Mark Greene
Let’s face it, guys – it’s 2020, skincare is not just for the ladies anymore. An exfoliating face scrub is an awesome way to care for your skin. Use it once or twice a week to help deep clean, remove dead skin and fight blackheads and clogged pores. It can also help to soften your skin and hair follicles to give you a smoother shave.
If you’ve never shopped for an exfoliator before, we get it. That’s why we have put this list together to help you out. Read on to learn about 10 of the best exfoliating face scrubs on the market in 2020, then check out our buyer’s guide at the bottom of this post to get an idea of what you should be looking for in an exfoliating face scrub.
The Best Exfoliator for Men
1. Our Pick: Jack Black Face Buff Energizing Scrub
BEST CHOICE
WHY PEOPLE LOVE IT
- Paraben-free formula that is kind on sensitive skin
- Great smell
- Light, refreshing feel
PROS
- The scrub will moisturize your skin without weighing it down. Will not leave your skin dry.
CONS
- They have recently changed the formula of this scrub – some guys prefer the older formula, but the quality is still the same.
DETAILS
This exfoliating scrub from Jack Black’s line of men’s grooming products is great for healthy-looking skin and a soft feel, at a relatively low price. It is specially formulated to be paraben-free, cruelty-free and hypoallergenic.
The scrub has a vitamin C and mint formula that feels refreshing as you use it, and leaves you with a light, clean feeling. It also smells great. The dense particles in the lather work to open up your pores for a deeper clean and scrub away dead skin and unwanted blemishes.
This would be a great product for a guy with oily or sensitive skin. The thick scrub is non-drying, meaning that you won’t have to deal with dry, flaky skin after using it, like with some products. It is also light enough to moisturize without leaving an oily residue behind. Best of all, it is safe for a guy with tree nut allergies.
2. Premium Pick: NIVEA MEN Protect & Care Exfoliating Face Scrub
PREMIUM PICK
WHY PEOPLE LOVE IT
- Simple and effective exfoliating scrub
- Protects your skin from drying elements
- Aloe vera soothes and cools skin
PROS
- This is a great scrub for someone with oily skin. It is super affordable and comfortable, and helps to give you better-looking skin with long term use.
CONS
- Not hypoallergenic or paraben-free – may not be the best product for someone with sensitive skin.
DETAILS
If we’re talking men’s skincare products, it’s hard not to bring Nivea into the conversation. This exfoliating scrub is one of their most popular men’s products right now, and it comes at an absolute steal.
The exfoliating particles in this scrub work hard to lift dead skin and scrub deep into pores. It is infused with aloe vera, to help heal and give your skin a cooling sensation. It also has vitamin B5, which helps to prevent your skin from drying out.
While this is one of the cheaper exfoliators out there, and definitely effective, it is not the most natural product available – if organic ingredients is what you’re looking for, this might not be the scrub for you. It is not certified paraben free or hypoallergenic. But it is great for protecting your skin. Apply it every day for the best results – you will have softer, smoother skin that does not get dry or oily throughout the day.
3. Best Value: Brickell Men’s Products Renewing Face Scrub
BEST VALUE
WHY PEOPLE LOVE IT
- Natural, mostly organic ingredients
- Great for oily skin or blackheads
- Light, fresh scent
PROS
- This scrub will leave your skin smooth and refreshed without exposing it ton tons of harsh chemicals. It won’t leave an oily residue on skin.
CONS
- The formula is a little more expensive for the size of the container – but compared to other organic products, it is a great value.
DETAILS
Brickell Men’s is one of the best in the business for delivering awesome, high-quality men’s products at a super affordable price. This exfoliating face scrub is no exception. It is made with pumice, avocado and jojoba beads, all of which work together to cleanse and soften your skin, leaving you refreshed and providing a consistently smoother shave.
One of the best things about this scrub is that it is made using almost entirely natural ingredients. 98% of the ingredients are natural, and about 70% are organic – that makes it great for a guy with sensitive skin or certain chemical allergies. It is also a certified vegan and paraben-free product.
