I’ll let you in on a little secret: My journey for glowy and smooth skin (even during the depths of winter) starts with the best body scrubs. While our skin naturally exfoliates itself, physical exfoliators jump-start the process by sloughing away dead skin cells. This helps your skin look more radiant and velvety to the touch, a far cry from the sometimes dry, cracked, and chalky skin that can build up all year round. And don’t worry, there are a slew of body scrubs on the market that contain hydrating ingredients so your skin won’t feel raw or stripped post-application.
Here, with the help of dermatologists and Glamour editors, we’ve rounded up our favorite scrubs. TLDR; our best overall pick was Nécessaire The Body Exfoliator, because it’s gentle enough to use on sensitive skin types, leaves skin looking glowy and rejuvenated, and smells glorious in the shower. After testing dozens of scrubs, trust us when we say these are the ones that will change your body care routine for the better.
The best body scrubs, at a glance
- Best Overall: Nécessaire The Body Exfoliator, $30
- Best for Ingrown Hairs: Fur Silk Scrub, $54
- Best for Keratosis Pilaris: First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub With 10% AHA, $12
- Best Drugstore: Tree Hut Sugar Scrub, $8
- Best for Sensitive Skin: Skinceuticals Micro-Exfoliating Scrub, $35
- Best for Dry Skin: Soft Services Buffing Bar, $28
- Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Neutrogena Body Clear Body Scrub, $8
- Best Scent: Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Scrub, $42
How we picked the best body scrubs
How we tested body scrubs
We tested over 20 body scrubs on various skin types and paid close attention to the particles within the scrub (only using formulas with soft particles). We checked to see if they were gentle or more abrasive when buffed onto the skin. We also took note of how our skin felt after scrubbing and if it looked calm and more radiant (as opposed to red and irritated). Finally, we also considered scent (because let’s be real, that’s half the fun), and took into account how often we found ourselves reaching for it over a series of weeks.
Meet the experts
- Dara Spearman, MD, and board-certified dermatologist and founder of Radiant Dermatology Associates
- Dendy Engelman, MD, and board-certified dermatologist in NYC
- Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC
Best Overall: Nécessaire The Body Exfoliator
This gentle exfoliator does more than just physically slough away skin cells, it also contains alpha-hydroxy-acids (AHA) and beta-hydroxy-acids (BHA) chemical exfoliants to make skin look extra glossy and smooth. “Those with very sensitive skin should choose a gentle chemical exfoliant or a very fine-particle exfoliant that won’t be overly harsh or abrasive,” says Dendy Engelman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC, and this pick combines the best of both worlds. “I like that this body scrub helps address uneven skin texture, keratosis pilaris [KP], ingrown hairs, and more without stripping the skin of moisture thanks to niacinamide, and it’s also hypoallergenic and noncomedogenic,” she says.
Glamour’s commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary has been a fan of this scrub for years because it’s gentle enough to not overly exfoliate or harm the skin but potent enough to actually see a difference. “Whenever my skin is looking dull or flat, I always reach for this gentle scrub to get rid of dead skin cells. I’ve never felt dried out or stripped when using this; rather, it really helps my skin retain moisture post-shower. I always finish with a moisturizing cream to lock it all in, but I never felt that dreaded skin tightness that sometimes happens post-exfoliation with this pick. My favorite part is also how luxurious the scents are, and that it comes in a fragrance-free option that’s perfect for days when your skin might be feeling extra sensitive.”
- Key Ingredients: AHAs, BHAs, volcanic pumice, and niacinamide
- Scents: 3 options
- Who It’s Best for: Those looking to level up their exfoliant routine with something effective yet gentle
- Fragrance: Eucalyptus, fragrance-free
Best for Ingrown Hairs: Fur Silk Scrub
According to the dermatologists we spoke to, body scrubs can do a thing or two about ingrown hairs. By sloughing away dead skin cells in these areas, you’ll be left with bump-free and more even-textured skin, says Dr. Engelman. That’s why Glamour’s Kilkeary is obsessed with this silky scrub: It helped solve her ingrown hair bumps along her bikini line. “I always dealt with unsightly, uncomfortable razor bumps (or the occasional ingrown hair) along my bikini line, and it took me years to figure out that an exfoliator can actually help minimize their appearance. I now don’t shower or shave without using this scrub that’s super gentle for any intimate area and makes all the difference when it comes to wearing a bikini. If you struggle with skin texture in this area, I’d highly recommend adding this one to your shave routine, stat.”
