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When skin sends out a dryness SOS, break out one of the best body scrubs for a softening, smoothing refresh. Skin-care routines often focus on the face, but don’t forget the importance of body care for maintaining suppleness all over. It doesn't hurt that most body scrubs are infused with delectable scents and gentle yet satisfyingly gritty textures that leave your skin feeling softer than a baby's butt.
While exfoliating body scrubs shouldn't replace body wash, they have ample benefits—removing dead skin cells and unclogging pores, for instance—that'll upgrade your everything shower. Plus, they can elevate the rest of your routine, too. "When your skin doesn't have that dead layer, it will be able to absorb skin-care products much better,” says David Kim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Idriss Dermatology in New York City.
Our Top Body Scrubs
- Best Overall: First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub, $30
- Most Scent Options: Tree Hut Moroccan Rose Shea Sugar Scrub, $10
- Best Cleansing Bar: Flamingo Estate Exfoliating Peppermint Soap Brick, $44
- Best Moisturizing: Josie Maran Argan Oil & Sugar Balm Body Scrub in Topless Tangerine, $29
- Best for Keratosis Pilaris: Soft Services Buffing Bar, $30 (2-Pack)
- Best for Flaky Skin: Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Resurfacing Body Scrub, $58
- Best Sugar Base: Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Body Scrub, $42
- Best Salt Base: Osea Salts of the Earth Body Scrub, $48
- Best Budget: Dove Brown Sugar & Coconut Butter Body Scrub, $8
Read on to find out which of the 11 best body scrubs fits your needs, and head to the FAQs to read firsthand about all the dos and don'ts of exfoliating from dermatologists.
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Best Overall: First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub
First Aid Beauty
KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub
Amazon
Nordstrom
Dermstore
Allure content director Kara McGrath using First Aid Beauty’s KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub
Kara McGrath
Why we love it: First Aid Beauty's KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub is a Readers' Choice Award winner that addresses several texture concerns, including keratosis pilaris. Austin-based board-certified dermatologist Heidi Prather, MD, is a fan of First Aid Beauty’s fragrance-free formulation of this scrub, which is gentler on KP-stricken skin. "Because people with KP have a genetic tendency toward allergies and skin sensitivity, it is important to be mindful of products with fragrances, which can be irritating," she says. This concoction of glycolic and lactic acids provides intensive exfoliation to remove dead skin cells, excess oil, and keratin buildup from your pores. At the same time, pumice-based buffing beads polish the skin’s surface for a smoother, softer feel. Although its main purpose is to tackle KP, this scrub can also help treat rough patches of skin on your elbows, knees, and feet. By the way, if your skin can handle fragrances and adore fruity scents, our editors gave the Fresh Strawberry version of this scrub a 2024 Allure Best of Beauty Award.
Tester feedback from content director Kara McGrath
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"First Aid Beauty’s KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub has a potent 10% alpha-hydroxy acid-infused formula, along with a gritty texture to double down on all the clogged pores, ingrown hairs, and keratosis pilaris along my body. This stuff means business, so I usually use this scrub once per week on problem areas, like my upper arms and back, and rougher patches of skin after cleansing." —content director Kara McGrath
More to know
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- Key ingredients: pumice, glycolic acid, vitamin E
- Who it's for: those with chicken skin, KP, and other bumps or textural concerns
- Fragrance-free: yes, but also comes in Fresh Strawberry and Fresh Peach options
Most Scent Options: Tree Hut Moroccan Rose Shea Sugar Scrub
Tree Hut
Moroccan Rose Shea Sugar Scrub
Ulta Beauty
Allure senior director of audience development Lexi Herrick using the Tree Hut Moroccan Rose Shea Sugar Scrub
Lexi Herrick
Why we love it: Tree Hut's Morrocan Rose Shea Sugar Scrub combines sugar and pumice beads to effectively buff away dead skin and rough patches, while alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) penetrate the pores to remove acne-causing bacteria and excess sebum. To keep dryness at bay as you slough away, this body polish is enriched with hydrating hyaluronic acid and antioxidant-rich algae extracts, which also brighten the skin and help even out discoloration. Tree Hut's lineup of exfoliating scrubs earns bonus points for its extensive selection of over 20 fragrances.
