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9 best face scrubs to shop in 2026 for smoother, more glowy skin, tried and tested
Our winner is also our value buy...
Reviewed by Danusia WnekSenior Chemist
If you're trying to achieve naturally glowing skin, or wishing it just felt a bit smoother, there's an easy solution: a face scrub. The best face scrubs use physical exfoliators (like sugar crystals or silica beads) to help cleanse the skin without stripping it.
"Exfoliation is the process of removing dead cells in the stratum corneum, the top layer of skin, to increase cell turnover," explains GHI US Beauty Lab Senior Chemist, Danusia Wnek. You can expect smoother, brighter, clearer and more radiant skin immediately after use and over time.
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Our sister Good Housekeeping Institute lab in the US has tested all kinds of exfoliators, including face exfoliators, DIY face scrubs, scalp scrubs, body scrubs and more. They use specialist lab machines to evaluate each formulation's efficacy and also send each product to a panel of readers with a broad mix of skin types, who give feedback on each scrub's texture, ease of use and most, importantly, performance.
To find the best face scrubs on the market, they tallied 1,375 survey data points. The GHI team in the UK has also checked the results and ensured all the formulations are identical for our market. So whether you have oily skin, are acne prone or experience sensitivity, there's a face scrub for you. Keep scrolling for our top picks.
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How we test face scrubs
Our Good Housekeeping Institute beauty lab experts test face scrubs and exfoliators both in the lab using specialist equipment and with our testing panel at home.
After pulling together a list of the bestselling and top-rated face scrubs across a range of price points, our experts carry out pre-screening, evaluating each scrub's ability to remove full-coverage foundation.
They then 'blind' the products (so panellists aren't swayed by big brand names) and send them out to hundreds of testers who use them as part of their skincare routine.
Those panellists then give a full report on each product's ease of use, scent and texture, as well as how effectively it removes dirt, oil and impurities, and whether it left their skin feeling softer and smoother and looking brighter and more radiant.
Horace Gentle Face Scrub
Pros
- Gently exfoliates
- Purifies skin
Cons
- Doesn't deliver deep exfoliation
Well-priced and gentle on the skin skin, French brand Horace's face scrub was loved by both our panel and, well, our beauty director's husband. "My husband uses this mild face scrub as a cleanser, as he likes the deeply purifying effects," she told us.
It delivers gentle exfoliating, helping to invigorate the skin and rinsing off easily. For £15, it's an effective exfoliator that shouldn't cause irritation, but will still leave you feeling squeaky clean.
| Size | 75ml |
|---|---|
| Key ingredients | Argan seeds, murumuru butter |
Dermalogica Daily Milkfoliant
Dermalogica Daily Milkfoliant
Pros
- Mild, soothing exfoliation benefits
- Doesn't leave sensitive skin red or irritated
- Smooths skin
Cons
- Powder format can be messy
- Expensive
This formula is "mild" and "soothing", according to senior chemist, Danusia Wnek, who turns to the Dermalogica exfoliator when her skin is feeling sensitive but still needs some polishing.
The format of this scrub is a bit different to others on the market. It's a powder that you sprinkle onto your hands and add water to, which can be a bit messy – you have been warned. Though it's pricey, it was a big hit with testers. "It leaves my skin feeling smoother without redness or irritation," says Wnek.
| Size | 74g |
|---|---|
| Key ingredients | Coconut milk, oat bran extract |
Is Clinical Cleansing Complex Polish
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-favourite Cleansing Complex is great for all skin types, especially those with dry complexions. One tester said that this scrub is gentle enough for her to use on dry skin every other day.
“The beads are soft and smooth, so the scrub doesn't feel rough, like you're scraping or sanding your skin," she told us. "Despite it being so gentle, my skin feels significantly smoother and more supple even after just one use."
| Size | 114ml |
|---|---|
| Key ingredients | Jojoba esters, glycerin, sugarcane |
Fresh Sugar Face Polish
Fresh Sugar Face Polish
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 in this formula – including strawberry, brown sugar, plum seed oil and grape seed oil – work together to exfoliate and nourish skin at the same time.
It feels indulgent, thanks to its sugar and fruit extract formula and gives skin a good sloughing but still leaves it silky soft instead of dried out. “I would use gentle pressure when applying it, as the sugar crystals can be coarse for sensitive skin types," advises our expert.
| Size | 125g |
|---|---|
| Key ingredients | Strawberry fruit extract, brown sugar, plum seed oil, grapeseed oil |
St. Ives Fresh Skin Scrub Apricot
Pros
- Smells refreshing
- Helps minimizes the appearance of pores
Cons
- Particles may feel coarse and irritating
Exfoliating effectively at a purse-friendly price, the iconic St. Ives drugstore cream scrub lived up to its cult classic status in our lab tests.
