Exfoliation is the process of removing dead cells from the surface of the skin. It is arguably the most important part of any good skincare routine. It not only improves the overall health of your skin but is also the secret to a lasting glow.
The effectiveness of exfoliation ultimately depends on the type of skincare products you use. Choosing the wrong ones could have devastating results. You also need to consider their effects on the environment.
Up until December 2015, most exfoliating scrubs had plastic microbeads in them. These would get washed down the drain, into sewage plant filters, and eventually end up in the sea. This had adverse effects on marine wildlife that would mistake them for food.
What was even more alarming was the fact that humans would inadvertently end up consuming fish that had these microbeads in them. Today, there are a host of natural and eco-friendly scrubs you can choose from. We’ve rounded up the best ones for your skin type.
1. Best Value Natural and Eco-Friendly Scrub
With the tons of skincare products out there, you’ll be forgiven for believing that expensive equals better. This, however, couldn’t be further from the truth. Taking care of your skin is important, but you shouldn’t have to break the bank to do it. The most important factor you need to consider when choosing a scrub or any other cosmetic product out there is how well it works with your skin.
More often than not, products made from all-natural ingredients are more likely to give you the best results. A common misconception people have about this category of products is that they are pricer than their non-natural counterparts. There are lots of natural eco-friendly scrubs out there that are just as effective as they are pocket-friendly.
Tree Hut Firming Sugar Scrub Mocha and Coffee Bean, happens to be one of them. It is formulated from a mix of all-natural organic ingredients that are effective at gently exfoliating the skin and nourishing it at the same time.
The Shea Butter, Avocado Oil, Safflower Seed Oil, Orange Oil, Macadamia Seed Oil, and Sweet Almond Oil are amazing skin conditioners that leave your skin smooth and with a lasting glow.
Caffeine and Shea Butter also work to improve the appearance of sagging skin. The product contains no parabens or toxic chemical ingredients that could harm your skin. It is 100% natural and eco-friendly. You’ll find the mocha and coffee bean aroma therapeutic and pleasing to the senses.
Features
- Exfoliates
- Made from all-natural ingredients
- Paraben-free
- Microbead-free
- Formaldehyde-free
- Made in the USA
- Product size: 18 oz
2. Best Natural and Eco-Friendly Scrub for Mature Skin
Regardless of how normal or oily your skin was when you were younger, the older you get, the more sensitive and dehydrated it becomes. Nevertheless, exfoliating is still necessary to increase the rate of new cell regeneration and to allow the active ingredients present in natural skincare products to penetrate the skin.
It is also crucial for the consistent removal of dead cells to promote an even skin tone and improve the appearance of dull, devitalized, pigmented skin. Research has also shown that regular exfoliation boosts circulation to the skin, which in turn stimulates collagen production. This is what is responsible for your skin’s elasticity. It improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles leaving you looking radiant and youthful.
M3 Naturals Himalayan Salt Scrub is specially formulated for aging skin. It is infused with collagen to plump-up wrinkles and tightens sagging skin. It also integrates stem cells that not only boost the amount of collagen produced but also increase the overall longevity of skin cells.
Himalayan Pink Salt has long been touted for its detoxifying properties. When applied to the skin, it draws out toxins and impurities from the pores and balances your skin pH. It contains a unique blend of ingredients like Aloe Vera, Jojoba Seed Oil, Lychee Fruit Essential Oil, and Sweet Almond Oil that nourish and replenish the skin with the vital nutrients it needs to thrive.
Features
- Exfoliates
- Formulated for aging skin
- Made from all-natural ingredients
- Paraben-free
- Microbead-free
- Formaldehyde-free
- Made in the USA
- Product size: 12 oz
3. Best Natural and Eco-Friendly Scrub for Lips
You’ll be surprised to learn that most people don’t exfoliate their lips. Quite frankly, the whole chapped-lips hanging-dead-skin look is quite off-putting, to say the least. There’s also the not-so-small issue of lipstick application.
If you’ve ever tried applying lipstick on chapped lips, then you know you won’t get the smooth finish you were going for. It ends up looking lumpy and flaky from the dead skin underneath.
Exfoliating your lips is the remedy to this. It’ll leave your lips looking healthy and feeling great as well. It also neutralizes any discoloration and dark spots that may be present. This leaves your lips looking great, even with no color on them.
Beauty by Earth’s Organic Lip Scrub works like a charm to get rid of unsightly dead skin on your lips. It is 100% natural and edible – if you must! It contains real sugar crystals and natural flavoring ingredients like Vanilla, which you’ll love. It also has Coconut Oil and Jojoba Oil that work to moisturize and revitalize dry, chapped lips.
Features
- Exfoliates
- Made from all-natural ingredients
- Vanilla-flavored
- Edible
- Paraben-free
- Microbeads-free
- Sulfate-free
- No synthetic fragrances
- Formaldehyde-free
- Made in the USA
- Product size: 0.7 oz
4. Best Natural and Eco-Friendly Scrub for Normal Skin
If you have normal skin, you should thank your lucky stars that picking skincare products is a walk in the park. You’re less likely to suffer from any complications and adverse reactions, unlike individuals with oily, dry, or sensitive skin.
Regardless of your good fortune, you still need to exfoliate. But, since your skin is already less sensitive to the abrasion that comes from scrubbing, you’re free to bump-up the exfoliating power of the products you use.
Pure Dead Sea Salt from PureSCRUBS is made from real Dead Sea salt. It is infused with essential oils that work in tandem to get rid of dead skin cells, draw out bacteria and impurities from the pores, and moisturize your skin. It is 100% natural and contains no chemicals.
