Body exfoliation, especially with loofahs and body scrubbers, is a tricky topic. On the one hand, it feels so great to have scrubbed oneself thoroughly, to feel silky-smooth after removing layers of dead skin cells. It feels even better to chase that with some invigorating body or face moisturizers to keep things soft and strong. But on the other hand, the risk for over-exfoliation is severe — so much so that it’s hard to get any dermatologists to recommend body scrubbers.
However, that doesn’t mean the practice can’t serve a purpose if done in moderation. No doctor would advise a patient to eat fried chicken and chase it with soda for every meal, but a cheat meal on occasion is good for the soul. It’s about awareness of the risks of using loofahs, knowing to be gentle, and prioritizing hygiene between uses so the device doesn’t accumulate bacteria.
Read on to learn what goes into the best body scrubbers, from loofahs to brushes, as well as some non-abrasive alternatives that doctors do endorse. And remember: scrub gently.
Biologique Recherche Gant de Massage Silicone Body Exfoliating Glove
Dove Men+Care Advanced Care Cleanser Acne Clear Body Wash (with 1% Salicylic Acid)
What the Experts Say
Both experts interviewed on this topic agree that body exfoliation is a careful game. So we asked them to speak from specific angles on the matter: Esthetician Brianna Krier, who works at Paul Labrecque Salon and Skincare Spa in Palm Beach, Florida, discusses the best ways to approach buying body scrubbers. Then, board-certified dermatologist Heather Rogers, the founder of Doctor Rogers Skincare and Modern Dermatology in Seattle, discusses the alternatives to these abrasive scrubs.
What to Look for in Body Scrubbers
First, consider all of the risks that come with scrubbing the body and storing the device in question: Not only is there a risk for over-exfoliation and irritation, but that tool can accumulate all kinds of bacteria from the body that can proliferate in the shower. So, the best body scrubbers are going to factor in both the gentle nature of exfoliation needed, as well as minimal microbial accumulation.
Silicone is the best option for manual scrubbing, according to Krier, largely because of its antimicrobial properties. “[Silicone scrubbers] are durable, and gently exfoliate. They’re easy to clean, dry quickly, and maintain effectiveness over time,” Krier adds. Non-silicone body brushes, also known as “dry brushes,” are also an option that Krier recommends one use after the shower when the skin is softer and more receptive to exfoliation.
Loofahs are a category in and of themselves in the exfoliation game for their fun, satisfying design, but Krier cautions against buying the cheap, plastic options available. “Most loofahs quickly fall apart and harbor bacteria due to their lack of ability to fully dry out,” Krier says. “Do not fall for the microwaving gimmick to clean them.” While there are plenty of alternative scrubbing options out there instead of loofahs, one of the few viable options is a silver-infused loofah, which has more antimicrobial abilities than anything else resembling a loofah.
The last option, exfoliating gloves, can work if the material is chosen with care. Silicone will be better than plastic loofah material, for example. “Exfoliating gloves run the risk of overuse,” says Krier. “These types of products should only be used no more than twice per week.” (Most physical scrubs will be 2-3x weekly, max. Sponges can usually be used daily.
What to Look for in Non-Abrasive Body Exfoliants
All of SPY’s experts are aligned on this one: In an ideal situation, any body buffing will be left to chemical exfoliants rather than physical scrubbing. Dr. Rogers outlines exactly why he’s against physical scrubs and body exfoliation tools. “Physical exfoliators do not have a ‘safety off’. If the person using them scrubs too hard you quickly get below the dead skin cells and damage the living cells beneath, causing cuts, tears, water loss, and increasing the risk of infection.”
“Instead, I recommend people treat your body like your face. Use turnover treatments with chemical exfoliants on clean skin to promote cell turnover and improve the body’s skin texture without the trauma,” says Dr. Rogers.
As for the key ingredients to consider for improved cellular turnover across the body, here are the key ones to seek out, with insights from Rogers.
- Lactic Acid: This alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) has a larger molecular size compared to other AHAs, so it mostly impacts the outermost layer of skin. “This means lactic acid is a gentler option for exfoliation,” says Rogers. “It also helps in improving the skin’s natural moisture content making it a great choice for those with sensitive or extra dry skin.”
- Glycolic Acid: Another AHA, with a smaller molecular size compared to lactic acid, so it can penetrate more deeply. “This penetration helps in breaking down dead skin cells and promoting cell turnover, resulting in smoother and brighter skin,” Rogers explained. “It also stimulates collagen production, which can improve the overall texture and appearance of the skin. Moreover, glycolic acid can help with acne by unclogging pores and reducing inflammation.”
- Urea: This is a keratolytic agent; in other words, it breaks down the protein called keratin in skin’s outer layer. “Urea softens and loosens dead skin cells, making it easier for them to slough off. This aids in natural exfoliation and is particularly helpful to extra rough, or calloused skin like our feet,” Rogers says.
- Salicylic Acid: Here is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA), which, unlike AHAs, is oil-soluble. “This makes salicylic acid a great thing for acne,” says Rogers. “It can penetrate into pores and dissolve sebum and dead skin cells to prevent acne formation and larger pores. It also has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties to reduce redness and inflammation associated with acne. However it can be drying or irritating, so start slow.”
- Retinol: This Vitamin A derivative helps improve and regulate cellular turnover, and its benefits are starting to be better advertised for bodily use—given that retinol has long been used to improve skin texture and reduce acne on the face. Add a retinol-powered body cream or serum to any regimen for smoother, clearer skin all over. But this retinol regulation can benefit the body tenfold: “Cell turnover on the body is much slower for the body than the face because of the decreased blood supply,” says Rogers. Food for thought, especially in retinol’s favor. Just remember that it can make skin more sensitive to sunlight — and neutralized by it too, while being worn — so it’s important to double down on SPF during the daytime and save the retinol for p.m. use.
