We'd argue that physical exfoliation is one of the most satisfying skin-care practices, both because of the sloughing involved and because of the instant gratification it can provide hello, immediately refreshed skin. Not only does exfoliation feel amazing and leave skin instantly more luminous; a good face scrub paves the way for the serums and moisturizers to follow, according to board-certified dermatologist Jeannette Graf. But here's a word to the wise: As with most things, there is such thing as too much of a good thing in the case of scrubbing your face. You can avoid over-exfoliation by capping your scrub sessions to a maximum of three times per week. Whether you need something that's extra gentle for sensitive skin or want a scrub with a little extra oomph for perpetually clogged pores, we've got you — and your wallet — covered.

Exfoliating your face using a product like a scrub is key for vibrant, glowing skin at any age, yet nearly half of women revealed they skip this step in their skincare routine , according to a Good Housekeeping survey. Exfoliating can make skin appear smoother, brighter, clearer, and more radiant , both immediately and over time. GH Beauty Lab scientists test face scrubs and exfoliators both in the Lab using technical instruments and on consumer testers across the country with all skin types. After rounding up the best face scrubs across price points, our scientists pre-screen the scrubs by evaluating their ability to remove full-coverage foundation in order to gauge deep-cleansing efficacy. We then label-mask the products and distribute them to hundreds of testers, who use them as part of their skincare routine.

Face scrub commercials really sell it. We've all seen the footage: A woman lathers up with a scrub, splashes her face with water without it going everywhere, the lie of our time , and smiles at her fresh, clean skin in the mirror. The reality is, of course, much more nuanced—and given that exfoliation is the key to glowy skin , it's worth it to get into the nitty-gritty before grabbing a random bottle off the shelf.