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Polish Your Way to Perfection With These Must-Have Exfoliants
Resurface from your scalp to your soles.
When the weather cools down, our skin needs to similarly shift. We need more hydration, extra attention to the dry under-eye area, and an emphasis on sunscreen. Believe it or not, we also need to exfoliate more than ever. Whereas we might get away with a weekly scrub in warmer climates, harsher weather has a tendency to dry out our skin at a much faster rate, which means even those with sensitive skin could do with sloughing off dead skin cells a little more regularly.
That said, not all exfoliating needs are equal. Some may have a skin condition, like keratosis pilaris (tiny bumps in hair follicles) or acne, that requires a little extra effort to address. You could be attempting to maintain a not-so-sun-kissed complexion, which may mean polishing off your existing fake tan to prep for the new. Or even on the market for a scalp scrub. No matter the circumstances, there is an exfoliator for every occasion — and we’ve rounded up the best of them.
In this case, it’s all in the name. This 100-percent-natural, sugar-based body scrub tackles ingrown hairs, chicken skin, and all types of little bumps, all while lightening dark spots with lemon and tea tree oil. But that’s not all — after the skin has been polished to perfection, the Dark Spot exfoliant deploys antioxidant-rich jojoba and grape-seed oils to leave the skin hydrated and refreshed.
If you can rely on TikTok for anything, it’s to blow up a brand. Bushbalm is no exception, with its now-viral line of products that soothe, brighten, and buff for your best skin yet. The Sweet Escape scrub gently exfoliates small bumps, while the treatment oil softens skin to prevent clogged pores or excess keratin buildup, which causes conditions like keratosis pilaris.
A just-add-water scrub in powder form? Say no more. PritiPolish is a finely milled white powder that turns a shade of amethyst upon contact with water, blending Ayurvedic ingredients for a serious reversal of aging and environmental stressors. To elevate your bathroom vanity even further, the product is accompanied by a custom-made spoon (inspired by traditional spice utensils) that delivers the exact amount of product you need.
Sometimes, exfoliation can double as a full skin reset. With the help of glycolic acid, vegan lactic acid, and biodegradable cellulose, Naturium has built a professional-grade facial mask for those hoping to refresh their visage on a budget. The product also balances clays for pore purification, with a high level of glycerin for premier hydration. This is one you’ll go back to over and over.
It was only a matter of time before ZitSticka, one of the leading brands in acne management, turned its attention to the body. For those with a pimple-prone back or chest, the AHA/BHA exfoliator Fizz Fountain is packed with pore-clearing ingredients, including salicylic, lactic, and glycolic acids. It also stars niacinamide to reduce irritation, while bamboo powder and pumice grains polish the skin’s surface to reveal your most radiant skin yet.
St. Moriz Advanced Pro Exfoliating Skin Primer
Come rain or shine, it’s always nice to be tan (especially without the threat of skin cancer). Of course, maintaining a sunless, natural tan can feel like an unending cycle of prep, application, and maintenance — unless you have a secret weapon to make the process smoother than ever. Prepare for the perfect tan by evening out your skin tone and tackling dry areas with this must-have primer for the perfect base. Or, if you’re taking a break from bronze skin, simply use it as a gentle body exfoliator.
Dionis Milk & Honey Goat Milk Whipped Body Scrub
A great skin polish doesn’t need to break the bank. Flaky skin is no match for this whipped body scrub, which refines skin with sugar while hydrating with vitamin-rich goat milk and chamomile. This is a non-negotiable for those whose skin errs on the more delicate or sensitive side, with restorative honey aiding in a super-gentle, ultra-moisturizing approach to exfoliation.
Resurface+ Glycolic Renewing Scrub
This best-seller is made with two different types of acids: glycolic and lactic as well as skin-nourishing ingredients like grape-seed oil, jojoba oil, and sweet almond oil. This body scrub can tackle anything from dryness to bumps. Just make sure to follow up with a good moisturizer and sunscreen if your body is exposed.
ZO Skin Health is known for its multitasking products, and the Exfoliating Polish is no exception. While on the more luxurious end of skincare essentials, this little number puts harsh exfoliators to shame, gently sloughing away dead skin cells with ultra-fine magnesium oxide crystals and brightening with vitamin C ester. No wonder it’s been a longtime favorite.
It’s one of the most underrated products in hair care, but the scalp scrub truly has the capacity to transform your tresses. With fast-dissolving sugar serving as its key ingredient, Cuvée Beauty’s scrub removes dead skin, product buildup, and environmental pollutants from your scalp. The effect? A kind of scalp facial that stimulates hair growth and preps your hair for its best-ever blowout.
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Beatrice Hazlehurst is a New Zealand–born writer covering culture, entertainment, and lifestyle for multiple outlets. She nomadically traverses both coasts, but currently you can find her by the beach in Southern California.
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