Last Updated: December 29, 2022

The 14 best natural exfoliators — body and face scrubs.

WRITTEN BY Grove Collaborative • 22 min read

Most face scrubs and body scrubs are made for exfoliation, which is an important part of any skincare regimen. Some facial scrubs aim to deeply cleanse the pores on your face, while others focus on detoxifying, purifying, or smoothing and toning your skin.


The best face exfoliator is most effective when you make it a part of your skincare routine — followed up with natural serums and moisturizers that can better penetrate the abraded outer layer of skin. Look for plant-based products with anti-inflammatory or antioxidant properties.


Many body and facial scrubs contain alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), which can be beneficial for its anti-aging properties or for acne-prone skin. Look for AHA that’s naturally derived from fruit acids and enzymes. Other scrubs let beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) do the work, such as salicylic acid, which can be found in willow bark extract.


Let’s face it. Some physical and chemical exfoliators can be a bit harsh. That’s why the best exfoliator for your body or face is formulated as paraben-free, phthalate-free, sulfate-free, silicone-free, and without synthetic fragrances.


We’ve gathered a list below, including top selections of natural face and body scrubs filled with nutrient-rich ingredients, that are highly rated by Grove members. Have a look.


This list of products was determined by ratings and reviews from Grove members.

1. Acure Brightening Facial Scrub

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Give your face a little love from the deep blue sea with this Acure Brightening Facial Scrub that combines sea kelp with lemon peel to gently detoxify and exfoliate your skin. French green clay helps draw out impurities, while Madonna leaf brightens and evens out your skin tone, leaving your face looking fresh and lively. This face wash is …

(373)
4 Oz
$10.99
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2. Yes To Coconut Energizing Coffee 2-in-1 Scrub & Cleanser Stick

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Wake your skin up any time of the day with this Yes To Coconut Energizing Coffee 2-in-1 Scrub & Cleanser Stick that’s not just for morning washes. This scub and cleanser stick's on-the-go design makes it super easy to throw in your bag to use after your midday workout or before a night out after a long workday. Plus, it’s paraben-free, soy-free, …

(188)
2.5 oz
$11.99
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3. Alba Botanica Alba Botanica AcneDote Face & Body Scrub

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Facial acne is obviously annoying, but body acne can sometimes take the trophy for the most irritating and embarrassing skin condition. Luckily, you can treat acne (and bacne) with this 2-in-1 Alba Botanica AcneDote Face and Body Scrub, 8oz. Acne can be the result of various underlying conditions, but you can treat it topically with this …

(174)
8 Oz
$11.99
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4. Rooted Beauty Purifying Detox Scrub

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This super-fine scrub exfoliates skin and detoxes pores with walnut shell powder and provides a dose of antioxidants with the potent R7 complex, made up of nutrient-rich roots.

Rooted is proud to be recognized by  EWG VERIFIED™, a program that shares our commitment to ingredient transparency and safety. 
For more information, visit ewg.org …
(147)
4oz
$14.99
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5. Beauty by Earth Superfruits & Chlorophyll Facial Scrub

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Stop blackheads, blemishes, and breakouts in their tracks with this 2-in-1 facial scrub. This Superfruit and Chlorophyll Facial Scrub, a perfectly balanced combination of chlorophyll, superfruit extracts, and hydrating ingredients, cleanses your face while gently exfoliating away dead skin. Use this facial scrub 2-3 times a week for a smooth, clear …
(53)
4 Oz
$24.99
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6. Rooted Beauty Renewing Lip Scrub

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Rough, cracked lips are a thing of the past with this exfoliating and minty-fresh lip scrub. Fine-grain sugar crystals nestled in a buttery base of shea butter and rosehip oil exfoliate while moisturizing, leaving lips soft, smooth, and thoroughly renewed. Plus it features Rooted Beauty’s signature R7 Complex — a blend of seven antioxidants from …
(74)
0.5 Oz
$9.99
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7. Kari Gran Lip Whip Perfector

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Get a smooth, hydrated pout with the Kari Gran Lip Whip Perfector. This lip buff is whipped to perfection with organic chamomile powder, soothing jojoba oil, and luxe sugar crystals to remove existing lip color or prep lips for bold lipstick application. Need a moisture boost? Use the Lip Perfector as a mask for five minutes to achieve luscious lip …

(5)
0.25 oz
$22.99
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8. Beauty by Earth Lip Scrub

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Get luscious lips with the Beauty by Earth Lip Scrub. This luxurious sugar scrub preps your pout for supple lips and better lipstick application by gently exfoliating dry, flakey skin with organic sugar crystals. It’s crafted with nutrient-rich rosemary leaf extract, hydrating jojoba oil, and moisturizing vitamin E for extra nourishment — and it’ll …

(41)
0.7 Oz
$14.99
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9. Yes To Grapefruit Brightening Daily Facial Scrub

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Who knew grapefruit was good for more than just a morning breakfast weight loss routine? This Yes To Grapefruit Brightening Daily Facial Scrub uses the power of grapefruit and lemon balm to get rid of dead skin cells and restore skin’s natural glow by evening out your skin tone and moisturizing your skin, too. Made from 99-percent natural …

(70)
4 Oz - 113 g
$11.99
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10. Henné Organics Lip Exfoliator

