Do you miss going to the spa? Have a well-deserved break and pamper yourself with a facial scrub treatment at home. This skincare product is meant to exfoliate the skin to eliminate stubborn dirt and dead skin cells on the face. It can also open up your pores for better absorption of moisturizing creams and serums.
In this article, we'll discuss how to choose the right facial scrub for acne, dry skin, and other skin concerns. Check out our buying guide with comments from board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Gaile Vitas. Plus, take a look at our top 10 selection for the best facial scrubs available online. Lastly, read through our tips section to learn how to properly use this skincare item.
Quick List - Top Facial Scrubs
Fresh Skinlab
An Acne-Clearing Facial Scrub That Leaves a Cooling Sensation
St. Ives
An Oil-Free Facial Scrub to Clear Acne and Blackheads
Cetaphil
Daily Exfoliating Cleanser That's Gentle Enough for Sensitive Skin
Human Nature
Lift Dead Skin Cells With This All-Natural and Environment-Friendly Scrub
Dr. Gaile Robredo-Vitas is a board-certified dermatologist from the Philippines. She enjoys teaching and gives lectures here and abroad. She is also very active in social media educating the public and correcting misinformation online. Her other special interests include aesthetic and procedural dermatology such as cosmeceuticals, injectables, lasers, and energy-based devices.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Table of Contents
Achieve better skin by using ingredients that address your specific concerns. Start by knowing your skin type and its needs. Avoid harmful ingredients like plastic microbeads and fruit pits, which can be harsh on the skin. Opt for exfoliants with fine or round-shaped granules for a smoother and more comfortable application that suits your skin better. For more detailed information, read through our buying guide below.
Knowing the right ingredients to address your specific skin concerns is essential to getting the best facial scrub for you. Below are some ingredients that do more than just cleanse your skin.
If you want a fresh and radiant glow, using facial scrubs with vitamin C is a good option. Vitamin C is known to lighten dark patches or hyperpigmentation because of its antioxidant properties. It can also help make scars less noticeable.
Glutathione is another ingredient that is a potent antioxidant. Typically used in many treatments to reverse the aging process, it has also been found to be beneficial for the skin. Not only does it decrease the melanin or pigmentation in your skin, but it also increases skin elasticity and reduces wrinkles.
People who suffer from acne might be familiar with salicylic acid, as it's an ingredient known for fighting acne and oily skin and preventing future breakouts. It has great exfoliating power and can effectively remove dead skin cells and excess oil from your pores.
While salicylic acid is one of the best ingredients for those with oily and acne-prone skin, it may cause irritation on sensitive skin, so it's best to use it in moderation until your skin is able to tolerate it well.
Facial scrubs are not a one-size-fits-all type of product. Some are advertised to be great for all skin types, but, others address more specific concerns. If you have any of the skin types below, check out what ingredients your facial scrub should contain.
Those with normal to oily skin types would benefit from the use of mechanical scrubs with exfoliating granules. Since their skin can handle a more abrasive approach, it is important to check out products with balancing ingredients. These can best maintain your skin’s complexion and leave it feeling soft and supple after a good scrub.
Help control excessive oil by using scrubs with natural clays like kaolin and bentonite. They mattify the skin by absorbing sebum, especially on your T-zone. Another useful ingredient is witch hazel extract. Thanks to its pore-tightening properties, it can keep your skin looking young and healthy. And since it can help get rid of excess oils, it may also help prevent the formation of acne.
In general, oily skin is more resistant and tolerant, but even then, the use of mechanical exfoliators and using them more than the suggested times of use is not recommended. For those who are not satisfied with just using mechanical exfoliants can combine it with chemical exfoliants, provided they are both used correctly. When in doubt, consult an expert, such as a board-certified dermatologist.
Facial scrubs can be aggravating for people with dry skin, but you can still enjoy their exfoliating powers if you choose scrubs with moisturizing ingredients. Some good examples to look for are honey, niacinamide, shea butter, sunflower oil, sea kelp, bamboo stem extract, and the ever-reliable Aloe vera.
These ingredients are packed with rich and hydrating properties that can help prevent any redness or itchiness. They also contain anti-inflammatory properties and can aid in scar and wound healing. They protect your skin from further damage and help your other products work their magic.
Facial scrubbing can also be a pleasant and relaxing experience that you can incorporate into your skincare routine. Using those with soothing and hydrating ingredients can add to that and enhance the experience even more.
