Effective Exfoliation: Award-Winning Clean Face Scrubs of 2025
NoneDoes the word "scrub" make you nervous? Maybe you've been scared off by horror stories of harsh, abrasive exfoliants, or perhaps you're still haunted by memories of those aggressive walnut scrubs from years past. Or maybe you're just confused about whether physical exfoliation has any place in a modern skincare routine.
You're not alone. The world of facial exfoliation has become increasingly complex, with competing claims about what's safe and effective. Add the clean beauty angle, and it gets even more complicated: How do you get effective exfoliation without microplastics or harmful ingredients? What natural particles are actually skin-safe? And how do you know if a scrub will be too harsh?
This guide cuts through the confusion. In this year’s Clean Beauty Awards program, through rigorous three-month testing by clean beauty influencers and experts, the top 5 face scrubs that effectively remove dead skin cells while maintaining skin barrier health have been determined.
What You'll Learn in This Guide
- How to choose the right type of physical exfoliant for your skin
- 5 award winning clean face scrubs that delivered remarkable results in testing
- How to Use Face Scrubs Safely
Understanding Modern Face Scrubs & Exfoliant Types
Jojoba Beads: smooth, round particles, gentle yet effective, won't cause micro-tears
Best for: All skin types, especially sensitive and acne-prone
Why: Mimics skin's natural oils, won't clog pores
Bamboo Powder: ultra-fine texture with natural antibacterial properties
Best for: Oily, combination, and normal skin
Why: Natural astringent properties help balance oil
Rice Powder: enzymatic benefits with brightening properties
Best for: Dry, mature, and sensitive skin
Why: Contains natural moisturizing factors and skin-brightening compounds
Fruit Enzymes + Physical Particles: dual action exfoliation with enhanced cell turnover
Best for: Dehydrated and dull skin
Why: Combines gentle physical exfoliation with chemical exfoliation
Evaluation Criteria
Performance: dead skin removal, pore cleansing, skin smoothing and or brightening effect
Ease of Use: texture and spreadability, and rinseability
The Top Face Scrubs
#1: Seaflora Skincare - Refining Facial Polish - $90
This gentle cream exfoliator features sea mud granules, perfectly sphered by the ebb and flow of the ocean, ensuring a delicate scrub that won’t rip or tear the skin. Rich in antioxidants, nourishing oils provide hydration for even the most sensitive skin, while organic kelp boosts skin vitality. The result is a dewy, glass-like complexion that radiates with health.
Expert Notes:
"Loved the moisturizing cream base and how gentle this felt on my skin!" - Caitie Anisman-Reiner, @naturallabeauty
'I really enjoy Refining Facial Polish by Seaflora Skincare scrub and all of its amazing ingredients. It makes my skin feel smooth instantly." - Jessica Chiarello, @jessichiarello
"I love that this Refining Facial Polish doubles as a mask. You can leave it on for 15 minutes and I found not only did it exfoliate and smooth my skin, it also helped to detoxify my skin thanks to the Ocean Mud in it! My face felt so hydrated and smooth after!" - Taylor Doucette, @whenimolderblog
#2: IERIAS NAMA SKIN & SPIRIT - UNIVERSAL EXFOLIATOR ✺ GLOW POWDER - $75
This antioxidant-rich, balancing, and hydrating powder-to-mousse cleanser is designed to remove environmental pollutants from the skin and stagnant energy from the auric field, leaving the skin fresh, smooth, and dewy. It provides detoxification without dryness, offering anti-oxidant protection, a velvety soft complexion, and a shield from stagnant energies. Ideal for all skin types, including sensitive skin, it serves as an anti-pollution guardian and a rebalancing boost for the skin. The result is a detoxified and hydrated complexion
Expert Notes:
"This antioxidant-rich powder transforms into a luxurious mousse, gently cleansing my skin while removing environmental pollutants. It's perfect for keeping my skin fresh, smooth, and dewy without any dryness or stagnation. Plus, it comes with the cutest little bowl for mixing up the perfect exfoliating paste! 💖 If you're looking for that fresh and glowing complexion, you definitely need to try this." - Ghazala Hasan, @Ghazala_beautystyle
"I love everything about this exfoliator. It's a powder to mousse exfoliator that is activated by mixing it with water. It includes the cutest bowl and spoon so you really get a spa-like feel with this product. It also smells very luxurious and feels like a treat to use! And because it's a finely milled powder, it's super gentle on the skin, but still exfoliates nicely!" - Taylor Doucette, @whenimolderblog
"Some people look at skin care as a ritual, and that was my first thought when I opened the Ierias Nama Universal Exfoliator. In addition to the powder which I was sent for free to try as part of my role as a judge in the clean beauty awards, they also sent beautiful ceramic bowl meant for mixing the powder.