Our panellists said it checked lots of boxes: They rated it highly for its fresh, fruity scent, effective dirt and oil removal and effectively minimising pore appearance, though some with more sensitive skin found its coarser particles a little irritating, so look to another option if that's a concern.
Overall though, this is a great value buy. “It gave my skin a glow and even helped my makeup go on smoother,” one tester noted.
| Size | 170g |
|---|---|
| Key ingredients | Apricot pit, walnut shell powder |
Origins Ginzing Refreshing Scrub Cleanser
Origins Ginzing Refreshing Scrub Cleanser
Pros
- Cleans skin without irritation
- Proven softening benefits
Cons
- Some might not like the strong scent
The citrus-scented face scrub seriously impressed our panellists as it cleansed skin without causing irritation. Many were fans of its light exfoliation, with one tester calling it the perfect combination of face wash and gentle scrub.
One tester who suffered from clogged pores and oily skin said they saw a visible minimising effect after just one week. "My face is so soft; I haven't had a soft face in years," another added. "I like the amount of beads in the product, I feel like it gives me more scrubbing power."
| Size | 150ml |
|---|---|
| Key ingredients | Ginseng, caffeine, jojoba, salt |
Zo Skin Health Exfoliating Polish
Zo Skin Health Exfoliating Polish
Pros
- Non-messy application
- Also contains retinol
- Gives an ideal level of exfoliation
Cons
- Some felt their skin was dry after use
Developed by a dermatologist, this baking soda-based Zo Skin Health polish delivered some of the silkiest skin in our lab tests. It was seriously popular with panellists too, ranking above the rest for making skin feel satiny, having just the right exfoliation level and being the least messy of all the scrubs evaluated.
“My skin still felt smooth a day later,” one 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-ageing benefits. Take note though, some testers found the scrub a bit drying. So, make sure to follow up with a hydrating moisturiser.
| Size | 65g |
|---|---|
| Key ingredients | Magnesium oxide crystals, sodium bicarbonate |
Neutrogena Bright Boost Resurfacing Micro Polish Facial Exfoliator
Neutrogena Bright Boost Resurfacing Micro Polish Facial Exfoliator
Pros
- Proven smoothing benefits
- Gentle formula
Cons
- No physical scrub feel
Powered by exfoliating glycolic and mandelic acids, this affordable exfoliator helps to smooth texture and increase radiance while being gentle on skin.
Almost all our at-home testers agreed the formulation instantly smoothed their skin, that it was mild and that it left their complexions looking brighter.
| Size | 75ml |
|---|---|
| Key ingredients | Glycolic and mandelic acid |
Pros
- Delivers gentle exfoliation
- Non-irritating formula
If you prefer a gentler scrub, our experts found this offered a light, mild exfoliation. It was on par with other top performers we tested for not irritating the skin.
Though our experts recommend that sensitive skin types limit their use of scrubs, this brand is famously known for its gentle properties (we also recommend its body wash for sensitive skin).
| Size | 178ml |
|---|---|
| Key ingredients | Vitamins B5 and E |
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 face scrubs (aka 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 dermatologist Dendy Engelman, M.D.
✔️ Chemical exfoliants use 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. Head to our review of the best glycolic acid toners for more detail.
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. Apply a broad spectrum SPF 30 or higher (we prefer SPF50!) face sunscreen each morning to protect freshly exfoliated skin.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Why trust the Good Housekeeping Institute?
Senior Chemist Danusia Wnek, who works in our sister lab in the US, recommended and evaluated the lab-tested picks in this list. During her 10-year tenure in the beauty lab, she's tested thousands of skincare products spanning eye creams, serums and facial oils, using specialised skin evaluation lab equipment to gauge changes before and after use.
As an expert in all face and body skincare product categories, Beauty Director April Franzino collaborated with our experts to round up all the picks above, while also making a few recommendations based on her 15+ years in the industry.
Florence Reeves-White, senior beauty writer at the Good Housekeeping Institute in the UK reviewed all the data and feedback on the products in this list and ensure the formulations are identical in the UK. Florence has worked in beauty journalism for over five years and is passionate about ensuring products live up to their claims.
April (she/her) is the senior beauty and style director at Good Housekeeping, where she oversees all beauty editorial content, and also contributes to Woman’s Day and Prevention. April has over 20 years of experience, including positions as the Beauty Director of Redbook, Beauty Editor of SELF, Associate Beauty Editor of Fitness, Assistant Beauty Editor of Good Housekeeping, and Beauty Freelancer at People StyleWatch. She represents GH on television, radio, industry panels, and online, having appeared on The Today Show, Good Morning America, CBS Mornings, The View, CNBC, NBC New York Live, QVC, and PIX11 News. April received a B.A. from New York University Journalism School. When not engrossed in all things beauty, she can be found spending time with the people she loves, reading, listening to music, and enjoying the outdoors.
Catharine Malzahn is a contributing beauty writer at Cosmopolitan and was previously the beauty assistant at Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day, and Prevention.
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.