Tester feedback from senior director of audience development Lexi Herrick
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"Exfoliating but gentle, this scrub gives you a bubbly, rosy clean that allows you to create a spa experience in your own bathroom. I love the sweet scent and soft texture, and find myself using this for every shower!" —Lexi Herrick, senior director of audience development
More to know
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- Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, green algae, sugar
- Who it's for: people who want both exfoliation and hydration
- Fragrance-free: no; shop the 20+ scents here
Best Cleansing Bar: Flamingo Estate Exfoliating Peppermint Soap Brick
Flamingo Estate
Exfoliating Peppermint Soap Brick
Nordstrom
Flamingo Estate
Allure shopping director Shanna Shipin using the Flamingo Estate Exfoliating Peppermint Soap Brick
Shanna Shipin
Why we love it: Part cleanser, part scrub, Flamingo Estate’s Exfoliating Peppermint Soap Brick lives rent-free in our showers. This luxurious hunk of soap is ideal for sleepy mornings when you need a natural jolt of tingly energy, thanks to invigorating peppermint, French blue clay, and Big Sur sea salt. Poppy seeds provide the physical exfoliation—smooth, rounded, and free of the sharp edges that can sometimes feel overly abrasive. We’ll always be into a heavenly-scented steam session, no matter what time of day.
Tester feedback from shopping director Shanna Shipin
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“This bar of soap is extraordinary. The peppermint is simultaneously invigorating and soothing, and the poppyseeds exfoliate just enough. Whether you proudly display it on your vanity or try to hoard it, the fragrance will make itself known; truly, the peppermint scent wafts out of the shipping box before you even open it. Keep it whole—or maybe cut it into smaller pieces for your own slice of minty heaven.” —Shanna Shipin, shopping director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: poppy seeds, peppermint, French blue clay, Big Sur sea salt
- Fragrance-free: no; contains essential oil-based fragrances
Best Moisturizing: Josie Maran Argan Oil & Sugar Balm Body Scrub in Topless Tangerine
Josie Maran
Argan Oil & Sugar Balm Body Scrub in Topless Tangerine
Sephora
Allure commerce editor Sarah Han using the Josie Maran Argan Oil & Sugar Balm Body Scrub in Topless Tangerine
Sarah Han
Why we love it: Josie Maran’s Sugar and Argan Oil Body Scrub simply hits—especially in the Topless Tangerine scent. Pixie tangerine, pink grapefruit, and brown sugar come together for a divinely fragrant scrub-down that moisturizes while it polishes. Argan oil locks in hydration, while sugar buffs away roughness to reveal velvety-soft skin post-rinse. Snag the unscented tub or choose from several delicious fragrances for a lasting burst of yumminess.
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
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“Look, I’m guilty of not giving my body as much love as my face when it comes to skin care, but when a body scrub smells like I’m sipping on a tall glass of chilled, freshly-squeezed juice somewhere tropical and extra vibey, I go all in. I love that I get the satisfaction of sugar granules literally polishing away texture but there’s Josie Maran’s signature argan oil (and shea butter) making sure my skin is moisturized and buttery-soft, never stripped.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: argan oil, pixie tangerine, pink grapefruit, brown sugar
- Fragrance-free: yes; other scents include Bohemian Fig and Vanilla Vibezzz
Best for Keratosis Pilaris: Soft Services Buffing Bar
Soft Services
Buffing Bar
Sephora (2-Pack)
Soft Services (2-Pack)
Why we love it: The Soft Services Buffing Bar tackles body bumps and brings tough ingrown hairs to the surface using magnesium oxide-based microfine crystals. A 2022 Best of Beauty winner, this bar is an editor-favorite for sloughing away dead skin and pore-clogging oil, via a soothing blend of hydrating glycerin, moisture-replenishing shea butter, and soothing aloe. However, since it has a grittier feel and a more intensive formula than other options on this list, this product may not be suitable for you if you have sunburned or very sensitive skin.