A lot of guys love the smell of this scrub. It leaves your face smelling fresh without too much of a chemically or fruity scent. While it is designed for all men to use, it will work best for a guy with oily skin or someone who deals with a lot of blackheads and ingrown hairs. Use it every few days to help your pores stay clean and your skin stay smooth.
4. Baxter of California Facial Scrub
WHY PEOPLE LOVE IT
- Deep-cleaning, super effective formula
- Helps to promote healthy skin cell growth
- Leaves skin feeling clean and fresh with no residue
PROS
- This is a great scrub for tackling flaking skin or clogged pores. It cleans deep and helps your skin to be clearer and toned over time.
CONS
- It is not safe for someone with nut allergies. It is also a little more expensive than some others, especially for the size.
DETAILS
This is a thick and gritty facial scrub that works wonders to soften up your skin and hair follicles with regular use. While other exfoliators are more focused on cleaning and moisturizing the skin, this one really digs deep, scrubbing off dead skin cells and promoting healthy skin cell growth.
Unfortunately, there is some walnut powder used in this scrub, so it is not safe for use for guys with tree nut allergies. If you do not have an allergy, though, it is a pretty friendly formula, and will not dry out your skin or leave an oily residue. It does not leave much of a scent behind, either – this is just an exfoliator that will give you naturally fresh and health skin.
This would be a perfect scrub for someone who deals with regular blemishes, blackheads or flaky skin. Be aware, though – it does cost a little more than some other exfoliators on the market.
5. Man Arden Recharge Coffee Face Wash
WHY PEOPLE LOVE IT
- Natural ingredients
- Refreshing and energizing feeling
- Helps to improve skin tone over time
PROS
- This scrub can help to wake you up in the mornings, reduce the appearance of tired, puffy eyes, and give you a natural glow.
CONS
- It is not as effective of a cleanser as others – not great for someone with acne or oily skin.
DETAILS
This exfoliating scrub from Man Arden uses coffee grounds to clean and re-energize your skin. It helps to boost your skin tone, scrub off dead skin cells and protect your face from drying out throughout the day.
Alongside coffee, the formula incorporates vitamin E and aloe vera – both of which are great for giving you a cool, refreshing sensation. They also help to heal your skin and promote healthy cell growth. The coffee grounds are what acts as the exfoliating agent. That means that there are no harmful plastic or chemical particles in the scrub.
This is a good scrub to use once a day – in the mornings is best, so you can make the most of the refreshing zing it gives you. One downside is that it is not quite as effective as a cleaner compared to some of the other products on this list, so it might not be the best choice for you if you are struggling with serious acne or oily skin issues. But as a lightweight, energizing daily scrub, this is a perfect option.
6. DR Organic Face Wash Activated Charcoal
6. DR Organic Face Wash Activated Charcoal
WHY PEOPLE LOVE IT
- Purifying and detoxifying properties
- Not too harsh on the skin
- Natural, healing ingredients
PROS
- This facewash deeply cleans your face and draws out toxins from a polluted environment. It will leave you feeling refreshed and clean.
CONS
- Might dry out skin – this is not the best formula for someone who struggles with dry skin.
DETAILS
This charcoal scrub from Dr. Organic is a great unisex face scrub, designed to deep clean and purify skin without leaving any kind of nasty residue or chemically scent behind.
Rubbing charcoal on your face to clean it sounds weird, right? Actually, charcoal is a cleaning element that has been used in health and beauty products for centuries. It is known to draw out toxins and poisons from the body. That’s why a lot of people are turning to charcoal-based products to help combat the effects of polluted air and grime in an urban area.
While this is not a completely natural or hypoallergenic product, it does have a lot of great natural ingredients, including patchouli oil, cucumber extract and clove leaf oil. All of these work together with the charcoal compound to clean and exfoliate your face without being too harsh on your skin. This is a good choice for you if you don’t like the rough texture of a thicker exfoliator.
7. Dove Men + Care Body and Face Wash
WHY PEOPLE LOVE IT
- Fits right into your ordinary shower routine
- A simple, light cleansing formula
- Deep cleans and leaves skin renewed
PROS
- This is the perfect product for a guy who doesn’t want to branch off from their normal routine. You can exfoliate as you go, at an affordable price.
