I Tried Dozens of Body Scrubs for Soft Skin—These Are the Only Ones Worth Buying

Elle

15-07-2025

No matter how streamlined your 'everything shower' routine may be, there's one essential step that often gets overlooked: body exfoliation. Although it takes a little extra time, a few circular swipes of a good body scrub can seriously transform the look and feel of your skin. Why? Because the best ones don't just slough away dead skin cells—they soften rough patches, boost glow, and make everything you layer on afterward (think: moisturizers, self-tanners, serums) work better. In other words, they're the shortcut to smoother, glowier skin with surprisingly little effort.
According to board-certified dermatologist and co-creator of Keys Soulcare, Dr. Renee Snyder, the older we get, the more important it is to use these powerful products. 'As we age, our skin's natural desquamation process—the shedding of dead skin cells—begins to slow down. This means old, dull cells linger on the surface longer than they should,' she explains. 'Add that to the buildup of everyday products like sunscreen, bronzers, or self-tanners, and you develop clogged pores, rough texture, and ingrown hairs.' By gently removing that layer, you not only reveal smoother, more radiant skin, but also help prevent trapped hairs and congestion.
Whether you're looking for a gritty physical exfoliant or a chemical formula powered by AHAs, adding a scrub to your full-body care routine is one of the simplest ways to keep your skin fresh, balanced, and genuinely healthy. To determine which scrubs are worth making room for in your shower, I tested top picks, consulted Dr. Snyder for her go-tos, and scoured dozens of reviews. Scroll ahead for the 13 best body scrubs.
Nécessaire's The Body Exfoliator checks every box: physical exfoliation, chemical exfoliation, keratosis pilaris (KP) prevention, and a hypoallergenic, yet fragranced formula. Volcanic pumice provides the grit, while AHAs, BHAs, and PHAs work to smooth textured skin, treat KP, and prevent ingrown hairs.
Key ingredients: Salicylic acid, lactic acid, glycolic acid, volcanic pumice
When to use: In the shower
Amazon rating: 4.4/5
An Amazon reviewer says: 'I've repurchased this about 3 or 4 times at this point. Such a good product, it smells great, a great physical and chemical exfoliant. My skin is immediately softer after using this. The charcoal exfoliation is not too harsh but enough as someone who has very mild ingrown hairs/bumps on the back of my lower arm/near my elbow. Great product to use all over before shaving. You don't need to use a lot to be able to get a good amount of exfoliation.'
This body scrub is essentially a spa experience in a jar. Designed for application on dry skin, the Tata Harper Smoothing Body Scrub utilizes five sources of exfoliation to gently micro-polish your skin. It's also packed with organic ingredients sourced straight from the brand's farm that hydrate your skin and promote a silky-smooth and ultra-glowy finish.
Key ingredients: Organic raw sugar, Himalayan pink salt, Hawaiian salt, cranberry seed fibers, argan oil
When to use: Outside the shower
Tata Harper rating: 4.9/5
A Tata Harper reviewer says: 'Love the way this feels without leaving an oily residue as many scrubs do—just makes your skin feel really clean and soft.'
When it comes to body care, the scalp is often forgotten. But the truth is, the skin on your head deserves just as much attention as the rest of your body. Ouai makes it easy with their sugar scrub formulated for both the scalp and body. It's color-safe, deep-cleansing, and sulfate-free—ideal for all hair and skin types.
Key ingredients: Sugar crystals, glycerin, panthenol, coconut oil
Sephora rating: 4.5/5
A Sephora reviewer says: 'This scrub feels like a facial for the scalp and body! I have an oily scalp and skin and I easily get product buildup on both, and this scrub delivers an intense deep cleanse without stripping my hair or skin! My scalp and body feel squeaky clean and healthy! It also smells like a spa in a jar, which just enhances the experience soooo much! Definitely recommend!'
'The Be Luminous Exfoliator from Keys Soulcare is by far my favorite exfoliator,' says Dr. Snyder. 'I love how it transforms with water into a gentle, effervescent polish.' A blend of hojicha powder, green tea antioxidants, and soothing oats delivers a boost of hydration and protection, leaving skin radiant and refreshed.
Key ingredients: Lactic acid, kaolin, hojicha powder, mung bean
When to use: Inside or outside the shower
Amazon rating: 4.6/5
An Amazon reviewer says: 'This is a superb product. It works wonders on your skin and, unlike other exfoliators, this will not break you out. It's very gentle and does not strip all of the natural oils out of your skin, but it will leave you squeaky clean. I highly recommend this.'
Another favorite of Dr. Snyder's, the Osea Salts of the Earth Body Scrub uses mineral-rich salts to buff away dry patches, while gigartina seaweed and shea butter nourish and moisturize. After just one use, your skin will feel baby-smooth.
Key ingredients: Mineral salt blend, gigartina seaweed, shea butter, lavender oil
Amazon rating: 4.3/5
An Amazon reviewer says: 'My absolute favorite body scrub. This is the first body scrub I've used that leaves my skin noticeably softer immediately after use. It smells amazing and reminds me of that spa-like scent. 100 percent recommend.'
Keratosis pilaris—those pesky little bumps often found on arms—can be quite tricky to treat. That's why First Aid Beauty's KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub has a loyal following. Even Dr. Snyder uses it, sharing, 'I reach for it whenever my arms need it.
Key ingredients: Pumice beads, glycolic acid, lactic acid, bisabolol
Sephora rating: 4.3/5
An ELLE editor says: 'I may not struggle with KP, but I do face eczema on my arms every now and then. I can always count on the First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub to buff out my rough patches for smooth, soft arms.'—Emma Aerin Becker, associate beauty e-commerce writer
