These Are the Very Best Face Scrubs for Gentle Exfoliation and a Glowing Complexion, According to Our Tests

The Tula Skincare So Polished Exfoliating Sugar Scrub is our top pick for the best face scrub. Formulated with a blend of probiotic extracts for smoothing the skin and improving texture, pineapple and papaya extracts for breaking down dead skin and brightening the complexion, and sugar for softly polishing, this skin exfoliant boasts both a chemical and physical formula that is designed for all skin types, including sensitive. 

After testing several formulas, we found that this sugar scrub works best at lifting away dead skin cell buildup without scratching the skin or causing redness. We love that it combines the manual exfoliation of sugar with the gentle and effective exfoliation of chemical ingredients. It doesn’t just brighten the complexion through exfoliation, it also softens and smooths the skin’s overall texture. 

Following the 30-day testing period, we noticed that our skin looked brighter and smoother, and our pores appeared much smaller. A few testers made a point to note that their new naturally glowing skin was so profound that they opted to forego foundation, which isn’t their norm.

Size: 2.9 ounces | Key Ingredients: Probiotic extracts, papaya enzymes, pineapple enzymes, sugar | Type: Physical and chemical

For a more budget-friendly face scrub, we recommend the Neutrogena Deep Clean Gentle Daily Facial Scrub. This face scrub combines physical and chemical exfoliants that gently remove dead skin for a polishing effect that smooths and softens the complexion. Additionally, it’s formulated without oil and is non-comedogenic, so it won’t clog pores, making it an excellent option for oily or acne-prone skin types. 

Since this is a daily face scrub, we tested this formula every day for a month to see how well it performs. Regular exfoliation made our skin look and feel softer and smoother without feeling stripped. In addition to using it as a skin exfoliator, we also incorporated it into our makeup removal process and found that it’s effective at lifting away foundation, too.

While we noticed that skin was much softer and less dry after continued use, one tester noted that they didn’t see a visible difference in terms of brightness — though for the affordable price, they would still highly recommend this effective yet gentle scrub.

Size: 4.2 ounces | Key Ingredients: Beta hydroxy | Type: Physical and chemical

If you don’t love a face scrub but still want to reap the benefits, an exfoliating cleanser is a fantastic alternative. The formula is enriched with micro-fine granules that lift away dirt and debris as well as dead skin buildup to provide a deep cleanse without stripping. Formulated to target dirt, debris, and excess oil buildup, it’s one of the best cleansers for oily skin, though its hypoallergenic formula is gentle enough to use on more sensitive skin types, too.

Throughout the testing period, we didn’t notice a difference in our skin’s brightness, but we did find that our skin looked and felt cleaner, our overall skin texture improved, and our complexion even felt as though it was more moisturized and had increased suppleness.

Size: 6 ounces | Key Ingredients: Micro-fine granules | Type: Physical

If you have dry skin, you need an exfoliating formula that is gentle on the complexion so as not to cause irritation while also replenishing the complexion with moisture. The Dermalogica Daily Milkfoliant is our top pick for this category because the formula features ultra-gentle physical and chemical exfoliants with deeply nourishing ingredients such as coconut milk to remove dry skin, improve texture, and support better absorption of hydrating ingredients. This is a bit of a unique formula in that it’s a dry powder that you lather into wet hands, so it may take some getting used to in order to create the right ratio for your preference.

During testing, we found that this formula helped to lift away dry skin buildup and softened our complexion while improving the overall absorption of nourishing serums and moisturizers. One tester even used this formula after an eczema flare-up and said that it was effective at soothing skin irritation thanks to the oat-based ingredients.

Size: 0.45 ounces, 2.6 ounces | Key Ingredients: Oat and coconut powder, grape extract, arginine, coconut milk, papain extract | Type: Physical and chemical

If softer skin is your goal, we recommend the PCA Skin Pore Refining Treatment, which is formulated with mandelic acid, rice powder, pumice, papain, kaolin, and bentonite. The exfoliating formula is both physical and chemical and designed to brighten, smooth out uneven texture, absorb excess oil and impurities, and gently exfoliate without irritating. Our tester liked that it has a nice viscous consistency that makes it easy to spread evenly over the skin and that her complexion did not feel tight or raw after using.

Throughout the testing period, we saw a difference in the amount of excess oil on our T-zone. Our skin also appeared brighter, and our pores were clearer and more refined after the 30-day testing period.

Size: 2.1 ounces | Key Ingredients: Mandelic acid, rice powder, pumice, papain, kaolin, bentonite | Type: Physical and chemical

One of the best ways to relieve skin of blackheads is to introduce regular exfoliation into your skincare routine. We loved the Peach & Lily Glass Skin Face Polisher because it features a potent blend of chemical and physical exfoliants that work together to gently lift away dry skin and keep excess oil at bay. 

Enhanced with salicylic acid, fruit extracts, angelica root, allantoin, and ginseng, this exfoliating scrub soothes the skin, targets premature signs of aging, and brightens. After just one use, we saw a major difference in our pores’ clarity (read: they were less congested and were less noticeable). One of our testers even called it a “skin vacuum” because of its effectiveness.

Size: 2.6 ounces | Key Ingredients: Allantoin, ginseng, CrystalRice, salicylic acid, fruit extracts, Angelica root | Type: Physical and chemical

With its potent ingredient lineup, the Sunday Riley Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment works as both an exfoliating formula and an anti-aging serum. The chemical exfoliant features a formula enhanced by licorice, lemongrass, arnica, prickly pear extract, aloe, and lactic acid to promote deep exfoliation that brightens, softens, and smooths while also blurring fine lines. 

While there was some slight irritation at first, our skin quickly adjusted to making this skin serum part of our regular routine. And after the 30-day testing period, our skin looked brighter with a dewy glow. We also noticed that the fine lines on our forehead softened up quite a bit and were much less noticeable. 

Size: 0.5 ounces, 1 ounce, 1.7 ounces, 3.4 ounces | Key Ingredients: Licorice, lemongrass, arnica, prickly pear extract, aloe, lactic acid | Type: Chemical

One of the best benefits of skin exfoliants is their brightening effect, which can help with skin coloration. For one that works overtime, we recommend the Bliss Jelly Glow Peel. This affordable chemical exfoliant features a blend of pineapple enzymes, papaya enzymes, and coconut fruit extract for their exfoliating benefits as well as niacinamide for targeting discoloration, pro-vitamin B5 for supporting the moisture barrier, and sodium hyaluronate for attracting moisture to the skin.

The formula can help fade discoloration with time by brightening, exfoliating, and hydrating. We tested these benefits and found that the formula works particularly well at fading new acne scars while brightening our complexion and promoting a natural-looking glow.   

Size: 4 ounces | Key Ingredients: Pineapple enzymes, papaya enzymes, cellulose, coconut fruit extract, pro-vitamin B5, niacinamide, sodium hyaluronate | Type: Chemical

A brighter complexion is a common benefit of face scrubs, but if you want something non-abrasive and gentle, we say go with the Banila Co. Clean it Zero Brightening Peeling Gel Scrub, which is enriched with both Mandarin-C and mandarin orange peel oil to effectively brighten the complexion while also softening and nourishing.

During the testing period, we noticed that our skin appeared brighter, our dark spots faded slightly, and our skin felt more hydrated after rinsing. Additionally, our dry patches disappeared after four weeks of use. 

Size: 4.05 ounces | Key Ingredients: Mandarin-C, mandarin orange peel oil | Type: Chemical