People with sensitive skin should take extra care when using facial scrubs regularly. The grainy exfoliators can cause redness due to abrasions on the skin. Look for scrubs that gently remove dead skin cells. Oatmeal is one such ingredient that can slough off dead skin cells and soothe itchy or irritated skin at the same time. Thus, people with sensitive skin would find oatmeal scrubs a safe bet.
Exfoliators made of oatmeal, cellulose, or jojoba beads are best for those with dry and sensitive skin if they desire mechanical exfoliation. For added exfoliation, AHAs and PHAs can also help, just don't forget to use moisturizer afterward.
If you want to use a facial scrub with anti-aging properties, you can't go wrong with those infused with ginseng or tomato. That's because these ingredients have powerful antioxidants that can protect your skin from free radical damage, and they can stimulate collagen production as well.
Aside from these benefits, they also have the ability to brighten your skin tone. For instance, ginseng boosts circulation, giving you a youthful and radiant glow. Tomato, on the other hand, reduces hyperpigmentation and sun damage and may help reduce fine lines and age spots.
When it comes to any type of scrub, the first thing that comes to mind is those tiny, little beads that give an exfoliating feel. Although meant to help slough off dead skin cells, these granules may be too harsh for some skin types.
Plastic microbeads are small, round bits that promote the exfoliating action of scrubs. They are known to cause redness and promote dryness if used too often, especially on sensitive skin. To find out if a product contains microbeads, check the label and look for words like "polypropylene" and "polyethylene." These should alert you that there are plastic microbeads in the formulation.
Aside from causing potential skin damage, these microbeads also pollute natural waterways. Since they are made of plastic and are very small, they are not easily filtered out in the sewers, leading them to end up in the ocean and ingested by aquatic animals.
Apart from potentially causing redness, dryness, skin irritation, and harming the environment by polluting waterways, there is also a danger of these beads getting into your eyes when washing the face. I also do not recommend using facial scrubs containing plastic microbeads.
Like microbeads, apricots and walnuts have also been used as exfoliants in scrubs. However, the skin of the walnut and the pit of the apricot are too harsh on the skin. They can cause micro-tears which can lead to inflammation and infections. It would be best to steer clear of these and stick to gentler granules.
These types of exfoliants were very popular years back when people didn't know yet about the harmful effects of causing microtears and abrasions, especially in parts of the body with thin skin, like the face. Fortunately for us, we now have a lot of other options that are both safe and effective to be used on the face.
A scrub’s exfoliating ability depends on the size of its granules. The finer the particles it has, the smoother it should glide on your skin. This type is recommended for use on the face as the skin on this part is thinner and more delicate than the rest of the body. It is also important to get granules that are round in shape since these feel very gentle on the skin and would not cause any tears or abrasions.
Ingredients like strawberry seeds, sugar, and coffee are good examples of such granules. Not only are they gentle on the skin, but they also have nourishing benefits like brightening the skin tone and tightening the pores.
I recommend using a different scrub for the face and body. Scrubs for the face should have finer particles that are gentler and not abrasive. Meanwhile, you can opt for rougher scrubs with bigger granules or particles size if you'll use them on body parts like the elbows, knees, and feet.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | Details | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Skin Type | Exfoliant | Notable Ingredients | Net Weight | |||||
1 | Fresh Skinlab Jeju Aloe Ice Facial Scrub | ![]() | An Acne-Clearing Facial Scrub That Leaves a Cooling Sensation | Oily, Combination Skin | Walnut Shell Powder | Aloe barbadensis Leaf Extract, Macadamia integrifolia Seed Oil, Olea europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Centella asiatica Extract, Camellia sinensis Leaf Extract, Morus alba Bark Extract, Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Chamomilla recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Panthenol, Salicylic Acid | 100 mL | |
