Stock Your Shower With These Amazing Body Scrubs That Gave Us the Smoothest, Softest Skin (2024)

TL;DR

Our Top Picks

Key Ingredients: Sugar, argan oil, shea butter | Size: 2, 6, 13.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Both namesake ingredients, argan oil and shea butter, really lived up to the hype here; the oil base was incredibly moisturizing and even buttery-feeling while using it and after the fact (so much so that our tester skipped applying any body lotion after the fact). Meanwhile, the sugar particles are super small and gentle, not in the least bit scratchy, though still totally effective at smoothing unwanted texture and leaving skin with a bit more glow, too. The icing on the cake? The scent, a gourmand combo of vanilla bean and juniper, was incredible.

Caitlyn Martyn, Byrdie associate commerce editor with oily skin: “I noticed a reduction in the texture of bumps on the back of my arms and I was able to get a smooth shave after.”

Key Ingredients: Cupuacu butter, sugar, shea butter, six-oil blend | Size: 18 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

We were big fans not only of the—very—affordable price point of this one, but also of how well it exfoliated. (It quickly became our tester’s go-to for self-tanning prep.) The scrub is sugar-based and slightly gritty but still fine enough that it’s not irritating. Plus, you can easily adjust the level of exfoliation based on how hard you scrub. Any rough spots felt noticeably smoother after. Our tester also appreciated the beachy scent. There were just a few minor drawbacks, namely, the texture can get a bit runny, and it’s in a jar which makes it challenging to scoop out while you’re in the shower.

Ashley, a tester with combination skin: “There is a big difference in how my skin feels after using this scrub—it’s so soft!”

Key Ingredients: Glycolic and lactic acids, bisabolol | Size: 2, 8 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Despite this product’s name, this was actually our fave pick for helping to ward off and treat ingrown hairs. It’s also super gentle and great for areas like the bikini line, where said ingrown tend to crop up. To that point, our sensitive-skinned tester experienced absolutely no irritation while using it. And, as the name suggests, it was also great at reducing those irksome KP bumps as well. Credit the fact that it relies on both pumice buffing beads for physical exfoliation and glycolic and lactic acids for chemical exfoliation. Just keep in mind that it can make your shower a little messy.

Key Ingredients: Bamboo powder, lactic acid, squalane | Size: 4.2 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

It’s totally understandable that exfoliating dry skin can feel counterintuitive. And yes, if you choose the wrong scrub, it can make things worse. But this is an ideal choice for those with dry skin, largely thanks to the addition of olive-derived squalane, a super hydrating, nourishing, anti-inflammatory ingredient. It relies on bamboo powder to exfoliate, which has a very fine texture that won’t irritate your skin.

We were super impressed both with how nicely it spread across the skin and how lovely it felt, more akin to a lotion than a scrub. The one negative? The jar doesn’t contain a ton of product, although a little bit does go a long way.

Key Ingredients: Safflower seed oil, shea butter, jojoba oil, nopal, tangerine oil | Size: 6 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Those who gravitate towards scrubs because of the sensorial experience of, well, getting a good scrub will love this option. While it definitely felt grittier than some others, it still wasn’t overtly irritating, and our tester was thoroughly impressed with how well it buffed off rough patches. It left her skin feeling and looking softer and smoother. However, it’s not particularly hydrating, and because it isn’t super creamy, doesn’t really grip onto the skin particularly well and dissolves quickly when mixed with water.

Alyssa Kaplan, Byrdie associate commerce editor with combination skin: “I like that the scrub feels significant, in the sense that it’s not too gentle. You feel like you’re getting a good scrub.”

Key Ingredients: New Zealand solar salt, pink Himalayan salt, red Hawaiian sea salt | Size: 12 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Love to get a good lather in the shower? This pick, which relies solely on a handful of salts, oils, and butters, lathers up nicely when it comes in contact with water. That makes for not only an enjoyable experience, but also prevents the exfoliating salt particles (which are definitely on the chunkier side) from being too harsh or scratchy. Still, it’s a very effective exfoliant, great for addressing unwanted rough patches. We adored the feel and fresh scent, although it does tend to leave behind a slightly oily residue on the skin, even post-rinsing.

