Skin care doesn’t stop at the neck. Imagine all that goodness we receive from serums packaged in a nourishing body wash. Just as we employ an army of products to cleanse, treat, and hydrate our faces, our bodies need the same TLC, too. Of course, there’s one truly beneficial step we can’t skip that yields the absolute best results head-to-toe: exfoliation. We don’t mean those harsh, abrasive physical scrubs or outdated mechanical tools of yore that tend to damage your skin more than their actual intended purpose to smooth, renew, and refresh. Today’s exfoliating formulas, ranging from cleansers to toners to serums, force the skin to shed impurities to unveil a brighter and smoother complexion free from hyperpigmentation, roughness, and dryness.
Brands are catching on, and that’s why exfoliating body washes have become the star product of everyone’s shower routines; the potent formulas dissolve the bad to make way for the good. “An exfoliating body wash helps to remove dead skin cells, promoting smoother, softer skin and improving texture,” says board-certified dermatologist Pooja Rambhia.“Regular use can help with concerns like rough patches, clogged pores, and even body acne by allowing active ingredients to penetrate more effectively and keeping skin fresh and renewed.”
Our pick for the best exfoliating body washes of 2024
Best Exfoliating Bar Soap
Soft Services Buffing Bar Exfoliating Body Bar for KP and Ingrown Hair
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Best Calming Body Wash
Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Find Comfort Gentle Exfoliating Body Wash
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Most exfoliating products can be divided into two categories: chemical and physical. Physical exfoliants typically contain gritty, granular particles to manually scrub the skin, whereas chemical exfoliants take a gentler approach, utilizing enzymes, acids (AHAs, BHAs, PHAs, to name a few), and sometimes retinol to slough away dead skin—no scrubbing required. However, Dr. Azza Halim, a board-certified physician and anesthesiologist, isn’t entirely against physical exfoliators. “Physical exfoliators, such as sugar or salt scrubs, are great for dull, dry, rough skin and best when combined with moisturizing ingredients,” she adds. Still, she’s a fan of chemical exfoliants for increasing cell turnover, “boosting the absorption of moisturizers, and reducing the frequency of ingrown hairs,” adds Dr. Azza Halim.
As they say, summer bodies are made in the winter, and the cold-weather season is the best time to put exfoliating to the test. We scoured the internet to review top customer feedback, consulted two dermatologists, and tested a few formulas ourselves to land on the below list of the 10 best exfoliating body washes. Dolphin-smooth skin awaits!
Best Exfoliating Bar Soap
Soft Services Buffing Bar Exfoliating Body Bar for KP and Ingrown Hair
Pros
- Doesn’t require use with a sponge or wash cloth
Cons
- Some users say it leaves a slippery residue in the shower
Soft Services’s cult-favorite buffing bars are designed with microcrystals to exfoliate any area in need of smoothing and clearing. If you’re dealing with ingrown hairs or keratosis pilaris, add this to your body care routine to keep them at bay longer.
Key ingredients: Magnesium oxide, alumina, shea butter, glycerin
Size: 7.5 fl oz
Sephora rating: 4.9/5 stars
A Sephora reviewer says: “This is a one-stop shop. Being someone who has all the creams, exfoliators, serums, dry brushes daily, and [has] two estheticians, this is IT. The bar gets to work immediately. This is like a towel/soap in one; it takes over the need to have a very thorough exfoliating towel similar to a Korean towel and/or African net sponge. It’s effective immediately; you will see softer skin, and your other products will be more effective because they can penetrate deeper. It’s a cult fave for a reason.”
Best for Sport Lovers
Kosas Good Body Skin AHA + Enzyme Exfoliating Body Wash
Pros
- Reduces breakouts
Cons
- Some users dislike the strong scent
This body wash is powered by fruit enzymes and the AHA group’s big three—glycolic, mandelic, and lactic acids. These ingredients boost skin renewal and ward off breakouts while treating any active ones.
