The 7 Best Non-Abrasive Scrubs for Polished, Renewed Skin (2024)

TL;DR

Our best overall pick is TULA Skincare So Polished Exfoliator Sugar Scrub. It leans on both physical and chemical exfoliation to buff away dead skin cells and leave skin soft and smooth. For a more budget-friendly option, we recommend the Neutrogena Deep Clean Gentle Daily Facial Scrub, a tried-and-true drugstore staple that sloughs away dead skin and impurities in a non-abrasive way.

Our Top Picks

Hero Ingredients: Sugar, papaya and pineapple enzymes, probiotic extracts | Type of Exfoliant: Physical and chemical | Size: 2.9 oz | Recommended Usage: Massage a dime-sized amount onto the skin 2-4 times weekly

To understand what makes this product so effective, you must first understand the different kinds of exfoliators out there—physical and chemical. Physical exfoliants rely on grainy bits (like sugar granules, powders, or seeds) to physically break down and remove dead skin cells. Chemical exfoliants, on the other hand, use acids—like alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs)—or enzymes to penetrate the skin, which causes the dead skin layer to shed.

This formulation combines the power of both types of exfoliation in the form of sugar (a physical exfoliant) and papaya enzymes (a chemical exfoliant) to polish and soften the surface of the skin. Like all Tula products, it also contains probiotic extracts, which help foster a healthy skin microbiome (aka the billions of good bacteria that maintain the skin’s well-being).

When testing it, we immediately took note of the unique consistency—it’s gel-like and cooling but also features small granules. We were initially worried about the granules (Ross did say they could harm the skin), but after trying it out, we found that the formula melted into the skin comfortably and never left redness or irritation in its wake. The only con is that the formula can be a bit viscous and harder to spread, so we recommend adding a little bit of water to your fingers to help mobilize the product and make it easier to distribute.

Who It's For

Overall, this scrub is a good option for people looking for a gentle, effective way to exfoliate their skin while also nourishing their skin’s microbiome and protecting it from damage. Because it’s a scrub fueled by sugar, it might not be the best choice for those with super dry or very sensitive skin.

Hero Ingredients: AHAs and BHAs, hyaluronic acid, coconut milk, oat bran extract | Type of Exfoliant: Chemical | Size: 2.6 oz | Recommended Usage: Dispense one-half teaspoon onto wet hands and lather onto skin daily

This powder exfoliant is more than meets the eye; it’s actually a cleanser that transforms into a foamy, creamy lather when activated by water. As it’s massaged into the skin, it releases papain enzymes and botanical extracts (each of which is rich in AHAs and BHAs that exfoliate skin) plus hyaluronic acid to leave the complexion smooth and soothed. When we tried it, the product felt gentle, hydrating, and rejuvenating—checking off three significant criteria we sought out in an exfoliator.

It has calming properties, too. The formula contains oat extract, which is known to help soothe skin dryness, itching, flaking, and tightness, and actually worked wonders for a tester experiencing an eczema flare-up. She applied it to her face and come morning, her skin appeared less red and irritated. Just keep in mind that it comes in a very tiny package, so you may want to use it less frequently (rather than every single day) to ensure it lasts longer.

Who It's For

Since it contains nourishing, calming ingredients, this is a solid pick for anyone who has sensitive, highly reactive skin. There’s no denying that the price tag is high, so those on a budget will likely want to skip this one based on the price and the fact that the package is very small.

Hero Ingredients: CrystalRice, salicylic acid, green tea, fruit extracts | Type of Exfoliant: Physical and chemical | Size: 2.64 oz | Recommended Usage: Dispense a dime-sized amount onto wet hands and lather onto skin for 1 minute daily

Powered by both physical and chemical exfoliators, this formula removes dead skin cells (without being harsh) and sends them packing. It relies on a rice-based enzyme powder (known as CrystalRice) to exfoliate on a physical level, while salicylic acid and fruit extracts—Korean plum, papaya, apple, and grape, to be specific—soften skin through pore penetration. As for the efficacy, it pretty much completely unclogged our pores, becoming the closest thing we will likely ever get to a skin vacuum. Though our pores are still noticeable (they always will be), they appear significantly less clogged than before we used the product.

Despite clearly being a grainy exfoliant, it never felt rough on our skin when we tested it. In fact, when we mixed the powder with water, it became a super soft paste that never caused redness or irritation. That being said, we can’t speak for all skin types, so if you have extremely sensitive skin, try taking it easy with this one and slowly integrating it into your routine. It does have green tea extract in the formula, which will help calm the skin as it works, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Who It's For

Because it contains salicylic acid, it works really well on those looking to address clogged pores and uneven skin tone. Just be sure to use it in small doses so you don’t irritate your skin.

Hero Ingredients: Lactic acid, licorice extract, aloe vera | Type of Exfoliant: Chemical | Size: 0.5 oz | Recommended Usage: Morning or night, apply one or two pumps to clean, dry skin as a leave-on treatment; those with sensitive skin can use as a mask and wash off after 15 minutes

If we told you applying spoiled milk to your skin could get rid of blemishes and diminish fine lines, would you do it? While it sounds a little strange, lactic acid—an exfoliating acid found in sour milk—does just that. This formula from Sunday Riley contains the ingredient, which works by essentially dissolving the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin, revealing a more radiant complexion underneath. With continued use, it addressed our unwanted texture, spots, and lines, leaving smooth, glowing skin in its place. It’s worth noting that the type of lactic acid used here is actually bio-fermented, so it’s gentler than other types of lactic acid—a huge win for sensitive skin folks. It also contains licorice root extract and aloe vera to help soothe the skin, which is key when using an acid on your face.

