People have been exfoliating their bodies around the world for thousands of years. If you're wondering where to start, you're in the right place. We cover the science behind body scrubs and discuss some of the very best options out there.
Key Takeaways
- Exfoliation is important for removing excess dead skin cells, which can cause acne, flaky skin, dryness, and other issues.
- Body scrubs are an excellent way to exfoliate your skin, keeping it smooth and healthy.
- Some scrubs utilize physical exfoliants like coffee grounds, while others use chemical exfoliants like glycolic acid. Some combine both types of exfoliants.
- Picking the right body scrub for your skin type is important, especially if you have very sensitive skin.
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The best overall body scrub is the Invigorating Coffee Body Scrub, as it works well across a range of skin types.
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Understanding Body Scrubs
When it comes to skincare, the focus is often on the face. But our face, while important, accounts for only a small portion of our skin.
Around the world, our ancestors knew the importance of looking after all of our skin, not just the face. For example, in Indonesia, women traditionally mixed their own special exfoliating paste from local ingredients.
Many of these ancient ingredients are still used in exfoliating products today. You'll likely recognize some of them, like sugar and salt. Some might be new to you, like candlenut and sandalwood powder.
As with any skincare or wellness product, different ingredients have different uses. Some blends are amazing for oily skin, while others are more appropriate for sensitive skin types. Some people's skin responds amazingly to physical exfoliation, while others prefer chemical exfoliation.
The important thing is to choose the right product for you and your individual skincare routine. After all, skin care is centered in wellness. And with the right body scrub, you can enjoy silky smooth skin year-round.
But which scrub is right for you? We'll cover some of the most popular, high-quality products available to help you choose. But first, we need to cover some of the basics of body scrubs.
Are Body Scrubs Safe?
Body scrubs are absolutely safe. They're endorsed by board-certified dermatologists, not to mention generations of people who've used and benefited from them.
Our skin naturally sheds. This process is called desquamation. Skin cells are constantly dying and being replaced with new cells.
However, this process isn't always flawless. Dead skin cells can build up on our skin.
This accumulation can be problematic. It can cause rough, flaky, or dry patches, as well as body acne. If you have a persistent dull skin tone or rough skin texture, dead skin cells might be the culprit.
Preventing all these potential issues is fairly simple. All we need to do is remove dead skin cells to prevent them from building up. That's where exfoliation comes in.
Exfoliating and removing dead skin cells provides various benefits, too. By removing the layer of dead skin, you allow your skin to absorb products (including moisturizers) more effectively. Removing dead skin can also unclog pores, prevent ingrown hairs, and generally leave your skin soft, smooth, and more even.
Sounds good, right?
The fundamentals of exfoliation might be simple, but things are a little more complex in practice. That's because there are many different ways to exfoliate, and different methods are better for different skin types.
Different Types of Body Scrubs
As we mentioned, there are two basic types of exfoliating: physical and chemical.
Physical exfoliants rely on abrasive particles, like beads or granules, to remove dead cells. Chemical exfoliants rely on chemicals like glycolic and lactic acids to dissolve the compounds holding those dead cells together, effectively removing them.
There are benefits and drawbacks to each type of exfoliant.
Chemical exfoliation, for example, can be great for sensitive skin that might be irritated or even torn by the manual action of physical scrubs.
On the other hand, physical scrubs can be great for thick, rough skin that needs a bit of extra elbow grease to smooth out. They also often provide immediate results, whereas chemical exfoliants might take weeks or even months to provide visible results.
Within these two broad categories are many different types of scrubs. They're often distinguished by their key ingredients. Here are some popular types:
- Salt Scrubs: As the name implies, salt scrubs usually include some kind of salt, such as Himalayan pink salt. They're great for deep exfoliation, and salt has natural antibacterial properties. But the coarseness of salt can be harsh on sensitive skin.
- Sugar Scrubs: Sugar particles are relatively gentle on the skin. Plus, they usually dissolve while being used, and are often combined with moisturizing ingredients. That makes them great for sensitive or dry skin.
- Coffee Scrubs: These are made from ground-up coffee beans, which are packed with antioxidants. Coffee can result in tighter, glowing skin, and to many people, it smells amazing. But your skin might be sensitive to coffee.
