Say goodbye to dull, rough and patchy skin! I’ve tested dozens of natural face scrubs and exfoliators over the years and I’m sharing what actually works for my skin! In all my testing, I’ve found the best clean face exfoliators always have some kind of acid and are gentle so as not to irritate skin BUT still EFFECTIVE!

Why is exfoliating skin important?

Regular exfoliation is sooo important for healthy skin since it takes off the dead skin cells and allows skincare to penetrate into the dermal layers. Dry, dull skin and more serious skin issues like acne and folliculitis can be caused by a build-up of dead skin.

I feel like it’s such a waste putting on skincare on top of a bunch of dead skin cells! Plus as we age our cell turnover sloooows down so we need to give it a little boost now and then.

How often should I exfoliate?

This really depends on person to person, but I’ve found that at least once a week is suitable for most people. It’s more of a trial and error process for each individual since our skin is so unique. Some people find that they achieve their best skin exfoliating a couple times a week and others find their skin fares much better doing it as seldom as once every few weeks. I make sure to listen to my skin and exfoliate when I notice my skin is looking rough and dull.

Here is my guideline on how to exfoliate according to your skin type!

• Very Sensitive Skin – Some super sensitive skin people can’t handle anny kind of exfoliation, physical or chemical. If that’s the case use a soft, damp washcloth. Otherwise, exfoliate once a week or every other week.
• Oily Skin – Oily skin can usually handle mechanical face scrubs as often as daily!
• Dry or Combination Skin – Chemical and physical exfoliants can both be used up to a couple times a week.

My Fave Ingredients in Natural Face Scrubs

These are some of my favorite ingredients to look for in an organic face exfoliator. It takes trial and error to find what works best for YOUR skin!

• AHAs and BHAs: Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) are water-soluble and exfoliate the skin’s surface, making them ideal for dry or sun-damaged skin, while beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) are oil-soluble and penetrate deeper into pores, making them better suited for oily or acne-prone skin.
• Salicylic Acid (BHA): A chemical exfoliant that penetrates pores and is great for acne-prone or oily skin.
• Lactic Acid (AHA): A mild exfoliant that hydrates, smooths the skin and is good for dry or sensitive skin.
• Glycolic Acid (AHA): Glycolic acid literally does everything. It’s soooo effective at removing dead skin cells and improving skin texture, suitable for normal to combination skin. 
• Salt: Salt is amazing for acne as long as you pat it gently into the skin and don’t rub. 
• Oatmeal: Soothing and mildly exfoliating, sooo good for sensitive or irritated skin.
• Bamboo Powder: A natural exfoliant that is gentle yet effective for sloughing off dead skin.
• Activated Charcoal: Helps draw out impurities and excess oil and is great for oily or acne-prone skin.
• Papaya or Pineapple Enzymes: Enzymatic exfoliants that break down dead skin cells without physical scrubbing. It’s gentle and suitable for all skin types.

I Tried Versed Instant Resurfacing Face Mask

This is my faaavorite budget-friendly exfoliator. I’ve tried LA celebrity esthetician Shani Darden’s exfoliating peel product and this works exactly the same for a fraction of the cost. For the price and amount you get, it’s so worth getting because it actually works! This is not for the weak or sensitive in my opinion. There’s a powerful blend of AHA, BHA and fruit enzymes that get to work immediately to eat away the dead skin cells. I actually leave it on longer than the recommended time because my skin can handle it and the gel feels super hydration as well. I love how my skin feels after using the Versed mask – it’s just soo soft, smooth and glowy. I haven’t found a clean resurfacing mask that works as well as this one for cheaper.

Price: $19.99 for 1.7 oz
Strength: Strong
Method: 2% lactic acid, 2% glycolic acid, 0.15% salicylic acid 1.2% pineapple enzymes and papaya enzymes

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I Tried OSEA Seaglow Resurfacing Scrub

I was surprised by just how creamy OSEA’s mask is, so this is a great option for dry and sensitive skin individuals. I would consider this a gentle exfoliating scrub that can double as a hydrating mask. This is a beautifully formulated ocean-inspired cream gel hybrid mask with a variety of physical exfoliants from the ocean like sea silting volcanic sand along with innovative chemical exfoliants like flower acids and Kiwi AHA Infused Rice Microparticles. My skin looks and feels much more clarified after using OSEA’s scrub and not at all dry or irritated.

Price: $58 for 1.7 oz
Strength: Gentle
Method: Chemical (flower acids) and physical (ocean particles)

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I Tried Beekman 1802 Potato Peel Rapid Resurfacing Milk Facial

I really think Beekman 1802’s Potato Peel is a diamond in the rough. Using potato is genius and something I’ve rarely seen in the clean skincare world. My mom taught me to use potatos for good skin from an early age and I’m so excited to see it used in a clean beauty product. I know I said Versed’s face mask was strong early on in this post, but this peel is even stronger. I’ve tried Shani Darden’s peel and I feel like Beekman 1802 is just way more effective on my skin. Its only downside is the cost which is pretty up there.

