What is the healthiest body scrub?

It doesn't matter how much body butter you slather on for your hot girl summer glow—if you're not getting in on the best body scrubs, rough, scaly skin is bound to pop up at some point. Blame long days of intense sun exposure that burns through every layer of creams and oils. It's the biggest culprit of dry skin in the summer, and damage does more than the quick fix a body cream can provide—particularly on our elbows and knees, where we have fewer oil glands and a slower cell turnover rate, causing dead skin buildup. 

That's where exfoliation is key. Not only will a great scrub or body peel slough away any rough patches, it'll clear the way for your moisturizers and body oils to penetrate even deeper. Bonus: The best body scrubs now even come with hydrating ingredients in them, making extra-soft, supple skin easier than ever. Add one of these Glamour-editor favorites to cart, and your skin will thank you.

All products featured on Glamour are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

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  Nécessaire The Body Exfoliator

  I’ll buy whatever charcoal-infused product a beauty brand is trying to sell me. I have charcoal shampoo, toothpaste, and masks, and (to the dismay of my white shower tiles) I can now add body scrub to the list. I’ve bought my fair share of chalky or too thick exfoliators that are a pain to even get out of the bottle, but the consistency of this one is a velvety dream. It comes out as a clear gray gel with tiny black beads, and it gets rid of my “alligator skin” (as my mom lovingly refers to it) without leaving me dry. —Shanna Shipin, contributor

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  Sunday Riley Charcoal Smoothie Jelly Body Scrub

  Sometimes pretty packaging makes me question a product's efficacy, but the unusual (and amazing!) formula of this jelly scrub lives up to its festive outer shell. I'm not huge on body scrubs, but this one has activated charcoal and salicylic acid for added impact, and I love how luxurious the application feels. It's not too rough! —Erin Parker, contributor

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  Dr. Brandt Skincare Microdermabrasion Body

  If you're familiar with Dr. Brandt's incredible Microdermabrasion face scrub, you'll be obsessed with its body counterpart. Like the O.G., the exfoliating crystals are superfine, so they're not too harsh on your skin. The body scrub is also made with aloe butter, chamomile extract, and sunflower oil to leave your newly buffed skin ridiculously soft. —Lindsay Schallon, contributor

• Let's Get Intimate Body Scrub

  Sun's out, buns out, bikini lines out. We've amped up our shaving routines for poolside hangouts, which also means more pestering appearances from ingrown hairs. Gently massaging on this nonabrasive dry scrub, made of white willow bark tree extract and grapeseed oil, is the best solution for the summer. I'm super particular about what I use on my intimate area, so this product's ability to reduce my ingrown hairs and moisturize the surrounding areas exceeds all my expectations. —M.U.

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  & Other Stories Humlegården Cotton Body Scrub

  I find a lot of sugar scrubs too harsh, but this one is the perfect texture to buff away dryness without scratching. The base leaves a nice coating of oil on my body—even after rinsing off—that leaves my skin feeling as soft as a baby, even if I skip moisturizer. Other than the smell, which is the most luxurious take on clean laundry, my favorite thing about it is that it's totally vegan and comes in recycled packaging. —Bella Cacciatore, contributor

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  Herbivore Coconut Milk Bath Soak

  Let me preface this by saying I'm generally not a coconut fan. I find the scent too pungent or, if it's mixed with something tropical, too cloying. This sugar scrub isn't either of those. The scent is sweet but subtle, like you just cracked open a coconut straight from the tree. The scrub itself is thick and satisfying to dip your hand into, and glides smoothly over your skin without ever feeling too rough or oily. I love it. —L.S.

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  Tree Hut Moroccan Rose Shea Sugar Scrub

  I'm not a heavy body-scrub user, but I do like Tree Hut's Coconut Lime Scrub. It smells heavenly (like an island getaway) and leaves my skin feeling smooth—not stripped, which can happen with harsh exfoliation. While some scrubs can be hard to remove, leaving a sticky feeling, this one rinses off easily and provides lasting hydration thanks to the avocado and almond oils. —Michella Oré, contributor

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  Dermalogica Thermafoliant Body Scrub

  I wasn't surprised when this gentle exfoliator won a Glamour Beauty Award. Its ingredient list reads like a dead-skin-busting powerhouse. On top of its microfine crystals, it's also got chemical exfoliators lactic and malic acids, as well as white tea, chamomile, and olive oil so your skin feels soft after—not stripped. —L.S.

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  Kopari Beauty Coconut Exfoliant Crush Scrub

  What do you get when you combine coconut oil with brown sugar? Kopari's Coconut Crush Scrub. It's made with an emulsion of crushed Tahitian coconut shells and grainy brown sugar that creates the perfect combination to both hydrate and revive dullness, leaving nothing but a sweet coconut scent and silky smooth skin after rinsing off. —Talia Gutierrez, contributor

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  Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Exfoliating Body Treatment

  I'll tell anyone who will listen about my undying love for Dr. Dennis Gross's peel pads. They're the most gentle chemical exfoliator I've ever tried, and trust me, I've tried many. Imagine my excitement then when the brand announced it was coming out with this body version of its best-selling peel. Good news: The lactic, glycolic, and salicylic acids are just as gentle as the original, but have a little more punch to tackle bacne, ingrowns, K.P., and dry skin. —L.S.

