Exfoliating Scrubs
Description
November 1, 2022
By Lisa Petrison
Physical exfoliators seem to be less popular than they once were, due in large part to chemical exfoliators such as those containing ALA’s becoming more advanced.
The finding that the synthetic beads used in some products are bad for the environment seems to have been an additional reason that this entire category of products has become less prominent.
The products discussed on this page all include grains made of natural materials rather than synthetics.
While I feel that some of these products are a bit too rough for my facial skin, others have finer grains that seem to work better for me.
In addition, I have found the products with the larger natural particles to be helpful to me as hand scrubs.
If I use those scrubs on my hands at least a couple of times a week, my hands seem to absorb moisturizers much more effectively and to survive the winter in much better shape.
TOP PICKS
♣ Living Clean Superstars:
Burt’s Bees Sensitive Gentle Face Scrub ($10)
+Honest Skin Sweep Exfoliating Powder Cleanser ($22)
Mineral Fusion Skin-Renewing Face Scrub ($16)
Tatcha The Rice Polish Calming ($22)
The Outset Exfoliating Caffeine Micro Polish ($34)
♦ Additional Possibilities:
Aveda Botanical Kinetics Radiant Skin Refiner ($48)
♦ Not Yet Tried:
Goop Goopglow Microderm Instant Glow Exfoliator ($42)
♥ Lisa’s Choice:
Burt’s Bees Sensitive Gentle Face Scrub ($10)
Honest Skin Sweep Exfoliating Powder Cleanser ($22)
√ Tatcha The Rice Polish Calming ($22)
Notes:
1) Living Clean Superstars – Products with high scores on both Performance Rating (5) as well as Ingredients Rating (4/5). + Clean Pick (Ingredients Rating = 5).
2) Lisa’s Choice – Products that I would purchase for my own personal use. √ Lisa’s Favorite
The next section contains affiliate links. Living Clean in a Dirty World may receive a commission if readers click on these links and then purchase products. Living Clean in a Dirty World also may accept product review samples but receives no other compensation from companies mentioned on this website.
Aveda Botanical Kinetics Radiant Skin Refiner – $48
Overall Rating: 
(4 / 5)
Performance Rating: 
(5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: 
(3 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Processed Fragrance: None
The description of this product reads, “Creamy, clay-based scrub exfoliates with bamboo extract and energizes with tourmaline to leave skin radiant and refined. Dermatologist-tested. Non-acnegenic.”
Although this cleanser contains a PEG (polyethylene glycol), I found it to feel pretty clean to me and to be non-irritating to my skin.
It is totally fragrance-free and the smell seems fine to me.
The exfoliating grains in it are pretty large, though.
Whether that is problematic, I don’t know, but I have nonetheless moved to using either products with very fine grains (such as the Tatcha one) or with chemical exfoliants (such as AHA’s) on my face.
I have continued to use this scrub (and similar ones) on my hands and feel that it has worked really well for that.
Size: 3.4 oz.
Aveda Rating: 4.9 Stars (47 reviews)
Credo Clean: No
Clean at Sephora: Unclear
Drunk Elephant Clean: Meets Criteria
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (PEG, Phenoxyethanol)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 3 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: PEG-100 stearate (3), Phenoxyethanol (4), Titanium dioxide (3)
Fragrance Ingredients: None
All Ingredients: Water, Bamboo Stem Powder, Calcium Carbonate, Glycerin, Stearic Acid, Cetyl Esters, Cetyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Kaolin, Potassium Stearate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Caffeine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tourmaline, Bentonite, Sucrose, Sunflower Seed Oil, Sunflower Seed Extract, Poria Cocos Sclerotium Extract, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, PEG-100 Stearate, Simethicone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Phytate, Phenoxyethanol, Titanium Dioxide
Burt’s Bees Sensitive Gentle Face Scrub – $10
♥ Lisa’s Choice
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: (5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (4 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Processed Fragrance: None
The description of this product reads, “Burt’s Bees Gentle Facial Scrub for Sensitive Skin gently exfoliates to reveal radiant skin without over-drying.”
The grains in this product are fairly large and noticeable.
There is no added fragrance and I have found the scent to be pleasant.
The product includes a Saccharomyces ferment, which to my understanding has the potential of adding beneficial microbes to the skin.
It has seemed to work fine on my face without irritating it, but I have mostly just used it on my hands.
Although it is an inexpensive product, I have found it to work about the same as the Aveda one.
Size: 4 oz.
