10 Best Face Scrubs, According to Our Testing
Get glowing with these face scrubs for all skin types, from sensitive to acne-prone.
Reviewed by Danusia WnekSenior Chemist
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Trying to achieve naturally glowing skin? Are you dealing with dull skin 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.
"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 Danusia Wnek. What to expect after using a face scrub? Smoother, brighter, clearer and more radiant skin immediately after use and over time.
Our Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab scientists have tested all kinds of exfoliators, including face exfoliators, DIY face scrubs, scalp scrubs, body scrubs 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 consumer testers across multiple skin types, who give feedback on each scrub's performance. In the Beauty Lab's most recent test, our scientists tallied 1,375 survey data points to determine which exfoliating face scrubs are the best on the market. Whether you have oily skin, acne-prone skin or sensitive skin, there's a face scrub for you. Ahead, our top picks, including drugstore options and face scrubs for men.
Pros
- Proven to not leave skin feeling stripped or dry
- Leaves skin feeling soft and smooth
Cons
- Gentle exfoliation might not give the strongest results
Mary Kay's GH Seal-holding face scrub is both proven to work and loved by our editors. The "gentle" exfoliator contains the "perfect" sized granules to slough off dead skin without feeling too rough or harsh, GH Contributing Beauty Editor Dori Price raves. "I love how smooth my skin feels and how quickly my serums and other products absorb after using it," she adds. GH Beauty Lab data evaluation also confirmed that it is suitable for sensitive skin, won't strip or dry out skin; plus, 92% of consumer testers agreed it left skin feeling soft.
| Size | 3 oz. |
| Key ingredients | Silica beads, glycerin |
Pros
- Deep cleans impurities
- Mattifying
- Can remove makeup
Cons
- Can be hard to rinse out of the sink
Infused with botanicals like walnut shell powder and lemon peel, this exfoliating face scrub came to impress in our GH Beauty Lab face scrub test. It wowed with its deep-cleaning performance, scoring perfectly for cleansing in a test of full-cover makeup removal and highest with testers for both clearing impurities and brightening skin. In fact, a majority of Lab testers called it the best scrub they'd ever used, noting it left skin "so refreshed and smooth, I didn't need makeup" and "matte for hours after use." Note that the scrub is dark green and can be difficult to rinse out of your sink.
| Size | 4 oz. |
| Key ingredients | Sea kelp, French green clay |
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.
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| Size | 2.5 oz. |
| Key ingredients | Argan seeds, murumuru butter |
Pros
- Mild, soothing exfoliation benefits
- Doesn't leave sensitive skin red or irritated
- Smooths skin
Cons
- Powder format can be messy
- Expensive
"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 |
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 |
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.
| Size | 6 oz. |
| Key ingredients | Lactic, glycolic, citric, malic and salicylic acids, jojoba oil |
Pros
- Contains natural ingredients like sugar and strawberry
- Leaves skin feeling silky
- Doesn't dry out skin
Cons
- Coarse crystals can be harsh
- Splurge
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 |
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 |
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.
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| Size | 5 oz. |
| Key ingredients | Ginseng, caffeine, jojoba, salt |
Pros
- Non-messy application
- Also contains retinol
- Gives an ideal level of exfoliation
Cons
- Some feel their skin is dry after use
Developed by a dermatologist, this baking soda-based Zo Skin Health polish left skin silkiest in GH Beauty Lab testing. Also a GH Beauty Award winner, it was most popular with consumers, ranking above the rest at making skin satiny, having the right exfoliation level and being the least messy of all the scrubs evaluated. “My skin still felt smooth a day later,” a tester remarked, and several liked that a little product went a long way. It also contains retinyl palmitate, a retinol derivative, adding to its anti-aging benefits. Take note: Some consumer testers found the scrub to be a bit drying.
| Size | 2.3 oz. |
| Key ingredients | Magnesium oxide crystals, sodium bicarbonate |
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.
Danusia (she/her) is a senior chemist in the Beauty and Personal Care 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 15 years of experience in the personal care industry including formulation, product development, claim evaluation and performance testing. The number one skincare rule she lives by: never go to bed with makeup on.
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