The product is intended to be used as a leave-on treatment, but it also serves as a toner, an exfoliator, and a serum all in one. It’s up to you how you prefer to use it, but those worried about drying out their skin can apply it as a mask, leaving it on for 15 minutes before washing it off. It can be irritating and drying if used too often, so you’ll want to start slow and reserve use to only a few times a week.

Who It's For

This is our recommendation for anyone worried about fine lines and wrinkles on their face, as well as anyone who wants to address uneven skin texture.

Hero Ingredients: Pineapple and papaya enzymes, cellulose, coconut fruit extract, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid | Type of Exfoliant: Chemical | Size: 4 oz | Recommended Usage: Dot onto damp skin and massage in circular motions before rinsing

This pick from Bliss is an exfoliating peel. The main difference is that you can see the dead skin coming right off. It starts off as a bouncy jelly-like base that feels cooling and hydrating to the touch. Once applied to the skin, soft, plant-based fibers act as micro-lint rollers that cling to dry, dead skin and dirt. When these fibers come into contact with dead skin, they form soft clumps that roll away when rinsed.

There isn’t a single abrasive quality about this formula, yet it yields dramatic results, making it hard to believe it relies solely on a gentle blend of fruit extracts and enzymes. The only downside is that it has a pretty potent floral fragrance that we weren’t crazy about. Some people might like it, but if you’re into fragrance-free skincare or can’t tolerate added fragrances, you might want to skip this one.

Who It's For

We recommend this peel for anyone with very dry or sensitive skin, as it doesn’t rely on any harsh abrasives or acids. It quite literally pills away dead skin, so it’s a good pick for someone with lots of dry patches, too.

Hero Ingredients: Vitamin B5, vitamin E, glycerin, microfine granules | Type of Exfoliant: Physical | Size: 6 fl oz | Recommended Usage: Squeeze a quarter-sized amount into hands and massage over damp skin.

Formulated with hydrating glycerin, vitamins B5 and E, and microfine granules, this extra gentle scrub can be used on the daily—unlike many other exfoliating treatments. It was designed with sensitive skin types in mind, offering a nice cleanse and subtle exfoliation without irritation or overdrying the skin.

According to the brand, the formula defends against five signs of skin sensitivity, including dryness, irritation, roughness, tightness, and a weakened skin barrier. During testing, our skin felt more supple and soft, with slightly less texture. It didn’t do much for acne breakouts (chemical exfoliants generally do a better job unclogging pores), but this served as a gentle option that doubles as a nightly face wash.

Who It's For

Due to the gentle nature of this face scrub, we believe it’s a good choice for anyone with sensitive skin (including those with eczema or rosacea), as well as those who are using other skincare products that can be irritating, like retinoids or prescription acne medication.

Hero Ingredients: Salicylic acid, microfine granules | Type of Exfoliant: Physical and chemical | Size: 4.2 oz | Recommended Usage: Massage gently into wet skin, avoiding contact with the eye area

Formulated with exfoliating beads and salicylic acid to remove dirt, oil, and dead skin cells, this affordable scrub from Neutrogena was one of our favorites during testing. It comes out of the tube with a slightly granular consistency, but when paired with water and lathered up between your palms, it becomes a foam that moves nicely on the skin. A dime-sized amount is all you need to experience full-face exfoliation.

We found that it provided the perfect amount of grittiness to smooth our skin without leaving us red, blotchy, or itchy. The only con is that it has fragrance in the formula, so you may want to steer clear if you have an allergy to added fragrances in cosmetics.

Who It's For

This is a solid pick for someone looking to buy a non-abrasive exfoliator without breaking the bank. It’s available at most drugstores and online retailers for under $10.

FAQ

• What is exfoliation?

  Exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. This can be done physically, via a scrub or brush, or chemically, with exfoliating skincare ingredients like alpha hydroxy or beta hydroxy acids.

• Why is exfoliation important?

  Exfoliation can help improve skin texture and appearance, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, unclog pores, and promote cell turnover and collagen production, says Dr. Russak.

• Who would benefit from exfoliation?

  Anyone can benefit from exfoliation, but some people may see more benefits than others. “People with oily or acne-prone skin may benefit the most from exfoliation, as it can help to remove excess oil and prevent breakouts,” says Dr. Russak. “People with dry skin may also benefit from exfoliation, as it can help remove dead skin cells and reveal softer, smoother skin underneath.”

• How often can you exfoliate your skin?

  It’s recommended that you exfoliate no more than twice a week. However, the frequency with which you exfoliate depends on your skin type and your individual needs. “People with sensitive skin may need to exfoliate less often than people with normal or oily skin,” says Dr. Russak. “It’s important to be respectful of and gentle with the skin barrier and microbiome.”