Burt’s Bees Rating: 4.5 Stars (50 reviews)
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Clean at Sephora: Unclear
Drunk Elephant Clean: Meets Criteria
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate)
Think Dirty Rating: 4 (yellow)
EWG Product Rating: 2 (green)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 4 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Phenoxyethanol (4), Sodium benzoate (3)
Fragrance Ingredients: None
All Ingredients: Water, decyl glucoside, glycerin, betaine, glycolipids, carnauba wax, aloe barbadensis leaf juice, carrageenan, citric acid, coco-glucoside, glyceryl oleate, xanthan gum, saccharomyces ferment, sucrose, tocopherol, hydrogenated palm glycerides citrate, lecithin, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, ascorbyl palmitate, phenoxyethanol.
Goop Goopglow Microderm Instant Glow Exfoliator – $42
Performance Rating: Not Yet Rated
Ingredients Rating: (4 / 5)
Processed Fragrance: Lime Oil, Orange Oil, Lemon Oil, Mandarin Orange Oil, Lavendula Hybrida Oil, Vetiver Oil, Citral, Limonene
The description of this product reads, “Goopglow Microderm Instant Glow Exfoliator is inspired by the transformative brightening, smoothing effects of popular in-office microdermabrasion treatments. It’s a dual-action microdermabrasion exfoliator that delivers the benefits of both physical and chemical exfoliation, instantly polishing away roughness, smoothing uneven texture, and revealing a healthy-looking, glowing complexion. The air-whipped, almost marshmallow-like formula is densely packed with a blend of four powerful glow-inducing microexfoliating minerals (quartz, garnet, alumina, and silica) plus glycolic acid to help sweep away dry, dead skin cells and refine the appearance of pores for skin that is visibly softer, smoother, and more radiant.”
I have yet to try this product but am looking forward to doing so soon.
Size: 0.5 oz.
Credo Clean: Yes
Clean at Sephora: Yes
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Quartz, Essential Oils)
EWG Ingredients Rating: 6 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Glycolic acid (4), Sodium hydroxide (4), Quartz (6), Lime oil (4), Orange oil (5), Lemon oil (6), Mandarin orange oil (5), Citral (5), Limonene (5)
Fragrance Ingredients: Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Zizyphus Jujuba Seed Extract, Lime Oil, Orange Peel Oil, Lemon Peel Oil, Mandarin Orange Oil, Lavendula Hybrida Oil, Vetiveria Zizanoides Root Oil, Citral, Limonene
All Ingredients: Water, Alumina, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycolic Acid, Hydrated Silica, Meadowfoam Seed Oil, Squalane, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Olivate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sorbitan Olivate, Garnet Powder, Quartz, Ascorbic Acid, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Zizyphus Jujuba Seed Extract, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Seed Oil, Olive Leaf Extract, Safflower Seed Oil, Lime Oil, Orange Peel Oil, Lemon Peel Oil, Mandarin Orange Oil, Lavendula Hybrida Oil, Vetiveria Zizanoides Root Oil, Shea Butter, Glyceryl Caprylate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Citric Acid, Phenethyl Alcohol, Xylitol, Caprylic Acid, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Galactoarabinan, Decyl Glucoside, Levan, Dehydroxanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Citral, Limonene
Honest Skin Sweep Exfoliating Powder Cleanser – $22
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: (5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (5 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Processed Fragrance: None
The description of this product reads, “This water-activated cleanser detoxifies and purifies the skin by washing away debris and impurities, morning and night, gentle enough for daily use. A Sea Salt Concentrate acts as a natural exfoliator that gently exfoliates dead and dry skin cells away, and helps to provide essential minerals to the skin. The Skin Sweep Exfoliating Powder Cleanser is particularly good for dull or dry skin as it helps to exfoliate dead skin cells. However, it was formulated to be gentle enough for people with sensitive skin or any other skin type and skin texture. With powder cleanser, you control your cleanse. To use, mix about a teaspoon of the product with water (hot or cold) to transform it into a light foam. But to personalize your cleansing experience, use more or less based powder on your preference and desired results. If you use a higher powder to water ratio it will also be more similar to an exfoliating face wash and adding a higher water to powder ratio will make it smoother and foamier. A powder facial cleanser is great for travel and TSA friendly, since they are non liquid.”
This product has finer exfoliating grains than some of the other products mentioned here.
The ingredients list looks very clean, with nothing that EWG finds to be problematic.
I have used this product on my face on a number of occasions and feel that it has been good for my skin.
It contains no fragrance ingredients and I have not noticed any smell at all.
Especially considering the affordable price, I might buy this product again.
Size: 1.4 oz.
