13 Best Body Scrubs For Sensitive Skin (2024), As Per An Esthetician
Stay protected from stress and pollution with these organic body scrubs that relax your skin.
Vanessa HuertaLicensed Esthetician
Vanessa is a Licensed Esthetician with 4 years of experience, certified Usui Reiki Level Two Healer practitioner, and certified by Yakov Gershkovich in Level Two Facial Buccal sculpting. She is also the co-founder of The Switch Suites - a l... more
shiboli chakrabortiMA (English Literature), Certified Skin Care Coach
Experience: 4 yearsShiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with four years of experience. As a commerce editor,... more
aditi naskarMA (English Literature), Diploma In Health & Wellness
Experience: 5 yearsAditi Naskar has a postgraduate degree in English literature from Presidency University, Kolkata, a bachelor’s degree in education from WBUTTEPA, Kolkata, and a diploma in health and wellness. She is ... more
arshiya syedaBA (Literature & Psychology), PG Diploma
Experience: 7 yearsArshiya Syeda is a senior editor at StyleCraze with 7 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer and combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articl... more
Image: StyleCraze Design Team
With so many environmental aggressors, pollution, harsh sun rays, and stress, our skin can lose its charm and look dull and lifeless. That’s why you need the best body scrubs for sensitive skin to gently exfoliate your skin and remove the dead skin cells, clogged sebum, dirt, and impurities. Vanessa Huerta, a licensed esthetician, and pigmentation correction specialist explain, “Skin sensitivity is an immune response that can stem from internal and external irritants that the skin is exposed to. Although exfoliation is a necessary step for all skin types, it is essential to understand which exfoliator is best suited for sensitive skin. When choosing a scrub for sensitized skin, products containing salt and sugar are good options because they melt while working into the skin. This reduces the chances of over-exfoliating or over-stimulating already sensitized skin. Other gentle ingredients you can look for in an exfoliator are colloidal oats or AHAs that will remove the surface layer of your skin while providing nourishment and hydration.”
Unless you scrub off the upper dead layer of the skin, no moisturizer, oil, or serum will provide you required nourishment and hydration.
However, the gritty particles of a body scrub may irritate sensitive skin and result in allergic reactions. Hence, we have created a list for you which comprises of the 13 best body scrubs for sensitive skin. Give them a try!
In This Article
13 Best Body Scrubs For Sensitive Skin
1.Best Aha Formula:First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Scrub
The KP Bump Eraser Scrub by First Aid Beauty is formulated with gentle yet potent ingredients like glycolic acid, bisabolol, oatmeal, white tea extract, licorice root, vitamin E, pumice buffing beads, and lactic acid. The 10% AHA formula helps loosen the top dead skin layer and unclogs pores, while the pumice buffing beads scrub it all away. The alpha hydroxy acids help improve your skin’s texture and brighten the skin tone.
The vitamin E helps nourish your skin and prevents free radical damage. Bisabolol and oatmeal help calm and soothe your skin. Licorice root is rich in anti-inflammatory properties and helps treat skin conditions like eczema and acne. It also provides anti-aging benefits. White tea extracts flush out toxins from your pores and rejuvenate your dull skin. This sensitive skin body exfoliator delivers visible results, helping get rid of strawberry skin and leaving it feeling smooth, soft, and healthy. It provides the benefits of both microdermabrasion and chemical peel in a single tube. Check out this YouTuber’s product review to know about the reviewer’s experience and understand more about its efficiency and functionality.
Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid, Lactic acid, Bisabolol, Oatmeal, White tea extract, Licorice root, and Vitamin E
Pros
- Gentle exfoliating properties
- Alcohol-free
- Paraben-free
- Phthalate-free
- Sulfate-free
- Silicone-free
- Mineral oil-free exfoliator
- Formaldehyde-free
- Talc-free
- Gluten-free
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- Unpleasant scent
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The product has more than 23,334 reviews and is a top choice all around the world.
