Updated on 18 April 2023
This comparison is certified 100% impartial and follows our selection process.
This 2-in-1 product is quite practical, as it allows you to wash and exfoliate your body in the blink of an eye. It is a 100% natural, gentle and effective exfoliator with a fresh and invigorating scent.
Weleda Birch (150 ml)
If you’re someone who’s always in a hurry or just like the convenience, you should love this 2-in-1 exfoliator. Ideal for all skin types – even the most sensitive – it gently and effectively exfoliates with natural beeswax and carnauba beads. It also has a fresh, invigorating scent, ideal for your morning shower. When we put it to the test, we found its more liquid texture very convenient, as it limited the amount needed. It lathered a little and left a pleasant sensation on our skin. Finally, its impeccable and organic composition is a great asset.
Scrubs are part of an effective skincare routine for soft, supple, glowing skin. Mechanical scrubs contain exfoliating particles that peel the skin. You can use sugar, coffee grounds or bicarbonate of soda to do it yourself. Note that it is not advisable to rub the grains too vigorously on your skin, as this could damage it. A thick texture allows you to have better control over the quantity used and to handle it with greater ease. Most scrubs come in simple tubes. For the environment, avoid scrubs with plastic microbeads, especially in rinse-off products.
Lavera Smooth Skin (200 ml)
This gel with exfoliating jojoba grains is very handy and affordable. Its slightly coarser grains are more suitable for normal to combination skin than for more sensitive skin.
When we tested, we found that this treatment had the largest pimples we felt in a scrub. While not the biggest, we wouldn’t recommend it if you have sensitive skin. Other than that, it was very pleasant to use. It has a slightly more gel-like texture and is less runny than others, which makes it easier to dose. Its fragrance with green coffee, grape and rosemary extracts is fresh and quite discreet. And as for its composition is practically perfect, as it contains no sulphates or PEGs and is certified organic and vegan.
The KP Bump is particularly effective in improving the texture of skin prone to keratosis pilaris or ingrown hairs due to its enzymatic and mechanical exfoliating actions.
First Aid Beauty KP Bump (226 g)
This product, formulated with AHAs and pumice pearls, is highly popular in the U.S. The reason? It has proven to have an effective exfoliating effect on skin texture. It is particularly appealing to users suffering from keratosis pilaris, as it significantly reduces it in most cases. It is suitable for all skin types, including the most sensitive. Please note that, without being alarming, its composition can be improved.
Cottage Natural (270 ml)
With its heavenly violet caramel scent, this scrub is really appealing. Its rather liquid texture includes rather fine grains that gently exfoliate the skin.
This body scrub should be kept out of the reach of children, as it smells very much like violet jam. During our tests, we found the texture to be very runny, flowing quickly out of the tube. It feels good on the skin, with quite fine grains. On the other hand, it doesn’t lather very well, so you need to use a good amount of product. When getting out of the shower, we noticed that although its fragrance is quite strong, it does not leave any scent on the skin. What did we like the least? Its disappointing composition (sulphates, PEG, synthetic polymers…) which leads us to advise against it for reactive skins.
Our selection
| Our choice, Best mid-range | Best budget | Best high-end | Budget alternative |
|---|---|---|---|
| | | | |
| Weleda Birch (150 ml) | Lavera Smooth Skin (200 ml) | First Aid Beauty KP Bump (226 g) | Cottage Natural (270 ml) |
| This 2-in-1 product is quite practical, as it allows you to wash and exfoliate your body in the blink of an eye. It is a 100% natural, gentle and effective exfoliator with a fresh and invigorating scent. | This gel with exfoliating jojoba grains is very handy and affordable. Its slightly coarser grains are more suitable for normal to combination skin than for more sensitive skin. | The KP Bump is particularly effective in improving the texture of skin prone to keratosis pilaris or ingrown hairs due to its enzymatic and mechanical exfoliating actions. | With its heavenly violet caramel scent, this scrub is really appealing. Its rather liquid texture includes rather fine grains that gently exfoliate the skin. |
| £ 10.95 on Amazon | £ 4.65 on Amazon | £ 29.90 on Sephora | See the price on Amazon |
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How did we do the tests?
