These face scrubs will deliver major ✨glow ✨, without damaging your skin (2024)

These face scrubs will deliver major ✨glow ✨, without damaging your skin (1)

Face scrubs are a contentious topic – between fears of scouring away our skin’s delicate protection barrier, to damaging the environment with microbeads, they often fall into that ‘I’ll give it a miss’ category. However, the good news is that not all grainy physical exfoliators spell trouble for your skin (and the planet).

Finding the right one for you can be a bit hit or miss, but once you nail it, a good face scrub is your fast-track route to a complexion that truly glows.

With multiple formulas out there to pick from, it’s wise to get into the granular deets before selecting a random bottle off the shelf.

First thing's first: why exfoliate in the first place? Exfoliation can easily be overlooked in a skincare routine but, in fact, it holds a lot more power than you think.

An effective, hands-on face scrub will gently slough away the build up of dead skin, which will help to stimulate cell turnover and encourage a brighter complexion. This also opens the door for products like moisturisers and serums to penetrate deeper into your skin, which makes them do their job better.

What face scrub should I go for?

The key to success is to steer away from anything with fruit or nut shells (walnut and apricot are the main culprits). These have jagged edges that cause tiny tears in your dermis – potentially leading to irritation and long-term skin-barrier damage.

Instead, look for exfoliators containing perfectly spherical particles (biodegradable jojoba beads and silica are common winners) which will gently clean clogged pores without snagging your skin. Also keep your peepers pealed for chemical exfoliants to bolster the physical scrub– like salicylic and mandelic acid – as these will help to shrink the size of your pores and keep them decongested.

However, if you’re looking for an old favourite containing plastic microbeads, you’re not going to have much luck. These tiny beads previously played a starring role in many face scrubs, but they’re thankfully banned in the UK due to their planet-polluting properties.

How often should I use a face scrub?

It’s a million-dollar question, and the short answer is to listen to your skin. Most experts suggest to tread carefully with over-exfoliating as this can lead to irritation and compromise the tranquility of your all-important barrier.

Generally, the rule of thumb is to exfoliate no more than three times a week, and if you're a newbie, stick to twice a week. If dry, blotchy or rash-like patches develop, that’s your sign to back out.

Not sure which to go for? Not to panic. I’ve narrowed down some of the best formulas to polish your complexion without causing environmental harm or damage to your skin. Your baby-soft skin awaits…

The best face exfoliators to try now

1

Best face scrub for sensitive skin

La Roche-Posay Ultra Fine Scrub

These face scrubs will deliver major ✨glow ✨, without damaging your skin (3)

La Roche-Posay is a saviour for sensitive and easily triggered skin. So if you find that yours turns red and blotchy easily this is an excellent pick. The ingredients are all ph-balanced, which means it won't throw your skin health off track.

2

Best face scrub for a deep cleanse

Tula Skincare Deep Exfoliating Scrub

These face scrubs will deliver major ✨glow ✨, without damaging your skin (4)

This deep-cleaning exfoliator works harder than most; it’s ideal for city dwellers needing to scrub off a day's worth of makeup and grime.

The formula is laced with physical exfoliants – like pink salt and volcanic sand – to lightly buff away dirt, while lactic acid – a chemical exfoliant – sloughs away dead skin cells for a brighter complexion. As far as face scrubs go, it really is the teacher's pet.

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You may hate on them, but your pores are not your arch enemy; they play a crucial role in ensuring your skin is able to breathe and release oil. While it’s impossible to remove them, we can reduce their appearance and this dual-action scrub can help you do just that.

Combining physical and chemical exfoliants – jojoba grains, salicylic and mandelic acid – it helps to decongest enlarged pores, polish the skin’s surface and allow a glowing complexion to unveil. If you’re an oily skinned gal, focus it on those areas prone to congestion (hint: T-zone!!).

4

Best exfoliating face wash

Fresh Sugar Strawberry Exfoliating Face Wash

These face scrubs will deliver major ✨glow ✨, without damaging your skin (6)

This fan-favourite face wash is boosted with tiny sugar crystals that lend extra exfoliating powers. The sand-like texture gently buffs without scratching, while the berry and grapeseed oils smooth and soften. It's lovely as a morning cleanse, or as your second cleanse in the evening.

