We all know the feeling of looking in the mirror only to see a lackluster, dull, and tired complexion staring back at you. The good news is that sometimes the only thing our skin needs is a little pick-me-up to be bright, radiant, and glowing again. Enter: face scrubs. They slough away dead skin, leaving you with a brighter, smoother, and even tighter complexion than before. But the tricky thing with face scrubs is that they can be quite abrasive and even cause irritation, which is a red flag for those with sensitive or acne-prone skin. That’s where we come in to save the day. Everyone—no matter their skin type—can benefit from a facial scrub. The secret is in finding the best formula for your skin’s needs. To help you do just that, we’ve used our data-driven algorithm factoring in best-selling buzz, editorial selections, and real user reviews to create a vetted list of the best face scrubs you can find in your local drugstore. These picks get the job done without breaking the bank. Keep scrolling to see the best drugstore face scrubs you should try now. Opening image: @aveenous
Love our 10 Best Drugstore Face Scrubs? Just wait till you see our 10 Best Drugstore Cleansing Oils!
September 10, 2020
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The Rankings
Burt's Bees Peach & Willow Bark Deep Pore Exfoliating Facial Scrub
BEST FOR: Ridding pores of oil, dirt, and debris
FUN FACT: The exfoliating agent in this gentle scrub is ground-up peach stones.
L'oreal Paris Pure Sugar Scrub Nourish & Soften
WHAT IT DOES: This three-blend sugar scrub uses brown, blonde, and white sugars along with cocoa to exfoliate, soften, and nourish the skin after each use.
HELPFUL TIP: Apply this scrub with dry fingers onto dry skin. Next, wet your fingers to gently massage the scrub into the face and rinse with warm water.
La Roche-Posay Ultra-Fine Scrub For Sensitive Skin
BEST FOR: Exfoliating sensitive skin without causing irritation or inflammation
USERS SAID: “It is very gentle, but also very effective. It does not irritate or cause any redness. In fact, my skin seems less red than usual.”
Neutrogena Pore Refining Exfoliating Cleanser
WHAT IT DOES: A blend of BHAs and AHAs penetrate deeply into the pores, drawing out all impurities that make them appear larger while exfoliators focus on the surface of the skin and slough away dead skin cells.
USERS SAID: “Once I started using this product, it literally made my pores almost disappear. So happy with the results and it’s super affordable.”
Olay Regenerist Detoxifying Pore Scrub Facial Cleanser
BEST FOR: Users who are looking for the benefits of exfoliation coupled with anti-aging
FROM THE EXPERTS: In a clinical study, 94% of women felt smoother, cleaner skin after one use of this pore scrub.
Clean & Clear Oil-Free Deep Action Exfoliating Facial Scrub
BEST FOR: Oily and acne-prone skin
LOVED FOR: This deep-acting scrub leaves skin with that tingly, cool, minty-fresh feeling that is the perfect pick-me-up when your complexion is out of whack.
St. Ives Even And Bright Pink Lemon And Mandarin Orange Scrub
WHAT IT DOES: With the help of pink lemon and mandarin peel extracts, dead layers of skin are washed away and radiant skin is exposed.
HELPFUL TIP: Since this citrus scrub is a moderate-level exfoliator, you’ll want to minimize use to three or four times a week.
Aveeno Positively Radiant Skin Brightening Daily Scrub
BEST FOR: Users with texture and tone concerns
USERS SAID: “I have deep (still red) acne scars, inflammation, and redness around my nose. After a month of using this product daily, I can see a difference. Cleaner and smaller pores, improved skin tone, and diminished appearance of the acne scars.”
Acure Brightening Facial Scrub
WHY YOU NEED IT: We all want bright, glowing skin. This vegan scrub is formulated with sea kelp, lemon peel, Madonna lily, and French green clay to cleanse, soften, detox, and brighten your skin over time.
ABOUT THE BRAND: All Acure products are vegan and free of parabens, sulfates, mineral oil, petroleum, and formaldehyde.
Cetaphil Extra Gentle Daily Scrub
LOVED FOR: It’s no surprise that Cetaphil hits #1 in this facial scrub list. It’s gentle enough for sensitive skin, it’s hydrating so your skin doesn’t feel stripped, and it’s designed for daily use.
USERS SAID: “I love it so much. It left my skin so clean, but so smooth and moist at the same time.”
The Latest
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