- Herbal or Plant-based Scrubs: This broader category of scrubs involves a blend of herbs and extracts, like sweet black tea or safflower seed oil. They're generally more gentle than other scrubs, and depending on the ingredients, can provide additional benefits like reducing acne scars or soothing the skin.
- Oatmeal Scrubs: These are some of the gentlest scrubs out there. They're great for irritated skin.
- Bamboo Scrubs: These use ground-up bamboo to rub away dead skin.
- Fruit Enzyme Scrubs: Certain enzymes, like those from pineapples, can help dissolve dead cells. These scrubs can be an excellent natural chemical exfoliant for people with more sensitive skin.
While these categories can be helpful, they're not rigid. Plenty of scrubs combine multiple ingredients for an optimal effect.
How to Use Body Scrubs
Just as important as the type of scrub is how that scrub is applied. Despite what you might think, it's important to be gentle when exfoliating. Remember, your skin is a living organ; you want to get rid of excess dead skin and rough patches, but you don't want to damage the living skin underneath.
Therefore, try to avoid water that's too hot. Instead, get your skin wet with lukewarm water.
When applying your scrub, gently rub it onto your skin with circular motions. Use a generous amount, especially if you haven't exfoliated in a long while (or ever).
Take your time and enjoy the process. Certain parts of your body, like your elbows or heels, might require a few minutes each.
When you’re done with your self-massage, rinse away any remaining scrub with water. Your skin might be a little more sensitive than usual, so make sure to carefully pat it dry with a soft towel.
Consider using a moisturizer or body lotion to keep your skin soft and hydrated.
Scrubbing isn't usually an everyday activity, either. A few times a week is plenty.
Bonus: Are Perfume Oils Better Than Perfume Sprays?
The 9 Best Exfoliating Body Scrubs
#1. Best Overall: JUARA Coffee Body Scrub
Juara's Coffee Body Scrub follows in the centuries-long tradition of the homemade scrubs used by generations of Indonesian women. It was inspired by an ancient Indonesian treatment called Jamu, which utilizes skincare practices to help stimulate blood flow and circulation in the skin.
This scrub has a delicious coffee-chocolate scent that turns a simple shower into a divine massage, stimulating and awakening the senses. Coffee aficionados may recognize the tell-tale scent of dark, roasted Sumatra coffee beans; to others, it might smell like an espresso brownie. Either way, it's luxurious.
Because the coffee grounds don't dissolve, you don't have to use too much, meaning it should last longer than many other scrubs. And coffee has various benefits. For example, research suggests the bioactive compounds in coffee have anti-cellulite, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-aging effects. Coffee is also thought to be able to help stimulate collagen production in the skin, which can help skin stay smooth and tight.
The coffee grounds are combined with coconut cleansing agents that help remove dead skin cells, blackheads, and flaky skin. Unlike some harsher salt or sugar scrubs, this coffee-based formula is naturally moisturizing and invigorating.
This scrub is an all-rounder, great for sensitive skin, oily skin, acne-prone skin, and more. It's dermatologist-tested and made of high-quality, sulfate-free ingredients.
#2. Best for Dry Skin: JUARA Candlenut Body Polish
This intensely moisturizing, luxurious body scrub combines two actions in one: exfoliation and moisturization.
Crushed walnut shell grains and other exfoliating ingredients help clear the top layer of your skin without the irritation of harsher scrubs. Then a unique combination of candlenut oil, rice bran oil, avocado oil, and other ingredients provides an intense hydration that leaves skin feeling plump and smooth.
You can use the JUARA Candlenut Body Polish in different ways. If you want to tackle dry skin, apply it directly to your skin, using the gentle circular motions we described above, until it's absorbed. If any grains remain, brush them away or rinse them with water.
If you want the full experience, hop in the shower and apply the body polish to wet or damp skin. Gently massage it in, rinse away remaining grains, and pat dry with your favorite fluffy towel.
#3. Best for Sensitive Skin: Nécessaire The Body Exfoliator
If you have particularly sensitive skin, this scrub is a lifesaver. To be clear, we're referring to the fragrance-free version, but if you think your skin can handle a little scent, there are a few options to choose from.
