10 Best Esthetician-Approved Face Scrubs Without Microbeads (2024)

Physical exfoliators contain microbeads that are a form of plastic. So, the best face scrubs without microbeads are a safer alternative for your skin and are environmentally friendly. Microbeads are tiny pellets in your facial scrubs aimed at cleansing your pores. But, these most often scrape off the top layer of the skin quite harshly and leave micro cuts and tears. They also leave your skin very dehydrated and prone to allergies and breakouts. In addition, these abrasive plastic particles are harmful to your skin and the environment, especially marine life.

Exfoliation is an important part of our skin care. It removes the dead skin cells from the surface of our skin and makes it smooth and supple. There are physical and chemical exfoliators available on the market. However, if you are looking for physical exfoliators or face scrubs, we suggest you avoid ingredients like polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), as they make up the microbeads. Did you know that most countries have banned the cosmetic usage of microbeads due to their negative impact on human and planet health? In this article, we have compiled a list of the best face scrubs without microbeads to help you make an informed choice. So, go ahead and take a look now.

Beat The Dirt With These 10 Best Face Scrubs Without Microbeads

1. Best For Improving Skin Texture:Yes To Grapefruit Daily Facial Scrub & Cleanser

4.2

Image: Yes To

BUY ON AMAZON | $8.98

This daily gentle exfoliator from Yes To is packed with 95% natural ingredients formulated without petroleum and parabens. This microbead-free face scrub helps slough away dead skin cells to restore your skin’s natural radiance. Grapefruit extracts help even skin tone and with the presence of vitamin C, your skin will be boosted with brightness. Sunflower seed oil, coconut extracts, and natural exfoliator polylactic acid are used to enhance and improve your skin’s smoothness and hydration. Above all, this anti-microbead face wash is certified vegan, cruelty-free, and non-comedogenic.

Remember

Be careful not to over-exfoliate since it can permanently harm your skin barrier. Use the scrub 2-3 times a week, depending on how your skin handles it.

Why We Think It's Worth Buying

This product has garnered over 2,625 positive reviews on Amazon, and the number continues to grow.

2. Best For Softening Dull Skin:Tree Hut Shea Sugar Scrub

4.6

BUY ON AMAZON | $15.89

The next contender is a drugstore face exfoliator from Tree Hut. This non-abrasive exfoliant features a natural blend of 6 oils consisting of avocado, macadamia, sweet orange, sweet almond, evening primrose, and safflower oils. Hemp seed oil, a key ingredient in this face scrub, is known for its powerful antioxidants and soothing properties, and with it is infused lavender oil. Sugar is a commonly known natural skin exfoliator that is teamed up with natural shea butter to provide ultra moisture and soften dull skin. Freesia, sandalwood, and vanilla extracts make this product smell luxurious. The exfoliating scrub without microbeads is formulated without harsh chemicals so you can expect it to come without parabens, gluten, alcohol, sulfate, alcohol, and formaldehyde donors. It has also received many positive reviews online for its pleasant fragrance and luxurious scrubbing experience.

3. Best Cruelty-Free:Alba Botanica Acnedote Face & Body Scrub

4.6

Image: Alba Botanica

BUY ON AMAZON | $6.18

Multi-use products may be hissed at in the beauty department, but the Acnedote by Alba Botanica might give multipurpose products a run for their money. This manual exfoliator without plastic beads is for both face and body to help scrub off acne, yes including bacne! Though gentle, when applied on the face with its 2% concentration of salicylic acid and willow bark extract, it helps treat and restore your skin’s texture. Salicylic acid is a known chemical exfoliant or beta hydroxy acid that goes deep into your skin to remove gunk and prevent acne triggers. The microbead-free exfoliator draws out oil, dirt, and dead skin cells to create a barrier for breakouts ultimately resulting in clearer skin and long-lasting effects. This clinically-proven formula has shown visible results with improved effectiveness in just seven days among 70% of participants tested in the consumer perception study.

4. Best Anti-Inflammatory Properties:THRIVE Energy Scrub

4.4

Image: Thrive Natural Care

BUY ON AMAZON | $38.45

Microbeads in face wash may not be advisable but this face scrub from Thrive also avoids natural extracts of walnut and apricot shells that are most commonly used as microbeads substitute. It is a gentle scrub that diligently removes dead skin cells, dirt, oil, or product residue. Costa Rican super-plants like juanilama and fierrillo are extracted for their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Juanilama is a citrus-scented antioxidant herb that fights back irritation and redness, while fierrillo on the other hand is a rainforest vine that has anti-inflammatory properties. This GMO-free product unclogs pores and deep cleans to provide you with brighter and refreshed skin.

