Start with Acure if you want a grainy clay scrub, Beauty by Earth if you want cleansing and exfoliation in one step, or Andalou if you want a stated acid percentage. Mad Hippie combines particles with several acids, while DERMA E offers a mineral polish without the lactic and glycolic acid blends in those two picks. If your skin is already irritated or you regularly use exfoliating acids, a plain cleanser may make more sense than another scrub. If you need something for daily washing, compare our natural and organic face cleansers by format and scent.
We compared the current ingredient lists, scrub types and exact purchase sizes. The recommendations are based on what each formula contains and how it is used. We did not test particle size, irritation or treatment results.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Manufacturer information and US listings checked 8 November 2026. Formulas, packaging and stock may change.
Compare face scrubs by exfoliant and scent
Swipe sideways on a phone. Select a product name to jump to its recommendation and exact US purchase link.
| Product | Good starting point for | Checked US variant | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acure Brightening Facial Scrub | A clay scrub with noticeable particles | 4 fl oz, one tube | Walnut shell powder and essential oils |
| Beauty by Earth Cleansing Face Scrub | A wash and scrub for the same rinse-off step | 4 fl oz, one tube | Bamboo, pumice and peppermint oil |
| Andalou Resurfacing Gentle Glycolic Scrub | A stated acid percentage plus small beads | 1.7 oz, one container | Acids, enzymes and particles in one step |
| Mad Hippie MicroDermabrasion Facial | A creamy scrub with several acids | 2.1 fl oz, one jar | Pumice plus acids and citrus oils |
| DERMA E Microdermabrasion Scrub | A mineral polish without the AHA blends above | 2 oz, one jar | Alumina, pumice and citrus oils |
Our natural face scrub recommendations
1. Acure Brightening Facial Scrub
Why choose it: Acure combines walnut shell powder and lemon peel with algae extract and several clays. This is a straightforward option if you want a scrub you can feel and prefer a squeeze tube to a jar. The green color and clay are not a reason to scrub harder or leave it on as a mask.
What to know: Check the full list if you avoid walnut ingredients or essential oils. The brand lists spearmint, sage, lemongrass and lavender oils. Choose the single 4 fl oz tube: two-packs carry nearly identical listing names. The term Brightening describes the product’s cosmetic positioning; it is not evidence that it treats dark spots.
Check Acure Brightening Facial Scrub on Amazon
Source: manufacturer product details and ingredients.
2. Beauty by Earth Cleansing Face Scrub
Why choose it: If you want to combine cleansing and physical exfoliation on an occasional scrub day, this is the most direct fit. The current Superfruits and Calendula formula lists cleansing glucosides alongside bamboo stem powder and volcanic pumice. The manufacturer lists organic aloe and several organic plant extracts, but the finished tube is not presented here as certified organic.
What to know: The formula contains peppermint and sweet orange essential oils and lists walnut seed extract. This is the full-size tube, not the separate 2 fl oz travel product. Its two-in-one label is about the format; it does not make it an acne treatment or a reason to replace your regular non-scrub cleanser.
Check Beauty by Earth Cleansing Face Scrub on Amazon
Source: manufacturer product details and ingredients.
3. Andalou Resurfacing Gentle Glycolic Scrub
Why choose it: Choose this when you specifically want to know the acid percentages. Andalou lists 3% lactic acid and 2% glycolic acid, plus papaya enzymes and jojoba beads. That makes it easier to identify what kind of exfoliation you are adding than with an unspecified fruit-acid blend. The checked listing uses the current Resurfacing name. The label directs use in the evening on damp skin, with a contact time of up to 10 minutes before rinsing. Follow its sun protection instructions during use and for a week afterward.
What to know: The word Gentle is part of the name; it does not mean the formula is mild for every routine. Because this combines acids and physical exfoliation, use it in place of another exfoliant, rather than stacking it with a peel. It is a separate product from the brand’s older Lemon Sugar and CannaCell X.Foliate scrubs. The list also includes natural fragrance and citrus peel oil.
Check Andalou Resurfacing Gentle Glycolic Scrub on Amazon
Source: manufacturer product details and ingredients.
4. Mad Hippie MicroDermabrasion Facial
Why choose it: The manufacturer lists bamboo and pumice along with lactic, glycolic and mandelic acids. The creamy rinse-off format makes sense if you want one exfoliation step with both particles and acids. Buy it for that combination rather than expecting the same procedure or results as a professional microdermabrasion appointment.
What to know: The manufacturer and Amazon title describe a single 2.1 fl oz jar. Amazon’s separate size field says 2.1 oz, so check the package for net contents. Citrus oils add scent. If you prefer to control how many acids you use, the individually disclosed percentages on the Andalou page make that formula easier to compare.
Check Mad Hippie MicroDermabrasion Facial on Amazon
Source: manufacturer product details and ingredients.
