Not All Body Scrubs Are Made Equal—These Are the Ones Beauty Editors Rate

I’ll be completely honest—I used to be pretty lax when it came to my body-care regimen. While I was slathering my face with cleanser, toner, moisturiser and SPF, my body would watch on from the sidelines, feeling well and truly ghosted. I mean, can you blame me? In the colder months the last thing I want to do is stand nakey-nakey-naked (one for my Rhi Rhi fans) while I cover every inch of my body in cream.

However, as I’ve entered my late twenties, I recently had a word with myself and said: enough is enough. I really have no excuse, especially as I often get sent such beautiful body-care products to try. I vowed to make a change and never leave my body on unread again, and boy, have I seen a difference. The one body-care product I have entered into a pretty serious relationship with is the humble body scrub. Before body creams, serums, oils and body creams come into the equation, it’s important to have a good base to work with, and that’s why I now consider a body scrub to be a non-negotiable in my beauty regime.

Below, I've rounded up my favourite body scrubs out there, as well as tapped the experts for all the info on why a body scrub is well worth investing in.

What Are the Benefits of a Body Scrub?

"The skin’s natural desquamation process (shedding of dead cells) happens daily,” explains Elizabeth King, holistic facialist and skincare expert for Weleda. "But as we age or even the changing season from winter into spring, this process may be sluggish and in need of a little help.

"A weekly body scrub can do wonders for instant revitalisation of the skin, stimulating circulation and thereby encouraging cellular activity. Your skin feels instantly softer and smoother and you’ll find you use less body lotion while also having a better moisturising result.”

According to Dr Alexis Granite, consultant dermatologist and founder of Joonbyrd, "Body scrubs have a multitude of benefits including: exfoliating dead skin cells, revealing smoother, more radiant skin; stimulating circulation and skin cell renewal; unclogging pores, reducing ingrown hairs and breakouts; enhancing absorption of leave-on products such as body lotions, oils and serums; and refining skin texture, leaving it feeling softer and smoother."

If you’re also a religious tanner like me—shout-out to my fake tan Thursday crew––it really is a step you shouldn’t overlook. Creating a faux glow on the likes of Amy Jackson, Lilah Parsons and Vogue Williams, Celebrity tan artist Nadine Sereaton says preparation is key. "It helps unclog the pores and also prevents ingrown hairs and razor bumps so the skin is smoother and your tan will be a lot more even,” Sereaton says, noting that if you're using a scrub that contains oil pre-fake tan, rinse off thoroughly with soap or shower gel so it doesn't create a barrier.

How to Use a Body Scrub

"To get the most out of your scrub, lightly dampen your skin under the shower,” says King. "Turn the shower head off and, with circular movements, work up your limbs towards your heart. Create circles over the tummy in a clockwise direction and down the sides of your back onto the buttocks. Turn the shower head back on and use sweeping movements towards your heart to rinse.” If you’re prepping before fake tan, Sereaton says to focus on dry areas like the elbows, knees, around the ankles and feet.

Dr Alexis Granite expands by advising that when you're finished, ensure you "pat dry and avoid rubbing, and follow with moisturiser to lock in hydration, softness and to reinforce the skin barrier."

What to Look for in a Body Scrub

Granite advises that there are a number of factors we should consider when evaluating a body scrub and determining if it's right for us. She breaks this down into four steps:

1. "Gentle exfoliation – a scrub should have small, smooth grains to remove dead skin without micro-tears or irritation."
2. "Formulation texture – It should glide on without dragging and rinse clean without residue. Also a scrub should be able to hold it’s shape prior to application and ideally lather as well."
3. "Active ingredients – Hydrating, soothing and brightening ingredients beyond the exfoliant can boost efficacy."
4. "Visible results – Smoother texture and improved radiance are all signs a scrub is working."

Keep scrolling for 10 body scrubs recommended by the experts and yours truly.

The Best Body Scrubs 2025

• Best Body Scrub for Awakening: Frank Body Coconut Body Scrub
• Best Body Scrub for Exfoliation: Sanctuary Spa Signature Natural Oils Salt Scrub
• Best Moisturising Body Scrub: Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Body Scrub
• Best Body Scrub for Refining: Joonbyrd Violet Haze Body Scrub
• Best Glow-Boosting Body Scrub: Kate Somerville Exfolikate Resurfacing Body Scrub

1. Frank Body Coconut Body Scrub

2. Sanctuary Spa Signature Natural Oils Salt Scrub

3. Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Body Scrub

4. Weleda Birch Body Scrub

5. Ouai Scalp & Body Scrub

6. Joonbyrd Violet Haze Body Scrub

7. Kate Somerville Exfolikate Resurfacing Body Scrub

8. Omorovicza Gold Sugar Scrub

9. Kora Organics Invigorating Body Scrub

10. ESPA Exfoliating Body Polish

Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.

We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.