Dermatologists Say These Gentle Body Scrubs Will Give You Softer, Smoother Skin (2024)

Cold weather can wreak havoc on your skin, leading to dry, rough, flaky patches. That’s why it’s important to give it some TLC using the best body scrubs and exfoliators.

Getting rid of dead skin cells with a body scrub helps heal your skin and take it to another level. You just have to make sure to avoid going overboard, which can actually make matters worse. “Physical exfoliation can buff away dry skin patches caused by winter air and dramatically change skin texture. However, overusing body scrubs can make your skin far too raw and weaken your skin’s protective layer,” says Dendy Engelman, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. “Over-exfoliation strips the skin from its natural oils and nutrients, causing overall dryness and irritation.”

How to choose the best body scrub for your skin

So, how do you use a body scrub to buff the dead skin away without causing any redness or dryness? There are a variety of aspects to consider:

Chemical scrubs

Dr. Engelman prefers using chemical “scrubs” that contain glycolic, lactic, or salicylic acids over physical scrubs with particles. She says these chemical scrubs help “exfoliate the top layers of the stratum corneum, a.k.a. the outermost layer of the skin, in an effective way without risking injury to the skin, which can occur with aggressive scrubbing from formulations containing scrubbing particles.”

Physical scrubs

Roberta Del Campo, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist based in Miami, likes physical scrubs, but she goes the micro scrub route. Microscrubs keep your skin happy with “small particles that are less abrasive, gently removing dead skin while leaving the healthy skin barrier intact,” she says.

Consider how much you’ll need

Whichever method you use, you don’t need a lot: Dr. Engelman recommends using only a cherry-sized amount on each part of your body. Massage it in gently (no actual scrubbing!) and follow with a hydrating lotion or cream to seal in moisture.

Ahead, the best dermatologist-approved body scrubs to add to your bath-time routine:

This creamy, dreamy scrub earned a spot in our 2020 Healthy Beauty Awards for a reason. “Dove Body Polish is my favorite (and the one I have in my own shower), as it has a tiny particle size, which is less abrasive on the skin,” says Shari Marchbein, M.D., a New York City-based dermatologist and a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology. “It contains glycerin, shea butter, and other hydrating ingredients to help gently remove dead skin cells.”

Finely ground dead sea salt serves as the base for this silky scrub, which is also loaded with soothing aloe vera, nourishing jojoba and argan oils, and energizing eucalyptus to elevate your shower experience with a bit of aromatherapy. “This product has been a MIRACLE for my skin. I have had three psoriasis patches on my elbows and behind one ear for over 14 years,” one reviewer wrote. “I have tried dozens of different things to keep it under control. NOTHING even remotely handled it until this product. Within 4 days you can hardly see that I even have a grapefruit sized area of psoriasis on each elbow. No flaky skin. No redness.”

For mature skin, the best route for your body scrub is a chemical exfoliant, like alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), says Dr. Engelman. With a combo of glycolic, lactic acids, antioxidant-rich green tea, and plant-based particles, it helps buff away dead skin to revive that glow. (Just be careful on sensitive areas of your body with sensitive skin. When in doubt, do a patch test first.)

“This is a combo physical scrub and chemical scrub—it uses both pumice beads, glycolic, and lactic acids to help remove keratosis pilaris bumps,” says Corey L. Hartman, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, AL. “Licorice root extract and willow bark extract also help to soothe and smooth the skin.”

Your skin will feel luxuriously soft after you use this gentle body scrub, which has camelina oil, thermal spring water, and shea oils to gently buff away dead skin while also sealing in moisture. It contains two sizes of biodegradable, non-abrasive cellulose and jojoba wax beads to help refine the skin's texture. Plus, its ingredients will also work to nourish and hydrate, leaving behind softer skin.

This full-body treatment is designed to treat and smooth the skin with the combined powers of 2% salicylic acid and nourishing, non-fragrant plant extracts. The formula works to gently exfoliate dead skin cells, revealing a complexion that's noticeably softer, smoother, and bump-free.