Features
- Exfoliates
- Made from all-natural ingredients
- Paraben-free
- Microbead-free
- Sulfate-free
- Alcohol-free
- GMO-free
- Dye-free
- No synthetic fragrances
- Formaldehyde-free
- Made in the USA
- Product size: 16 oz
5. Best Natural and Eco-Friendly Scrub for Sensitive Skin
Sensitive skin is like that cranky friend at a party, who scowls at every little thing and makes everyone feel unwelcome in their presence. The smallest thing could set them off at any given opportunity.
Having sensitive skin is incredibly frustrating. Before you try out any new product, you have to inspect all the ingredients to make sure there’s nothing in there that could set off a fiery reaction on your skin. So, exfoliation for this type of complexion is a tricky affair.
You need to find products with all-natural ingredients that are specifically marked “sensitive skin-friendly.” You need to find a product that gently removes dead skin cells without causing irritation and subsequent inflammation.
SheaMoisture Lavender and Wild Orchid Scrub is specially formulated for sensitive skin. It contains a soothing combination of Lavender and Wild Orchid which have a calming effect on irritated and inflamed skin. It also has Shea Butter, which is designed to lock-in moisture and protect the skin from dryness, keeping it soft and supple.
Features
- Exfoliates
- Made from all-natural ingredients
- Made for sensitive skin
- Paraben-free
- Microbead-free
- Sulfate-free
- Alcohol-free
- GMO-free
- Dye-free
- Formaldehyde-free
- Made in the USA
- Product size: 12 oz
6. Best Natural and Eco-Friendly Scrub for Oily Skin
If there’s one part of their skincare routine that people who suffer from oily skin can’t afford to skip, it’s exfoliation. Not only does it keep your skin looking youthful and fresh, but it is also a vital ingredient in preventing the development of pimples.
It is a lot harder for oily skin to shed dead cells naturally. Over time, these cells build up and clog the pores to form the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. That’s why people with oily skin are more prone to breakouts if they don’t exfoliate.
Nonetheless, the other end of the spectrum isn’t any good either. Using a product that over-exfoliates accelerates the rate of cell turnover. This leaves the skin vulnerable to dryness and irritation. You, therefore, need to use a mild exfoliant that won’t negatively impact your skin in the long run.
Majestic Pure Brown Sugar Body Scrub is gentle yet effective for scraping away at dead skin cells. It also has a generous combination of nourishing ingredients like Jojoba Oil, Evening Primrose Oil, Apricot Oil, and Lemon Oil, which work to moisturize the skin without clogging pores in the process. The Lemon Essential Oils give it its signature citrusy scent, while the refreshing aroma of Peppermint works to invigorate the mind.
Features
- Exfoliates
- Made from all-natural ingredients
- Formulated for oily skin
- Paraben-free
- Microbeads-free
- Sulfate-free
- No synthetic fragrances
- Formaldehyde-free
- Made in the USA
- Product size: 10 oz
7. Best Natural and Eco-Friendly Scrub for Dry Skin
If you suffer from dry skin, you might be wary of exfoliating. It’s a catch-22 of sorts. It would seem like exfoliating an already-parched complexion would be counter-intuitive because of all the dryness and irritation that comes after the fact. While this may very well be true, using the right product changes everything.
If you have exfoliated in the past and suffered from irritation; as a result, you likely used the wrong product for your skin type. Perhaps, you used one that was designed for oily skin? Besides, you probably don’t realize that those flakes from dry skin impede moisturizers from working properly. So, you need to scrape them off so that your moisturizer can do its job right.
Mostory Arabica Coffee Body Scrub contains a powerful blend of Dead Sea Salt, Arabica Coffee Extract, Vitamin C and E, Jojoba Oil, Coconut Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, and Hyaluronic Acid. It gently strips away the dead cells while leaving your skin soft, hydrated, and nourished. The coffee has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce the visible effects of inflammation. It is made from all-natural ingredients and contains no harmful synthetic additives.
Features
- Exfoliates
- Made from all-natural ingredients
- Formulated for dry skin
- Paraben-free
- Microbead-free
- Sulfate-free
- No synthetic fragrances
- Formaldehyde-free
- Made in the USA
- Product size: 10 oz
8. Best Natural and Eco-Friendly Scrub for Acne-Prone Skin
For people with acne-prone skin, the question has always been: To exfoliate or not to exfoliate? Let’s put that debate to rest right now, shall we? Regardless of whether you have mild or severe acne, exfoliation is good for your skin.
Remember, acne comes about when the pores of your skin get clogged up with dead cells, oil, and bacteria. So, when the sebaceous glands in the follicles produce oil, which then gets trapped in the pores, bacteria grow, and that’s when pimples appear.
For people with normal skin, the exfoliation process occurs naturally. However, for acne-prone people, the process doesn’t work as it should.
Enter White Naturals’ Activated Charcoal Face and Body Scrub. Its formulation combines premium activated charcoal, Dead Sea salts, collagen, and stem cells. These work to get rid of dead skin cells, detoxify the pores, and tighten your skin to give you a smooth, glowing, and youthful appearance. It contains 100% natural ingredients that work together to restore your skin’s pH balance and minimize the appearance of acne.
Features
- Exfoliates
- Made from all-natural ingredients
- Specially formulated for acne-prone skin
- Paraben-free
- Microbead-free
- Sulfate-free
- No synthetic fragrances
- Formaldehyde-free
- Made in the USA
- Product size: 10 oz
Bask in the Glow
Even with extensive knowledge of all the different skincare products out there, bear in mind that not all body scrubs are created equal. You need to determine which one works for your skin, and how much you’re willing to spend on it.
We recommend trying out the products we’ve highlighted in this guide. They are pocket-friendly and highly-effective in their respective categories. The glow you’ll get makes it all worth it in the end.
Need to keep your stretch marks under control? Check out our blog for 13 stretch mark creams that are safe for pregnancy.
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