The face scrubs included in our edit below are gentle and formulated for daily or weekly use, but those with certain skin concerns should be careful with any type of exfoliation. If you’re dealing with a breakout, more often than not look for exfoliating acids, like the aforementioned BHAs and AHAs over scrubs.
For combination skin, derms often recommend a physical-chemical hybrid. The sandy texture removes dead skin cells with friction, while acids and enzymes get rid of oil without bothering your dry spots.
“It’s important not to overload the skin with too many exfoliants in one regime as this could lead to an impaired skin barrier and, ultimately, sensitised skin,” Daniel says. “If you’re using high-strength exfoliating treatments, we always recommend that you follow the product’s specific guidelines. Additionally, we recommend that you look at the ingredients in the rest of your skincare routine, to ensure that you’re not overloading your complexion with too many exfoliating acids.”
Dr Angela Tewari agrees: “I think those that have rosacea, sensitive skin or have acne-prone skin and have treated their skin already with a number of acids need to be very careful and need to ensure if they want to use a scrub the kernels are very fine and don’t cause any skin abrasions.”