Amazon Rating: 4.7 Stars (48 reviews)
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: Meets Criteria
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Yes
EWG Product Rating: EWG Verified
EWG Ingredient Rating: 1 (green)
EWG Problem Ingredients: None
Fragrance Ingredients: None
All Ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Magnesium Oxide, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Cellulose Acetate, Rice Starch, Coconut Acid, Sodium Chloride, Oat Kernel Flour, Sea Salt, Populus Tremuloides Bark Extract, Glutamic Acid, Kaolin, Sodium Isethionate, Water
Mineral Fusion Skin-Renewing Face Scrub – $16
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: (5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (4 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Processed Fragrance: Rose Geranium Oil, Natural Fragrance
The description of this product reads, “Finely ground Garnet, Sea Clay, and Walnut give Mineral Fusion’s Skin-Renewing Face Scrub its physically exfoliating powers that buff away dullness to reveal your skin’s natural vibrance. But that’s not all: plant enzymes Papain and Bromelain double up the exfoliation factor while a unique blend of Licorice Root, Aloe Vera, Cucumber, Lavender, and Rosemary help nourish and calm sensitive skin. The result is skin so soft and smooth your makeup goes on effortlessly.”
I have used this scrub interchangeably with the Aveda one and feel that they have worked similarly for me.
Although this product includes a number of essential oils and other natural fragrance ingredients, I have found the smell to be mild and unobjectionable.
I didn’t realize that it had enzymes in it until I re-read the description, and so I am not sure how helpful those are.
I feel that this product has been okay on my face, but I have mostly used it on my hands.
I would consider buying this product again.
Size: 4 oz.
Mineral Fusion Rating: 4.9 Stars (43 reviews)
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Clean at Sephora: Unclear
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Natural Fragrance, Essential Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Glyceryl Laurate)
EWG Product Rating: 3 (yellow)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 5 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Licorice root extract (5), Geranium flower oil (4), Phenoxyethanol (4), Glyceryl laurate (3), Rosehip oil (3), Natural Fragrance (8).
Fragrance Ingredients: Cucumber fruit extract, Arnica montana flower extract, Matricaria flower extract, Lavender flower extract, Borage seed oil, Echnacea purpurea extract, Rosa canina oil, Papain, Rose geranium flower oil, Natural fragrance
All Ingredients: Mineral Water, Walnut Shell Powder, Sunflower Seed Oil*, Vegetable Glycerin, Aloe Vera Leaf Juice*, Stearic Acid, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Glyceryl Monolaurate, Licorice Root Extract*, Tocopherol, Montmorillonite Clay, Garnet Powder, Cucumber Fruit Extract*, Panthenol, Allantoin, Sea Kelp Extract, Flax Seed Oil, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract*, Arnica Montana Flower Extract*, Matricaria Flower Extract*, Lavender Flower Extract*, White Tea Leaf Extract*, Borage Seed Oil, Echinacea Purpurea Extract*, Rosa Canina Oil*, Bromelain, Papain, Jojoba Seed Oil*, Rose Geranium Flower Oil, Olive Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Natural Fragrance.
Tatcha The Rice Polish Calming – $22
♥ Lisa’s Choice
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: (5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (4 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Processed Fragrance: None
The description of this product reads, “The Rice Polish gives your skin a new beginning through non-abrasive exfoliation and pure Japanese ingredients delivered in a cloud-like foam. Finely ground rice bran promotes natural skin turnover to instantly reveal a smooth, makeup-ready canvas. The pH neutral, amino acid base formula provides effective cleansing without stripping skin of essential moisture or breaking the skin’s barrier function, leaving skin baby-soft and supple. Hadasei-3, a trio of fermented Japanese superfoods – green tea, rice and algae – helps restore healthy-looking radiance. Tailored for senstive skin, The Rice Polish: Calming features natural Japanese indigo to soothe irritation.”
I really like this exfoliator from Tatcha.
The particles are very finely ground, with the dry powder turning into a foaming scrub-cleanser on my face.
Four different versions – combo-to-dry, combo-to-oily, dry-to-mature, and sensitive – are offered.
I have only tried the sensitive (“Calming”) version. There is not any scent and my face feels good after I use it.
Although a full-size jar is expensive, very little of the product is needed per use and I have not been using it that often.
I suspect that I will buy this product again but will stick with the travel-sized version (0.5 oz., currently $22).
The regular size (2.1 oz., currently $68) seems like it would be much too much product for me as well as on the costly side.
It also comes in a container that is somewhat bulky and reportedly awkward to use.
Size: 0.5 oz.
Tatcha Rating: 4.7 Stars (217 reviews)
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Clean at Sephora: Yes
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Phenoxyethanol)
Think Dirty Rating: 4 (yellow)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 4 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Phenoxyethanol (4), Titanium dioxide (3)
Fragrance Ingredients: None
All Ingredients: Microcrystalline cellulose, rice powder, sodium lauryl phosphate, sodium palmoyl glutamate, sodium lauroyl glutamate, lauryl betaine, sodium lauroyl methylaminopropionate, saccharomyces, camellia sinensis leaf, cladosiphon okamuranus, rice ferment filtrate*, polygonum tinctorium leaf, stem extract, indigofera tinctoria leaf extract, colloidal oatmeal, hydrolyzed conchiolin protein, rice bran, water, propanediol, ethylhexylglycerin, butylene glycol, phytosteryl/octyldodecyl lauroyl glutamate, tocopherol, alcohol, phenoxyethanol, titanium dioxide, tin oxide, mica.
