Three Face Scrubs and Body Scrubs to Exfoliate Your Way Into Fall

A scrub is a guy who thinks he's fine, and is also known as ... an exfoliator.

Seriously though, 90's hit songs and horrible jokes aside, everyone needs a good scrub in their life. Since a proper scrub will leave your skin softer, help get rid of dry skin, and improve circulation, transitioning from summer to fall is the best excuse you have to finally purchase that scrub you've been pining after. Please note, I purposely left off your skin feeling dry and irritated after a scrub. That is definitely the opposite of how your skin should be reacting to a scrub that is worthy of a spot in your bathroom vanity -- despite those of us with dry skin being led astray in the past by crappy products that had us thinking exfoliators were just not right for our skin type. Here are my three current favorite personally tested and skin-approved face and body scrubs.





Mario Badescu Almond & Honey Non-Abrasive Face Scrub

Key Ingredients: Algae extract, almond oil, honey, and cornmeal

What It Feels Like: The bits of almond in this scrub may be a little surprising initially (I know I was a bit intimidated when first trying it out), but the creamy scrub is perfect for sensitive skin as the almonds gently buff away dry skin while the other ingredients like honey and algae extract help the skin retain moisture. If you're looking for an intro into the facial scrub world, give this baby a try first.

Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Daily Cleanser

Key Ingredients: Amazonian white clay particles from the mouth of the Amazon River, aloe leaf juice, and salicylic acid

What It Feels Like: Though the name suggests it is safe for daily use, I personally use this cleanser as I would any facial scrub, which is two to three times a week. I especially use it when I want a deeply clean feel, like after exercising or while I'm traveling. Warning: you need to be sure to rinse your sink after washing your face, it can leave little clumps of clay particles.

L'Occitane Verbena Body Salt Scrub

Key Ingredients: Salts from the Mediterranean Sea, essential oils of grape seed, apricot, and sweet almond, vitamin A, and pure extracts of verbena, orange, geranium, and lemon tree

What It Feels Like: The salt body scrub goes from coarse to seriously moisturizing when the salt crystals and oils are massaged into wet skin. Not only do the salts exfoliate, but you're also rubbing the essential oils onto the skin, leaving it ridiculously silky smooth long after you get out of the shower. The scrub has a fresh verbena scent, which is a good balance between sweet and earthy and wears off fairly quickly (which I actually count in the plus column).