The 10 Best Face Scrubs That Won’t Destroy Your Skin—Promise (2024)

The 10 Best Face Scrubs That Won’t Destroy Your Skin—Promise (1)

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There’s no denying that face scrubs are controversial—people either love ’em or hate ’em. If you fall into the first category and are on team scrub, know this: “Face scrubs should be gentle, with superfine exfoliating particles, otherwise you risk creating microscopic tears and inflammation in the skin,” says dermatologist Shari Marchbein, MD. And don't forget—less is more—so use your face scrub only once or twice and week and be sure to apply a moisturizer immediately after, Dr. Marchbein adds. Now that you know the ground rules, go ahead and check out these 10 best face scrubs below.

1

Best Face Scrub for Dry Skin

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Exfoliating Cleanser

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This face scrub is perfect for dry, flaky skin (and also happens to be one of Dr. Marchbein’s favorites, so you know it’s good). It has teeny-tiny exfoliating beads that gently buff away flakes and roughness, plus hydrating hyaluronic acid and glycerin to make your skin feel supple and smooth.

2

Best Face Scrub for Dull Skin

SkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser

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If you’re seeing dark spots, then this is the face scrub for you. It has little jojoba spheres to physically remove dead skin cells along with chemical exfoliants, like lactic acid and glycolic acid, to dissolve the “glue” that holds dead skin cells together. The result? Brighter, more even-toned skin.

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3

Best Face Scrub for Oily Skin

Fresh Umbrian Clay Pore Purifying Face Exfoliator

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Oily skin will love the mattifying and purifying effectsof this face scrub from Fresh. The hero ingredients? Oil-absorbing Umbrian clay, balancing meadowsweet extract, and gentle bamboo and olive exfoliants. Together, they minimize shine and keep skin clear.

4

Best Face Scrub for Clogged Pores

Clinique City Block Purifying Charcoal Clay Mask + Scrub

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You can’t literallyscrub away your pores, but you can use this face scrub/mask hybrid to make them less noticeable. It’s filled with charcoal powder, kaolin clay, and small silica beads to suck up excess oil anddislodge pore-clogging dead skin cells for filtered-looking skin.

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5

Best Organic Face Scrub

Juice Beauty Exfoliating Cleanser

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If you’re into organic skincare, you’re going to love this face scrub fromJuice Beauty. The clean formula ispacked with all-naturalexfoliating pineapple enzymes andultra-gentle jojoba beads that dissolve as you massage them into your skin.

6

Best Gentle Face Scrub

Tatcha The Rice Polish Foaming Enzyme Powder

This face scrub starts as a powder and then transforms into a fluffy foam when you mix it with water, making it a safe bet for skin that’s prone to redness or irritation. The combo ofsuperfine rice-bran powder, colloidal oatmeal, and soothing antioxidants are zero percent abrasive.

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7

Best Face Scrub for Fine Lines

Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion Age Defying Exfoliator

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If you don’t have the time and/or money for professional microdermabrasion, this face scrub is the next best thing. It uses tiny aluminum oxide crystals to resurface the skin and smooth the look of lines, plus soothing jojoba oil and chamomile extract to counteract any redness.

8

Best Detoxifying Face Scrub

Dermalogica Daily Superfoliant

Pollution is at the top of the list when it comes to environmental aggressors that eff with your face. Thankfully, this powderycharcoal-infusedface scrub from Dermalogica exists to help you combat those effects. Once you mix it with water, it turns into a creamy lather that helps pull out dirt and pollution particlesthat get stuck in your pores during the day. Think of it as a daily ~cleanse~ for your face.

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9

Best Creamy Face Scrub

Caudalie Gentle Buffing Cream

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The only difference between a nourishing cream face washand this gentle face scrub from Caudalie? Tiny buffing beads made from jojoba oil. Gently massage the cream on to damp skin focusing on areas that are prone to clogs (i.e., your T-zone), then rinse.

10

Best Face Scrub Stick

Bliss Oh My Gommage Gentle Polishing Cleanser

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Not only is this face scrub super gentle (it has tiny plant fibers that buff away dead skin cells),it’s incredibly convenient thanks to its stick packaging.This bbwon't spill, leak, or make a mess—ever.

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Lauren Balsamo

Deputy Beauty Director

Lauren Balsamo is deputy beauty director at Cosmopolitan, where she writes, edits, and produces all types of beauty content—from product reviews to personal essays and trend reports. She has covered beauty for nine years at Cosmopolitan and has contributed to Women’s Health and Seventeen magazines as well. Follow her on Instagram.

The 10 Best Face Scrubs That Won’t Destroy Your Skin—Promise (2024)
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