Best Face Scrubs November 2026
Compare the highest-ranked chemical and enzyme exfoliators to find the best match for your skin type and routine. This independent overview lets you evaluate active ingredients, bottle sizes, and key pros and cons across top brands. Use our side-by-side comparison to choose the right formula for your skincare goals.
Last updated: 1 November 2026
The list is unchanged since the last update.
Face Scrub: Top 5
1
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner 100ml
from £5.796 stores
from £5.79
6 stores
2
The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution 30ml
from £8.906 stores
from £8.90
6 stores
3
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant 118ml
from £25.502 stores
from £25.50
2 stores
4
Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel 50ml
from £14.999 stores
from £14.99
9 stores
5
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant 74g
from £51.795 stores
from £51.79
5 stores
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner offers chemical exfoliation designed to brighten skin tone and smooth texture. Its formula combines glycolic acid with soothing aloe vera and contains no added fragrance. It works across normal, combination, oily, and dry skin types.
Pros
Contains 7% glycolic acid and aloe vera
Fragrance-free and vegan formula
Generous 100 ml bottle size
Cons
May cause irritation on sensitive skin
Liquid toner format requires cotton pads
The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution is an intensive rinse-off chemical exfoliant that targets blemishes, pore congestion, and uneven texture. It combines glycolic and salicylic acids for deep epidermal renewal. The formula is vegan, cruelty-free, and free of artificial fragrance.
£8.90
£0.30/ml/g
In stock
£8.90
£0.30/ml/g
In stock
Pros
Strong 30% AHA and 2% BHA acid blend
Targets pores and signs of aging
Fragrance-free and paraben-free
Cons
Too intense for sensitive skin types
Small 30 ml bottle quantity
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant clears clogged pores, smooths wrinkles, and evens out skin tone. Its leave-on formula uses salicylic acid to penetrate deep inside the pore lining. It is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive and mature skin.
Pros
Formulated with 2% salicylic acid
Suitable for sensitive and mature skin
Large 118 ml bottle volume
Fragrance-free and cruelty-free
Cons
Higher price tier than budget toners
Leave-on liquid can feel slightly tacky
Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel uses natural fruit enzymes alongside glycolic acid to dissolve dead skin cells without mechanical scrubbing. This smooth cream mask targets mature skin and dullness while remaining gentle on the complexion. It is cruelty-free and formulated without parabens.
£14.99
£0.30/ml/g
In stock
£21.85
£0.44/ml/g
In stock
£27.30
£0.55/ml/g
In stock
Pros
Gentle natural fruit enzyme action
Contains glycolic acid and papaya enzymes
Paraben-free and cruelty-free
Cons
Contains only 50 ml per tube
Premium brand pricing
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant is a powder-based exfoliant that activates upon contact with water, releasing papain enzymes, salicylic acid, and rice actives. It gently smooths and brightens the skin without stripping essential moisture. The fragrance-free formula is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
£64.74
£0.87/ml/g
In stock
£65.00
£0.88/ml/g
In stock
Pros
Combines salicylic and glycolic acids
Gentle enough for daily cleansing
Fragrance-free formula
Suitable for sensitive skin
Cons
Requires manual mixing with water
Higher initial purchase price
Compare specifications
| Type | Chemical | Chemical | Chemical | Enzyme | Chemical |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skin type | Normal, Combination, Dry, Oily | Normal, Combination, Dry, Oily, Mature | Normal, Combination, Dry, Oily, All, Sensitive, Mature | All, Mature | Normal, Combination, Oily, All, Sensitive |
| Suitable for | Women, Men | Women, Men | Women, Men | Women, Men | Women, Men |
| Price /ml/g | 100 | 30 | 118 | 50 | 74 |
| Features | Exfoliating, Peeling Solution, Brightening | Exfoliating, Anti-aging, Pore minimising, Peeling Solution, Brightening | Exfoliating, Anti-aging, Pore minimising, Peeling Solution, Brightening | Exfoliating, Anti-aging | Moisturising, Exfoliating, Brightening |
| Active Ingredients | Glycolic Acid (AHA), Aloe Vera | Salicylic Acid (BHA), Glycolic Acid (AHA) | Salicylic Acid (BHA) | Glycolic Acid (AHA), Enzymes | Salicylic Acid (BHA), Glycolic Acid (AHA) |
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.