Key ingredients: Glycolic acid, lactic acid, mandelic acid, fruit enzymes
Size: 9 fl oz
Revolve rating: 4.6/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “This is my favorite post-gym body wash because it makes me feel so clean and smells amazing. Beyond immediate satisfaction, over time, this body wash has helped reduce breakouts on my chest and back and smooth rough texture.”—Nerisha Penrose, beauty commerce editor
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Best Calming Body Wash
Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Find Comfort Gentle Exfoliating Body Wash
Pros
- Brightens and smoothes skin
Cons
- Scent can be overbearing for some
As the name suggests, this body wash is a comforting gel cleanser for dry and dull skin. Powered by fruit extracts, exfoliating konjac jelly, and avocado oil, it is packed with microbeads that brighten and slough away dead skin cells to refresh and revive the skin.
Key ingredients: Peach flower extract, konjac jelly, and avocado oil
Size: 8.45 fl oz
Sephora rating: 4.9/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “I have just about every product in the Find Comfort line because they’re all just that good. However, this body wash is my absolute favorite way to start my scent palette of the day (it has intoxicating citrus and earthy notes), but it is also a gentle and quick way to smooth my skin ahead of moisturizing.”—Nerisha Penrose, beauty commerce editor
Best for Beginners
Naturium The Smoother Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Body Wash
Pros
- Smooths rough texture
Cons
- Can be too harsh for sensitive skin
Each Naturium body wash caters to a bevy of skin concerns. However, if you’re looking to diminish rough texture over time, this specific formula, built around glycolic acid, improves texture and uneven complexion. It’s not all exfoliation, though—red algae is the silent partner restoring balance and hydrating the skin.
Key ingredients: Glycolic acid, lactic acid, pyruvic acid, tartaric acid, red algae
Size: 16.9 fl oz
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars
Our expert says: “This [body wash] uses glycolic acid to provide effective chemical exfoliation, helping to smooth and brighten the skin while promoting a more even tone.”—Dr. Pooja Rambhia, board-certified cosmetic dermatologist
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Pros
- Smoothes rough texture
Cons
- Faulty container
Skip the fluff and get straight to the buff with Biossance’s body scrub. While it doesn’t lather as much as a traditional body wash, the buffing beads work to smooth and brighten rough skin. Pomegranate enzymes slough away dead skin as squalane restores moisture.
Key ingredients: Squalane, pomegranate enzymes
Size: 6.76 fl oz
Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars
Our expert says: “The Biossance Squalane + Enzyme Sugar Body Scrub is one of my preferred scrubs as it contains moisturizing ingredients such as squalane, glycerin, and pomegranate enzyme to dissolve dead skin. Plus, it’s reasonably priced.”—Dr. Azza Halim, board-certified physician/anesthesiologist
Best Soothing Exfoliating Body Wash
SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Oatmeal Smooth & Exfoliating Body Wash
Pros
- Moisturizing formula
Cons
- Some users dislike the thick consistency
A body wash as soothing as it is exfoliating, this standout from Shea Moisture’s newest line of body cleansers combines the calming powers of honey and oatmeal to nourish the skin. The creamy lather is packed with microbeads that gently exfoliate and rinse away easily.
Key ingredients: Manuka honey, oatmeal
Size: 18 fl oz
Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “As someone with severe body acne, my shower routine is already focused on exfoliating, whether using chemical exfoliants in my cleansers or an exfoliating sponge. I enjoy that this body wash makes you forget you’re buffing away impurities and clearing up your skin because it’s that gentle and moisturizing. Plus, my skin never feels too dry post-shower, which is one less problem for my highly sensitive skin.”—Nerisha Penrose, ELLE.com beauty commerce editor
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Pros
- Firms and refines the skin
Cons
- Scent can be overpowering for some
Everything you need to get the baby-soft skin of your dreams is bottled up in this aesthetically pleasing bottle. With help from bakuchiol, niacinamide, and rice exfoliants, skin appears firmer, brighter, and smoother. This body cleanser also smells bright and invigorating, courtesy of spicy tobacco, citrus, eucalyptus, and ginger to awaken senses.
Key ingredients: Bakuchiol, niacinamide, rice exfoliants
Size: 11.8 fl oz
Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “This has been a revelation for my skin care regimen. It’s cruelty-free and plant-based, leaving my skin feeling smooth and rejuvenated after every use.”