In order to test the body scrubs, we used each of them in our weekly routine. This allowed us to observe the practicality of their container, their texture, the size of their grains, the quantity needed and their foaming power when appropriate. We also judged in a more subjective way their fragrance (fruity, floral, woody, discreet, very present) and whether it remained on the skin after rinsing. Afterwards, we felt whether our skin felt softer than before using them.
To complete the test, we put a little of each scrub on a plate to compare directly and specifically the size of the grains present in each one. Finally, we took into account their composition, paying particular attention to sulphates, PEGs and allergens.
How to choose a body scrub?
Like moisturising milk, exfoliating scrub contributes to skincare for a soft, supple, and radiant effect. Although mainly used to remove dead skin cells, it can also effectively combat some skin textural issues. However, when it comes to choosing one, the choice can become complicated given the large number of products available on the market.
As we have already pointed out in our selection of the best facial scrubs, there are two fundamental principles of exfoliation in skin care:
- Mechanical exfoliators: contain exfoliating particles that, when gently massaged into the skin, effectively exfoliate it. They must be of good quality so that they are not irritating. After numerous environmental, but also health-related controversies, plastic micro-beads are now (in the process of) being banned in cosmetics. Natural exfoliating particles include silica, bamboo, rice powder and various fruit stones and peels.
- Chemical or enzymatic exfoliants: based on fruit acids (AHA, BHA, etc.), they are closer to peeling. They aim to smooth the epidermis and combat imperfections and texture problems by breaking the bonds between corneocytes (i.e. horny cells – dead cells), thus allowing exfoliation without rubbing. They are especially recommended for sensitive or acne-prone skin. Please note that some acids are photosensitising, so be careful when exposed to the sun.
Some treatments combine these two types of exfoliation principles for even greater effectiveness. You can also use horsehair or kessa glove for deep body exfoliation, but these are often less suitable for sensitive skin. And, if you are a fan of “homemade” tricks, there are many simple and cheap alternatives with coffee grounds, sugar or baking soda.
Before making your purchase, we invite you to take note of some key elements to choose the exfoliator that best suits your requirements or needs:
- Use: although most scrubs are used on damp skin, some users prefer to use them on dry skin to ensure greater effectiveness. It is not recommended to rub the grains too hard on the skin, as this may damage it: a gentle but possibly longer massage is ideal. We also advise you to perform this type of treatment once or twice a week, depending on your needs and sensitivities.
- Texture: the thicker the texture, the less product you need to use per application. However, creamy and smooth products are pleasant to apply and often contain moisturising and nourishing ingredients. If you opt for a 2-in-1 solution (cleanser and exfoliator), choose a product that is not too liquid.
- Packaging: most scrubs come in simple tubes. Often with a flip-top lid, they have the advantage of being easy to open and handle in the shower with wet hands. The jarred products, on the other hand, are very practical for collecting all the material and avoiding waste. However, some people feel that this is a slightly less hygienic solution, and often more cumbersome.
- Composition: while measures have been taken against the use of plastic microbeads in rinse-off products, it is still worth taking a look at the list of ingredients in your skincare routine. As well as avoiding the usual controversial preservatives as much as possible, it may be worth limiting the use of cosmetics containing SLS and SLES, which are known to be irritating to the skin.
Other body scrubs we recommend
Yves Rocher Gommage riche corps (£8.99 / 150 ml upon publication): a greasier, but an allergen-free solution. This scrub has a much creamier and greasier texture than the others. Made from shea butter, it is ideal for slightly drier skin. During our tests, it became apparent that this texture had its downside, as it is necessary to use a larger amount to be able to scrub your entire body. This is because the cream does not spread as well and does not foam. As a result, the tube gets empty quite quickly.
Garancia Pschitt Magique (£35.95 / 200 ml upon publication): to be applied on dry skin. This foam stands out for its biological exfoliating action, which is provided by a patented enzyme. Without grains or fruit acids, it should be used on dry skin and then rinsed off after 30 seconds. Although its results are appreciated, particularly on rough skin, dry areas or ingrown hairs, its bottle is quickly used up, which makes its quantity/price ratio rather unattractive.
Translated by Ramsés El Hajje