Why We Think It's Worth Buying

More than 1,561 customers have given the product positive reviews on Amazon.

5. Best For Acne-Prone Skin Type:Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment

4.4

Image: Kate Somerville

BUY ON AMAZON | $98.0

To bridge the gap between chemical and physical exfoliants, Kate Somerville introduces ExfoliKate. This revitalizing face wash chemically and physically eliminates clogged pores and dead skin cells with natural silica exfoliating beads, and AHA Lactic and BHA salicylic acids. Papaya, pineapple, and pumpkin enzymes are used to provide you with glowing skin whereas rosewood and cinnamon extracts are infused to reduce the appearance of aging and fine lines. Your skin will feel ever so soft and smooth with the goodness of aloe vera, honey, and vitamin E.

Caution

After exfoliating, your skin is more susceptible to photo damage. Always wear sunscreen with a minimum SPF 30 during the day.

Why We Think It's Worth Buying

The overwhelming 1,478 positive reviews on Amazon show how popular this product is with happy users.

6. Best For Oily Skin:Neutrogena Deep Clean Gentle Scrub

4.5

Image: Neutrogena

BUY ON AMAZON | $5.74

Thoroughly cleanse and pamper your skin with the extra gentle formula of Neutrogena Deep Clean® Facial Cleanser. It leaves your skin feeling softer, healthier, and fresh with every wash. Its oil-free formula is enriched with beta hydroxy for deep-cleaning your pores by dissolving dirt and impurities and preventing the formation of blackheads and whiteheads. It rinses off easily and does not leave any residue. Use it regularly to enhance skin complexion and get rid of dead and dull skin cells.

7. Best Non-Drying Formula:Garnier Clearly Brighter Argan Nut Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser

4.4

Now 6% Off

BUY ON AMAZON | $9.4

One of the best drugstore exfoliating scrubs, this is a gentle and effective everyday exfoliating cleanser that promises instantly visible results within a week. It is a non-drying formula that serves to brighten and deeply cleanse your skin with key ingredients such as argan nut shells and vitamins C and A. The nut shells act as a natural exfoliant that scoops out dirt and impurities from the skin while the acids and AHAs in this product’s formulation help remove dead skin cells and in pore refinement and improve skin tone.

8. Best Natural Exfoliant:DHC Facial Scrub Exfoliant

4.4

Image: Dhc Beauty

Now 38% Off

BUY ON AMAZON | $11.79

What if we told you that not all apricot prime exfoliators are harsh on your skin? The DHC Facial Scrub is a creamy, nourishing cleanser that comes without microbeads. It is the perfect scrub with a fine texture that leaves your skin smooth and hydrated as the finely milled apricot seed granules gently slough away dull and dead skin. Natural extracts of soapnut, licorice, and allantoin thoroughly cleanse, nourish, and soothe the skin, making it ideal for sensitive skin types. This exfoliating face wash without microbeads balances pH, refines, polishes, and prepares your skin to absorb nutrients from the post-cleansing session, giving you hydrated skin and a radiant complexion.

Quick tip

The best time to use a scrub is at night. This will help you reduce sun exposure and allow ample time for exfoliated skin to heal overnight.

9. Best For Cleansing Your Skin:Brandless Grapefruit Facial Scrub

3.8

Image: Brandless

BUY ON AMAZON | $7

If you’re up for a no-fuss microbead-free exfoliator, Brandless Grapefruit facial scrub is the one to opt for. Free from all sorts of harmful ingredients like sulfates, phthalates, dyes, and of course, microbeads, this product gently softens and cleanses your skin. It is a clean facial scrub that simply helps enrich your skin tone while removing dirt and unclogging pores. With silica as the natural exfoliant, this facial scrub without microbeads infused with fruit enzymes replaces any need for harsh substances to be used for deep cleaning your skin and pores.

10. Best Hydrating:Hand In Hand Sugar Scrub

4.2

Now 11% Off

BUY ON AMAZON | $8.89

Our last contender is also an all-natural face scrub that is formulated without a trace of fragrance. The skin renewal scrub is formulated with extra-finely milled sugar, organic coconut oil, and shea butter among other skin-loving ingredients. Sugar is an excellent exfoliant that acts as a skin-brightening agent to remove any dull and dead skin cells and help reveal a healthy skin glow. Sunflower seed oil used in the formulation is profusely active in vitamin E, thus providing you with the much-required deep hydration and prevents aging signs. Coconut oil is a holy grail ingredient that quickly seeps into the skin and locks in moisture, while shea butter strengthens and repairs rough skin.

How To Choose A Face Scrub Without Microbeads?

