The Best Natural Exfoliants for Your Skin

For many of us, our skin care routine is as simple as cleanse, moisturize, and go! But the unsung hero of any skincare routine just might be exfoliation. It so happens to be the extra step to your glowiest skin ever.

Without an exfoliating cleanser or scrub, dead skin cells build up, leading to dull, sad skin. We’re here to demystify this important skincare step and guide you through the best exfoliation ingredients for every skin type and the top products for a healthy, radiant complexion.

Physical Vs. Exfoliating Scrubs – What’s the Difference?

Both types of exfoliants do essentially the same thing – remove dead skin cells – but they work differently.Physical exfoliation scrubs and exfoliating cleansers are usually face scrubs that contain small granules – ground-up nuts, coffee, sugar crystals – to buff away dead skin. However, some of these particles can damage skin or be Earth-unfriendly, like microbeads.

As their name implies, chemical exfoliants remove dead skin using chemicals that loosen up the dead skin cells. That makes it easier to wipe away. The best chemical exfoliants are fruit enzymes and alpha and beta hydroxy acids. While these are generally safe and effective, they can be harsh depending on your skin type.

Which Type of Exfoliating Scrub Is Right for Your Skin Type?

Physical exfoliating scrubs and exfoliating cleansers work well for oily and combination skin types. Mature skin would benefit from a super fine, gentle exfoliant. Acne-prone and some combo skin types fare well with chemical exfoliation.

The key to choosing between an exfoliating scrub or chemical exfoliator is knowing which ingredients will give you glowy, dreamy skin. We’re here to help!

The Best Exfoliating Scrub Ingredients for Your Skin Type

Matcha Powder
Matcha is a powdery powerhouse with big benefits for a healthy glow. Feeling more like a microdermabrasion scrub, our Matcha Oat Face Scrubuses exfoliating matcha powder and colloidal oatmeal to soften the complexion. This formula features small particles and might be more appealing to those seeking light to medium exfoliation.

Rice Powder
Since rice water is a superstar skin brightener, it’s no wonder this wonder ingredient could take skincare a step further. Our skin-softening Fermented Rice Water Cleanser features exfoliating rice water (Sake), and brightening vitamins that gently sweep away dead skin cells and balance skin tone for an even, glowing complexion. That makes this product great for all skin types – even sensitive skin.

Fruit Pulp
Finely ground fruit pulp is loaded with superstar antioxidants. It’s gentle enough for use even on sensitive skin. Our Acai Pulp Facial Scrub features finely ground grape seed and acai pulp. It packs plenty of buffing power to slough away bumps, flakes, and dead layers while revealing fresher, more supple skin.

Cocoa
Perfect little cocoa nibs that are as great to skin as they are to chocolate? That’s what you’ll find with our Cocoa Bean Facial Scrub. An innovative and ultra-gentle approach to exfoliation, this exfoliating and skin-polishing scrub gently rolls across the skin to lift away dead skin cells and impurities, leaving no damage to skin.

Seed/Shell Powders
Natural seeds and shell powders provide amazing exfoliation results! Take our Acai Pulp Facial Scrub – it features grape seeds for heavier exfoliation. It’s great for oily skin types.

For more sensitive skin types, puréed strawberry as featured in our Strawberry Brightening Scrub works well. This berry brightening facial scrub features small, exfoliants, including puréed strawberry as well as a blend of natural fruits, including pineapple, papaya, cranberry, and more, which are all great for gently removing dullness and impurities for a soft, glowing complexion

Fruit Acids
All natural fruit acids have illustrious benefits. Skin-brightening vitamin C is no exception! That’s why the prized vitamin is featured in our Vitamin C Mask. This mask includes fruit enzymes, beet lactic acid, and fermented rice kojic acid to gently peel away dullness and even skin tone while supporting collagen and elastin production.

Enzymes & Acids
Does your skin have a dull appearance? Prepare to banish it with our 7% Fruit Acids Apple Enzyme Exfoliating Cleanser. Featuring powerful fruit enzymes and acids, like green apple, licorice, citrus and 7% acids, this resurfacing cleanser easily penetrates the skin to exfoliate between skin cells, unclog and minimize pores, even skin tone and brighten, leaving you with a refined and bright complexion.

Oat Flour/Oats
Our Pore Detox Herbal Cleanser is a great alternative to popular glycolic acid products, which can be irritating for some skin types. It sloughs away dead skin and excess oil, while gently exfoliating with oat flour for a smoother, brighter complexion. This exfoliating cleanser is specifically designed to target oily skin, breakout-prone skin, and congested or enlarged pores.

Baking Soda
It can be difficult to lock down a facial exfoliating scrub that gives you a deep clean feeling without doing a number on your sensitive skin. Slough off dead skin cells while gently exfoliating by creating a scrub using baking soda. Just be mindful of your skin’s pH.

Lactic Acid
Lactic acid is a gentle exfoliant derived from sour (fermented) milk. It works well on sensitive areas, like under your eyes. A gentle cleanser with lactic acid from beets and other natural ingredients will be your best bet for smooth, glowy skin. If your skin is prone to redness and irritation, formulations with lactic acid may work better for you than other AHAs.

Not to be forgotten, exfoliation is a super important part of your skin care routine, regardless of your skin type! Pairing the right natural exfoliating ingredients with your skin needs will lead to rejuvenated, brighter, and potentially clearer skin. Sound good? We think so too.