2.Best Natural Ingredients:Brooklyn Botany Brown Sugar Scrub
The Brown Sugar Scrub by Brooklyn Botany is a soothing body scrub infused with pure natural ingredients like jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, apricot oil, calendula extracts, and brown sugar. Brown sugar is a gentle exfoliator and scrubs away dead skin cells to give you smooth and glowing skin. Jojoba oil possesses antibacterial and moisturizing properties. It helps promote collagen production and controls excess sebum production.
Sweet almond oil is rich in vitamin E, which helps reverse sun damage and protects your skin from free radical damage. Calendula extract helps soothe skin irritation and eczema and speeds up wound healing. Apricot oil is rich in vitamin C, which nourishes your skin and has anti-aging properties. It helps soften your bumpy skin, improves its tone, and gets rid of spots and blemishes. This sugar scrub also eliminates pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, and bumps while locking moisture in your skin. Learn more about the usage and practicality of this product along with the reviewer’s experience with the help of this YouTube video.
Key Ingredients: Brown sugar, Jojoba oil, Sweet almond oil, Apricot oil, and Calendula extracts
Pros
- Smells good
- Gentle
- Eliminates cellulite
- Vegan
- All-natural
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Alcohol-free
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- Expensive
Pro TipWhy We Think It's Worth Buying
The product has more than 12,871 reviews claiming its efficacy.
3. Best Dermatologist Formulated: DERMAdoctor KP Duty
The DERMAdoctor KP Duty Body Scrub is a dermatologist-formulated scrub that helps you achieve soft, smooth, and shining skin without any skin damage. This calming exfoliator combines the benefits of microdermabrasion and chemical peeling into a single formula enriched with glycolic, lactic, and polyhydroxy acids at a combined level of 10%, plus silica pumice buffing beads. When used consistently, it can help you get soft, healthy, and even-toned skin easily without a trip to the dermatologist. This clinically-tested scrub helps to diminish dark knees or elbows, clears blocked pores, and can eliminate back acne. It is enriched with calming herbs to avoid skin from drying out. According to various reviews on Amazon and tester’s experience, the product delivers visible results when used regularly.
Pros
- Mild exfoliating properties
- Long-lasting results
- Allergy tested
- pH-balanced exfoliator
- Hypoallergenic
- Non-irritating
- Non-drying
- Non-comedogenic
- Oil-free
- Synthetic Fragrance-Free
- Dye-Free
- Gluten-Free
- Cruelty-Free
- Dermatologist-tested
- Dermatologist-approved
Cons
- Takes time to show results
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
This product has made it to our top favorite list with more than 285 rave reviews on Amazon.
| First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Scrub | Brooklyn Botany Brown Sugar Scrub | DERMAdoctor KP Duty | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skin Type | Sensitive | All | Dry, Normal |
| Dimensions | - | - | 3.69 x 3.69 x 3.94 inches |
| Weight | - | - | 1 Pounds |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 23,334 | 12,871 | 285 |
| Price | $12.0 | $9.99 | $52 |
4.Best For Dead Skin Cells:Bella & Bear Goddess Sugar Scrub
The Goddess Sugar Scrub by Bella & Bear is formulated with sugar and plant-based glycerin. Sugar is a gentle exfoliator that scrubs away dead skin cells to make your skin smooth and glowing. Glycerin is a humectant that keeps the skin moisturized. This scrub acts as an exfoliator and cleanser as it is infused with a fresh-smelling shower gel. The formula gives your skin a polishing effect, which helps get rid of cellulite, keratosis, ingrown hair, and scaly knees. This plant-based exfoliating scrub tightens your skin and leaves you feeling fresh and clean. The body polish has gained various positive reviews from users and helps deliver visible results when used for the long term
Key Ingredients: Sugar and Glycerin
Pros
- Smells good
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Sulfate-free
- Natural ingredients
- Mild
Cons
- Slimy consistency
5.Best Antibacterial Properties:e. ra Organics Nourishing And Exfoliating Sugar Scrub
This sugar scrub by e.ra Organics is infused with jojoba oil, white sugar, cranberry seeds, lemon oil, coconut oil, almond oil, kaolin clay, and witch hazel. Coconut oil and jojoba oil possesses antibacterial and moisturizing properties. Almond oil nourishes and softens your skin.
