The best facial scrub

If you really want glowing and radiant skin, you better stop skipping that most important step — exfoliation. Dead skin cells that pile up on our face make our skin look dull and dry, not to mention rough. It can also clog our pores which, in turn, causes oil to get trapped on the surface of our skin, resulting in acne. You also get the added benefit of getting an even skin tone. After exfoliating, any moisturizers, cleansers, and skin care products you use will be able to penetrate your skin better.

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. Physical scrubs with a sandy, powder base are a good place to start for sensitive skin, since the fine grit lets you decide how intense it gets. The more water you mix in, the gentler they get, and they don't have acids if those make your skin freak out. But if you're dealing with a breakout more often than not, look for exfoliating acids over scrubs. Beta hydroxy acids BHAs work by dissolving dead skin cells and zit-causing oil without manual scrubbing.

Alicia Keys's flawless skin at the Grammys made us want to seriously rethink our skincare routine. For smooth, healthy skin like hers, you're gonna need a face scrub. There are two different types of exfoliators: chemical and mechanical. Both work to remove dead skin cells and give you that super glowy look. Those with acne-prone skin should stick with a chemical exfoliants like salicylic acid and retinoids , which uses hydroxy acids to exfoliate skin through chemical processes.

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