10 Best Body Scrubs in the Philippines 2022 | Buying Guide Reviewed by Dermatologist

Dr. Katrina Habaluyas Luz is the face behind Ask Your Derma. She is a board-certified dermatologist in Metro Manila. She is also an educator and digital creator on all things skin, hair, and nails. She is a Diplomate of the Philippine Dermatological Society and offers online video consultations. You can also catch her on her Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube channel.

Disclaimer: These products are recommendations made by our team at mybest Philippines. Our expert, Dr. Katrina Erika Habaluyas Luz, is not affiliated with, nor is she endorsing any of the brands we mention below.

**Prices may vary depending on the website and their campaign period**

The products we introduce below were carefully curated by the mybest team using the points mentioned in our detailed and thoroughly researched buying guide. For ranks 1 to 3, in addition to the buying guide, we also referred to more than 100 reviews in Lazada to come up with their respective rankings.

We have more product recommendations in store for you! Listed in no particular order, here are seven more of our recommended products carefully chosen by the mybest team.

A body scrub is a physical exfoliant with some type of abrasive ingredient (e.g. salt, sugar, coffee, etc.) that gently removes dead skin cells. It sloughs away the debris on your skin and leaves it feeling soft and smooth. Aside from this, it promotes blood circulation, draws out impurities, and smooths stubborn rough, dry skin.

However, scrubs should only be used two to three times a week and are most effectively applied using a circular motion. This is to avoid irritating the skinーon that note, you'll be able to tell if you've gone too far when you see a change in texture or appearance, for example, if your skin already appears red or bruised.

1. Pick a body scrub best suited for your skin type.
2. Choose a body scrub with a relaxing scent for a more enjoyable experience.

There are body scrubs that are more abrasive than others, so it’s important to know what your skin type is to be able to effectively choose what the best body scrub for you could be.

If you have normal skin, this means that your skin is generally well-balanced. It is neither too oily nor too dry and is not prone to sensitivity. Body scrubs that effectively buff away dead skin cells should be your main target. It should have abrasive components strong enough to slough off impurities without causing irritation.

A good example of this is a salt-based body scrub which is a good exfoliator with great healing properties. Body scrubs with hydrating ingredients such as essential oils are great as well, so you can give your skin a deep clean while keeping it healthy, glowing, and moisturized.

People with sensitive skin types are prone to having strong reactions to certain chemicals, dyes, and fragrances present in skincare products. If you have sensitive skin, you are likely prone to getting redness and rashes caused by irritation to certain textures or ingredients.

This means that you want to be as gentle as possible. You should avoid harsh abrasive scrubs that can irritate or damage your skin. For this, we recommend fine sugar scrubs, as they are less abrasive but still effective. Body scrubs with soothing ingredients such as shea butter or honey are also good to help alleviate irritation. 

If you have dry skin, this means that your skin lacks moisture or hydration. Dry skin can cause irritation, itching, and cracking and are caused by numerous factors such as genetics, medication, and low humidity. It can be remedied through different types of creams, lotions, and ointments.

For this skin type, we recommend scrubs containing oils such as coconut oil or jojoba oil and milk such as macadamia milk or rice milk for extra moisture. On the other hand, you should avoid body scrubs with charcoal, salicylic acid, and tea tree oil as they absorb your skin's natural oils, leading to skin damage. 

Body acne, just like the acne you get on your face, can be annoying. And one place that’s prone to getting acne is our back, hence the term bacne. Our backs have sebaceous glands that produce sebum - and when we sweat or go out, our pores sometimes get clogged, which results in acne.

In saying that, we recommend body scrubs with clarifying and antibacterial ingredients. These combat the production of acne with ingredients such as salicylic acid and tea tree oil which are well-known for preventing breakouts. It would be best to avoid body scrubs with oils and milk to keep away unnecessary moisture. 

Aside from choosing a body scrub based on its ingredients, it's also advisable to look into its scent. Some body scrubs are formulated for aromatherapy which has different effects such as reduced stress, anxiety, and even mild pain. These products usually contain essential oils, such as lavender, chamomile, jasmine, or vanilla.

Body scrubs may do more harm than good if not used correctly. Here are some tips from Beauty Insider on how to properly use a body scrub at home:

Below, Dr. Katrina answers some of the web's most asked questions, so before you hit that check out button, have a read to make sure you make informed decisions!

Definitely, there are no hard and fast rules for this one! Once a week may be good for some but others may prefer at least twice a week. Best to listen to your skin! 

There are actually no hard and fast rules for this either. If you soap before, you can wash away any dirt and sweat from the skin before exfoliating away mature skin cells and impurities. If you soap after, then this helps remove any residue from the scrub. It boils down to your skin needs and preferences. 

Avoid using a body scrub for the face and other sensitive areas like the neck, underarms, and the groin area.  

Here are some signs of over-exfoliation (possibly that you might be overdoing it!): 

1. Skin is irritated, red, more sensitive to other products, or has developed acne-like eruptions.
2. The skin has a tight, wax-like texture - meaning it's dry and exposed.

Road to recovery from over-exfoliation: 

1. Stop exfoliants until the skin is back to normal. 
2. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! Once your skin is healed, it's possible to reintroduce the exfoliant slowly. 
3. Remember to listen to your skin. When in doubt, Ask Your Derma.

For many people, a structured shower and skincare routine is a great way to start and end the day. If you want to explore some products that will help you look good and feel good, allow us to recommend some of our favorites. Check out our articles below!

Exfoliation is key to healthy and smooth skin. After all, we need to get rid of dirt, dead skin cells, and excess sebum for our other skincare products to take effect. No matter what kind of skin type you have, there's bound to be a body scrub out there that is perfect for you.

Re-editor: R. Umlas

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Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.