Price: $49
Strength: Strong
Method: 10% Lactic Acid & Lactobionic Acid

 

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I tried Banish Pumpkin Enzyme Mask

This has to be one of my favorite FRESHLY made organic exfoliating masks. I feel like I’m using pumpkin that’s been pureed just before and mixed with all sorts of active ingredients and botanical extracts. This is literally mostly made of Pumpkin Fruit Purée, which is the base ingredient, and infused with only active ingredients that benefit the skin like Tetrasodium EDTA, Ascorbic Acid, glycolic acid, neem seed, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, Organic Cranberry Fruit Extract and so much more. It does use phenoxyethanol as the preservative to keep bacteria from growing. Banish’s Pumpkin Enzyme Mask is a surefire way to get an instant glow and it works every single time. My skin tone and clarity is even, bright and clear. Note that it stays fresh for just 6 months!

Price: $49 for 50 ml
Strength: Strong
Method: AHAs

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I Tried Leahlani Honey Love Exfoliator

This organic face exfoliator is a luscious Hawaiian treat in a jar! I find that this tones, softens and brightens my skin ON TOP of exfoliating it. Leave it on for long enough and after properly cleansed and steamed skin and my skin looks like I’ve just left an hourlong facial at the spa. The ingredients are 100% natural and organic, wildcrafted and local to Hawaii. The texture is sooo ooey gooey with Corundum crystals dispersed throughout. The bright pink hue is so vibrant and comes from hibiscus. Honey Love has got Maqui Fruit, Noni Fruit, Lavender flower and raw Hawaiian honey. It comes in a large oversized jar that lasts forever too!

Price: $56 for 3.99 oz
Strength: Medium
Method: Physical

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I Tried Alpyn Beauty Wild Huckleberry 8-Acid Polishing Peel

I’ve gone through multiple jars of Alpyn Beauty’s peel because it’s just so good. This is a creamy mask that almost fooled me into thinking it was a hydrating mask with maybe a little bit of exfoliation. Was I ever so wrong. This is a seriously strong and effective peel that exfoliates my skin super well every time. This goes beyond just a few acids and has a blend of EIGHT. Not only that there’s also bamboo powder and berry seeds for even more exfoliation benefits. Alpyn Beauty is all about wildcrafted ingredients from Wyoming so it’s also got Jackson Hole Wild Huckleberries to brighten and protect skin.

Price: $56 for 1.7 oz
Strength: Strong
Method: Physical and chemical

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I Tried Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Exfoliating Peel Spray

This is the most convenient organic face peel I’ve tried that’s perfect for when I want a quick fix and don’t want to deal with the hassle of doing a face mask. Since it’s a spray there’s no mess to deal with and I feel like it’s gentle compared to other more intense exfoliating masks in clean beauty. The ingredients are so good I feel like I’m applying a treatment honestly. It’s got a special blend of fruit stem cells infused into an organic resveratrol-rich grapeseed base, Vitamin C, Licorice Root, cucumber extract in an organic aloe leaf juice base. I looove the unique scent profile that comes from ho wood and may chang essential oils. When I rub the spray off my face I can feel the dead skin cells coming off with the product, or at least that should be what’s happening because my skin feels refreshed and looks brighter.

Price: $52 for 1.7 oz
Strength: Medium
Method: licorice root and fruit acids

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I Tried Summer Solace SEELE Tallow Salt Scrub

If you’re looking for a physical scrub that deeply moisturizes skin, the Summer Solace Tallow Scrub is my latest obsession. The aromatherapy is the BEST and seriously the most interesting out of any natural face scrub I’ve tested and it’s so dense and moisturizing. I was a little worried the salt might feel too abrasive (remember St. Ives Apricot Scrub??) but this mask is sooo buttery and rich. Salt can also be great for acne so I will reach for this when Aunt Flo comes to visit. The scent profile is centered around the choya nakh, which is a traditional balsam made with onycha seashells slow-roasted in an earthenware vessel. It’s enhanced with green coriander seeds, botanical juniper berries, Spanish fennel, and fresh leaves of Bay Laurel to create this incredibly therapeutic marine-inspired scent that jolts my senses to attention. My skin also feels so soft and smooth after.

Price: $38 for 2 oz
Strength: Medium
Method: Physical (Celtic salt)

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I Tried Acure Brightening Facial Scrub (Budget!)

The Acure face scrub is a tried-and-true favorite in the clean beauty community for a reason. It’s a solid choice for a natural face scrub that’s super simple but in a good way if simple is all you need. The texture is sooo creamy and the exfoliation is gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin. For under $12 for an entire 4 fl oz this bottle lasts and lasts and costs next to nothing compared to other clean face scrubs. I absolutely looove how many great natural ingredients are packed into this bottle like Aloe, Blackberry, Calendula and Olive Fruit Oil. It’s so gentle I can use this mask everyday if I wanted to.

Price: $11.99 for 4 oz
Strength: Gentle
Method: Physical (walnut shell powder)

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