Between cleansing, moisturising, and applying sunscreen, there lies another important skincare step – scrubbing. Unlike the other three crucial skincare steps, facial exfoliating is not a daily affair yet it wields the power to deeply cleanse the pores and rid them of stubborn build-up of sebum, grime and dead skin cells.
While physical scrubs with exfoliating particles suit men’s tough skin (and give an odd satisfaction), the advanced skincare space also accommodates liquid or chemical exfoliants for those who prefer gentler, quicker options. So, we have pooled all these options and more in our list of the 12 best exfoliating scrubs for men.
Physical Face Scrubs
1. Pre-Shave Prep
Razor bumps can be a menace which can irritate the skin and make shaving a painful routine. The Spruce Shave Club’s Charcoal Face Scrub prevents ingrown hair with activated charcoal that absorbs toxins and impurities, walnut grits to buff away dead skin cells and roughness as well as tea tree to keep acne-causing bacteria away.
2. De-Tanning
We always love a jolt of caffeine for our senses but we equally love it for the skin especially when it’s dull and scorched by the harsh sun rays. Beardo’s De-Tan Face Scrub tackles tanning and hyperpigmentation with a double shot of caffeine thanks to its rich formula that’s made with coffee powder and coffee oil. It also contains almond oil which softens the skin and makes getting rid of excess melanin and dead skin cells easy.
3. Nykaa Man Best Seller
Since men’s skin is 25% thicker, it can get grittier and oilier so tanning, roughness, and breakouts can become common occurrences. Ustraa’s best-selling De-Tans Face Scrub has bigger walnut grits to thoroughly exfoliate your tough skin, vitamin C to fight off antioxidants, free radicals and sun damage and natural pineapple and sugarcane extracts to fight premature signs of ageing like fine lines and wrinkles.
4. Homegrown Clean Beauty
As the ‘gold winner’ under Reader’s Digest’s Trusted Brand 2023 category, this clean formulation was a shoo-in. It has a unique exfoliating formula that comprises Mother Of Pearl powder, aloe vera, sunflower oil, and jojoba oil that gently exfoliates away dead skin cells, boosts collagen, improves skin elasticity and refines the pores.
Chemical Exfoliators
5. Hydrating Formula For Dry Skin
If your dry skin tends to get tight and dehydrated with scrubbing particles, shift your focus to this gentle exfoliant by Gunam. An Indian-origin brand with its formulations hailing from France, this blend of science-backed actives like salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide as well as natural extracts like aloe vera, rose and vetiver exfoliates the skin while hydrating and soothing the skin without making the skin feel heavy or tight.
6. For The Once-In-While Lads
All those who visit facial exfoliation once in a blue moon, we see you – and don’t blame you. Keeping up with all the steps of a skincare routine can sometimes be tiresome but hey brownie point on trying. For this clan, we recommend Ordinary’s AHA BHA peeling solution but in the mini size. This 15ml comes bearing AHAs like glycolic acid, lactic acid, citric acid, and BHA like salicylic acid. This beet-red solution needs to be used just once a week to help you make good on your exfoliating resolutions. Moreover, you can get through the 15ml vial without worrying about the product going bad.
7. Sensitive Skin Saviour
If you still haven’t found your sensitive skin’s match in an exfoliator, the Dermalogica Daily Milkfoliant may just fill up that position. The star component is the coconut milk + oat bran extract that instantly softens and soothes the skin. The trio of AHA, BHA and papaya enzymes polishes away dead skin cells. It also has hyaluronic acid to retain the skin's natural moisture barrier.
8. For Daily Use
Conventionally, any exfoliator ought to be used once to twice a week. However, toners are a great way to incorporate chemical exfoliants daily without stripping the skin of its natural oils. This method is great for all skin types, and COSRX’s Refresh AHA BHA Vitamin C Daily Toner says it all! The great part here is that the AHA and BHA components are derived naturally from fruit extracts like kiwi, dragon fruits, and apples. It’s also infused with Vitamin C to provide a healthy glow.
Additional Options
9. Classic Manual Silicone Brush
If you want to stick to just a single step of cleansing then make the most of your face wash by polishing the skin with a manual silicone brush once in a while to exfoliate the skin at the same time. The gentle silicone bristles remove deep-rooted grime and dead skin cells for smoother skin.
Nykaa Man Recommends:
10. Battery-Powered With Multi-Speed Action
If tanning and hyperpigmentation persist, then dispense some face wash on a battery-powered silicone brush. This cleansing tool comes with different speeds depending on the intensity of exfoliation you want to go for. The vibration also gently massages the face for an oddly satisfying skincare ritual.
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11. Exfoliating Sponge
If you find bristles to be a bit abrasive on the skin, opt for a cleansing sponge. They’re gentler and require little product to give the skin a thorough cleanse while gently lifting away dust, pollution and acne-causing bacteria.
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12. Detachable Face Wash Heads
Many face washes come with detachable cleansing brushes that give you the benefit of cleansing and exfoliating. For days when your skin needs an extra deep cleanse, attach the head and work the face wash in gentle circular motions for a healthier, refreshed complexion.
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Incorporating an extra skincare step may be daunting but exfoliating the skin at least once a week can truly improve your skin’s appearance. We hope you use this curation to find a face exfoliant that works best with your grooming routine.