The magic of this scrub is that it combines both types of exfoliation. It contains charcoal and pumice particles to physically remove dead skin and leave your skin feeling soft. And it contains three of the best exfoliating acids: glycolic acid, lactic acid, and salicylic acid.
These acids are prized for their exfoliating abilities; plenty of scrubs are based on one of them alone. For example, one 2025 study found that salicylic acid increased skin hydration by over 40% and decreased sebum levels by over 23%. Excess sebum can cause oily skin, acne, and blocked pores.
Combining all three acids gives you the benefits of all.
All that said, this scrub's formulation is a little runny. That makes it a little messier than other options on this list.
#4. Best for Ingrown Hairs: Soft Services Buffing Bar
There's a reason everyone from the New York Times to the Strategist to users on TikTok are obsessed with Soft Service's Buffing Bar. It looks just like your average bar of soap, but it's actually a powerful scrub that is perfect for people with persistent ingrown hairs.
The soap-bar form makes this scrub easy and strangely satisfying to apply. The original version had no scent, but Soft Services has since released a couple of scented options. The bars are vegan and cruelty-free.
So, how do these bars work? The secret lies in two types of mineral microcrystals, magnesium oxide and alumina. They help polish your skin, removing dead skin and bumps and leaving your skin smooth.
By doing that, these bars can help prevent ingrown hairs. These pesky problems can be caused by a buildup of dead skin cells; the cells block hair follicles, forcing the hair to twist inwards into the skin.
And boy, do these bars work. The New York Times tested the bars with a panel of several users and concluded they "certainly work to smooth the skin as promised."
The main downside of these bars is their longevity. By their nature, they're a little more difficult to store compared to products safely contained in jars, bottles, or other packaging. And if you don't store them properly, they can age pretty quickly.
#5. Best for Rough Skin: Nopalera Cactus Flower Exfoliant
Nopalera's Cactus Flower Exfoliant promises it can cleanse, exfoliate, and moisturize your skin. Little wonder, then, that it was highly rated by People Magazine, which concluded this scrub is "effective at sloughing our skin without feeling abrasive or rough."
In the same way Juara draws from ancient Indonesian wellness traditions, Nopalera used natural Mexican botanicals to craft this scrub.
Prickly pear oil is rich in vitamin E to help restore the skin barrier. Prickly pear cactus helps remove dead skin. And achiote seed oil helps keep skin smooth and soothed.
That combination is particularly great for rough skin. It can help buff away rough patches and smooth out uneven texture.
This scrub is quite thick; you'll want to apply it in the shower or bath to be able to rinse it away when you're done. That said, it dissolves quickly in water, so be careful, or you'll use way more than you'd like.
Additionally, some people might not love this scrub's intense, gritty texture. And it's not quite as hydrating as other scrubs that are more focused on moisturization.
#6. Best for Keratosis Pilaris: First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub
Keratosis pilaris is a common skin condition caused by excess keratin. That extra keratin causes small bumps to form across the body, especially on the arms or legs.
It's sometimes called "strawberry legs," as the dark spots can look like strawberry seeds. Another name is "chicken skin" because the spots resemble goosebumps.
Keratosis pilaris might be harmless, but that doesn't mean you can't do anything about it. Skin care is a great way to manage it. Moisturization is particularly important, as dryness can make the condition worse.
Enter First Aid Beauty's KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub. As the name implies, this scrub is specially formulated to target bumps and uneven skin textures.
To do this, it blends the physical exfoliation of pumice beads with the chemical exfoliation of glycolic and lactic acids. The acids help loosen up any excess dry skin, which is then buffed away by the pumice (and your gentle massaging motions).
Despite its effectiveness, this scrub is surprisingly safe for sensitive skin. But take care not to overuse it in particularly sensitive areas.
That said, some people with sensitive skin might find it a little too powerful, and its scent can be a little off-putting. In fact, First Aid Beauty has since released a few new scented versions to address complaints about the smell of the original, but remember that certain fragrances can irritate sensitive skin.
