If there’s one thing you should incorporate into your skincare regime (assuming you’re not already doing it), it’s exfoliation. Exfoliation is essentially the method of removing dead skin cells and unwanted dirt from the surface of your skin. During the day, especially if we’re busy and outdoors, our skin collects a natural build-up of sweat, dirt, and air pollutants.
Cleaning our skin at the end of the day usually removes that unwanted build-up that can lead to acne and clogged pores, but sometimes we need something a little stronger – especially for those bits of dry, flaky skin that just doesn’t go away with a regular cleanser.
Here we’ll break down some good body exfoliators for you to try – along with reviews, tips for choosing the nicest ones, and why natural is always best.
Good body exfoliators can include the use of brushes and scrubbing gloves.
Photo by Diana Akhmetianova from Pexels
Top 5 Natural Exfoliators
Exfoliation is unique when it comes to skincare because you don’t always need an actual product to do the job for you. There are plenty of tools and brushes you can use to exfoliate your skin effectively. These tools are especially helpful when it comes to the whole body. It’s much easier to gently exfoliate your legs with a brush than apply an exfoliating mask over that wide range of skin. However, there are also some great scrubs out there that can go a long way when used on the whole body. We found some of the best natural ingredients and tools that make good body exfoliators, and we’ll go into full details below.
We wanted to recommend a variety of good body exfoliators to ensure you have a range of options when making your decision. Our selection is narrowed down to five products we found to be particularly beneficial for totally natural body exfoliation, sourced from familiar brands like The Body Shop, Cocokind, and True Botanicals. We know you’ll find one that’s perfect for you!
Reviews of the Best Natural Exfoliators
Here are our five best recommendations for a good body exfoliator, in order from most affordable to a little more on the luxury side. All of these products are sourced from 100% natural ingredients from reputable organic beauty brands. We’ll include a list of pros and cons for each to help you make the best decision.
This exfoliating clay is made from coffee grounds, chicory root, and red clay. Together, these ingredients work on clarifying and ridding the skin of excess dirt and dead skin cells, resulting in a bright, smooth surface. Chicory is also rich in prebiotics that support good skin bacteria.
Pros
- Effective for dry and itchy skin
- Firms and enhances skin radiance
- Rids the skin of impurities
Cons
- May not be for those who are opposed to caffeine and/or chicory
Cocokind is an affordable and reputable skincare brand, and this scrubbing clay is sure to leave your skin clean and glowing.
The Brazilian cupuaçu nut is similar to the cacao nut, which aids in moisturizing and nourishing the skin with its natural oils. The salt crystals in the scrub will gently exfoliate your skin, leaving a smooth and clean layer for the oil to work its magic.
Pros
- Good for all skin types
- Exfoliates and moisturizes
Cons
- The exotic fragrance might be too strong for some
The Body Shop has been a trustworthy source of natural skin and beauty care for years, and they’re always keeping up to date with the latest skin trends. They have a famously wide range of products for different skin types and preferences. You’ll rarely go wrong with this brand.
This scrub is made with sea salt, sunflower, and apricot oils, which all combine to exfoliate and heal the skin. It also includes Vitamin E, which protects the skin from free radical damage.
Pros
- Enriches and protects the skin
- Dual exfoliating and moisturizing benefits
- Award-winning (Allure Best of Beauty Awards 2020)
Cons
- A little on the pricier side
Good exfoliation is only possible when balanced with good moisture, and this scrub ensures that with the mixture of sea salt and natural oils. The added Vitamin E makes it worth the extra cost.
True Botanicals is one of the best natural brands out there, and for good reason. Their body scrub blends organic sugar, sandalwood, camellia, jojoba oil, and kaolin clay to form one phenomenal product that is going to leave your skin scrubbed of dirt and dry flakes, with a smooth, glowing surface.
Pros
- Hydrating
- Hypoallergenic
- Wonderful scent of orange peel, cedarwood, and sandalwood
- Pregnancy-safe
- Award-winning (Allure Best of Beauty Awards 2021)
Cons
- A little expensive
If you’re willing to spend a little more on some super luxurious ingredients, then True Botanicals is for you. The combined exfoliating and hydrating power of this body scrub will leave your skin looking and feeling healthy - not to mention smelling amazing as well!
