Best Face Scrubs for 2025: Top Picks for Smooth, Glowing Skin

Face scrubs are a powerhouse for exfoliation, helping to slough off dead skin cells, unclog pores, and reveal brighter, smoother skin. Based on expert reviews from dermatologists, beauty editors, and real-user feedback across sites like GQ, Allure, Byrdie, and Reddit communities, the best options balance gentleness with effectiveness. Aim to use them 1-3 times a week to avoid irritation—over-exfoliating can damage your skin barrier.

I’ve curated a list of standout scrubs across budgets and skin types, drawing from 2025 recommendations. These include both physical (grainy textures) and hybrid (with chemical exfoliants like AHAs/BHAs) formulas. Prices are approximate and may vary.

1. Aveeno Positively Radiant Skin Brightening Scrub

4.7 out of 5 Ratings

Exfoliating Face Scrub
This gentle exfoliating scrub effectively removes dead skin cells, surface impurities, and excess oil to reveal softer, smoother, and more even-toned skin. Formulated with naturally derived exfoliating granules, it features a non-comedogenic, oil-free, and soap-free formula that’s suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.

Moisture-Rich Soy Extract
Enriched with antioxidant-rich soy extract, this formula delivers a blend of proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates that deeply hydrate and nourish the skin. The fine granules help smooth uneven texture, while the soy extract promotes a soft, healthy-looking finish without leaving skin feeling tight or dry after rinsing.

Gentle Daily Exfoliation
Designed for everyday use, this hypoallergenic cleanser provides mild exfoliation that won’t irritate or clog pores. From a dermatologist-recommended brand with over 70 years of skincare expertise, it’s a trusted choice for achieving radiant, balanced skin.

2. Neutrogena Deep Clean Gentle Daily Facial Scrub

4.7 out of 5

Deep-Cleansing Face Scrub
This gentle face scrub features mild exfoliators that effectively remove dead surface skin, revealing instantly smoother, healthier-looking skin. It works deep within pores to lift away dirt, oil, and impurities without over-drying.

Gentle & Effective Formula
The oil-free, dermatologist-tested cleanser is gentle enough for daily use. It leaves skin feeling soft, refreshed, and visibly smoother after just one use.

Powerful Beta Hydroxy Formula
Formulated with beta hydroxy acid (BHA), it penetrates deep into pores to dissolve and remove pore-clogging oil and debris, helping to prevent breakouts and improve skin clarity.

3. Acure Brightening Facial Scrub

4.6 out of 5

Brightening Cleansing & Exfoliating Facial Scrub
The Acure Brightening Facial Scrub gently buffs away dull, dead skin cells using finely ground botanicals, revealing smoother, more radiant-looking skin with each use.

Nourishing Sea Kelp & Detoxifying French Green Clay
Infused with sea kelp, lemon peel, and French green clay, this exfoliating cleanser helps detoxify pores, nourish the skin, and promote a healthy, balanced glow.

Daily Exfoliation for Radiant Skin
Designed for both women and men, this gentle daily scrub awakens the skin while reducing dullness and uneven texture. Leaves your face feeling refreshed, renewed, and visibly revitalized.

4. DRMTLGY Microdermabrasion Facial Scrub

4.6 out of 5

Gentle Exfoliation with Pumice Granules
Enjoy a spa-like experience with our microdermabrasion facial scrub, formulated with fine, non-abrasive pumice granules that gently exfoliate dead skin cells—uncovering a smoother, more radiant complexion.

Soft, Smooth, Radiant Skin
Enriched with skin-loving ingredients, this exfoliating scrub helps soften and refine skin texture. With every use, it enhances your natural glow, leaving your skin feeling touchably soft and visibly refreshed.

Refines Tone & Texture
Ideal for targeting uneven skin tone, rough texture, and fine lines, this gentle physical exfoliator promotes a more even, youthful-looking complexion—making it a smart addition to any skincare routine.

5. Palmer’s Coconut Oil Formula Coconut Sugar Facial Scrub

4.6 out of 5

Coconut Sugar Face Scrub
Palmer’s Coconut Sugar Exfoliating Facial Scrub gently buffs away dirt, oil, and dead skin cells using natural coconut sugar—revealing a fresh, purified, and visibly brighter complexion.