White sugar and cranberry seeds are natural exfoliators, while kaolin clay soothes inflammation. Rosemary extract helps fight acne and signs of aging like dark spots, wrinkles, blemishes, pigmentation, and fine lines. Lemon essential oil nourishes and brightens the skin. This spa-quality scrub diminishes cellulite and varicose veins, clears clogged pores, and promotes healthy blood circulation.
Key Ingredients: White sugar, Kaolin clay, Jojoba oil, Cranberry seeds, Lemon oil, Almond oil, Coconut oil, and Witch hazel
Pros
- Smells great
- Gentle
- Cruelty-free
- Sulfate-free
- Paraben-free
- Silicone-free
Cons
- Expensive
"This body scrub exfoliates well. It revives my skin and makes it appear softer. It has a unique scent that does not overwhelm me."
Quick Tip6.Best For Young Looking Skin:Calily Life Charcoal Body Scrub
The Charcoal Body Scrub by Calily Life contains Dead Sea minerals, almond oil, grape seed oil, and activated charcoal powder that deeply cleanse and purify the skin. The Dead Sea minerals penetrate the pores to flush out toxins and deeply cleanse your skin. The activated charcoal powder draws out toxins and detoxifies your skin. It gently scrubs away the dead skin cells and impurities that block the skin barrier to reveal supple, smooth, and youthful-looking skin.
Almond oil protects and soothes your skin and lightens dark spots, wrinkles, blemishes, pigmentation, and fine lines. Grapeseed oil fights acne, firms your skin, improves collagen production, and reduces scars. This blend of potent minerals reduces stretch marks, cellulite, varicose veins, and eczema to reveal smooth and supple skin.
Key Ingredients: Dead Sea minerals, Activated charcoal powder, Almond oil, and Grape seed oil
Pros
- Hypoallergenic
- Smells good
- Natural ingredients
- Mild
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Phthalate-free
- Alcohol-free
- Silicone-free
Cons
- A bit greasy
7.Best For Radical Damage:The Body Shop Almond Milk & Honey Gently Exfoliating Cream Scrub
The Almond Milk & Honey Scrub by The Body Shop is specifically formulated for sensitive and dry skin. Almond milk is rich in antioxidants and flavonoids that nourish the skin and help fight free radical damage. Honey has antibacterial and antiseptic properties that soothe the skin. It also locks moisture in the skin and prevents dryness. This scrub gently scrubs away dead skin cells, leaving behind a delectable scent. Further, the product is not tested on animals.
Key Ingredients: Almond milk and Honey
Pros
- Dermatologist-tested
- Hypoallergenic
- Colorant-free
- Gentle
- Smells good
Cons
- Expensive
"I like the light texture of this shower cream. It rejuvenates my dry and sensitive skin. It has a subtle scent that does not overwhelm me."
8.Best Soothing Fragrance:bee naturals Honey Sugar Scrub
The Honey sugar scrub by bee naturals has a delectable fragrance that calms your senses and imparts relaxation every time you use it. It is formulated with sugar, honey, glycerin, and other plant-based ingredients like lavender essential oil, sunflower oil, and rosemary extract to deeply cleanse and nourish your skin.
Jojoba oil controls excess sebum production and makes your skin soft and smooth. Sunflower oil locks in moisture, while rosemary extract lightens dark spots, wrinkles, blemishes, pigmentation, and fine lines. Sugar scrubs away dead skin cells, imparts smoothness, and leaves your skin radiant. Glycerin and honey moisturize the skin and keep it supple. Lavender essential oil soothes and revitalizes your senses. This physical exfoliant improves blood circulation, firms the skin, and imparts a healthy glow with regular use.
