The 6 best body scrubs for baby-soft skin, tried and tested by our editors

It’s no secret that many of us neglect the skin on our bodies despite being obsessed with skincare. Our faces get pampered with multiple-step routines day and night, yet a quick application of lotion is all our bodies see in the way of skincare. Luckily, a simple step can be added to your shower routine, which is sure to rejuvenate your skin: body scrubbing.

Technically speaking, body scrubs are physical exfoliators. In other words, you use the thick mixture of mildly abrasive particles to manually massage and exfoliate the skin (as opposed to chemical exfoliators, where fruit acids dissolve the bonds that ‘glue’ the dead cells to the skin’s surface). Body scrubs may not be the most glamorous element of your skincare routine, but they are a moment of self-care and a year-round hero for sloughing away dead, flaky skin so that your limbs radiate a bright, silky afterglow.

When our skin is presented with challenging conditions, extra layers of dead skin might form on the top of the epidermis, which causes the unflattering dull look. Seasonal transitions and cold spells are especially common causes of skin dryness, and sloughing off that buildup will allow hydration to permeate the skin more effectively. Finding the perfect body scrub can be tricky, but the key is to look for a product with smooth, spherical particles and a sweet spot between being kind to your skin barrier, but still effective enough to clear dead skin.

Read on to learn all the dos and don’ts of using a scrub and for the Vogue Scandinavia editor’s top picks of the best body scrubs on the market:

The rate at which skin naturally sheds dead cells depends mainly on age and skin type. Drier skin leaves a build-up of dead cells on the surface for longer, while your cell turnover slows down as early as your 20s. By the time you hit your 30s, new cells typically appear every 28-35 days, compared to every 14 days when you were a child.

Ultimately, skin can look duller as pores become clogged, but also moisturiser won't absorb as easily. The same is true of self-tan, which looks uneven only because it clings to patches of dead skin. This is where body scrubs step in. They not only buff away dead, dry skin but also improve skin texture, boosting circulation at the same time. As physical exfoliators, they must be massaged into the skin, allowing a customisable application process.

While everyone can try using body scrubs, those with sensitive skin or skin conditions should exercise caution and speak to their dermatologist before introducing exfoliators into their routine. If you have an open wound or irritated skin, skip the scrub until you are healed. While all skin types can benefit, those with dehydrated, flaky skin and people who experience razor bumps and ingrowns will see the best results. Exfoliation is also essential for those who suffer from keratosis pilaris, also dubbed 'chicken skin', where a build-up of keratin within the hair follicles presents as small red or brown bumps on the backs of the arms and thighs.

Similar to facial exfoliators, body scrubs are divided into two main categories: chemical and physical. Physical exfoliators, commonly known as scrubs, are the ones that are granular and work on the surface of the skin by buffing and removing dead skin cells. Chemical scrubs consist of enzymes or acid-based ingredients, which penetrate the skin more deeply. As to which one is best, the answer depends on every person’s specific needs — both benefit the skin but should be used in different contexts.

Traditional body scrubs are physical exfoliators made of sugar, salt or coffee, but newer iterations are powered by silica (widely regarded as a gentler option) and charcoal, which is exceptionally porous and easily hoovers up dirt and dead skin cells.

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Crucially, it's about finding the right balance. The common consensus, however, is between one and three times a week, depending on your skin type or concerns. Oily skin, characterised by enlarged pores and regular breakouts, may need more regular exfoliation than dry skin. On the flip side, too much rigorous exfoliation of dehydrated or sensitive skin can cause sore red patches or psoriasis to bloom across the skin.

Generally, cleanse your body in the shower with your favourite soap or gel, then exfoliate with your body scrub, rubbing it in circular motions. This will prep your skin well for easy shaving and even moisturiser and self-tan application, should you so choose. However, each product is different, so be sure to read the instructions, as some, like Mantle's The Hot Ex scrub, must be applied pre-shower. Be sure to hydrate your skin with your favourite moisturiser directly after you shower. After you scrub, be aware that skin may be more sensitive to heat and the sun, so steer clear of saunas and sunbathing.

