When summer rolls around, I like to change up my beauty routine a bit. And I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one who does this. For me, I have a couple of summertime skincare concerns that need to be addressed when it comes to the routine switch.
First, my skin does have its bouts of dryness, and summer isn’t a time when I can escape it. A mix of sun exposure, heat, and air conditioning can really dry out my skin. So I make sure I amp up the hydrating step in my routine with serums, moisturizers, and even some body oils.
Then, because I’m outside and getting more sun, I’m extremely careful about sun protection and also avoiding any hyperpigmentation. So I slather on the sunscreen more than usual. And I make sure to use a vitamin C (or other antioxidant-rich) serum and do some chemical exfoliation on the regular.
And lastly, I want my skin to be absolutely glowing in the summer. I’m not just talking about the skin on my face, but my whole body. In the summer months, I’m showing more skin, wearing bathing suits, sundresses, tanks, and shorts, so the last thing I want is to have my skin look dry and dull.
Here’s where a good body scrub comes in. After one use of a trustworthy product, I notice smoother and silkier skin. And with regular use, my skin is brighter and more radiant. Goodbye dead skin cells, hello healthy skin.
I normally like to use a scrub once a week, but your frequency of use depends on your specific skin type and needs. Take a look at some scrubs my fellow editors and I love, plus other highly rated ones.
Both a mask and a scrub, this body treatment is made with charcoal and kaolin clay, volcanic pumice, coconut oil, avocado oil, and shea butter. It will exfoliate and smooth skin, while keeping it moisturized.
Osea’s head-to-toe scrub has three kinds of salts: Dead Sea, Bolivian Rose, and Himalayan. You can also use it as a primer before shaving.
If your skin is a bit sensitive, this gentle scrub won’t irritate it. it’s formulated with nourishing ingredients like an oleo-soothing complex; shea, camelina, and safflower oils; glycerin; and thermal spring water.
Senior beauty editor Erin Jahns called C & the Moon’s scrub the Rolls Royce of body scrubs. “It’s filled with really luxurious ingredients that also smell like actual heaven (think vanilla, brown sugar, and almond) so your body isn’t left angry and parched even after the sweet grains of brown sugar slough off all your dry, flaky skin,” she said.
You can use this scrub on both your hands and body to remove dull, dead skin. It’s infused with shea butter, coconut oil, and vitamin E to leave the skin moisturized.
Indie Lee’s scrub is made for all skin types, even dry, sensitive, and mature skin. The natural scrub is a blend of coconut oil, jojoba, lemon balm, lemongrass, and sugarcane.
With over 14,000 ratings and 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon, this drugstore find comes highly recommended. It’s made with a quarter of moisturizing cream, so your skin will feel so silky smooth after.
This gentle body scrub is made with natural exfoliation particles instead of microbeads. It also contains skin emollients and soothing ingredients like aloe vera and chamomile. You’ll want to use this one in the shower.
The description of this scrub likens it to a pampering spa experience, so I’m intrigued! It’s formulated with raw sugar cane granules that contain alpha hydroxy acid for exfoliation. There’s also virgin coconut oil for hydration; cucumber to tone; and a bio complex of antioxidants to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
For those who are dealing with keratosis pilaris, this scrub will be your new hero product. It’s both a physical and chemical exfoliator with pumice buffing beads and glycolic and lactic acids. The combination helps make those pesky bumps disappear.
Good for the face and body, this scrub is 100% natural since it’s made with brown sugar granules. Even sensitive skin types can use it, too.
Fur’s Silk Scrub is a personal favorite. It’s gentle enough that it doesn’t leave my skin dry or irritated. The formula contains jojoba for mechanical exfoliation, plus glycolic and lactic acids for chemical exfoliation. I especially like to use it to avoid any ingrown hairs after shaving or waxing.
Sunday Riley’s body scrub is infused with activated charcoal, which draws out any dirt and impurities. Other exfoliating agents include salicylic acid and natural exfoliating powders to smooth any rough texture. And it’s moisturizing, too, thanks to coconut water and manuka honey.
You don’t have to worry about any dryness with this scrub because it has some highly moisturizing ingredients like virgin coconut oil and Moroccan rose.
For those who love scented products, I think you’re going to be obsessed with this summery scent. It has notes of dragonfruit, tuberose, and orange blossom. And as for the scrub formula itself, it contains sugar, probiotics, and coconut oil. You can use this on both your scalp and body.
The exfoliating ingredients in this scrub are natural and gentle—crushed cupuaçu seeds and sugar crystals. But the coolest ingredient in this scrub is guaraná, a plant common in Brazil that supports natural circulation, boosts energy, and smooths the skin. It also have five times the amount of caffeine than coffee!
This is another top scrub for me. I love that the exfoliating ingredients are a blend of chemical and mechanical: bamboo charcoal, pumice, glycolic acid, lactic acid, and salicylic acid. It always leaves my skin feeling smooth and a little bit brighter.
This scrub is inspired by an Indonesian treatment that stimulates circulation. So not only will you get smooth, glowy skin, but it will also firm it and target cellulite.
This salt scrub combines exfoliating mineral-rich salts with moisturizing Tahitian monoi oil and frangipani flowers. You can use it once or twice a week to get that glow.
In addition to AHAs, BHAs, and volcanic pumice, this body exfoliant is infused with black coffee beans to polish and refresh the skin. It’s designed to promote cellular renewal and improve blood circulation. Next, 5 Winning Ingredient Cocktails for Out-of-This-World Glowy Skin
