Body scrubs have become a necessary step in our shower routines so that we can remove the dead skin cells that build up on our skin. The exfoliation that they provide helps the skin to absorb moisturizer better, and the result is a smoother and more even complexion. Body scrubs also unclog pores and prevent razor bumps and ingrown hairs.
There are many types of body scrubs that are available in the market, which makes it difficult to choose the best option. To help you narrow down your options, we've prepared a buying guide with comments and tips from dermatologist Dr. Katrina Erika Habaluyas Luz. We also made a list of our top 10 body scrub recommendations to help you achieve healthy, glowing skin.
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.
From ₱1,050
Skin Type | All Skin Types |
---|---|
Notable Ingredients | Pumice, Glycolic and Lactic Acid, Bisabolol, Vitamin E |
Fragrance | Not Specified |
Net Weight | 56.7 g |
From ₱1,250
Skin Type | Sensitive, Dry |
---|---|
Notable Ingredients | Almond Milk, Organic Almond Oil, Honey |
Fragrance | Not Specified (Hypoallergenic) |
Net Weight | 250 g |
From ₱895
Skin Type | Normal, Dry |
---|---|
Notable Ingredients | Sea Salt, Coconut Oil |
Fragrance | Subtle Coconut and Guava |
Net Weight | 220 g |
Image | 1 First Aid Beauty | 2 ![]() The Body Shop | 3 ![]() Ecococo |
---|---|---|---|
Name | KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub | Almond Milk and Honey Gently Exfoliating Cream Scrub | Coconut Guava Body Scrub |
Features | Best for Removing Tiny Bumps and Chicken Skin | Nourish Dry and Sensitive Skin with Milk and Honey | Fresh Coconut and Guava-Scented Body Scrub to Clean and Hydrate Your Skin |
Price Starts at | ₱1,050 | ₱1,250 | ₱895 |
Skin Type | All Skin Types | Sensitive, Dry | Normal, Dry |
Notable Ingredients | Pumice, Glycolic and Lactic Acid, Bisabolol, Vitamin E | Almond Milk, Organic Almond Oil, Honey | Sea Salt, Coconut Oil |
Fragrance | Not Specified | Not Specified (Hypoallergenic) | Subtle Coconut and Guava |
Net Weight | 56.7 g | 250 g | 220 g |
Link |
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.
From ₱549
Skin Type | Dry, Dull |
---|---|
Notable Ingredients | Apricot Pit Powder |
Fragrance | Apricot |
Net Weight | 150 ml |
From ₱285
Skin Type | Normal, Sensitive |
---|---|
Notable Ingredients | Coffee, Vanilla |
Fragrance | Vanilla |
Net Weight | 190 g |
With Lavender
From ₱380
Skin Type | All Skin Types |
---|---|
Notable Ingredients | Epsom Salt, Shea Butter, Jojoba Oil |
Fragrance | Lavender |
Net Weight | 454 g |
From ₱895
Skin Type | Normal |
---|---|
Notable Ingredients | Robusta Coffee, Raw Brown Sugar, Sea Salt, Moringa Oil, Coconut Oil |
Fragrance | Freshly-Roasted Coffee |
Net Weight | 500 g |
From ₱124
Skin Type | Normal, Dry |
---|---|
Notable Ingredients | Natural Papaya Enzymes, Bamboo Scrubs |
Fragrance | Not Specified |
Net Weight | 250 g |
From ₱499
Skin Type | Oily |
---|---|
Notable Ingredients | Ground Walnut Shell, Salicylic Acid |
Fragrance | Not Specified |
Net Weight | 227 g |
From ₱179
Skin Type | Normal |
---|---|
Notable Ingredients | Apricot Beads, Aloe Vera |
Fragrance | Not Specified |
Net Weight | 180 g |
Image | ![]() Dr. Teal's | Human Nature | ![]() Alba Botanica | ![]() Luxe Organix | ![]() Gluta-C | ![]() Organic Blendz | 1 First Aid Beauty |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Exfoliate & Renew Epsom Salt Body Scrub | Coffee & Vanilla Body Scrub | Acne Dote Face and Body Scrub | Aloe Body Scrub with Apricot | Intense Whitening Body Scrub | Kape Scrub | KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub |
Features | A Soothing Scrub for Exfoliation and Stress Relief | All-Natural Coffee Scrub with a Calming Vanilla Fragrance | Gentle on Face, Tough on Bacne | Enriched With Vitamin C and Aloe Vera for a Healthier Glow | Natural Papaya Enzymes and Bamboo Scrub for Fairer Skin | Packed With Antioxidants for Improving Blood Flow and Reducing Cellulite | Best for Removing Tiny Bumps and Chicken Skin |
Price Starts at | ₱380 | ₱285 | ₱499 | ₱179 | ₱124 | ₱895 | ₱1,050 |
Skin Type | All Skin Types | Normal, Sensitive | Oily | Normal | Normal, Dry | Normal | All Skin Types |
Notable Ingredients | Epsom Salt, Shea Butter, Jojoba Oil | Coffee, Vanilla | Ground Walnut Shell, Salicylic Acid | Apricot Beads, Aloe Vera | Natural Papaya Enzymes, Bamboo Scrubs | Robusta Coffee, Raw Brown Sugar, Sea Salt, Moringa Oil, Coconut Oil | Pumice, Glycolic and Lactic Acid, Bisabolol, Vitamin E |
Fragrance | Lavender | Vanilla | Not Specified | Not Specified | Not Specified | Freshly-Roasted Coffee | Not Specified |
Net Weight | 454 g | 190 g | 227 g | 180 g | 250 g | 500 g | 56.7 g |
Link |
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.
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!):
Road to recovery from over-exfoliation:
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.
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