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5

Best face scrub for smoothing texture

Monday Muse The Powder - Enzyme Exfoliant

These face scrubs will deliver major ✨glow ✨, without damaging your skin (7)

This face scrub is magic (yes, it deserves that kind of recognition). As soon as you mix the powder with water, it dissolves into a creamy foam that lightly lathers as you massage it in.

The base is made of tapioca starch – a finely ground powder from the root of a cassava plant – which gently exfoliates to soften the skin and de-clog pores. And if irritation is a concern to you, know that colloidal oatmeal is here to keep your skin barrier calm and content.

Plus, the packaging is chic af. If you’re after baby-soft skin, may as well do it in style, right?

6

Best face wash for budget babes

Neutrogena Refreshingly Clear Daily Exfoliator

These face scrubs will deliver major ✨glow ✨, without damaging your skin (8)

These face scrubs will deliver major ✨glow ✨, without damaging your skin (9)

This was the first face wash I ever used (I'm pretty sure my mum bought it for me) and even to this day its pink grapefruit yumminess appears in my skincare routine.

The Refreshingly Clear Daily Exfoliator is great for some morning scrubbin': the zingy aroma awakens you better than a double espresso, and the delicate exfoliators prep your skin for the day.

After a morning sesh with this, your skin will feel soft and appear glowing. You also can't beat the price. Slay.

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7

Best face scrub for pay day treats

Tatcha The Rice Polish: Classic

These face scrubs will deliver major ✨glow ✨, without damaging your skin (10)

You may wanna reserve Tatcha's Rice Polish for payday but, when it comes to excellent face scrubs, I think it's worth the splurge.

The exfoliator is formulated with teeny tiny grains of rice bran which gently slough away dead skin cells while helping to lift all the congestion from your pores (I know, ew). Then you've got the green tea and red algae that keep your skin feeling soft 'n supple.

Simply pour a little heap of polish into your hands and as it mixes with water, it transfers into a milky lather. Cool.

8

Best face scrub for breakout-prone skin

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant

These face scrubs will deliver major ✨glow ✨, without damaging your skin (11)

This ultra-gentle rice-powder exfoliant is a cult classic for a reason. It's supercharged with salicylic acid and rice enzymes to make dead skin cells and congestion a thing of the past. The brightening and skin smoothing powers it has on a lacklustre complexion is pretty A-game too.

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9

Best budget face scrub

Cetaphil Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser

These face scrubs will deliver major ✨glow ✨, without damaging your skin (12)

I’m all for dual-action skincare as, let’s be real, not all of us have time for a 20-minute routine. The Cetaphil Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser may not be an attractive piece to display on your bathroom shelf, but the hard-working formula makes up for it.

Combining exfoliating and cleansing properties together, the fragrance-free gel gently buffs the skin while keeping it hydrated.

10

Best face scrub for brightening

Murad Vita-C Triple Exfoliating Facial

These face scrubs will deliver major ✨glow ✨, without damaging your skin (13)

When I'm in pursuit of a quick illumination, the Murad Vita-C Triple Exfoliating Facial is my first port of call.

Combining physical, chemical and enzymatic exfoliants, the formula gently nibbles away dead skin cells to reinvigorate a dull complexion. It’s infused with vitamin C (a well-known brightening antioxidant) which supports a radiant complexion instantly after use.

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11

Best face scrub for a pamper night

Elemis Superfood Blackcurrant Jelly Exfoliator

These face scrubs will deliver major ✨glow ✨, without damaging your skin (14)

This luxurious Elemis offering looks like jam, but works like the brightening exfoliator of your very dreams. It contains blackcurrant pulp which provides the (completely non-abrasive) physical scrub, as well as oil from the seeds for intense hydration. Leave it on while you’re parked in front of Netflix – it doubles up as a great mask, too.

12

Best face scrub for all skin types

MALIN + GOETZ Jojoba Face Scrub

These face scrubs will deliver major ✨glow ✨, without damaging your skin (15)

If the thought of a face scrub is enough to strike fear, here’s one to calm your nerves; it captures all the best qualities of a great exfoliator all into one super-gentle cream.

The supercharged formula is brimming with skin-kind ingredients – like jojoba and glycerin – which work wonders at hydrating and nourishing dry patches back to life.

And the best part? The rounded exfoliating beads are minuscule, so you don’t have to worry about them snagging your skin.

These face scrubs will deliver major ✨glow ✨, without damaging your skin (2024)
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