Definitely not. The main difference is that body scrubs usually involve water and can deeply exfoliate the skin. Body brushing is only performed on dry skin. While deep body scrubs can only be used once or twice a week, body brushing can be performed daily to kickstart the lymphatic and circulatory systems. Given these differences, dry brushing and body scrubbing can complement each other well in your routine.

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"The added avocado and rape seed oil ensured that the scrub moisturised my skin, leaving it feeling ultra-soft and supple", exclaimed one of our editors within the product testing panel. Along with leaving the skin soft from its unique blend of oils, its bead properties also gently exfoliate: "The tiny grains of all-natural pumice helped to cleanse off any dead skin and rough patches." Effectively, this scrub delivers pleasant exfoliation and moisture all at once.

Despite the Moroccan oil scrub having a milky appearance which another editor described as being "a little disconcerting at first," this feature later proved to be "novel" and kinder to the skin barrier, according to the panellists.

A go-to classic for many of our panellists, this subtly citrus-scented scrub is ideal for those that demand only the best aromas from products on their bathroom shelves. "The scrub was beautifully scented with orange, bergamot and musk, a mix of my forever favourite scents," one editor enthused whilst giving a glowing review. "After massaging it onto my skin, I felt completely relaxed, zen, and ready to be whisked away on a Mediterranean escape."

Another editor said: "It smelled like a good perfume." This association was further strengthened by the team's rave review of the "luxurious packaging." This is a safe bet for an opulent scrub that leaves your skin smooth and smelling good.

Despite many of us possessing a hint of scepticism for influencer beauty brands, this Kylie Cosmetics scrub did not underwhelm nor disappoint - that is, if you can handle a scrub with a potent smell. Although one editor reviewed "it left my skin baby soft" and described it as "being very easy to use," she felt the scent was too sweet, which made the product "feel cheap."

Raising a similar complaint, another editor exclaimed that she "loved the texture," stating "it was both nourishing and hydrating," but the "sweet smell was too chemical" for her preferences. If you wish to banish dry skin and are impartial to a sweet scent, this scrub will work for you.

A brand synonymous with sun, sea, sand and the lifestyle that goes with it, Bondi Sands' inclusion within our tried and tested series seemed a no-brainer. With one editor ranking it an almost perfect 9.5/10, the tropical coconut and sea salt-infused scrub was a firm favourite, with many testers expressing their adoration for the "divine coconut smell."

Despite the pitfall of "the packaging not being as easy to use as a tube or pot," the team rejoiced over it capturing "that truly baby-soft feeling that you have post-shower after a visit to the beach." So, if you wish to emulate that lit-from-within holiday radiance, this Australian scrub is a summer routine must-have.

When asked to summarise its properties, one panellist described the consistency of Neostrata's body scrub as "white, light and milky without a prominent scent," suggesting a welcome change from the other heavily scented formulas. Another contrasting feature of this resurfacing wonder was its packaging, described as "a big bottle with a nice, straightforward and clean look."

One panellist said of the scrub's long benefits: "It makes my skin super-soft, and having used the product for a couple weeks, my skin feels clean and glowing." But perhaps a word of caution to those with sensitive skin – one reviewer reported "it created a light stinging sensation from the active ingredients," but nevertheless shared this was short-lasting and left the "skin with lustre and an even skin tone."

If the product name doesn’t act as enough of an incentive, our gleaming editor reviews might just sway you to purchase this Mantle scrub. Made from natural ingredients and packed with CBD and rosemary extracts, our editors felt it exuded “a spa-type vibe.”

After her first use, one editor questioned the product’s claims of providing rich nourishment and full body radiance: “The first time, I didn’t feel that much different from before.” On her second go-around (applied after a visit to the sauna), she experienced “a distinctive but well-received tingling feeling,” contributing to a satiny end result.

Each month Vogue Scandinavia's in-house team of beauty testers try a new product category, putting old favourites and new formulas to the test. Each product is tested by at least three Vogue Scandinavia employees, helping us form unbiased and informed opinions on each participant with an accumulative score of at least 7/10.

Using a standardised testing template designed to focus on what our readers really want to know, our panel helps deliver valuable insights you can't find anywhere else. Occasionally, beauty brands or PR agencies will send us samples for coverage consideration, but our thoughts and opinions are always our own.

In short, these are product recommendations you can trust.

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