Which brand of face scrubs is the best?

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We updated this article in June 2022 to add more information about each featured product, based on expert recommendations by the Good Housekeeping Institute. We've added one new sensitive skin pick Cetaphil Extra Gentle Daily Scrub to our original top-rated picks, selected by our Beauty Lab and editors.

The key to vibrant, glowing skin can start with something as simple as a face scrub. "Exfoliation is the process of removing dead cells in the stratum corneum, the top layer of skin, to increase cell turnover," explains Beauty Lab chemist Danusia Wnek. Translation: A face scrub makes skin appear smoother, brighter, clearer and more radiant, both immediately and over time. So, keeping a good face scrub on hand can ensure your skin looks and feels squeaky clean.

Our Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab skincare expertise spans DIY face scrubs, scalp scrubs, body scrubs and beyond. When evaluating face scrubs and exfoliators, our Lab uses technical instruments to measure each product's performance and sends each item to consumer testers with all skin types who give feedback on each scrub's performance. In the Beauty Lab's most recent test, we tallied 1,375 survey data pointsto determine which exfoliating face scrubs actually worked. Below are the best face scrubs you can buy for every skin type and need, either tested by the GH Beauty Lab, recommended by our beauty experts or vetted from stellar online reviews.

Our top picks:

• 1

  Best Overall Face Scrub

  Brightening Facial Scrub Acure

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• 2

  Best Value Face Scrub

  Fresh Skin Scrub Apricot St. Ives

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• 3

  Best Face Scrub for Glowing Skin

  Bright Boost Resurfacing Micro Polish Facial Exfoliator Neutrogena

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• 4

  Best Face Scrub for Blackheads

  Blackhead Eraser Facial Scrub Clean & Clear

  Read More

• 5

  Best Face Scrub for Sensitive Skin

  Extra Gentle Daily Scrub Cetaphil

  Read More

1

Best Overall Face Scrub

Acure

Brightening Facial Scrub

2

Best Value Face Scrub

St. Ives

Fresh Skin Scrub Apricot

3

Best Face Scrub for Glowing Skin

Neutrogena

Bright Boost Resurfacing Micro Polish Facial Exfoliator

4

Best Face Scrub for Blackheads

Clean & Clear

Blackhead Eraser Facial Scrub

5

Best Face Scrub for Sensitive Skin

Cetaphil

Extra Gentle Daily Scrub

6

Best Face Scrub for Combination Skin

Origins

Ginzing Refreshing Scrub Cleanser

7

Best Face Scrub for Dry Skin

ZO Skin Health

Exfoliating Polish

8

Best Face Scrub Brush

Olay

Regenerist Facial Cleansing Brush

9

Best Face Scrub for Oily Skin

fresh

Umbrian Clay Pore Purifying Face Exfoliator

10

Best Anti-Aging Face Scrub

Lancer Skincare

The Method: Polish

11

Best Face Scrub for Acne

Kate Somerville

ExfoliKate Intensive Pore Exfoliating Treatment

12

Best Natural Face Scrub

Suki

Exfoliating Foaming Cleanser

13

Best Face Scrub for Large Pores

The Body Shop

Seaweed Pore-Cleansing Facial Exfoliator

Our Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab scientists test face scrubs and exfoliators both in the Lab using technical instruments and on consumer testers around the country with all skin types. After rounding up the best face scrubs across price points, our scientists pre-screen the scrubs by evaluating their ability to remove full-coverage foundation in order to gauge deep-cleansing efficacy.

We label-mask the products and distribute them to hundreds of testers who use them as part of their skincare routine. Testers then give a full report on their ease of use (scent, cleanliness, irritation, level of exfoliation), plus effectiveness in removing dirt, oil and impurities, making skin feel softer and smoother and look brighter and more radiant and reducing the appearance of pores. In the Beauty Lab's most recent test, 1,375 survey data points were tallied to find the best face scrubs out there.

What is the best scrub for the face?

When it comes to finding the best match for your skin, there are generally two types of exfoliants: physical (a.k.a. mechanical) and chemical formulas.

✔️ Physical exfoliants "use particulates or granules or devices like cleansing brushes to physically rub off the dead cells on skin," Wnek explains. Face scrubs are generally best for oily and dry skin types because they buff away dry skin patches and dramatically change skin texture, says Dendy Engelman, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City.

✔️ Chemical exfoliants exfoliate skin by using chemicals (like salicylic acid and retinoids), which loosen the bonds between dead skin cells so they can be dislodged. "A chemical exfoliant goes deep into the pore and unclogs it," Dr. Engelman says. Chemical picks are best for those with acne-prone skin.

Can I use face scrub every day?

Use your face scrub two to three times per week (avoiding the eye area), sweeping it onto damp skin in circular motions with very light pressure to prevent irritation and micro-tears, the Beauty Lab recommends. Apply a broad spectrum SPF 30 or higher face sunscreen each morning to protect freshly exfoliated skin.

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

Our Good Housekeeping Institute beauty team gathered this list of best face scrubs. Chemist Danusia Wnek recommended and evaluated the Lab-tested picks in this list. During her seven year-tenure at the Beauty Lab, she's tested skincare products spanning eye creams, serums and facial oils, using specialized skin evaluation lab equipment to gauge changes before and after product use.

As an expert in all face and body skincare product categories, Beauty Director April Franzino collaborated with the GH Beauty Lab to round up all the picks above, while also making a few recommendations based on her 15+ years in the industry.

Blake Bakkila Associate Editor Blake is a former Associate Editor for GoodHousekeeping.com covering beauty, celebrity, holiday entertaining, and other lifestyle news.

April Franzino Beauty Director April (she/her) is the beauty director at Good Housekeeping, Prevention and Woman's Day, where she oversees all beauty content.

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