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  Ouai Scalp & Body Scrub

  The Ouai Scalp & Body Scrub has been one of my favorite products I’ve tried this year and will remain a staple in my routine. It has soothed my scalp, and I love that what’s left over on my hands can exfoliate the rest of my body, so this product never goes to waste. My scalp and skin feel amazing and squeaky clean every time. Also, like all of Ouai’s products, the smell is amazing. —Cassie Basford, contributor

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  Lancer The Method: Body Polish

  Lancer's Body Polish is a fairly new discovery of mine and one my body is thankful for. It's got a faint warming sensation as you rub it on (always in gentle circular motions) that's as luxurious as it sounds. The gleaming silky finish is just a plus. —T.G. 

• Frank Body Original Coffee Scrub

  If you love watching beauty YouTube videos like me, you'll remember the homemade coffee scrub trend that swarmed the platform in its early days. That's why I'm obsessed with Frank Body Coffee Scrub. Like its predecessor, this coffee scrub minimizes the appearance of cellulite and stretch marks. Thanks to its perfect combination of gritty robust coffee beans and essential oil, the postapplication radiance (and fragrance) is out of this world. —Mia Uzzell, editorial intern

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  First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub With 10% AHA

  This body scrub is a total lifesaver when it comes to renewing my sometimes bumpy upper arms and acne-prone shoulders. With the help of both glycolic and lactic acids, this scrub works overtime to erase dead skin and oil buildup whenever my skin needs a pick-me-up. —T.G.

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  Dove Crushed Lavender & Coconut Milk Exfoliating Body Polish Scrub

  I have sensitive skin that can easily freak out, so I’m hesitant to spend a lot of money on a scrub. This Exfoliating Body Polish is quick and easy to use in the shower and leaves my skin feeling so smooth and nourished. It’s great before shaving, and you don’t have to clean your tub afterward either. —Khaliha Hawkins, contributor

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  Beauty Pie Soul Providers Re-Energizing Dry Oil Sugar Scrub

  If you like your bath products to come with the sensory jolt akin to a great cup of coffee, this is your girl. It's made with an invigorating blend of grapefruit, lemongrass, black pepper, and apricot oil that smells divine, along with a slew of other skin-softening ingredients like vitamin E, evening primrose oil, and demerara sugar. It's definitely an oilier mixture than some scrubs, but it's a dry oil, so your skin never feels slimy or greasy after you get out of the shower—just hydrated and radiant. —L.S.

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  Glam Body Coconut Coffee Scrub

  At the end of a sweaty day, all I want is to slough my skin with a moisturizing scrub before slipping into cozy loungewear and settling in for the night. This scrub is my go-to. It feels spa-level luxurious, and the alluring grapefruit and coffee scent is at once uplifting and calming. I recommend using in small amounts (two tablespoons at a time) so the scrub will last as long as possible. —Brionna Jimerson, contributor

• Dr. Teal's Epsom Salt Body Scrub

  Dr. Teal's revitalizing line of body products are a mainstay in my shower routine. This scrub in particular has invigorating exfoliating properties that remove all my dead skin without the harsh friction that normally irritates me. It's luscious lavender scent smells amazing on skin without any sensitivity. — M.U.

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  Olay Pitaya & Cranberry Seed Exfoliating Face & Body Powder

  Pairing Olay's exfoliating powder with its Rinse-off Body Conditioner is the ultimate self-care indulgence I look forward to treating my skin with every week. Some exfoliators are set in stone when it comes to their consistency, but with this powder, you can customize its texture to your preference—all for just $8. —T.G.

• Himalayan Scrub Majestic Pure

  Himalayan salt has a cult following within the wellness community, so it's a no-brainer to put it in a body scrub. This formula is packed with collagen and almond oil that leaves your skin firmer than ever before and minimizes pores. Stubborn acne and blackheads stand no chance against the deep penetration of this detoxifying scrub. —M.U.

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  Fresh Brown Sugar Body Polish Exfoliator

  No joke, I crave homemade cookies every time I swipe this Brown Sugar Body Polish from Fresh along my body. It melts into my skin after just a few motions, making it an irresistible choice when my body craves a little refresh. —T.G.

• Malin + Goetz Peppermint Body Scrub

  My skin is pretty finicky. Any acids too strong or exfoliants too rough set me ablaze in red, inflamed welts. But the granules in this minty scrub are fine and gentle, and its got hydrating acids that leave a nice, soft feel behind. I use my hands to lightly buff it on—no loofah—so I have control over the spots that need it most. —L.S.

• Soapbox Oat Milk and Chai Body Scrub

  This oat milk and chai tea formula provides maximum hydration and vitamin-rich coconut oil nourishment. I promise you, most scrubs only check off the “buff dead skin” box. For those with eczema or chronically dry skin, this product feels like the cozy and calming rejuvenator. —M.U.

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  Rituals The Ritual of Karma Body Scrub

  A decadent sugar scrub is just what my dried-out, dull skin craves after a day of intense sun exposure. Not only is the texture extremely gentle on my sensitive skin, but the powdery floral smell is incredibly soothing. —T.G.

• Aesop Geranium Body Scrub

  When I'm not vacationing, paradise awaits for me in this tube. The citrusy fresh aroma transports me to the tropics—or at least the nearest luxury spa—while its botanical base (bamboo stem, pumice, geranium leaf) gently purifies the rough parts of my knees and heels. —M.U.

Which natural body scrub is best?

What is the best thing to exfoliate your body with?