Mixing the powder with water as a small ritual before using this exfoliator forced me to slow down and take my time with this one rather than just tacking it on to my skincare routine.
It did take me a couple of tries to get just the right ratio of water to powder, as my first try I felt the resulting solution to be quite watery, and I needed to be slower and more mindful as to how I added water to the mixture. When I did get it right, I got a nice thick scrub with a clean, earthy scent that was very gentle on my skin.
The Ierias Nama Universal Glow Powder contains some great skin soothing ingredients. These include oat flour which is can help reduce inflammation and is great for sensitive skin, coconut powder which helps replenish the fatty acids which make up the skins lipid barrier to help skin hold on to moisture, and rose petal powder which acts as an antioxidant.
Overall this product is great when you want to slow down and really focus on the ritual of self care." - Catherine Di Cesare, @tea.cats.beer
#3: URB APOTHECARY - Masa Nopal Polish - $32
This gentle exfoliant combines nopal cactus pad powder, corn flour, and papaya powder to remove dead skin cells and stimulate circulation. A honey manuka blend provides phytonutrients and healing antibacterial properties, while herbal powders rejuvenate the skin. Jojoba oil and jasmine sambac floral wax work together to lock in hydration, leaving the complexion revitalized and luminous.
Expert Notes:
"I love the product it gives nice glow to my face. It is great product for my skincare routine.This exfoliator works wonders by gently removing dead skin cells and stimulating circulation for that fresh glow we all crave. Infused with a soothing honey manuka blend, it brings phytonutrients and healing antibacterial properties straight to my skin. The rejuvenating herbal powders combined with jojoba oil and jasmine sambac floral wax ensure a burst of hydration, leaving my complexion revitalized and luminous. And can we talk about the blissful jasmine fragrance? It transforms my skincare routine into a relaxing spa experience, making self-care feel so indulgent" - Ghazala Hasan, @Ghazala_beautystyle
"The first thing I noticed about the Masa Nopal Polish from @urbapothecary was the lovely jasmine scent. It reminds me of some of my favourite jasmine green tea. This face polish uses cactus powder, which is hydrating and soothing, corn flour which is calming and helps remove dead skin cells, and manuka honey which helps keep skin soft and hydrated. And I noticed that effect right away. The Masa Nopal polish can be washed off right away, or left on the skin for up to five minutes as a mask of sort. I tried both methods multiple times, and each time after wiping the remaining product from my face I immediately noticed my skin feeling softer, refreshed, and hydrated. The final ingredient I want to mention is the jojoba oil. This oil is super hydrating, non-greasy and anti-microbial.
This scrub is an excellent addition to my skincare routine during these cold, dry winter months." - Catherine Di Cesare, @tea.cats.beer
"I absolutely love the Masa Nopal Polish by URB Apothecary. It smells amazing and is very effective in removing dead skin. My skin feels silky smooth after each use. It was my favourite of the 4 scrubs I judged." - Jessica Chiarello, @jessichiarello
#4: Eco Tan - Super Acai Exfoliator - $31.96
Super Acai Exfoliator is a powerful face scrub that intensely exfoliates while enriching the skin with the antioxidant-rich, brightening properties of acai. Bursting with vibrant natural ingredients, this potent emulsion clears, brightens, and smooths the skin. Its physical exfoliating properties, combined with organic oils and balms, provide a boost of antioxidants, leaving the skin healthy, clear, and invigorated. Suitable for all skin types, it delivers a rejuvenated complexion.