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You probably know how important it is to exfoliate your face 1–3 times per week. But what about your lips? Let Henné Organics Lip Exfoliator revive your chapped lips with delicate sugar crystals that gently scrub away dead skin cells while vitamin E moisturizes. Simply massage the exfoliator in a circular motion and rinse with warm water. You’ll …

(15)
0.35 oz
$24
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11. Pai Virtuous Circle Skin Brightening Exfoliator

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Exfoliating your face doesn’t require scrubbing your skin raw. Pai’s Virtuous Circle Skin Brightening Exfoliator leaves even sensitive skin with zero damage, gently washing away impurities while being gentle on our waterways, too. This exfoliating gel formula uses biodegradable jojoba beads — instead of plastic — to buff and polish your complexion, …

(7)
2.5 oz
$49
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12. Burt's Bees Conditioning Lip Scrub + Overnight Intensive Lip Treatment

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Burt's Bees Overnight Intensive Lip Treatment provides long-lasting moisturization for soft, smooth, healthy-looking lips. Shield your lips from dryness while hydrating when you sleep with this intense lip moisturizer treatment. The 100% natural Ceramide are oils found naturally in your skin and are necessary for maintaining your skin's barrier …
(14)
2 units
$19.78
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13. Acure Radically Rejuvenating Facial Scrub

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Hit the reset button on your skincare ritual with Acure Radically Rejuvenating Facial Scrub. This nourishing scrub is packed with antioxidants to keep free radicals at bay and help reduce the signs of aging. Special ingredients like Moroccan red clay draw out impurities, while black jojoba beads gently exfoliate for skin that’s radiant, renewed, …

(41)
4 Oz
$14.99
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14. Burt's Bees 100% Natural Conditioning Lip Scrub with Exfoliating Honey Crystals

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Honey, you’re going to be impressed with the power of this Burt's Bees Conditioning Lip Scrub. This lip scrub gently exfoliates and conditions with the natural strength of exotic oils and honey crystals. Prepping your lips for lip balm or lip stick use, this lip scrub uses honey crystals to rid your skin of rough, dry spots, while beeswax helps …

(44)
.25 oz
$10.99
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FAQs

How do you exfoliate your face?

There’s a benefit to knowing how to exfoliate your face. Even the best face exfoliator can harm, rather than enhance, your complexion if it’s applied too often or too rough. Always follow the directions listed on your face scrub. But for some quick guidance, here are step-by-step instructions for facial exfoliation:


  • Make sure your hands are washed clean before applying anything to your face
  • To avoid contamination, use a mini cosmetic spoon or spatula for scooping
  • Wet your face with warm water to open the pores
  • Gently massage a natural facial scrub onto your face, using soft, circular motions
  • Rinse off the face scrub with lukewarm water
  • If you use a soft cleaning cloth to wipe away excess product, avoid rubbing your skin
  • Afterwards, apply moisturizer to prevent skin dehydration

Some facial scrubs can be used daily, as long as they have mild ingredients. But you'll want to be careful to avoid over-exfoliating, as it can strip your face of its natural oils and instead cause dryness, inflammation, and breakouts — even flaking and peeling.


Start with a face scrub once a week. Most dermatologists recommend exfoliating no more than two times per week. Your goal is a dewy, plump, moisturized complexion!


Do you exfoliate before or after shaving?

Before or after? It’s a question many people ask about exfoliation. The short answer is: both.


Exfoliating before shaving — whether it’s your face, underarms, legs, or bikini area — helps to prepare your skin by buffing away dead skin cells. The result is a closer shave, since your razor won’t become dull with all that extra sloughed off skin.


The best pre-shave exfoliator for your body is a washcloth, loofah, or exfoliating sponge. To keep your legs smooth, you can also use a sugar scrub to prep your skin before shaving. Be sure to select a gentle facial scrub or body scrub made for your more sensitive areas.


Right after shaving, hold off on using body scrubs with sugar, salt, or coffee granules in case you’ve nicked the skin. These exfoliants can sting, irritate, or inflame small cuts and abrasions.


What about ingrown hairs? Here's what to do. A couple of days after you shave, apply a natural exfoliator in circular motions to free any pesky ingrowns from burrowing beneath the skin.


Can you use a sugar scrub on your face?

The jury is undecided on this one. Some people swear by sugar scrubs for the face, as it’s a natural humectant that holds in moisture for much-needed hydration. Sugar also sloughs away dead skin cells and buffs your pores clean.


Others argue that the sugar crystals in a sugar scrub may be too abrasive to use on your face, especially if it’s prone to irritation, from redness to rashes. If you do use a sugar scrub, choose one containing fine grains since the granules are smaller.


A basic rule of thumb: Use face scrubs for your face, and body scrubs for your body. To be on the safer side, save the sugar scrub for tougher skin, such as the dry patches on your heels, elbows, and knees.


If you have dry, sensitive, or acne-prone skin, then select a face scrub that will gently exfoliate. Consult a dermatologist if you experience an inflammatory reaction, eczema, or any skin condition that persists.


What is Grove Collaborative?

At Grove, we take the guesswork out of which products are good for you and your home. Every product meets strict standards for being nontoxic, effective, sustainable, and cruelty-free. Once you find products you love, we ship to your home on a flexible, monthly schedule.


If you're ready to make the transition to natural cleaning, beauty, and household products, shop Grove Collaborative's natural products for the eco-friendly tools to tackle the job.

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