Besides the fact that they slough away dead skin cells and help heal dry patches, there are plenty of other reasons to incorporate one of the best exfoliating body washes into your shower routine. If you're dealing with body acne or a bumpy skin condition like keratosis pilaris (aka KP), using an exfoliating body wash can help drastically. They can also help you achieve smoother skin by allowing your body lotions and creams to penetrate more easily into the skin. Exfoliators also help prevent ingrown hairs when shaving, and they create a smoother canvas for your spray tan — so even if you aren't using a scrub regularly, you absolutely want to add one into your routine before and after a fake tan.
Finding the best scrub for your body comes down to your skin type and preference. Gritty exfoliators with ingredients like walnuts, oats, and salt really get the job done, but shouldn't be used by more sensitive skin types as they can cause irritation (they'll also rip through a fake tan and leave you with patches).
For the gentlest scrub possible, look for the word "polish" on the label, as that tends to mean the exfoliants will be finer. Sugar is a great physical exfoliant that's gentle on skin, and salicylic is a chemical exfoliant that works for sensitive skin types because it works to dissolve dead skin cells instead of buffing them away.
Aim to use an exfoliating body wash two to three times a week to keep your skin at its softest, and always follow up with a body lotion to really lock in moisture. It's also important to note that you should be working these scrubs into the skin in gentle, circular motions so as not to cause irritation, as opposed to rubbing aggressively.
Here are seven of the best exfoliating body washes (and a few outstanding body scrubs) to help you get smooth skin from head to toe.