When you slough off dead, dry skin with a body scrub, the fresh layer underneath often craves moisture. The Josie Maran Sugar and Argan Oil Body Scrub ensures your skin is both smooth and bright, thanks to its exfoliating sugar crystals and nourishing argan oil.
Key ingredients: Sugar crystals, argan oil, shea butter
When to use: Post-shower on damp skin
Sephora rating: 4.6/5A Sephora reviewer says: 'This gentle exfoliador makes my skin feel super soft and moisturized. I particularly enjoy how the argan oil makes my skin feel after I rinse off the scrub. I highly recommend this product for anyone looking for small luxuries'
If you want silky-smooth skin and to smell like a freshly baked cookie, let me introduce you to the Dove Brown Sugar and Coconut Butter Body Scrub. The recently-released product has a unique whipped texture that exfoliates and moisturizes as you scrub. And if coconut isn't your favorite fragrance, there's seven more delicious scents available.
Key ingredients: Brown sugar, coconut oil, ¼ moisturizing cream
Amazon rating: 4.7/5
An Amazon reviewer says: 'I recently tried the Dove Brown Sugar and Coconut Butter Body Scrub and it's quickly become one of my favorite skincare products! The texture is rich and creamy with just the right amount of exfoliation—it's not too harsh, but it leaves my skin feeling incredibly smooth and refreshed. The scent is amazing—sweet, warm, and comforting, like a tropical dessert. It lingers on the skin without being overpowering. After using it, my skin feels deeply nourished, soft to the touch, and has a healthy glow. I also love that it doesn't leave a greasy residue in the shower like some other scrubs do. A little goes a long way'
Powered by powdered bamboo stem, apricot seed, and essential oils, the Yonka Gommage Doux Silhouette is a creamy exfoliator that easily erases dead skin cells. Simultaneously, it hydrates with sesame seed oil, mango seed butter, and glycerin. However, it has unique cellulite control that helps firm and lift the skin.
Key ingredients: Sesame seed oil, mango seed butter, vegetal glycerin, powdered bamboo stem, apricot seed
When to use: Outside shower on damp or dry skin
Yonka rating: 4.8/5
A Yonka reviewer says: 'I have used this a hand full of times now and I think it's a great product! I use it twice a week, a little goes a long way. It smells great and leaves my skin feeling smooth!'
Even those with sensitive skin can benefit from a body scrub. The Nopalera Cactus Flower Exfoliant stands out mainly because it's grittier than others on this list and melts quickly into the skin for gentle exfoliation.
Key ingredients: Safflower seed oil, shea butter, jojoba oil, nopal, tangerine oil
When to use: Outside shower
Nordstrom rating: 4.7/5
A Nordstrom reviewer says: 'Heard lots about Nopalera and the founder Sandra Velasquez so I could not wait to try it. Truly amazing product. I applied it from head to toe and was pleasantly surprised on how moisturizing it was and how well it penetrated even after drying off and no need to apply lotion. The glow was a bonus as my collar bone, shoulders and arms felt and looked amazing! It truly felt like a spa experience in a jar! The tangerine scent is mild and perfection for those of us who don't like heavy scents. This is a keeper!!'
Formulated with physical exfoliators like pumice and jojoba esters, as well as AHA, BHA, and PHA chemical exfoliants, Naturium's KP Body Scrub & Mask instantly eliminates bumpy, dry, rough, and dull skin. When applied as a mask, your skin will not only feel smoother but also look brighter and more even.
Key ingredients: Pumice, Glycerin, Jojoba Seed Oil, Squalane, Glycolic Acid, Stearic Acid
Ulta rating: 4.5/5
An Ulta reviewer says: 'New holy grail. After spending $30+ on other 8oz KP scrubs for years, I bought this on a whim due to the price point. Glad I did because I love it. It really doesn't have a scent and is gentle enough to use on my legs, without compromising the effectiveness of physical exfoliation & KP treatment. I also love that I can let it sit on my skin as a mask in the shower.'
If you're a fan of Sol de Janero's iconic Bum Bum Cream, then you have to try the brand's Bum Bum Body Scrub. It's an ultra-fine body scrub that uses a blend of cupuaçu seeds, sugar crystals, and caffeine-rich guaraná to gently exfoliate. Meanwhile, coconut oil provides deep hydration, and the beloved Cheirosa 62 fragrance leaves you smelling fresh all day long.
Key ingredients: Cupuaçu seeds, sugar crystals, caffeine-rich guaraná, coconut oil
Sephora rating: 4.1/5
A Sephora reviewer says: 'Love it! The smell is so good and it's just the right amount of scrubby. Plus, it doesn't leave the floor of the shower feeling slimy and slippery like some other scrubs.'
Dr. Renee Snyder is a board-certified dermatologist and the co-creator of Keys Soulcare.
How often you exfoliate depends on your skin type, according to Dr. Snyder. For most, once or twice a week is the sweet spot—frequent enough to keep skin smooth without compromising your barrier. If you have sensitive skin, start with once every 10 days and adjust based on how your skin responds. Those with thicker or oilier skin, or rougher areas like elbows and knees, can benefit from exfoliating two to three times a week.
Dr. Snyder adds that the 'most critical step' is to 'immediately replenish your skin's barrier and infuse it with antioxidants using a body lotion.' She recommends Keys Soulcare's Sacred Body Lotion because it's enriched with chia seed oil, allantoin, and shea butter to deliver silky, fast-absorbing hydration and lock in essential moisture.
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, Emma Aerin Becker consulted a board-certified dermatologist to learn about the best body scrubs. She also tested them out, read through countless customer reviews, and evaluated each product based on its unique features.
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