Body scrubs are often the forgotten hero of bodycare. We know we should use one, but we rarely commit. The truth is, giving your body an exfoliation once a week can do wonders for both the look and feel of your skin.
If you’re considering fake tanning you’ll need a body scrub – they are key when it comes to an even looking tan, and also for removing the residual colour as your tan fades. Even if you’re not a fake tanner, a body scrub can help slough off dead skin cells that contribute to skin dullness, dry patches and roughness.
RELATED: These are the best fake tans for summer
WHAT BODY SCRUB OR EXFOLIATOR SHOULD I BUY?
There are really two types of body exfoliator in the market – physical and chemical. Don’t get scared by the idea of a “chemical” exfoliator, though! These can be fantastic for getting rid of residual fake tan and can actually be the more gentle approach, depending on the exfoliating chemicals. Basically, a chemical-based exfoliator will break down dead skin cells, leaving you with smoother skin, while a physical body scrub literally scrubs them away as you move it over the skin.
The best one for you will depend on what you want it for, and how you prefer to exfoliate your skin. If you’d prefer a quick approach, a chemical exfoliator can be best as these come as wipes or liquids. If you prefer to do your scrubbing in the shower, a physical will be your friend.
Below are our favourite body scrubs and exfoliators for silky smooth skin.
Skinstitut Glycolic Scrub 14%, Adore Beauty, $34.30
This is a mix of a chemical and physical scrub, with glycolic acid working to dissolve dead skin cells and help clear pore congestion – it’s even useful in fighting acne and pigmentation. Meanwhile, the jojoba beads work physically to slough away dead skin cells. It’s got rave reviews online, with one fan on Adore Beauty saying, “It’s amazing as a body scrub as it helps buff away dead skin and prevents ingrowns and bumps.”
Salt by Hendrix Body POLISH grapefruit + Vanilla, The ICONIC, $39.95
While you’d be inclined to purchase this body scrub based on its delicious scent alone, its efficacy – thanks to sugar granules for exfoliation – is impressive. A bonus? It’s also full of coconut and jojoba oils, which will help nourish your newly smooth skin, giving a silky, soft finish.
Sand & Sky Australian Pink Clay Smoothing Body Sand, Myer, $49.90
Sand & Sky gained rave reviews for their clay face mask, and have since built a business around Australian pink clay, which they say is deeply detoxifying. The physical scrub in this product is made of macadamia and coconut shells, and for a little extra self-care factor, biodegradable glitter particles leave skin literally glowing. A great one to use before a special event or big night out in summer.
Alpha-H Liquid Gold Luxe Resurfacing Body Cloths, Adore Beauty, $32
Using glycolic acid and a textured cloth, these wipes make exfoliating easy. Each cloth has a “rough” side to aid in sloughing off dead skin cells, while the smooth side leaves skin hydrated thanks to chamomile, marine algae and aloe vera extracts. These are a great option if you’re feeling a bit lazy, want a regular exfoliation routine, or are battling keratosis polaris or ingrown hairs as these often need a more gentle, regular exfoliation treatment.
L’Occitane Amande Cleansing & Exfoliating Shower Scrub, Adore Beauty, $35
The design of this scrub makes it handy for the shower – the bottle can be easily stored beside your regular shower gel and face wash, and you don’t need to scoop out product, which can be a little messy if you’re in a rush. This scrub uses flaked almonds as its physical scrubbing ingredient, while almond oil nourishes skin. Oh, and it smells like heaven – one of our favourite scents from L’Occitane.
Aesop Geranium Leaf Body Scrub, The Iconic, $40
This is a true luxury purchase, and won’t disappoint. Aesop consistently produces the most premium, beautifully scented and packaged products, and the brand makes for a great gift because of this. Using bamboo stem and pumice stone for exfoliation, alongside purifying botanical oils, this is such a treat to use and will leave you wanting to forgo perfume because you’ll smell so amazing.
Face Halo Body, Adore Beauty, $30
Face Halo was a game-changer for removing makeup, with the brand’s reusable pads gaining great reviews from online beauty influencers and fans for being an environmentally-friendly alternative to remover wipes. The Body version is essentially a really large face halo, except instead of a soft surface, its a microfiber exfoliator, working to keep skin smooth, remove excess tan and soften rough patches. Just rinse clean after using, and you can even throw in the washing machine. No mess, no fuss.
Eco Tan Organic Pink Himalayan Salt Scrub, Myer, $34.95
Eco Tan is known among beauty fans for its great fake tan products, so it makes sense that they also have a highly rated body scrub for prepping your skin. This exfoliator is a dry scrub, using oils for nourishment and pink himalayan salt to slough away your dead skin.
Innisfree Green Tea Pure Body Scrub, Adore Beauty, $13
This is true bang for your buck – with a 4.6/5 rating on Adore Beauty and a $13 price point, this is a great, affordable option for scrubbing your skin. It’s also perfect for shower use thanks to a gel-to-foam formula and easy to dispense bottle.
Butt Naked Dirty Chai Coffee Body Scrub, The Iconic, $19.95
Coffee scrubs have been on the rise in Australia, and with good reason – they smell amazing. But it’s not just that freshly brewed scent that’s garnered fans – coffee also makes for a great, biodegradable physical scrub, too. This version from Butt Naked adds a chai scent for an even more delicious fragrance, as well as coconut and grapeseed oil for hydration.
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Want to show off your silky smooth skin? We’ve got the best summer dresses for you to shop right here. If you’re headed to the beach, you should check out our wrap of Australian swimwear designers, too.
If you’re always on the hunt for a bargain, check out the news.com.au Coupons page for savings at The Iconic, ASOS and more of your favourite fashion retailers.
Originally published as 10 Best Body Scrubs & Exfoliators For Soft Skin In 2023
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