PMD Clean Body Cleansing and Exfoliating Brush
Here’s the one loofah you’ll find on this roster, given all the smack spoken about them by our professional sources. But there’s good reason for its inclusion here: PMD infuses its loofah with silver to neutralize any microbes, plus these buzzing buffers have a silicone side for additional exfoliation needs. The high price tag here justifies the fact that these brushes mind the task for you a bit–akin to electric toothbrushes that temper how much pressure you should be applying. And, it’s easy to automate your loofah replacements with Amazon.
My testing with this device lasted much longer than other body buffers, given the uniform smoothness I got as a result—and all across my backside too, without too much awkward twisting and torquing. You could even qualify this as a back scrubber as well as a standard body loofah. That price tag might demand a commitment to the task, too, and because of the gentle application plus antimicrobial infusion, I feel good endorsing this one despite the general disdain for loofahs from the pros.
Happy Nuts Body + Nut Scrubber Silicone Brush
Brands don’t need to reinvent the wheel or get overly inventive with a silicone brush: It should hold steady in hand, hang easily in the shower, and build a great lather as it goes. For Happy Nuts’ nutsack-shaped silicone brush, it’s check, check, check. This one dangles in our shower at present, getting added mileage whenever I want to buff away at my hairy torso without any unwanted pulling.
It fans out too, in that it holds snugly in your hands with a grip on its backside, and then bends to the body’s contours as any silicone device ought to do, covering large surface areas in a single fell swoop. That also means you won’t risk hitting the same spot multiple times so that your buffing remains gentle. My partner even uses it as a gentle scalp scrubber when he’s buzzed down.
EcoTools Dry Body Brush
This bamboo-handled, synthetic-bristled tool is Krier’s preferred choice for a brush; note that it’s a dry brush, meaning you use it after the shower when your skin is soft and easier to buff away. (Kind of like using a pumice stone after a foot soak to whack calluses.) Krier pointed out this one’s gentle bristles, “so as to not overstimulate the skin with proper use.”
“Best of all, it is inexpensive, so replacing it every 3-6 months is very affordable,” Krier explained. “EcoTools’ products are also manufactured to be cruelty-free, vegan, and fully recyclable.”
Biologique Recherche Gant de Massage Silicone Body Exfoliating Glove
It’s no shock that the best exfoliating glove is also made of silicone: “What makes this scrubber superior is its dual sides; one side has smoother nubs to massage away cellulite, and the other has more spiked nubs to stimulate blood flow and break up fat deposits,” says Krier of this hybrid massager-exfoliator mitt.
And it’s not just for cleansing and exfoliating in the shower. Krier suggests pairing it with an oil or body toner, to magnify the skin-soothing and deep-penetrating powers of the entire experience. “This scrubber will give you great results while maintaining the highest degree of hygienic properties,” she says.
Dove Men+Care Advanced Care Cleanser Acne Clear Body Wash (with 1% Salicylic Acid)
If body acne is of any concern—or general surface-level smoothness—then you definitely don’t want to be using a physical scrub at risk of blasting open those comedones. Instead, consider it one of my absolute favorite body washes (and an extremely affordable one at that). Dove’s dual body wash and face wash uses a medium-grade 1% salicylic acid concentration to seep into the pores, balance oil production, free up trapped skin cells, and prevent future acne outbreaks.
It does all this without risking skin dehydration, partially due to the not-too-steep concentration of the active ingredient, but also because Dove’s reputation hinges on its skin-soothing finish. This is a terrific multitasking product for minimalists who want to combine a face and body wash, and who want exfoliating benefits in gentle, daily doses. You can apply it, let it set for just 15 or 30 seconds, and rinse it away; salicylic acid cleansers only need this short skin contact to work their oil-toning and pore-clearing wonders.
Soft Services Software Update Performance Retinol Serum
If you’re convinced to try retinol in a body exfoliating product, then you need to deploy a serum or lotion in order to get those cellular turnover benefits. I’m smitten with this serum, in particular, which layers nicely beneath my drugstore body lotion and provides exfoliation by way of improving general cellular turnover — so, no buildup of dead skin.
Soft Services is the name in body exfoliation, so you know the brand added more to this recipe: Glycerin gives it a skin-nourishing base, while grapeseed oil packs barrier-boosting properties to prevent moisture loss and accelerated signs of aging due to environmental elements. Apply this one to dry skin post-shower, and pre-bed, and layer it with a body lotion to magnify its replenishing benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions About Body Scrubbing
Are Loofahs Sanitary?
We hate to break it to you, but loofahs are a hotbed for bacteria, except for a few exceptions that manufacture their product with antimicrobial ingredients. Anything cheap is probably made from plastic, will stay damper longer, and attract bacteria—in addition to falling apart quickly. Instead, invest in something like silicone, or even a chemical exfoliant.
How Do You Keep Body Scrubbers Clean?
Body scrubber hygiene is a lot like razor blade hygiene, notes Krier: It’s all about storing the tool in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place. This can be difficult and weird, given that the scrubber lives in the shower. So keep that in mind: Leaving it in a damp environment is begging for bacterial buildup. Again, score 1 for silicone and non-abrasive options.
How Often Should You Replace a Body Scrubber?
As for replenishment of body scrubbers, here is Krier’s advice: “Replace a loofah every 2-3 weeks, a dry brush every 3-6 months, and a silicone scrubber every 2-3 months. Adjust replacement timing based on personal use and condition of your scrubber.”