Key Ingredients: White sugar, Honey, Glycerin, Jojoba oil, Sunflower oil, and Rosemary extract
Pros
- Paraben-free
- Natural ingredients
- Sulfate-free
- Gentle
- Smells good
Cons
- Gets used up quickly.
"My dull skin has undergone a massive transformation after I switched to this sugar scrub. It removes dead skin cells and dirt from my skin pores. My skin looks radiant and feels soft to the touch after I use this scrub."
9.Best Skin Detoxification:Aromasong Salt Co. Dead Sea Body Scrub
Image: Aromasong The Dead Sea Body Scrub by Aromasong Salt Co. contains the goodness of Dead Sea salt and Dead Sea mud. These ingredients gently exfoliate the dead skin cells and restore moisture to the skin. This scrub helps smoothen dry skin and treats sore muscles while promoting faster healing. The minerals help purify and detoxify your skin by removing dead skin, excess oil, and toxins from the pores. The scrub for radiant skin also nourishes your skin and reduces the appearance of stretch marks and cellulite. According to various online reviews and tester’s experience, the product delivers smooth and visible results when used regularly.
Key Ingredients: Dead Sea salt and Dead Sea mud
Pros
- Reduces redness
- Smells good
- Cruelty-free
- Paraben-free
Cons
- May cause irritation.
10.Best Oil Free Formula:Deluvia Spreadable Body Scrub
The Spreadable Body Scrub by Deluvia has a non-oily, creamy texture that gently exfoliates your skin without stripping it of moisture. It is infused with Dead Sea salt, glycerin, sweet almond oil, lemon essential oil, ginger essential oil, and vitamin E.
The Dead Sea salt helps purify and detoxify your skin, glycerin moisturizes the skin, and sweet almond oil nourishes and brightens the skin. Vitamin E protects the skin from free radical damage. The essential oils of ginger and citrus impart a refreshing scent that soothes your senses and calms your mind.
Key Ingredients: Dead Sea salt, Glycerin, Sweet almond oil, Grapefruit essential oil, Lemon essential oil, Ginger essential oil, Orange essential oil, Bergamot essential oil, Clove essential oil, and Vitamin E
Pros
- Smells good
- Easy to spread
- Gentle
- Non-greasy
- A little goes a long way
- Paraben-free
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- Very diluted
"This body scrub has a creamy texture that glides smoothly on my skin. It does not make my skin greasy. It eliminates pollutants and impurities from my skin and restores its natural tone. The formula makes my skin silky and smooth. I like its refreshing scent as well."
11.Best Anti Fungal Formula:Chamuel Tea Tree Body Scrub
The Tea Tree Body Scrub by Chamuel helps gently exfoliate, repair, moisturize, and soften your skin. It contains active ingredients like tea tree oil, 100% Dead Sea salt, fruit stem cell extract, ginger root extract, jojoba oil, olive oil, plum oil, lavender oil, and peppermint oil.
The Dead Sea salt gently exfoliates the dead skin cells and draws out toxins and impurities from the pores. Tea tree oil is a natural cleanser and deodorizer that helps get rid of fungal infections, bad odors, and rough foot calluses. The fruit stem cell extract enhances the vitality of the skin, while the ginger root extract soothes irritation.
Jojoba oil moisturizes the skin and controls excess sebum. Olive oil moisturizes the skin and boosts the skin tone. Plum and lavender oils detoxify the skin, while cinnamon oil restores its natural glow and suppleness. Peppermint oil is known for its natural cooling properties and may help brighten the skin. This body scrub fights acne and firms your skin. It also stimulates blood circulation to reveal clear, glowing, and healthy-looking skin.