Tester feedback from commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann
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“Of all of the KP remedies I've tried, the Soft Services Buffing Bar is one is the easiest, most low-maintenance solutions I've come across. A couple of swipes of this bar across my KP-affected areas left my skin softer and more even-toned for days at a time, with minimal effort added to my shower routine.” —Sarah Hoffmann, commerce producer
More to know
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- Key ingredients: magnesium oxide and alumina, glycerin, shea butter
- Who it's for: people with keratosis pilaris, rough skin, and ingrown hairs
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Flaky Skin: Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Resurfacing Body Scrub
Kate Somerville
ExfoliKate Resurfacing Body Scrub
Amazon
Nordstrom
Why we love it: Kate Somerville's ExfoliKate Resurfacing Body Scrub is an Allure Best of Beauty Award-winning formula we swear by for velvety-smooth skin, without an ounce of doubt. Lactic and salicylic acids chemically exfoliate, while physically exfoliating pumice-stone particles really get in there to buff away rough, stubborn patches. This scrub is also infused with honey and aloe to nourish and condition. The result? Soft, smooth, and radiant skin from head to toe. This sensorial green paste comes in a mess-free squeeze tube and smells faintly of papaya, pineapple, and pumpkin—all of which provide enzymatic exfoliation.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: pumice, papaya enzymes, lactic acid
- Who it's for: people with dry patches; rough knees and elbows
- Fragrance-free: no; contains essential oil-based fragrances
Best Sugar Base: Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Body Scrub
Sol de Janeiro
Bum Bum Body Scrub
Amazon
Revolve
Ulta Beauty
Why we love it: Make summer last all year with Sol De Janeiro's delicious Bum Bum Body Scrub, a 2023 Readers' Choice Award winner. Just like the cream of the same name, it has the same scrumptious vanilla-caramel scent, but it’s the superfine, sand-like texture that’ll win you over even more. The gritty formula uses crushed cupuaçu seeds and sugar crystals to gently dissolve dead skin cells, Amazonian guarana (which has five times more caffeine than coffee) stimulates circulation, and pure-pressed coconut oil leaves behind silky, glowing skin. It also features a subtly shimmery finish—the perfect radiance boost your skin needs before a night out, if we might add.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: sugar, coconut oil, guarana
- Who it's for: normal to dry skin
- Fragrance-free: no; scented with the brand’s signature Cheirosa 62
Best Salt Base: Osea Salts of the Earth Body Scrub
Osea
Salts of the Earth Body Scrub
Amazon
Nordstrom
Credo Beauty
Why we love it: Osea’s Salts of the Earth Body Scrub is a favorite for its blend of mineral salts—derived from New Zealand, Hawaii, and the Himalayas—and seaweed, which provides a wealth of nutrients, like amino acids, minerals, and antioxidants. The lavender scent only adds to the experience, giving the scrub an extra-indulgent feel. Keep in mind that this scrub’s salt base may be too harsh for sensitive skin types, so those with easily irritated skin should proceed cautiously.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: salt, safflower seed oil, shea butter
- Who it's for: acne-prone skin, dry skin, oily skin
- Fragrance-free: no; contains lavender oil
Best Budget: Dove Brown Sugar & Coconut Butter Exfoliating Body Scrub
Dove
Brown Sugar & Coconut Butter Exfoliating Body Scrub
Amazon
Why we love it: If you prefer minimal grittiness (and a lower price tag), try Dove’s Body Scrub Brown Sugar & Coconut Butter. This exfoliator has a creamier formulation than most scrubs and features brown sugar to delicately polish skin without scrubbing it raw. The addition of skin-conditioning coconut butter will make your skin feel smooth to the touch once you hop out of the shower. This scrub is available in eight different scents (!), each featuring a unique blend of physical exfoliators, but the brown sugar-based pick is our favorite for its slightly grittier texture.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: brown sugar, coconut butter
- Who it's for: normal to dry skin, flaky skin
- Fragrance-free: no; scents include Brown Sugar, Vanilla Sugar, Cherry, Macadamia, Rose, Pomegranate, White Beach
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of body scrubs?
Body scrubs offer numerous benefits, particularly for individuals with drier skin. "The good ones that aren't too rough or harsh on the skin will help make the skin feel nice and smooth by helping remove a dead layer of the skin," says Dr. Kim. "When your skin doesn't have that dead layer, it will be able to absorb skin-care products much better.”
As you can expect from their name, body scrubs tend to contain physical exfoliators, which polish the top layer of skin to remove dead skin buildup. Most body scrubs have sugar- or salt-based granules that dissolve as you massage them onto your skin, minimizing the chances of micro-tears and irritation. However, you can also find non-dissolving options made with skin-polishing bases like coffee grounds, plant seeds, and even ultra-fine rice powder. Gary Goldfaden, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Hollywood, Florida, previously told Allure to consider the base of your physical exfoliant when looking for a new body scrub to prevent issues like irritation. "People with oilier complexions have larger sebaceous glands, which makes their skin thicker and better able to tolerate more abrasive particles," he explained.
Are body scrubs safe for sensitive skin?
If you struggle with body acne or sensitive skin, it's understandable that you might be hesitant to put anything rough-feeling on your skin. Still, Dr. Kim explains to Allure that body scrubs are perfectly safe when used sparingly and gently. "I would recommend [body scrubs] only once or twice a month for people with sensitive skin," he says. "It's also important to moisturize the skin immediately after showering when it's slightly damp."
Dr. Goldfaden also had some exfoliating advice for sensitive skin: Generally, use products with smaller granules, which are less likely to irritate, cut, or rub your skin. As always, if you experience an adverse reaction to a product, stop using it immediately and consider consulting your dermatologist or exploring alternative body scrub options.
Meet the experts
- Heidi Prather, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Westlake Dermatology in Austin.
- David Kim, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at New York Dermatology Group in New York City.
- Gary Goldfaden, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in Hollywood, Florida, and the founder of Goldfaden MD.
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of best body scrubs, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists we interviewed for the piece. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.