CONS
- Not as exfoliating as other products. It might not be the best choice for someone with more serious skin problems who needs a formula specific to their face.
DETAILS
A lot of the more low-maintenance types of guys out there like to keep it simple – one product for everything. We get that. While caring for your face requires a little more effort than caring for the rest of your skin, there are some good products out there that can work as a two-in-one without sacrificing your skin care.
This body and face wash has exfoliating particles that will deep clean as you scrub. The formula is standard for Dove’s products – simple, effective, and smells great without being too overpowering.
This is not a hypoallergenic product. However, it is totally safe for guys with nut allergies to use. You will not get quite the same exfoliating power out of this scrub as you would from a thicker face wash, but it does the trick, and helps you to soften and cleanse your skin without too much extra effort.
8. Kanapa by Xtend-Life Revitalizing Exfoliating Scrub for Men
WHY PEOPLE LOVE IT
- Naturally heals and revitalizes skin
- Great for smoothing out your skin before a shave
- Paraben-free and soft on sensitive skin
PROS
- This exfoliating scrub, used once or twice a week, will give you a fresh and renewed look without exposing your skin to too many harsh chemicals.
CONS
- It is not as moisturizing as some others – you’ll want to use a moisturizer on top of it.
DETAILS
This last exfoliating scrub on our list made by Kanapa is designed not just to cleanse and exfoliate your skin, but to heal and replenish it, too.
The formula is meant specifically for men. It will help to soften your skin and hair follicles for a smoother shave, and then promote healthy skin cell growth with all natural fruit enzymes. It is paraben-free, gentle for sensitive skin, and ideal for a guy with really oily or acne-prone skin.
One downside to this scrub is the lack of a hydrating or moisturizing element. While it won’t necessarily dry your skin out, it will not help to moisturize it, either – you should use it with an additional moisturizer, or avoid it if you have serious issues with dry skin.
Other than that, this is a great product to help you cleanse, soften and renew your skin. Use it once or twice a week, particularly before shaving, for the best effects. We would especially recommend it for someone who has been struggling with acne.
Features to Look for In a Men’s Exfoliator:
We have shown you a few of the top products on the market right now, but there are tons of other exfoliators out there designed for men. It can be tough to know what you are looking for, especially if it is not something you have shopped for in the past. To help you out, here are some of the most important things you are going to want to look for in an exfoliator.
Exfoliation:
First and foremost is the exfoliating properties of the scrub. All exfoliating scrubs will have a gritty texture or infused particles that help them to dig deep, open up your pores and lift off dead skin cells. The texture of an exfoliator will determine how tough or gentle it is on your skin. A thicker, grittier formula will be better at scrubbing and renewing, but might be a little too harsh on more sensitive skin. A lighter formula will be gentler, but less effective.
Allergens and sensitivities:
Speaking of sensitive skin, allergies are another important factor. A lot of skin care products have traces of tree nut in them, enough to trigger a reaction if you are severely allergic. If you have a nut allergy, make sure you check out the label on your exfoliator first. If you have any other chemical-related allergies or sensitivities, check for a hypoallergenic label on the package.
Scent:
Like a lot of skin and hair care products, some exfoliators come with a fruity or musty scent. If you are the kind of guy that does not like chemically or unnatural scents in your products, you should look for an exfoliator with more natural ingredients. A light menthol or herbal scent can compliment you without being overbearing.
FAQ:
Are exfoliators formulated differently for men and women?
Yes and no. Generally, a product targeted toward men instead of women will just come with a more masculine scent. That said, some men’s exfoliants might be a little rougher, or have more exfoliating power, than women’s – that is to help soften facial hair before shaving.
Why should I use an exfoliator?
An exfoliator, as opposed to your ordinary facewash, actively works to open your pores and remove dead skin. They can help to prevent skin from getting oily or blackheads from developing. They also promote healthier skin cell growth by removing dead skin layers.
Conclusion:
Men’s skin care is evolving. There are tons of products out there to help you look and feel better, without too much extra effort. An exfoliator can help you clear up acne and blemishes and leave your skin feeling soft and energized. Any of the products on this list would be a great way to shake up your daily routine. Just be aware – your wife or girlfriend is going to want to steal it.