2 | St. Ives Blackhead Clearing Green Tea Face Scrub | ![]() | An Oil-Free Facial Scrub to Clear Acne and Blackheads | Acne-Prone, Combination Skin | Walnut Shell Powder, Bamboo Powder | Salicylic Acid (1.0%), Camellia sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycerin | 50 g | |
3 | Cetaphil Daily Exfoliating Cleanser | ![]() | Daily Exfoliating Cleanser That's Gentle Enough for Sensitive Skin | All Skin Types | Micro-Fine Beads | Bamboo Stem Extract, Pro-Vitamin B5, Vitamin E | 178 mL | |
4 | Human Nature Purifying Facial Scrub | ![]() | Lift Dead Skin Cells With This All-Natural and Environment-Friendly Scrub | All Skin Types, Including Sensitive Skin | Strawberry Seeds, Bamboo Granules | Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Gluconate, Coco-Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Phytic Acid, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate, Citric Acid, Glycerin, Lauric Acid, Myristic Acid, Eicosanoic Acid, Benzoic Acid | 50 g | |
5 | Organic Skin Japan Antiacne Whitening Facial Scrub | ![]() | A Gentle Exfoliant That Can Help Fade Stubborn Blemishes | Acne-Prone Skin | Microbeads | Alpha Arbutin, Glutathione, Kojic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Tea Tree Extract, Green Tea Extract, Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Camellia sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycerin | 50 g | |
6 | Nivea Acne Repair Daily Scrub | ![]() | Contains Sea Salt, Magnolia Extract, and Salicylic Acid to Fight Acne | Acne-Prone, Oily Skin | Microcrystalline Cellulose | 99% Pure Sea Salt, Magnolia Extract, Salicylic Acid, Carnitine, Hyaluronic Acid | 75 g | |
7 | Bioten Red Berries Face Scrub | ![]() | Enriched With 100% Natural Cranberry and Bearberry, Kiwi Seeds, and Prebiotics for Gentle Exfoliation | All Skin Types | Natural Kiwi Seeds, Bamboo Microparticles | Cranberry Extract, Bearberry Extract, Prebiotics, Hydro Nutrient | 150 mL | |
8 | Acure Brightening Facial Scrub | ![]() | Contains Sea Kelp and French Clay to Detoxify and Brighten the Skin | All Skin Types | Walnut Shell Powder | Sea Kelp (Chlorella), French Green Clay, Madonna Lily, Lemon Peel, Aloe vera Leaf Juice, Glycerin | 118 mL | |
9 | Aveeno Positively Radiant Skin Brightening Daily Scrub | ![]() | Hypoallergenic, Oil-Free Scrub Tailored for Sensitive Skin | All Skin Types | Natural Beads | Glycerin, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil, Glycine soja (Soybean) Protein | 140 g | |
10 | Origins GinZing Refreshing Scrub Cleanser | ![]() | Refresh and Revitalize Your Skin With Ginseng | Normal, Dry, Oily, Combination Skin | Jojoba | Panax ginseng Root Extract, Caffeine, Glycerin, Jojoba Wax, Carnauba Wax | 150 mL |
The Fresh Skinlab Jeju Aloe Ice Facial Scrub offers a unique formula with niacinamide and Centella Asiatica for a refreshing skincare experience. It contains walnut shell powder that effectively removes excess sebum, dirt, and impurities, leaving the skin clean and less oily with a lasting cooling sensation. This scrub is designed to eliminate blackheads, whiteheads, and dead skin cells, especially on the T-Zone area, to reveal a consistently smooth and clear complexion.
Infused with salicylic acid and 98% aloe vera extracts from Jeju Island, the scrub not only soothes the skin but also prevents acne breakouts, dryness, and oily skin. Users love its skin-softening effects and appreciate the gentle nature of the walnut shell powder, which doesn't scratch the face, unlike other scrubs. The added cooling effect enhances the overall appeal of this carefully crafted facial scrub.
Skin Type | Oily, Combination Skin |
---|---|
Exfoliant | Walnut Shell Powder |
Notable Ingredients | Aloe barbadensis Leaf Extract, Macadamia integrifolia Seed Oil, Olea europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Centella asiatica Extract, Camellia sinensis Leaf Extract, Morus alba Bark Extract, Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Chamomilla recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Panthenol, Salicylic Acid |
Net Weight | 100 mL |
No list of the best exfoliators is complete without St. Ives' facial scrub. In particular, this Blackhead Clearing Green Tea Face Scrub is infused with green tea, bamboo powder, and walnut shell powder to slough away dead skin cells and unclog the pores. On top of that, it contains 1% salicylic acid to prevent acne from forming and speed up the healing process of existing ones.
Apart from treating acne, its oil-free formulation can deliver radiant skin without that annoyingly greasy finish. It is also dermatologist-tested and paraben-free, ensuring safety in every use. This non-comedogenic formula from America's no.1 scrub brand is a must-have if you want to exfoliate in the most cost-effective and efficient way possible! These are the reasons why customers often buy this!
