Aside from making your skin look and feel smoother, most options provide additional benefits —some work to soften fine lines and wrinkles, while others can hydrate and brighten your skin. Similar to most skincare products, the number of face scrubs on the market is extensive, but there are two main types to choose from: physical exfoliants and chemical exfoliants. Our top pick, the Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser is formulated with both physical and chemical exfoliants to give you the ultimate bang for your buck. These are the best face scrubs, according to reviewers.
Chemical Exfoliants
Meanwhile, chemical exfoliants use chemicals like lactic, glycolic, and salicylic acids to loosen and remove dead skin cells while unclogging pores at the same time. Though most options are gentle enough for all skin types to use, “chemical exfoliants can be a problem for people with skin issues like rosacea or eczema depending on the type of acid used,” says Dr. Jaliman. So be sure to research which chemical exfoliants work best for your skin type before shopping.
How to use a face scrub
Luckily, you don’t have to exfoliate every day, so incorporating a face scrub into your skincare routine won’t slow you down. How often you use it depends on the type of face scrub you choose, Dr. Jaliman says, but once or twice a week is generally the norm—especially if you opt for an exfoliant with coarse ingredients or strong acids. Ready to add one to your routine? With these dermatologist guidelines in mind, we’ve combed through hundreds of options to find 15 face scrubs that customers say work the best. Whether you’re looking for deep exfoliation or one that cleanses your skin at the same time, these are the best exfoliating face scrubs that will leave your face feeling squeaky clean.