo powder, silica, fruit powders, and rice bran. 

Exfoliating elements to avoid are fruit pits, ground-up shells, volcanic rock, chunky salt, etc. Also, avoid plastic microbeads. They can’t be dissolved in water, so they’re not doing Mother Earth any favors.

How to Properly Use a Face Scrub

When it comes to how often to use a face scrub, one to two times a week if you have dry or sensitive skin is typically sufficient, while those with oily skin can increase the frequency to around three times. While some scrubs are marketed for daily use, keep an eye on how your skin is reacting as not all skin types can handle that much exfoliation — nor is it necessary.

While scrubs themselves may not all be dangerous, over-exfoliating of any kind (physical or chemical) is. Signs you’re overdoing it include redness, itchiness, irritation, micro-tears or abrasions, flakiness, and dryness. You may even experience breakouts even if you’re not regularly acneic.

Cleanse

Start with a clean canvas by washing your face and removing all traces of makeup. While some scrubs advertise that they’ll take care of these steps for you, it’s never a bad idea to use a traditional cleanser to get the job done and then consider your scrub a second cleanse.

Use the Right Amount

You only need about a nickel-sized amount of product (give or take depending on the size of your face), so don’t overdo it, or you’ll just be wasting product. Spread the product evenly on both of your hands to ensure an even exfoliation.

Be Gentle

There’s no need to use a heavy hand when exfoliating; this can lead to irritation. Use light, circular motions (avoiding the eye area) for 15-30 seconds. Don’t forget the corners of your nose, neck, and décolleté. Gentleman, don’t be afraid to work that scrub into your beard and mustache, too.

Rinse Thoroughly

Use tepid water to remove all of the product from your skin. Gently pat your face dry to avoid irritation, especially with acne or sensitive skin.

Restore

Apply a serum and moisturizer appropriate for your skin type.

Protect

Exfoliating makes your skin more sun-sensitive, so you must be wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30 during the daytime — even if it’s cloudy outside.

Best Exfoliating Face Scrub

BEST OVERALL

BEST:Carrot & Stick The Micro Polish Exfoliator
This professional grade microderm cream exfoliates built-up layers of dead skin cells to reveal the younger, more vibrant-looking skin beneath. It unplugs pores and brightens the complexion without irritation.

We recommend their Peel + Polish Set as it contains the exfoliator as well as a peel serum. 

FULL LIST

Formulyst Microdermabrasion Exfoliator
A skin-refining superstar, Formulyst’s Retexturizing Microdermabrasion Exfoliator is formulated to gently exfoliate built-up layers of dead skin to expose the younger, more vibrant-looking skin beneath. Fine aluminum oxide crystals effectively remove dirt, excess oil, and dead cells.

At the same time, nutrient-rich jojoba oil, red tea extract, apricot kernel oil, squalane, and hyaluronic acid deeply nourish and soothe newly exposed skin. The result is smoother, perfect-looking skin with less visible lines and wrinkles.

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
One of Dermalogica’s most popular products is the Daily Microfoliant, an exfoliating rice-based powder for your face that promises to help you achieve brighter, smoother skin. It’s formulated with microcrystalline cellulose, a gentle abrasive to exfoliate the top layers of skin, removing makeup, excess oil, dirt, and other impurities that may have accumulated during the day. 

Additionally, this scrub chemical exfoliants, such as papain (an enzyme derived from papaya) and salicylic acid (a beta hydroxy acid), a skin brightening complex of phytic acid from rice bran, white tea, and licorice to help balance uneven skin tone, and a soothing blend of colloidal oatmeal and allantoin to help calm skin. Despite this scrub’s powerful formula, it’s gentle enough for daily use.

Skinceuticals Micro-Exfoliating Scrub
Skinceuticals Micro-Exfoliating Scrub features a robust 2% concentration combining hydrated silica, glycerin, and aloe extract to purify pores and promote a healthy skin barrier. The formula is gentle enough for daily use and even softens and hydrates the skin. It’s paraben-, sulfate-, soap-, fragrance-, dye- and alcohol-free, making it suitable for normal, dry, oily, and combination skin. 

First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Polish
FAB is notorious for formulating products that cater to sensitive skin, and this mild scrub is no exception. Shea butter, oatmeal, and glycerin work synergistically to exfoliate, hydrate, soothe, and brighten gently. Unlike many other scrubs, this one is gentle enough to use every day.

Kiehl’s Facial Fuel Scrub
Kiehl’s paraben- and sulfate-free energizing facial scrub for men effectively exfoliates while invigorating the skin, thanks to caffeine, menthol, citrus extracts, and vitamin E. Just be sure to conduct a patch test first because some of these ingredients, though beneficial, can cause sensitivity. Along with improving the skin’s texture, this face exfoliator also preps the skin for a close, comfortable shave.

Acure Brightening Facial Scrub
Walnut shell powder (not chunky pieces) sweeps away dead cells and refines pores while lemon peel noticeably brightens, resulting in refreshed, smooth, and radiant skin. As a bonus, it deeply cleanses and can even effectively remove a full face of makeup.

Fresh Umbrian Clay Mattifying Face Exfoliant
Mineral-rich Umbrian clay absorbs excess oil, giving the skin a clear, refined, matte-like appearance. Fine bamboo and olive particles effectively remove stubborn dead skin cells that tend to stick to oily skin, eventually leading to blackheads and breakouts. You can apply this formula like a mask and wait a few minutes before dampening your fingers and working the product into the skin like a traditional scrub.

Lancer The Method Polish
This exfoliator blends physical and chemical properties and can be used daily to keep mature skin looking revitalized. Quartz crystals, pumpkin, and pomegranate enzymes effectively remove dead surface cells while leaving the skin noticeably softer and brighter after just one use. Between the relaxing lavender scent and the self-warming formula, it’s as though you’re giving yourself a mini spa treatment.

Tula So Polished Exfoliating Sugar Scrub
Tula harnesses the power of skin-friendly probiotics in its products, which work to strengthen the skin’s microbiome that can become disrupted from over-exfoliating, using the wrong skincare products, medication, allergies, and environmental stressors. This scrub is formulated with sugar that naturally dissolves during the exfoliating process, so it’s more gentle on the skin. The addition of fruit enzymes ensures that you’re getting a thorough yet pure exfoliation.

Face Exfoliator: The Bottom Line 

What’s the best face exfoliator?

Overall we suggest, Carrot & Stick The Micro Polish Exfoliator. 

We recommend their Peel + Polish Set as it contains the exfoliator as well as a peel serum. 

The best exfoliator for the face removes dead cells from the skin’s top layer (stratum corneum) to escalate cell turnover. 

Not only does a face exfoliator help the skin become smoother, clearer, and brighter immediately and over time, but all of the other products in your regime will work more effectively because they’ll be able to penetrate the skin — not harbor on the surface with dead cells.

When shopping for an exfoliating scrub, consider your skin type and tone. Look for formulas that contain less abrasive ingredients, such as jojoba beads, poppy seeds, oatmeal, bamboo powder, silica, fruit powders, and rice bran. Avoid fruit pits, ground-up shells, volcanic rock, chunky salt, etc. Also, avoid plastic microbeads. They can’t be dissolved in water, so they’re not doing Mother Earth any favors.

While scrubs themselves may not all be dangerous, over-exfoliating of any kind (physical or chemical) is. Signs you’re overdoing it include redness, itchiness, irritation, micro-tears or abrasions, flakiness, and dryness. You may even experience breakouts even if you’re not regularly acneic.

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about an exfoliating scrub.