Skin Type | Acne-Prone, Combination Skin |
---|---|
Exfoliant | Walnut Shell Powder, Bamboo Powder |
Notable Ingredients | Salicylic Acid (1.0%), Camellia sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycerin |
Net Weight | 50 g |
Known for their gentle products that clean your skin without leaving it feeling dry and tight, Cetaphil's exfoliating cleanser is mild enough for sensitive skin. It is formulated with micro-fine beads that effectively exfoliate the skin without causing tears and damage. It is also enriched with bamboo and coconut extracts, skin conditioners, and vitamin complex, so using it doesn't result in over-stripping or drying.
Moreover, it helps improve skin texture to unveil healthier and more radiant-looking skin. Even better, it is hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic, and dermatologically tested, so it is safe to use for all skin types. Users agree that it gently cleanses the face, which is why most people purchase it repeatedly!
Skin Type | All Skin Types |
---|---|
Exfoliant | Micro-Fine Beads |
Notable Ingredients | Bamboo Stem Extract, Pro-Vitamin B5, Vitamin E |
Net Weight | 178 mL |
If you're looking for all-natural products for your skincare routine, this scrub is for you. Like other items from Human Nature, it is made of natural ingredients guaranteed to be gentle for your skin and the environment. It is free of plastic microbeads that can be found in some facial scrubs.
Instead, it uses strawberry seeds to lift dead skin cells and fine bamboo granules to remove impurities and soften the skin. With this, you can say goodbye to blemishes and reveal a brighter complexion. It is also very affordable, so you can enjoy its benefits even on a tight budget. Reviews of this item all point to its effectiveness. Plus, it is very sweet-smelling, which a lot of people enjoy.
Skin Type | All Skin Types, Including Sensitive Skin |
---|---|
Exfoliant | Strawberry Seeds, Bamboo Granules |
Notable Ingredients | Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Gluconate, Coco-Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Phytic Acid, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate, Citric Acid, Glycerin, Lauric Acid, Myristic Acid, Eicosanoic Acid, Benzoic Acid |
Net Weight | 50 g |
This gentle exfoliating scrub from Organic Skin is packed with all the right ingredients to make your skin feel and look healthy. It has tea tree extract for oil control and reduced redness and irritation. It also has glutathione to lighten the skin tone and make it look more radiant. The kojic acid in its formulation helps repair any visible sun damage to prevent early aging.
On the other hand, niacinamide treats dark spots, minimizes fine lines and wrinkles, and tightens the pores. It is ideal for people with oily and acne-prone skin, as it effectively regulates oil secretion. On top of that, this facial scrub has microbeads that remove impurities. Users praise the product for effectively clearing and smoothing their skin, including lightening acne marks.
Skin Type | Acne-Prone Skin |
---|---|
Exfoliant | Microbeads |
Notable Ingredients | Alpha Arbutin, Glutathione, Kojic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Tea Tree Extract, Green Tea Extract, Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Camellia sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycerin |
Net Weight | 50 g |
Skin Type | Acne-Prone, Oily Skin |
---|---|
Exfoliant | Microcrystalline Cellulose |
Notable Ingredients | 99% Pure Sea Salt, Magnolia Extract, Salicylic Acid, Carnitine, Hyaluronic Acid |
Net Weight | 75 g |
Skin Type | All Skin Types |
---|---|
Exfoliant | Natural Kiwi Seeds, Bamboo Microparticles |
Notable Ingredients | Cranberry Extract, Bearberry Extract, Prebiotics, Hydro Nutrient |
Net Weight | 150 mL |
Acure made sure to pack this facial scrub with all the ingredients you will need for brighter skin! At the top of the list is sea kelp, which moisturizes, hydrates, and detoxifies the skin, while French green clay cleanses and exfoliates. The formulation also contains Madonna lily, lemon peel, and Aloe vera, all of which bring their own benefits, like soothing the skin and lightening dark spots.
Suitable for all skin types, this scrub can be used up to three times a week. Users love how it makes their face squeaky clean without leaving it dry. This vegan brand is also proud to be free of sulfates, parabens, mineral oils, petrolatum, and formaldehyde. It is certified cruelty-free as well.
