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9 Best Body Scrubs for Silky Smooth Skin, Tried and Tested by a Beauty Editor
A hardworking selection of gentle yet effective formulas that smell lovely too.
Lucy Partington Tuesday 20 January 2026 22:17 GMT
Buff away dead, dry skin with exfoliating ingredients such as sugar, salt, or occasionally finely ground pumice. If your limbs are looking a little lacklustre, a good body scrub can often be the quickest route to smoother, glowier skin. While they might seem like the most basic of bathroom staples, not all scrubs are created equal.
Understanding Body Scrubs: A Guide to Exfoliation
Some scrubs rely on common skincare acids like glycolic, lactic, and salicylic to gently dissolve dead cells and unclog pores with minimal effort. Others take a more traditional, hands-on approach, using ingredients such as sugar, salt, or finely ground pumice that work by physically sloughing away rough patches.
It is always worth considering your skin type before diving in. If you have sensitive skin or are prone to keratosis pilaris, often called 'chicken skin', acid-based scrubs can provide a more gentle, even exfoliation without causing damage. Meanwhile, those with very dry or flaky skin might prefer richer, oil-based formulas that harness the power of sugar or salt, melting as you massage them in and leaving behind soft, nourished skin.
For a more invigorating experience, pumice blends deliver a satisfying, thorough scrub, but remember to go easy to avoid irritation. The goal is smoother, brighter skin, not red, raw, and irritated patches. Used regularly, body scrubs can help tackle everything from annoying ingrown hairs to dullness, leaving skin noticeably smoother and more hydrated. Some scrubs even replace the need for body moisturiser.
Our Top Picks for the Best Body Scrubs in 2026
- Best body scrub overall: Neom Real Luxury Body Scrub – £39
- Best budget body scrub: Imperial Leather Ultimate Moisture Foaming Body Scrub – £7 £3
- Best foaming body scrub: AKT The Foaming Body Scrub – £37
- Best natural body scrub: Omaly Exfoliating Seaweed Soap – £18
- Best luxury body scrub: Diptyque Smoothing Body Polish – £52
- Best salt base scrub: Sanctuary Spa Signature Natural Oils Salt Scrub – £18
- Best scented body scrub: L’Occitane Almond Shower Scrub – £24
- Best for intense exfoliation: Verden Herbanum Body Polish – £40
- Best body scrub for dry skin: The Body Shop Shea Body Scrub – £19
Detailed Reviews of Each Body Scrub
Neom Real Luxury Body Scrub: This sugar-based scrub with essential oils is easily the best body scrub tested. The relaxing lavender, jasmine, and sandalwood scent creates a spa-like experience. Enriched with vitamin E and jojoba oil, it exfoliates gently without stripping the skin, leaving it supple and deeply hydrated.
Imperial Leather Ultimate Moisture Foaming Body Scrub: A budget-friendly option at less than £10, this foaming scrub with cherry blossom and almond oil is quick and easy to use. While it has fewer exfoliating beads, it still provides effective smoothing and a pleasant scent.
AKT The Foaming Body Scrub: This unique foaming scrub uses rice and sugar exfoliants to buff skin for a glowing finish. With nourishing oils and 100% recyclable packaging, it offers an elevated experience, though at a higher price point.
Omaly Exfoliating Seaweed Soap: An organic and natural solid bar with seaweed and shea butter, this scrub smooths and hydrates without being abrasive. Its gritty texture exfoliates well, making it a great travel-friendly option.
Diptyque Smoothing Body Polish: A luxury scrub with jojoba beans and silicone dioxide, it smooths and replenishes skin with a luxurious fragrance. Ideal for pampering moments, it leaves skin feeling soft and nourished.
Sanctuary Spa Signature Natural Oils Salt Scrub: A vegan salt scrub that offers great value for money, leaving skin velvety smooth. The coarse salt may not suit sensitive skin, but it provides deep exfoliation with a blend of oils.
L’Occitane Almond Shower Scrub: The best-smelling body scrub with a delicious almond fragrance, it uses almond shells for gentle exfoliation. Perfect for making everyday showers more exciting, it leaves skin smooth and lightly perfumed.
Verden Herbanum Body Polish: Designed for intense exfoliation, this salt scrub with coconut and shea butter has a spa-like herbal scent. It balances rough exfoliation with nourishment, leaving skin soft and refreshed.
The Body Shop Shea Body Scrub: An affordable sugar scrub ideal for dry skin, it is thick, creamy, and moisturising. It provides satisfying exfoliation without harshness, leaving skin smooth and hydrated.
How the Body Scrubs Were Tested
Each body scrub was incorporated into a usual shower routine, with a focus on dry, rougher skin on the elbows and knees. Testing criteria included formula and ease of use, ingredients, feel on the skin, results, and overall value for money. As a beauty editor with over a decade of experience, the reviewer has tested numerous products to ensure reliable recommendations.
Final Verdict and Trust in Reviews
Neom's Real Luxury Body Scrub stands out as the best overall, offering a rich, sensorial experience. For budget-conscious shoppers, Sanctuary Spa and Imperial Leather provide excellent choices, while The Body Shop remains a dependable option for frequent use. The Independent's product reviews are written by experts who conduct hands-on, real-world testing, so you can trust that these body scrubs are worth your attention.
Lucy Partington is a beauty editor with nearly ten years of industry experience, covering everything from cleansing balms to serums, and knows how to assess formulations, results, and value for money.