“This uses sea salt as the main exfoliator, which is best used by people with normal, combo, and oily skin types,” advises Dr. Hartman. “Not only will it help make your skin feel smooth, but it also has shea butter and avocado oil to moisturize.”

If you’re worried about potential irritants, this scrub is a pretty safe bet, as it’s free of sulfates, parabens, phthalates, propylene glycol, and mineral oil. Instead, it’s packed with shea butter, coconut oil, olive oil, and vitamin E to moisturize as the sugar gently lifts away dead skin. Rub it into your cuticles, hands, elbows, knees, and any other part of your body that feels a bit rough.

Safflower, avocado, sweet almond, macadamia seed, and orange oils come together in this sweet, citrus-scented body scrub to re-hydrate and transform dull skin to a healthy glow. Sugar gently buffs skin to banish dry flakes, while shea butter adds another layer of moisture. Reviewers rave that this body scrub leaves their skin feeling ultra-soft.

You know those less-abrasive small particles Dr. Del Campo was talking about? They work especially well for those with combination skin. “I always recommend something balanced and gentle. My favorite all-around scrub is the SkinCeuticals Micro-Exfoliating Scrub,” says Dr. Del Campo. It contains diatomaceous earth microbeads to exfoliate without irritating the skin, and aloe vera and citrus oils to help calm and brighten your complexion.

“This is the best scrub/polish I have ever used,” wrote one satisfied Amazon customer. Infused with a moisturizing blend of virgin coconut oil and Moroccan rose, this body scrub works to exfoliate and hydrate the skin, leaving behind a light scent of coconut and rose petals. Its formula is also 100% natural, vegan, and cruelty-free.

Another great option for aging skin is something that’s also built for sensitive skin. “Stick with a gentle scrub, similar to dry skin, as the skin thins and becomes more fragile with aging,” explains Dr. Del Campo. This option deep cleans the pores and smooths rough texture with papaya enzymes, cranberry, and jojoba beads.

Made with a mix of chemical exfoliators, malic, and lactic acids, this body scrub helps purify and remove dead skin. It also has antimicrobial tea tree and hydrating olive oil, revealing brighter and more radiant skin. White tea and chamomile also deliver protective antioxidants.

Calling all soap bar lovers, you’ll love this pick. Designed to fit perfectly in the palm of your hand, this exfoliating bar works to break down dead skin, soothe dryness, and lock in moisture. It’s also crafted with finely milled apricot kernels which work to clean out oils and toxins from the skin.

This versatile body scrub combines two methods of exfoliation—chemical and physical. Its formula includes a gentle trio of glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acids to help remove dead skin cells. And you don’t have to worry about it being too harsh on your skin. It also includes pumice and bamboo charcoal ingredients to soften your skin without irritation.

This acne-fighting body scrub is made with salicylic acid—a gentle exfoliator—to deep-clean pores and remove dead skin cells. Just add a drop to your loofah or hands, and the scrub will turn into a foaming lather. This formula also features jojoba and botanical extracts for a dose of moisture.

Achieve a Rihanna-like glow with this exfoliating body scrub. Its formula is made up of a gentle blend of tropical exfoliants, fruit enzymes, and oils to help refresh and brighten your complexion. Among the ingredients, you’ll find a vitamin C-rich Barbados cherry extract ingredient, which will leave the skin with a healthy glow and soft-to-the-touch feel.

This top-rated body scrub is designed with ultra-fine sugar crystals and crushed cupuacu seeds to help gently exfoliate the skin. The best part? Its formula also includes nourishing coconut oil and a light touch of shimmer flecks that will leave your skin looking summer-ready all year round.

This double-duty body peel will work to polish, brighten, and smooth your entire complexion. Formulated with chemical and physical exfoliators, this creamy, non-drip scrub enhances the appearance of crepey, rough, bumpy skin—even keratosis pilaris, according to the brand.

“This is a great choice, it smells great due to the mix of coffee grounds that exfoliate and kaolin clay that helps leave the skin feeling soft and smooth once rinsed off,” says Dr. Hartman. “It’s a good choice for rough areas like around the knees, elbows, and ankles.”