Expert Notes:
"This exfoliator is perfect for my dry skin. It leaves my skin feeling soft, hydrated, and super smooth! The anti-inflammatory properties work wonders to help clear spots and promote a radiant glow. Not only does it deeply cleanse my pores, but it also removes dead skin layers to reveal fresh, youthful skin underneath. It’s a must-have for anyone looking to boost collagen and keep skin looking vibrant and healthy." - Ghazala Hasan, @Ghazala_beautystyle
"I loved how gentle this was -- a soft and creamy emulsion that's as moisturizing as it is exfoliating. The texture is melty and lovely, with finer exfoliating granules, and, while the Acai Exfoliator does effectively tackle clogged pores, dead skin, and other buildup, it's never harsh or at the expense of your skin's integrity -- the product leaves my skin extra smooth but never irritated. Definitely a sensitive skin friendly option!" - Caitie Anisman-Reiner, @naturallabeauty
"The Super Açai Exfoliator by Eco Tan does a good job of exfoliating and has some lovely ingredients." - Jessica Chiarello, @jessichiarello
#5: in your face skincare - Bamboo Refining Polish - $75
This superfine, gentle polish purifies and revitalizes the skin’s appearance, reducing the look of clogged pores and removing dead skin. Enriched with Aspen Bark Salicylic acid and Bamboo Exfoliation, it stimulates blood circulation and encourages skin renewal. The addition of Aloe, Green Tea, Rosehip Seed, and Kaolin Clay helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines, leaving the complexion smoother, refreshed, and hydrated.
Expert Notes:
"-Love the "eye dropper" style bottle; a nice alternative to scrubs that require dipping my fingers in the jar, and ensures I don't use too much (which I tend to do).
-Gentle scrub that felt good on my skin without being irritating
-Smells good and natural, not artificial
-Love the ingredients, everything has a purpose" - Catherine Di Cesare, @tea.cats.beer
"A fantastic and unique product! I loved the dropper bottle packaging to house a liquid suspension loaded with fine bamboo particles, kaolin clay, and rosehip seed and walnut powders. The addition of mild chemical exfoliation from aspen bark and salicylic acid was also great, and I love how it's tempered with soothing aloe vera, glycerin, and green tea to prevent irritation." - Caitie Anisman-Reiner, @naturallabeauty
"I love that this polish contains both salicylic acid and bamboo so it's both a chemical exfoliator but also a physical exfoliator. It also contains aloe vera and green tea to soothe and calm the skin. The applicator (a dropper style) can be a bit messy at times as I found it leaked out of the bottle if left on it's side." - Taylor Doucette, @whenimolderblog
The face scrub category has evolved significantly, proving that physical exfoliation can be both gentle and effective when done right. It should be noted that many skincare enthusiasts damage their skin through improper exfoliation habits. Over-exfoliating is perhaps the most common mistake – more isn't better when it comes to scrubs. Finding the right exfoliation schedule depends on your skin type. Those with normal to combination skin typically benefit from exfoliating 2-3 times per week. If you have sensitive skin, limit scrubbing to once weekly or even less frequently, paying close attention to how your skin responds. Oily or congested skin types may tolerate up to three sessions per week, but always watch for signs of over-exfoliation.
Select from one of the above clean formulations that deliver results without compromising human health or the health of the environment.
When used correctly, the right face scrub can refine skin texture, unclog pores, and brighten your complexion. This year’s top clean formulations showed that physical exfoliation doesn’t have to be abrasive or damaging, as long as the right ingredients and techniques are in place.
But exfoliation is just one step in skin renewal. A high-quality face mask can further detoxify, hydrate, and replenish your skin, taking your routine to the next level. Next, we reviewed the best clean face masks of 2025, uncovering the top formulas that deliver results without compromise.
Follow us on Instagram (@CertCleanInc) for more clean beauty recommendations from this year’s judging panel. You can also subscribe to our newsletter and grab your free copy of the 2025 Clean Beauty Awards Ultimate Guide, a full rundown of this year’s top-performing products