#7. Best Budget Scrub: Dove Brown Sugar & Coconut Butter Body Scrub
Dove's Brown Sugar & Coconut Butter Body Scrub is available for less than $10 per package. Though it’s made with basic ingredients, the scrub is still well-reviewed and effective.
It relies on brown sugar to exfoliate and coconut butter to soothe and moisturize. In fact, 25% of this scrub is made up of just moisturizing cream, making it great for people with particularly dry skin.
The brown sugar and coconut also combine to produce a really pleasant scent, too.
However, so much focus on moisturization might make this scrub a little weak for people with particularly rough or thick skin.
#8. Best Shea Sugar Scrub: Tree Hut Peanuts Woodstock Glow
Shea sugar scrubs are an extremely popular type of body scrub that combines sugar particles with shea butter. The sugar exfoliates, while the shea butter moisturizes.
Shea butter's moisturization abilities are well-established. For example, a 2025 study found that shea butter increased skin hydration by 58% and decreased water loss by 37.8% after 24 hours.
Among shea sugar scrubs, Tree Hut’s line of products reigns supreme. There are almost too many to choose from.
Peanuts Woodstock Glow is the strongest and longest-lasting, but it's a limited-edition product. Pineapple and guava scents give it a tropical or sweet-and-sour twist, while the sugar/shea combo does its job as well as you'd expect.
If you can't find that edition, Tree Hut's Pineapple Shea Sugar Scrub is a reliable alternative.
While these scrubs are widely beloved, they might not be ideal for people with especially sensitive skin. The scent is also quite central, which means if you don't like it (or stop liking it), you might be out of luck.
#9. Best Argan Oil Scrub: Josie Maran Sugar and Argan Oil Body Scrub
Argan oil is another powerful ingredient with well-established benefits for skin and general health. In fact, argan oil is so widely studied that there's even an international symposium on the "beneficial effects of argan oil on human health!"
When applied to the skin, research shows that argan oil has hydrating and anti-microbial properties. It's also a great choice for people looking for firmer skin; one study found that argan oil significantly improved the elasticity of the skin of postmenopausal women.
Among the many scrubs that incorporate argan oil, the best choice is Josie Maran's Sugar and Argan Oil Body Scrub. The sugar crystals help buff out your skin, while the argan oil moisturizes (and provides all the benefits we just described).
Nevertheless, oils aren't for everyone. If you have particularly oily skin or dislike the sensation of oily products, this scrub might not be for you.
Conclusion
Body scrubs are a great way to achieve and maintain radiant skin. Using the perfect body scrub can be a spa-like experience; gently massaging yourself, enjoying the sensation and smells, feeling and seeing its effects...
Hopefully, this list helps you find the right scrub for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Best Thing to Exfoliate Your Body With?
That depends on your skin. For example, if you have sensitive skin, you might want to avoid physical exfoliants, which can be irritating and even damaging. But if you have particularly rough, thick skin, you might prefer the immediate results of physical exfoliants.
If you're not sure where to start, consider trying an all-rounder scrub that's suitable for all skin types and conditions, like this Invigorating Coffee Body Scrub.
How to Get Rid of Dead Skin Buildup on the Body?
There are many ways to get rid of excess dead skin. In general, these methods can be divided into two categories: physical exfoliation, in which small particles or rough objects are used to physically remove excess skin; and chemical exfoliation, where chemicals are used to loosen the bonds holding the dead skin together.
Which option you use depends on your skin type and its condition. Exfoliation can sometimes leave skin feeling a little dry, so a great option is this Candlenut Body Polish. It combines ground-up walnut shells with multiple hydrating oils to leave your skin feeling smooth and supple.
What Is the Best Exfoliator Tool for the Body?
There are all kinds of exfoliating tools, from brushes to loofahs to scrubbers. The tool you use depends on your skin type and personal preference.
However, the best tool is arguably your hands, in combination with a carefully formulated body scrub.
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Juara Skincare incorporates ancient rituals with Western skincare science, creating the ultimate beauty experience. We aim to transport you from the mundane to the extraordinary with our exotic ingredients, intoxicating scents, and powerful, skin-improving formulas. All of our products are nutrient-rich and botanically based. We are proud to be certified cruelty-free. Get the latest skin care tips and info on Juara products by learning more about our founders and following us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.