Key Ingredients: Tea tree oil, 100% Dead Sea salt, Fruit stem cell extract, Ginger root extract, Jojoba oil, Olive oil, Plum oil, Lavender oil, and Peppermint oil
Pros
- 100% natural ingredients
- Smells good
- Gentle
- Paraben-free
- Petroleum-free
- Cruelty-free
- Comes with a free silicone cleansing pad
Cons
- None
"My skin looks revived and radiant after I use this scrub. It has an enticing aroma that does not feel too strong. The formula removes impurities from my skin and fights foul odor. With the weekly use of this product, I have noticed fewer blemishes on my skin."
Quick Tip12.Best Natural Exfoliator:Bare Botanics Natural Body Scrub
Give your skin the ultimate spa-like gentle and rejuvenating treatment with Bare Botanics Natural Body Scrub. It is an all-natural exfoliator made with ultra-fine sea salt to gently exfoliate and buff away dead skin cells, leaving you with radiant and healthy skin. It consists of natural oils and essential vitamins, which help to nourish and hydrate the skin.
The formula is gentle on the skin, making it suitable for sensitive skin types. It combines nutrient-rich plant-based oils like avocado, argan, and jojoba, along with aloe vera as a humectant to target the surface level and deepest layers of your skin. Plus, it comes with a spoon in its ready-to-gift packaging! What’s more, it is vegan and not tested on animals! Use this body scrub and revel in soft skin.
Pros
- Gentle
- Organic
- Chemical-free
- Rich in plant-oils
- Prevents skin from drying out
- Non-greasy
- All Natural
- No Nut Oils
- Unscented
Cons
- None
"This scrub is packed with nourishing ingredients that soothe and moisturize my skin. It treats inflammation and softens my skin. I like that the scrub comes with a cute wooden spoon for application. The formula does not have any strong chemical scent."
13.Best For Healthy Glow:Mary Magdalene Rose – Sugar Scrub
The Rose – Sugar Scrub by Mary Magdalene is infused with natural organic ingredients like rose oil, white sugar, and brown sugar that gently remove dead skin cells and rejuvenate your skin. Rose oil soothes and hydrates the skin and imparts a healthy glow. It is absorbed easily into your skin and uplifts your mood. Sugar has natural traces of glycolic acid that gets rid of dead, flaky skin and promotes healthy cell turnover. It makes your skin smooth, supple, firm, rejuvenated, and younger-looking.
Key Ingredients: Rose oil and Sugar
Pros
- Smells good
- Mild formula
- Sensitive skin-friendly
- Calms irritation
- Natural ingredients
- Paraben-free
- Gentle
Cons
- Expensive
"I love how smoothly this scrub applies to my skin. It exfoliates my skin and reveals its natural shine and texture. The scrub has a sweet scent that does not feel overwhelming. The formula softens and smoothens my skin."
Quick TipBody scrubs are a great way to refresh and rejuvenate your skin. And if you look for body scrubs online, will you find an overwhelming number of responses. To help you narrow down your search and find the right one, we have put together a guide that discusses all the factors that make a good body scrub. Check it out below!
Things To Consider While Choosing Body Scrub For Sensitive Skin
Ingredients To Choose: Always choose a non-comedogenic product containing potent natural ingredients like oats extract, green tea, or coffee extract. Glycolic acid is an excellent addition because it removes dead skin cells, evens skin tone, and makes the skin smoother. But most importantly, never forget to do a patch test before using any new product, especially if you have sensitive skin. You may also look for products that are dermatologist-tested or dermatologist-approved to be extra safe.
Ingredients To Avoid: Sensitive skin needs extensive care. Therefore, you must avoid all body scrubs that include harmful chemicals. Avoid using body scrubs that include alcohol, phthalate, sulfate, silicone, mineral oil, formaldehyde, talc, gluten, and artificial fragrances. Always go for lightweight, non-abrasive, antioxidant-rich, gentle, vegan, and cruelty-free formulas.