•  Choose one that suits your skin type

The first step is to find a product with a formulation that works best for your skin type. If you have sensitive skin, opt for one that has heavily milled exfoliators that will not irritate or be too abrasive on your skin. Dry skin can surely be impacted by the presence of creamy and hydrating elements in the ingredients list. Gel or water-based or even light texture face scrubs are best suited for those with oily skin.

•  Always avoid coarse grains

Irrespective of your skin type, you should remember to steer away from facial scrubs that have big and coarse grains in them. Coarse grains mean harsh application and skin irritation upon regular use. The finer the grain, the gentler it will be on your face when you rub it in circular motions.

•  Look for physical scrubs that have chemical exfoliants

A combination of a physical scrub and gentle chemical exfoliant will help you refine your skin texture without causing much friction or redness to your skin. If you have normal to combination or oily skin, chemical exfoliants-infused face scrubs rejuvenate and restructure your skin. As for the case of sensitive skin people, chemical exfoliants should be tested in patches first in order to prevent any allergy or irritation.

The notion around face scrubs with microbeads is archaic, back when it was assumed that a harsh gritty substance and rigorous movements would somehow peel off the dirt and drab appearance of the skin. However, we have come a long way in which microbead face wash or scrubs are now frowned upon because of extensive research proving the presence of plastic particles in them. Since then, companies and even countries have vowed to create products without microbeads in cosmetics, however there are instances where some products still use these microbeads under a guise. Thus, to ensure you no longer use a face scrub that contains microbeads, we hope you find your perfect physical exfoliator in the above list containing the 10 best face scrubs without microbeads.

Infographic: Common Ingredients In Face Scrubs Without Microbeads

Using a face scrub does not mean giving a green signal to harsh ingredients that may affect your skin’s texture. There are many face scrubs that are extremely gentle and come with skin-friendly ingredients for proper nourishment without any potential triggers. Learn more about these ingredients in the infographic below.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I exfoliate without microbeads?

Exfoliate with honey scrub, konjac sponge, or lactic acid peel, instead of microbeads.

Do microbeads damage the skin?

Yes. Microbeads scratch your skin and damage healthy skin cells. Their high abrasive power can accelerate the aging process.

How can you tell if a product contains microbeads?

Look for ingredients named ‘polypropylene’ or ‘polyethylene’ on the label. These elements indicate the presence of plastic microbeads in the products.

Are microbeads banned?

Yes. Many countries like South Korea, the UK, Sween, France, and New Zealand have banned plastic microbeads in their cosmetic products.

What are natural microbeads?

Some natural microbeads are jojoba beads, sugar, salt, coffee, bamboo powder, and pumice powder. They gently scrub your skin and offer deep cleansing and nourishing benefits.

What is natural exfoliation?

Natural exfoliation includes using natural ingredients to exfoliate your skin. This enhances the blood circulation of your skin and improves its appearance.

Are microbeads biodegradable?

No. Microbeads are not sustainable or eco-friendly as they are made of tiny plastic pieces that have a damaging effect on marine life and human health.

Why Trust StyleCraze?

Krati Darak, the author, is a skin care enthusiast with a passion for keeping herself updated with emerging trends. She is big on clean cosmetics and beauty products. As cleansing is an essential part of skin care, she set out to uncover the best face scrubs without microbeads. She conducted thorough research and read through multiple customer reviews on trusted online platforms. The products on this list are formulated with gentle and non-harmful ingredients that can deeply cleanse your skin without causing any damage.

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Becky SturmEsthetician

     

Becky Sturm is a multi hyphenate beauty maven who has been in the salon and spa industry for 30+ years as a hairdresser, esthetician, as well as product development and product expert. After graduating in the HORST/Aveda Institute Advanced Training program in 1985, she went on to do an apprenticeship at The Red Carpet Salons for three years in Minneapolis...more

Krati DarakAssociate Commerce Editor

 

Krati is an associate commerce editor, a certified skin care coach, and a beauty enthusiast. She has a master’s degree in advertising and publishing relations from DAVV University and three years of experience in writing and editing for different niches. She has also worked with a number of high-profile beauty brands on a freelance basis to upscale their businesses. Krati...more

Medha DebCommerce Editor

Medha Deb is a commerce editor with a master's degree in applied linguistics from the University of Hyderabad, which has allowed her to develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts. She specializes in the areas of beauty, health, and wellness and is committed to ensuring that the content on the website is of the highest...more

Shiboli ChakrabortiCommerce Editor

Shiboli 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, she guides her team members on the best practices to create crisp and authentic content. She loves reviewing skin care and hair care products and constantly endeavors to provide...more