Pros
- Gentle exfoliation
Cons
- Scent can be overpowering for some
Nécessaire’s skin-first approach applies to all its offerings, but the Hinoki body wash is a clear standout. The nourishing cleanser comprises a blend of AHAs, PHAs, and BHAs, as well as calming resveratrol and Hinoki oil.
Key ingredients: AHAs, BHAs, PHAs, Honiki oil, resveratrol
Size: 8.4 fl oz
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “This cleanser is good for the skin; it works as advertised. Only a small amount is required to cleanse thoroughly. It lasts a long time, too.”
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Pros
- Gently exfoliates
Cons
- Some users note it can be drying
In addition to four percent AHAs packed into the formula, this body wash also utilizes microbeads to create a silky, smooth canvas for all your post-shower products.
Key ingredients: Lactic acid
Size: 18.5 fl oz
Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars
An Amazon rating says: “This cleans so well yet is hydrating at the same time. My skin is so soft after using it. I use it mainly after a gym workout when I want to feel like all the gross stuff is washed off, and it does so with only one cleanse. The scent is a unisex one but, thankfully, doesn’t linger or interfere with scented lotions/oils/perfumes. I would definitely buy it again!”
Pros
- Gentle enough for face and body
Cons
- Some users note it can be drying
With this affordable yet effective cleanser, you get more bang for your buck, as this facial cleanser also works wonders beyond the neck. Featuring a trifecta of acids—AHAs, PHAs, and BHAs are all found in the formula—you’ll reveal smoother, brighter, and softer skin with ease use.
Key ingredients: Salicylic acid, mandelic acid, gluconolactone
Size: 8 fl oz
Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars
Our expert says: “Cetaphil Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser combines salicylic acid with soothing ingredients to exfoliate and hydrate, making it ideal for those with sensitive skin or conditions like keratosis pilaris.”—Dr. Pooja Rambhia
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Meet the experts
Dr. Pooja Rambhia is a New York-based board-certified dermatologist at Union Derm.
Dr. Azza Halim is a board-certified physician and anesthesiologist.
Can exfoliating body washes be used every day?
Since these formulas contain chemical exfoliants, it’s advised to use them in moderation to avoid damaging the skin barrier. “Exfoliating body washes should generally be used a few times a week rather than daily to avoid over-exfoliation, which can irritate the skin. For those with sensitive or dry skin, limiting exfoliation to once or twice weekly is often best to maintain a healthy skin barrier while still achieving smoothness,” says Dr. Rambhia
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What ingredients are best to look for in an exfoliating body wash?
Ingredients that nourish and hydrate the skin pair well with exfoliating agents. “The best ingredients to look for include those that are hydrating and soothing, such as hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, glycerin, jojoba, green tea, and chamomile. Vitamin C [is great] for
brightening,” explains Dr. Halim. As for the best exfoliant ingredients, Dr. Rambhia suggests “alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), such as glycolic or lactic acid, which help slough off dead skin cells while boosting hydration. Beta hydroxy acid (BHA), like salicylic acid, is ideal for penetrating deeper into pores, making it especially beneficial for those with body acne or keratosis pilaris.”
Why Trust ELLE Beauty?
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, ELLE.com beauty commerce editor tested countless exfoliating formulas, consulted skin experts, and combed through customer feedback to find the best exfoliating body washes.
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Nerisha Penrose
Beauty Commerce Editor
Nerisha Penrose is the Beauty Commerce Editor at ELLE.com. Prior to joining the team, she was an Editorial Fellow at ELLE.com. In her current role, she helps lead coverage on makeup, skin care, hair, and fragrances. With over six years of experience in the world of beauty editorial, Nerisha enjoys delving deep into the complexities of fragrance notes, hunting for the best fixes for acne-prone skin, and advocating for daily sunscreen use. She regularly researches and tests the latest products, consults beauty professionals (including our Beauty Advisory Board) to determine the best expert-approved formulas to recommend, and conducts interviews with luminaries across the industry. Nerisha received her bachelor’s degree in Communication and Media Studies from Temple University before joining the editorial teams at Nylon and Billboard. In 2020, she co-launched our popular franchise The State of Black Beauty, an ongoing exploration of—and destination for—beauty at the intersection of Black culture.