Tata Harper is probably as bougie as you’re going to get when it comes to organic skincare. Their exfoliating scrub is made from multi-particles that effectively scrub and smooth the skin, plus it’s also rich in vitamins and minerals.
Pros
- High-performance ingredients
- Regenerates the skin
- Payments can be made periodically with certain methods
Cons
- Very pricey
If you can spare the expenses, splash out and treat yourself in the grandest way - with a product from Tata Harper. You might regret the payment later down the line, but it’s unlikely you’re going to regret using such a lavish and well-sourced natural product on your skin.
If you don’t want to use an actual product on your skin, you can always opt for an exfoliating tool! Your standard tools are going to be a glove or cloth (usually made from bamboo), a pumice stone, or a body brush. Check out The Body Shop for their Exfoliating Bath Gloves ($5), Hemp Body Mitt ($19), and Cactus Long Handle Body Brush ($15).
Pros
- Very affordable
- Tactile
Cons
- Need to be cleaned/replaced often
- Tend to be rougher on the skin than a product
Exfoliating tools can be used with a gentle soap or body wash for those who prefer something more tangible to scrub their skin. They do make good body exfoliators but need to be cleaned well and might irritate sensitive skin if used too often.
Why Is Exfoliation So Popular?
No matter what your skin type is, exfoliation is good for everyone. It’s a great thing to include in your skincare routine, as it not only removes dirt and oil from pores but also gets rid of flaky skin caused by dead skin cells, leading to that fresh and bright skin we all want.
When used in conjunction with moisture and hydration, exfoliation can prevent acne, promote circulation, and increase cell turnover, which makes the skin look young and healthy. It’s no wonder there are so many options to choose from when it comes to exfoliation, as it’s one of those products that really does benefit every skin type.
Top Five Tips for Choosing an Exfoliator
When choosing a good body exfoliator, here are some things to keep in mind:
- Decide whether you want a scrub or a tool
- Check the ingredients to ensure they’re natural and effective
- Consider your skin type and what will benefit it
- Abrasive products aren’t always necessary, especially for sensitive skin
- Make sure you moisturize and hydrate your skin after exfoliation
What Sets These Exfoliators Apart from Others
Our selection of good body exfoliators includes some of the best organic products you’re going to find. While some are more expensive than others, they are all made from natural and cruelty-free ingredients. Each one uses specific and rich sources from nature to nourish and exfoliate your skin effectively.
How We Picked Our Top Selection
Our research and recommendations are based on only reputable natural skincare brands. The products we’ve selected are all made from purely natural ingredients, and each of them proves to work well as good body exfoliators, nourishing the skin in the process. For variety’s sake, we wanted to include affordable basic skincare, as well as more luxury products. The selection above takes into account all skin types and preferences, and they are all open about their ingredients, sourced from credible skincare brands.
What Factors to Consider When Buying An Exfoliator
When looking for good body exfoliators, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, is the product free of toxic chemicals that can be harmful to the skin? Try to stay away from parabens, phthalates, artificial fragrances, and sulfates. Pure organic skincare should be free of all of those. Once you know what’s not in the product, take note of what is. Are the ingredients going to exfoliate your skin effectively? Look for things like sea salt, coffee grounds, nuts, oatmeal, and sugar – which all work to scrub the skin of excess dirt and dry flakes.
Make sure there is a good balance of moisture and hydration, too. It’s great to strip the skin of that troublesome layer but no good if it’s left raw with nothing to aid in nourishing and healing it. Oils, vitamins and minerals are going to be your friend here. Check for those on the label. And if there are none, be sure to moisturize your skin after exfoliating it.
Lastly, consider your skin type. Sensitive skin will need gentle products, while dry skin will benefit from salt and sugar scrubs, or exfoliation tools, to properly get rid of dry, flaky skin. Also, consider how much you’re willing to spend and how much product you’re going to get for the price. Exfoliation isn’t something you will be doing every day, so it’s okay to spend a bit more on a product that will last a while.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to your skincare routine, exfoliation should be part of it, no matter your skin type. Exfoliation is important for all skin types to get that healthy, supple glow we all want. Whether you want a scrub for your body or a fun exfoliating tool, there’s something out there for you. Let us know what your favorite body exfoliators are (or if you’re planning to try any of our recommendations) in the comments below!