Hydrating & Balancing Formula
Infused with coconut water, chamomile, and coconut oil, this nourishing blend soothes and hydrates while exfoliating, helping to maintain skin’s natural moisture balance for a soft, dewy glow.

Naturally Sourced, Responsibly Made
Crafted with the finest raw, natural ingredients, including sustainably sourced Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter, and Coconut Oil. Palmer’s is committed to creating effective, skin-loving products you can feel good about using.

6. St. Ives Fresh Skin Apricot Face Scrub

4.8 out of 5

Deep Exfoliating Facial Scrub
Reveal your skin’s natural glow with this apricot facial scrub, designed to deeply exfoliate and remove dull, dry skin for a brighter, more radiant complexion.

Promotes Soft, Healthy Skin
This refreshing scrub clears away buildup and dullness, helping to smooth texture and promote soft, healthy-looking skin with every wash.

Skin-Loving Formula
Dermatologist-tested and made without parabens, this non-comedogenic exfoliator is gentle on skin while delivering powerful results you can feel.

7. Olay Regenerist, Detoxifying Pore Scrub

4.7 out of 5

Deep-Cleansing Exfoliating Facial Scrub
This daily facial scrub features a powerful deep-cleaning formula that helps diminish the appearance of pores and instantly brightens your complexion.

Gentle Yet Effective Exfoliation
Formulated as a lathering gel, it deeply detoxifies and polishes away dull, dead skin cells while promoting surface cell turnover for smoother, more refreshed skin.

Suitable for Most Skin Types
Ideal for normal, oily, and combination/oily skin, this scrub is designed for daily use and delivers visible results without over-drying.

8. NIVEA MEN Maximum Hydration Deep Cleaning Face Scrub

4.7 out of 5

Deeply Cleansing Face Scrub for Men
This hydrating face cleanser is specially designed for men to deeply cleanse the skin without causing dryness or tightness.

Removes Dirt, Oil & Impurities
NIVEA’s powerful face scrub unclogs pores by removing excess dirt, oil, and impurities, helping to keep skin clear and refreshed.

Refines & Smoothes Complexion
Formulated to gently exfoliate and remove dead skin cells, this cleanser leaves your complexion smoother, more even, and revitalized.

9. Bliss Micro Magic Skin-renewing Microdermabrasion Scrub

4.6 out of 5

Elevate your skincare routine with this spa-inspired microdermabrasion scrub that gently polishes away dead skin cells and clears pore-clogging buildup. Infused with volcanic pumice, soothing aloe, and refreshing peppermint, it powerfully yet delicately exfoliates for a smoother, healthier-looking complexion.

Benefits:

• Effectively exfoliates and cleanses by removing dead skin cells
• Reveals smoother, more radiant, and revitalized skin

10. No7 Microdermabrasion Total Renewal Face Scrub 

4.7 out of 5

At-Home Microdermabrasion Scrub by No7
Expertly developed by No7 skincare specialists, this gentle yet effective exfoliating scrub helps smooth, refine, and renew your complexion—revealing radiant skin while visibly reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Safe for sensitive skin.

Instant Glow, Visible Results
Formulated with microdermabrasion crystals, this scrub gently buffs away dull, dead skin cells to instantly boost luminosity and leave skin feeling refreshed and revitalized from the very first use.

Thoughtfully Formulated for All Skin Types
This hypoallergenic exfoliator is specially crafted with blemish-prone and sensitive skin in mind. It helps even out skin tone while supporting a clearer, more radiant complexion—without irritation.

Quick Tips for Choosing and Using a Face Scrub

• Skin Type Match: Oily or acne-prone? Go for BHA-heavy like Paula’s Choice. Sensitive/dry? Opt for gentle physical like Cetaphil.
• Physical vs. Chemical: Physical scrubs (e.g., beads) give instant smoothness but can irritate if too rough—massage gently in circles. Chemical ones (AHAs/BHAs) work deeper over time without friction.
• Routine Integration: Apply after cleansing on damp skin, rinse with lukewarm water, and follow with moisturizer or serum. Patch-test new products.
• User Buzz: On Reddit (r/30PlusSkinCare, r/SkincareAddiction), folks swear by avoiding harsh “sandpaper” scrubs like old-school St. Ives for daily use, favoring hybrids for long-term glow.