We've all seen the adverts for face scrubs. A woman lathers up with a scrub, splashes her face with water (without it going everywhere, the lie of our time), and smiles at her fresh, clean skin in the mirror. The reality is, of course, much more nuanced—and given that exfoliation is the key to glowy skin, it's worth it to get into the nitty-gritty before grabbing a random bottle off the shelf.
When you think of face scrubs, you probably think of the thick, coarse formulas you used to buff away skin as a teenager. Nowadays, we know that using a super-gritty formula on our faces can often lead to irritation – “definitely no apricot kernels!” as Dr Angela Tewari, CeraVe's Consultant Dermatologist, says. As a result, many derm-approved skincare brands have come up with gentle, non-abrasive formulas that effectively buff away dead skin cells, dirt and pollution for a vibrant, nourished glow.
Meet the experts:
What's the difference between a face scrub and a facial exfoliator?
“A facial scrub is a physical exfoliant that is usually formulated with exfoliating beads or natural grains such as sugar, salt or jojoba,” says Daniel Isaacs, Chie. “These work by gently and ‘physically’ polishing the surface of the skin; removing dead skin cells to reveal a radiant, refreshed-looking complexion underneath.”
On the other hand, Daniel explains, a facial exfoliator or a ‘chemical exfoliator’ contains exfoliating ingredients such as glycolic acid, salicylic acid and mandelic acid that ‘chemically’ exfoliate the skin rather than physically polishing away dead skin cells. “There are many different types of exfoliating acids, but the main categories are AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), BHAs (beta hydroxy acids) and PHAs (polyhydroxy acids). These acids help to break down the bonds between skin cells, allowing them to shed away more easily and therefore stimulating faster skin cell turnover.”
Which skin types are suited to facial scrubs?
The face scrubs included in our edit below are gentle and formulated for daily or weekly use, but those with certain skin concerns should be careful with any type of exfoliation. If you're dealing with a breakout more often than not, look for exfoliating acids, like the aforementioned BHAs and AHAs, over scrubs. For combination skin, derms often recommend a physical-chemical hybrid. The sandy texture removes dead skin cells with friction, while acids and enzymes get rid of oil without bothering your dry spots.
“It’s important not to overload the skin with too many exfoliants in one regime as this could lead to an impaired skin barrier and, ultimately, sensitised skin,” Daniel says. “If you’re using high-strength exfoliating treatments, we always recommend that you follow the product’s specific guidelines. Additionally, we recommend that you look at the ingredients in the rest of your skincare routine, to ensure that you’re not overloading your complexion with too many exfoliating acids.”
Dr Tewari agrees: “I think those that have rosacea, sensitive skin or have acne-prone skin and have treated their skin already with a number of acids need to be very careful and need to ensure if they want to use a scrub the kernels are very fine and don't cause any skin abrasions.”
Which are best face scrubs on the market right now?
It often takes a lot of trial and error to find which kind of exfoliant works best for your skin, so we turned it over to our staff and narrowed down the options to ones with proven results. Read on for the best face scrubs GLAMOUR editors swear by.
A version of this article originally appeared on GLAMOUR US.
