Best Face Scrubs September 2026
Compare the most popular face scrubs and exfoliating treatments to find the right formula for your skin type. Our independent ranking highlights key differences in active ingredients, bottle sizes, and textures so you can choose with confidence.
Last updated: 1 September 2026
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant 118ml climbed 2 positions
Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel 50ml dropped 2 positions
Face Scrub: Top 5
1
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner 100ml
from £5.187 stores
from £5.18
7 stores
2
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant 118ml
from £11.094 stores
2
from £11.09
4 stores
3
Clinique Exfoliating Scrub 100ml
from £9.9611 stores
from £9.96
11 stores
4
Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel 50ml
from £18.658 stores
2
from £18.65
8 stores
5
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant 30ml
from £12.954 stores
from £12.95
4 stores
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner is a chemical exfoliant designed to improve skin texture and boost radiance. Its leave-on formula combines alpha hydroxy acid with aloe vera to gently resurface the outer layers of the skin. It suits normal, combination, dry, and oily complexions looking for targeted brightening.
Pros
Contains 7% glycolic acid (AHA)
Fragrance-free and vegan formula
Includes soothing aloe vera
Generous 100ml bottle size
Cons
May irritate very sensitive skin
Liquid toner format, not a physical scrub
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant is a popular leave-on chemical treatment that unclogs pores and smooths uneven texture. The fluid texture penetrates deep into the pores, making it especially beneficial for breakout-prone and mature skin. It works effectively across all skin types without added fragrances.
Pros
Formulated with 2% salicylic acid (BHA)
Targets pores and blemishes
Fragrance-free and cruelty-free
Generous 118ml bottle size
Cons
Higher price tier than basic toners
Can cause mild dryness if overused
Clinique Exfoliating Scrub offers a classic physical exfoliation experience designed to polish the skin surface. It helps remove dead surface cells and reduce excess oil for a clearer, smoother complexion. It is best suited for combination and oily skin types.
Pros
Traditional scrub texture
Suitable for oily and combination skin
100ml tube size
Unisex formulation
Cons
Not formulated for dry skin types
Lacks chemical peeling acids
Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel uses natural fruit enzymes and glycolic acid to gently refresh and brighten the complexion. It serves as a non-abrasive peeling cream that supports smoother skin texture without harsh scrubbing grains. It is particularly gentle for mature skin and delicate complexions.
Pros
Gentle enzyme-based exfoliation
Contains glycolic acid and papaya enzymes
Cruelty-free and paraben-free
Geared toward mature and sensitive skin
Cons
Smaller 50ml quantity
Positioned in a premium price tier
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant in 30ml provides the same acclaimed pore-clearing formula in an easy travel format. It gently dissolves debris inside pores while calming inflammation and smoothing rough texture. It offers an ideal way to test the formula before committing to the full-size bottle.
Pros
Compact 30ml travel-friendly bottle
Formulated with 2% salicylic acid (BHA)
Soothes and minimizes pores
Fragrance-free and cruelty-free
Cons
Higher cost per millilitre than 118ml
Small 30ml volume depletes quickly
Compare specifications
| Type | Chemical | Chemical | — | Enzyme | Chemical |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skin type | Normal, Combination, Dry, Oily | Normal, Combination, Dry, Oily, All, Sensitive, Mature | Normal, Combination, Oily | All, Mature | Normal, Combination, Dry, Oily, All, Sensitive, Mature |
| Suitable for | Women, Men | Women, Men | Women, Men | Women, Men | Women, Men |
| Price /ml/g | 100 | 118 | 100 | 50 | 30 |
| Features | Exfoliating, Peeling Solution, Brightening | Exfoliating, Anti aging, Pore minimising, Peeling Solution, Brightening | Exfoliating | Exfoliating, Anti aging | Exfoliating, Soothing, Pore minimising, Peeling Solution, Brightening |
| Active Ingredients | Glycolic Acid (AHA), Aloe Vera | Salicylic Acid (BHA) | — | Glycolic Acid (AHA), Enzymes | Salicylic Acid (BHA) |
How we create the list
The ranking is updated monthly and is based on data we collect from our own platform. Products that rank highly are popular among our users while also maintaining high quality according to editorial expert assessments. Specifically, we weigh how many users follow the product via price alerts or lists, how it is rated by experts and users, as well as how much traffic it generates to stores and how well it is represented in retail. The texts on this page are AI-generated and created to give you a quick and clear overview. No products are paid placements – the ranking is driven solely by data.