Skin Type | All Skin Types |
---|---|
Exfoliant | Walnut Shell Powder |
Notable Ingredients | Sea Kelp (Chlorella), French Green Clay, Madonna Lily, Lemon Peel, Aloe vera Leaf Juice, Glycerin |
Net Weight | 118 mL |
Skin Type | All Skin Types |
---|---|
Exfoliant | Natural Beads |
Notable Ingredients | Glycerin, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil, Glycine soja (Soybean) Protein |
Net Weight | 140 g |
Start your day with the refreshing aroma of grapefruit, lemon, and spearmint. This leaves a cool feeling on the skin that's perfect for hot and sweaty days. Moreover, this facial scrub is packed with Panax ginseng and coffee grounds to provide an exfoliating effect that can unclog your pores. These ingredients can brighten dull skin as well, revealing a youthful glow.
This formulation works for normal to dry skin and has added moisturizing properties, thanks to its HydraHug technology. It is also free of phthalates and parabens and makes use of cruelty-free, organic ingredients. Customers say this is their go-to facial scrub since it's gentle, yet it efficiently smoothens the skin.
Skin Type | Normal, Dry, Oily, Combination Skin |
---|---|
Exfoliant | Jojoba |
Notable Ingredients | Panax ginseng Root Extract, Caffeine, Glycerin, Jojoba Wax, Carnauba Wax |
Net Weight | 150 mL |
Exfoliating your skin is an important step in any skincare routine. Although it should not be done every day, it can go a long way towards clearing up your skin and regenerating new cells. For proper steps on how to exfoliate your face, we summarized a short video from Dermstore.
When using facial scrubs, make sure that you do not press too hard and do too many passes, especially if you have reactive or sensitive skin. When trying a facial scrub for the first time, you may test it on the back of your hands to get a feel of the product. Wash thoroughly and be careful not to get the small particles into your eyes.
Depending on the type of exfoliant and the concentration, peeling pads can be applied on both the face and the neck and left on for two to three minutes before rinsing. They can also be left on the face until they dry before other products can be applied to the skin. However, you have to ensure that the products you will apply after are okay and will match your exfoliant of choice.
Liquid exfoliants often contain lower concentrations of active ingredients and can be used once or twice a day, depending on your skin's needs and concerns. For those with oily skin, ingredients to look for include BHAs, and salicylic acid, while those with textural and pigmentation issues may benefit from AHAs. As for those with sensitive and reactive skin, PHAs are preferable.
Since peeling masks can act as occlusives, make sure to follow the instructions and not leave the product on your face longer than what is recommended. This must be noted, especially if it's your first time using the product or if you have sensitive or reactive skin. Also, remember to properly and thoroughly rinse your face afterward.
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by Dr. Gaile Vitas.
Depending on the type of scrub and your skin type and issues, you may use them daily or a few times a week as a first step in your skincare routine or after cleansing.
Facial scrubbing is a form of mechanical exfoliation that removes dead skin cells leaving the skin looking smooth. It also allows for better penetration of products and ingredients you intend to apply afterward.
Some facial scrubs nowadays are made or designed to be safe for daily use, even twice a day use. Depending on your choice of facial scrub, your skin type, and issues, you may choose to use them daily or only a few times a week. Listening to your skin and observing how it reacts is the most important, even if the product instructions say otherwise.
Yes, but only for those with mild acne. For individuals with mostly comedones and no inflammatory lesions, using gentle facial scrubs, done a few times a week, can aid in evening out the skin and removing excess oil, dirt, and debris. They may even opt for those containing ingredients like salicylic acid.
Otherwise, if you have inflammatory lesions, I do not recommend using facial scrubs as they might cause irritation.
Facial scrubs make for a great way of mechanically exfoliating the skin, and when done correctly, can work synergistically with chemical exfoliants and other skincare products and in-clinic procedures. They help keep the skin smooth and healthy-looking.
In our hot and humid weather, it can be difficult to keep our skin safe from free radical damage and maintain an even complexion. Make sure you give your skin all the support it can get by using the right products. Check out our articles below, and build your own morning or night skincare routine.
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Author: Roxanne A.
Editor: R. Umlas
Re-editor: Samantha Tidalgo
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
No. 1: Fresh Skinlab|Jeju Aloe Ice Facial Scrub
No. 2: St. Ives|Blackhead Clearing Green Tea Face Scrub
No. 3: Cetaphil|Daily Exfoliating Cleanser
No. 4: Human Nature|Purifying Facial Scrub
No. 5: Organic Skin Japan|Antiacne Whitening Facial Scrub
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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