The Outset Exfoliating Caffeine Micro Polish – $34
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: (5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (4 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Processed Fragrance: None
The description of this product reads, “Your one-minute deep cleansing facial. Like a morning cup of coffee for the skin, this gentle mineral scrub with energizing caffeine revitalizes, visibly smooths and brightens a dull or lackluster complexion. Created for Scarlett’s sensitive skin, this renewing facial scrub is a gentle alternative to more aggressive exfoliants and can be safely used daily to renew and brighten the skin. By clearing away dead skin cells and debris, it allows your skin to receive the maximum benefits of your serums or moisturizers. The cushiony, emollient scrub allows you to control the level of exfoliation based on your skin type. Apply on slightly drier skin for a more gentle treatment, or add more water to for a deeper scrub.”
Size: 3.3 oz.
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: Meets Criteria
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Chlorphenesin)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 3 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Chlorphenesin (3).
Fragrance Ingredients: Matricaria Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
All Ingredients: Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Water, Sucrose Stearate, Perlite, Sunflower Seed Oil, Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide, Caffeine, Matricaria Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Allantoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Chlorphenesin, Xanthan Gum, Cellulose Gum, Tocopherol.
Shopping List
This section lists products that seem that they may have potential and that I am hoping to try in the near future.
Readers are highly encouraged to bring other relevant products that they have tried to my attention so that I can add them to this list.
Aveda Botanical Kinetics Exfoliating Creme Cleanser – $33
Cocokind Sea Moss Exfoliator – $20
W3LL People Plant Powderfoliant – $18
About This Website
The Living Clean in a Dirty World shopping website is designed to provide guidance to those seeking out products that are relatively low in toxicity and that provide generally positive user experiences.
Although the skincare and makeup sections have a particular focus on products appropriate for women who are in their 40’s or beyond, the information provided may be useful for other people as well.
The products are curated by Lisa Petrison, who has been focused on helping people to improve their health by avoiding toxicity since 2008 and who heads the Paradigm Change organization.
Her Living Clean in a Dirty World blog site discusses a variety of topics of relevance to those who are working to pursue a more natural lifestyle with less exposure to harmful toxicity.
Lisa is the author of several books, including A Beginner’s Guide to Mold Avoidance (co-written with Erik Johnson).
She also runs the Paradigm Change website (focusing on issues related to toxic mold illness) and the Mold Avoiders Facebook group (designed for the discussion of all topics of interest to those pursuing the mold avoidance approach described in the “Beginner’s Guide” book).
Lisa was born in August 1964 and has yet to try cosmetic surgery, Botox or other cosmetic treatments requiring interactions with a physician, or beauty products containing retinoids.
In her former life, Lisa worked as a business school professor, as a marketing consultant to a variety of large companies, and as a reporter covering the advertising industry.
She holds a Ph.D. in marketing and social psychology from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University as well as B.S./M.S. degrees from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern.
Lisa would like to extend a special note of appreciation to Ellen Kleiman-Redden for her help in trying out products and discussing issues related to this project.
She also would like to thank the many members of the Mold Avoiders community who have shared suggestions of products to be included here.
A Note From Lisa
Products that I have tried or researched and that I have not found to be acceptable from a toxicity standpoint have been omitted entirely from the discussions on this website.
However, since a goal of this project is to introduce people to a range of options in terms of price and functionality, some products discussed on this site include ingredients that may not be appropriate for everyone.
It’s my hope that all individuals making their way to this site will find at least a few options from each product category that meet all of their own needs and wants from a variety of perspectives.
The vast majority of cosmetics marketers now offer affiliate programs in which Internet content creators may earn commissions if people who are referred to the companies’ sites by clicking on links end up making purchases.
I participate in quite a few individual affiliate programs as well as in the Sovrn/Viglinks program (which automatically converts regular links into revenue-generating links).
Links on this page that may result in affiliate income may include – but are not necessarily limited to – those from the following companies: Amazon, Aveda, Boom, Burt’s Bees, Cocokind, Credo, Goop, Honest, Mineral Fusion, Ulta, Sephora, and Tatcha.
Reader comments (positive or negative) about products discussed on this website are very welcome.
Thoughts may be shared either by posting them in the comments section at the bottom of this page or by sending them directly to me at the following email address:
info at paradigmchange dot me
Companies that would like to offer me complimentary products to try out may contact me at this address as well.
Individuals who are seeking out less-toxic products or who are interested in pursuing a cleaner and healthier lifestyle may want to sign up to receive occasional email newsletters from Living Clean in a Dirty World.
Thanks very much for visiting the Living Clean in a Dirty World shopping site!
Links on this page are in orange (no underlining).