Key Ingredients: Pomegranate enzyme, sugar crystals, squalane | Size: 6.76 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Between its grainy-yet-goopy (in the best sense) texture, squeeze bottle container, and fruity-fresh fragrance, there’s a lot to love about this scrub. It was incredibly easy to work across the skin, and while you can definitely tell it’s doing its exfoliating job, it’s still very moisturizing. Arguably one of our fave parts was that it’s housed in a squeeze bottle, a game changer when it comes to using it in the shower; the application is truly mess-free. It’s very easy to squeeze out, although the crystal in the formula can occasionally clog up the top if you don’t wipe it off occasionally.

Key Ingredients: Sugar, coconut oil, panthenol | Size: 8.8 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Tropical, sweet, and akin to a coconut slushie—it was the scent of this scrub that had us totally hooked. It smells amazing not only in the shower but also lingers (in a good way) after the fact, too. And the exfoliating prowess was nothing to scoff at, with medium-sized sugar particles that effectively buffed off rough and dry patches. Still, it was creamy enough that it never felt drying. While it did leave behind some residue, it felt like that was an intentional part of the hydrating qualities. Just keep in mind that the yellow color of the scrub may stain your tub or shower if not rinsed off fully.

Shannon Stubbs, Byrdie commerce writer with combination skin: “The smell is what made me want to keep using the product every day. It smells so good I wish I could eat it! The smell gets even stronger while using it in the shower and lingers on my skin for a bit as well.”

Key Ingredients: Magnesium oxide, alumina, glycerin, shea butter | Size: 7.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Bar soap fans, this one’s for you. While this may look like an average bar soap, there are actually superfine, mineral-based microcrystals hidden inside. Wet the bar, then rub it onto your skin, and you’ll quickly feel the difference; we loved how well it helped banish annoying bumps on our elbows. It was nonirritating as well (and is fragrance-free also), although it does bear mentioning that it’s only meant to be used a few times per week. Also nice: One pack comes with two bars, although we did lament the fact that it didn’t come with any kind of storage tray or case.

Samantha, a tester with combination skin: “This scrub helped alleviate the fine bumps that I have on my elbows and made them feel smoother.”

Key Ingredients: Glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acids, charcoal, pumice | Size: 6.1 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

We’re big fans of this scrub for a variety of reasons. Top on the list: The scrubby, although not overtly gritty texture, super sophisticated packaging, and the fact that it offers two different types of exfoliation. There’s charcoal and pumice for physical scrubbing alongside a trio of acids for some chemical exfoliation too. It’s still a great choice for sensitive skin as it’s not irritating at all. (If you do have sensitive skin, opt for the fragrance-free variant, although there are two scented choices as well.) It can be a bit runny and, as such, tends to get a little messier than we would like.

Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid, polyglutamic acid, hyaluronic acid | Size: 7.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Despite the fact that this pick combines both chemical (glycolic acid) and mechanical (perlite, a mineral), our tester still found it surprisingly gentle on the skin. It wasn’t irritating or the least bit drying; rather, it effectively targeted dullness and rough patches and was incredibly moisturizing. The cream-to-foam formula takes about a minute to lather up, but once it does, spreads and applies beautifully. Some of the exfoliating particles do have a tendency to cling to the skin, even after rinsing, but that was the only downside.

Derek, a tester with combination skin: “Most body scrubs tend to leave my skin feeling stripped or dry, but my skin actually felt softer and more moisturized after using this one. Simultaneously, the formula was super gentle on my skin.”

FAQ

• What do body scrubs do?

  Body scrubs remove dead skin cells, leaving the skin softer, more and more radiant. In doing so, they also help any moisturizer you use after the fact penetrates better, says Dr. Jaliman.

• How do you use a body scrub?

  Dr. Jaliman suggests cleansing first, as this helps prep the skin for exfoliation. “Apply a generous amount of the scrub all over the body and gently rub it in a circular motion,” she recommends. “Rinse it off after a few minutes and towel-dry your skin. Then apply a moisturizer immediately after use.” As a general rule of thumb, aim to use a body scrub once or twice per week—less if your skin is very sensitive.

• Are body scrubs safe for sensitive skin?

  Yes, as long as you choose the right one. Dr. Jaliman says to look for gentle exfoliants in formulas that contain extra moisturizing ingredients. Steer clear of coarse, dry scrubs. And remember, less is more. Start by exfoliating weekly, gradually increasing the frequency if and when your skin can tolerate it.