5. DERMA E Microdermabrasion Scrub
Why choose it: The formula uses alumina, pumice, Dead Sea salt and kaolin. Choose it if you want a particle-based polish without the lactic and glycolic acid blends in the two previous picks. The 2 oz jar is the single product, rather than a three-pack or the listing bundled with scar gel.
What to know: Mineral ingredients are still abrasive, so apply light pressure. The manufacturer lists sweet almond oil and lime, lemon and orange oils. The product name describes an at-home scrub; do not use it as a replacement for scar treatment or a clinical procedure. This is a different SKU from DERMA E’s earlier Purifying Daily Facial Detox Scrub.
Check DERMA E Microdermabrasion Scrub on Amazon
Source: manufacturer product details and ingredients.
How to choose a natural or organic face scrub
Choose a type of exfoliation before choosing a brand
Physical scrubs use particles such as walnut shell, pumice, salt or jojoba beads. Their effect depends partly on how much pressure you apply. An acid exfoliant acts differently, and a hybrid formula combines two approaches in one rinse-off step. If you already use an acid toner or serum, a hybrid can duplicate a step you already have. If you want to avoid acids, check the whole ingredient list rather than assuming every scrub is particles only.
A scrub is optional even if the front label promises a smoother feel. For basic washing, a regular face cleanser is the simpler starting point. Avoid swapping in a body scrub just because its grains look similar: the product directions should specifically cover the face.
Match the ingredient list to your preferences
Fragrance and grit are separate choices. A product can contain natural oils that add scent and still feel very grainy. If scent is an issue, check for named essential oils as well as the words fragrance or parfum. If you avoid a particular nut ingredient, check the species and form on the label: walnut shell powder, walnut seed extract and sweet almond oil are different ingredients.
Choose based on the formula and your routine instead of a claim that one particle is always safer. The FDA explains that ingredient origin does not determine cosmetic safety. An organic extract also does not make the finished scrub certified organic. Look for the actual finished-product label and certifier if that standard is a requirement.
Compare packaging and the number of uses you need
A squeeze tube is practical when you want to dispense a little at a time. If you prefer a jar, use clean hands or the supplied clean scoop and close it after use. A 4 fl oz tube and a 2 oz jar do not always measure contents in the same unit. Compare unit prices only when the units are comparable, and confirm the listing is for one jar rather than a bundle. A larger container is less useful if you rarely exfoliate.
How to use a face scrub without overdoing it
The American Academy of Dermatology advises a gentle approach to at-home exfoliation. Follow the product’s directions and use this checklist to avoid doubling up:
- Check what else you use. Retinoids, retinol and benzoyl peroxide can make skin more sensitive; adding a scrub may increase irritation. Avoid scrubbing open cuts or sunburn.
- Apply to damp skin if directed and use light pressure. Keep a conventional mechanical scrub brief. For a hybrid like Andalou, follow that product’s specific contact time and sun protection directions. Avoid the delicate eye area.
- Rinse with lukewarm water and moisturize afterward. Compare our face moisturizer guide if you need a separate product for that step.
- Leave time between uses and adjust to your routine. Stop if the product stings, leaves lasting redness or makes skin feel raw. If you have ongoing acne or irritation, get appropriate advice instead of trying a stronger scrub.
What changed in this guide?
The earlier list included Andalou Lemon Sugar and CannaCell X.Foliate. The available current glycolic listing is a different product, and the checked CannaCell listing was out of stock. The current DERMA E recommendation is Microdermabrasion Scrub, not the old Purifying Daily Facial Detox Scrub. Older picks without a reliable current listing and manufacturer match were left out of the new comparison; that does not establish discontinuation.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a face scrub every day?
There is no universal schedule. Follow the label, but consider how often you already use exfoliating products and how your skin responds. A plain cleanser is enough for washing on days you skip the scrub.
What is the difference between a face scrub and an acid exfoliant?
A scrub uses particles and the motion of your hands. An acid exfoliant works differently without relying on that friction. Andalou and Mad Hippie combine both in a rinse-off formula.
Which pick has a stated AHA percentage?
Andalou lists 3% lactic acid and 2% glycolic acid. It also contains jojoba beads and papaya enzymes. The 5% total describes the two acids, not the strength of all exfoliating ingredients combined.
Does Acure Brightening Facial Scrub contain walnut?
The current manufacturer list includes walnut shell powder. If you avoid walnut ingredients, check the exact tube and ask the manufacturer if you need more detail.
Is natural or organic exfoliation always gentler?
No. Pressure, particles, acids and your existing skincare routine matter. Organic certification describes a production or labeling standard, not a guarantee about how the scrub will feel on your skin.
Will a face scrub clear acne or scars?
A cosmetic scrub can remove surface buildup, but this guide does not recommend any pick as treatment for acne or scarring. Scrubbing already inflamed skin can make irritation worse.
Can I use a scrub with a retinol or acid routine?
Consider skipping the scrub if your routine already exfoliates or makes your skin sensitive. The AAD specifically flags retinoids, retinol and benzoyl peroxide when considering exfoliation.
This article was last updated on November 10, 2026 .