Exfoliant Type: PHAs (polyhydroxy acids)-containing gentle chemical exfoliants are the best for sensitive skin types. Furthermore, sensitive skin benefits greatly from the calming properties of niacinamide (vitamin B3). Although physical scrubs aren’t usually ideal for sensitive skin, specially-made formulas containing colloidal oatmeal, chamomile extract, and shea butter, soothe the skin and replenish it with moisture.
Targeted Benefit: There are different types of body scrubs available in the market that target different skin concerns. For example:
- Sugar scrubs: Ideal for thorough and gentle exfoliation with less abrasion.
- Salt scrubs: Help in bringing out toxins to your skin’s surface and removing them to reveal smoother skin. They also have healing properties.
- Herbal scrubs: Have their own unique scent and are a prime relaxing or healing agent.
- Coffee scrubs: Smoothen cellulite-prone areas.
- Moisturizing scrubs: Good for eliminating skin dryness and keeping your skin hydrated.
You can select a body scrub according to the needs of your sensitive skin. You may also check the reviews of the product you wish to purchase to learn about the reviewer’s experience. This will help you figure out how the scrub works for people with a skin type similar to yours.
Infographic: How Are Body Scrubs Beneficial For Sensitive Skin?
Body scrubs for sensitive skin are typically gentle, soothing, and non-irritating. They contain natural exfoliants like brown sugar and oats that cleanse the skin without causing redness and inflammation. The infographic below lists the best benefits of using these scrubs. Check it out! Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
The Bottom Line
Frequent exposure to environmental aggressors like pollution, UV rays, and stress can make your skin dull and lifeless. That is why you need the best body scrubs to exfoliate your skin and eliminate all the dead skin cells. However, if you have sensitive skin, you need to be mindful of the product you choose to purchase, to avoid skin irritation. One wrong choice can aggravate flare-ups, dryness, itchiness, and other sensitive skin conditions. For instance, the First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Scrub is formulated with effective exfoliants to smoothen and improve skin texture, a great option for keratosis pilaris. On the other hand, the Brooklyn Botany Brown Sugar Scrub provides moisture to the skin with nourishing oils, while The Body Shop Almond Milk & Honey Gently Exfoliating Cream Scrub protects from free radical damage. The products reviewed above are free from synthetic chemicals, and they have an all-natural, gentle formula that works wonders for sensitive skin. In addition, these scrubs will allow your skin to breathe by keeping all the dirt and impurities at bay. They will also not leave the skin dry, which is an amazing thing. The products reviewed above are free from synthetic chemicals, and they have an all-natural, gentle formula that works wonders for sensitive skin. In addition, these scrubs will allow your skin to breathe by keeping all the dirt and impurities at bay. However, always ensure to perform a patch test before using them to avoid irritation and potential allergic reactions.
Why Trust Stylecraze?
The author, Shiboli Chakraborti, is a certified skin care coach and loves reviewing new and trending skin care products for her readers. For this article, she has listed the best body scrubs for sensitive skin by researching various brands that have thoughtfully formulated body scrubs for this specific skin type. She also added the key ingredients, pros, and cons for each product to help you make an easy comparison before you buy the product.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is sugar scrub good for sensitive skin?
Yes, sugar scrubs are gentle on your skin as they dissolve fast and provide mild exfoliation without stripping the skin’s moisture.
Is coffee scrub good for sensitive skin?
Yes, coffee has healing properties and is rich in antioxidants, which help fight cellulite, dry skin, and tan and give you a healthy glow.
Are body scrubs safe for sensitive skin?
Yes. If you use a gentle body scrub in moderation, they are safe to use for sensitive skin.
How often should you use body scrub for sensitive skin?
For sensitive skin, it is best to use a gentle body scrub not more than once a week so that it doesn’t dry or irritate the skin.
Do I use a body scrub before or after soap?
Always use a body scrub after cleansing your skin with soap. It ensures that your skin is clean and ready to be exfoliated.
How long do you leave body scrub on sensitive skin?
You can leave the body scrub on your sensitive skin for 2-3 minutes after gently massaging it. This helps the particles dissolve in the skin and work their magic.
