10 Best-Smelling Body Scrubs for Silky, Divinely Scented Skin

The best-smelling body scrubs perfume the skin with irresistible scents ranging from earthy to fruity and beachy-gourmand—and we’ll get into all things olfactory, below. But first, it’s worth noting that these shower staples aren’t just about fragrant frills. “Exfoliating helps remove dead skin cells, smooth rough patches, and improve absorption of moisturizers, says Kristina Collins, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Austin. Granted, some skin types—including dry, sensitive, and eczema-prone—may fare better with unscented scrubs, but for those craving skin that’s smooth and sniffable, this editor-curated mix will leave you with just that. Plus, most feature skin-loving ingredients that boost hydration, radiance, firmness, and smoothness. Ahead, discover fragranced body scrubs that appeal to scent aficionados of every stripe—and prepare for compliments to roll in, too.

Our Top Best-Smelling Body Scrubs

• Best Overall: Ouai Scalp & Body Scrub, $42
• Best Energizing Scent: Origins Ginzing Refreshing Scrub Cleanser, $29
• Best Musky Scent: Dedcool Body Scrub Xtra Milk, $28
• Best Spa-Like Scent: Nécessaire The Body Exfoliator in Eucalyptus, $30
• Best Fruity Scent: Dove Crushed Cherries & Chia Milk Body Scrub, $9
• Best Floral Scent: Kai Body Buffer, $40
• Best Citrusy Scent: Josie Maran Sugar and Argan Oil Body Scrub in Topless Tangerine, $29
• Best Earthy Scent: Sidia Wired The Body Exfoliant, $46
• Best Beachy Scent: Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Body Scrub, $42
• Best Warming Scent: Pattern Dry Exfoliating Scrub, $36

Best Overall: Ouai Scalp & Body Scrub

Why it’s worth it: Ouai’s Scalp & Body Scrub is approved by beauty editors and dermatologists alike. For instance, Brendan Camp, MD, a double board-certified dermatologist in New York City, stands by its key ingredients. “It’s made with sugar crystals and coconut oil to exfoliate and remove buildup while softening and balancing moisture levels,” Dr. Camp previously told Allure. The Melrose Place scent—inspired by the Los Angeles street of the same name—is a Ouai classic for a reason. Melding flowery notes of peony, rose, freesia, and jasmine with hints of champagne, white musk, and cedarwood, the fragrance smells like a rose with a celebrity handler.

Best Energizing Scent: Origins GinZing Refreshing Scrub Cleanser

Origins

GinZing Refreshing Scrub Cleanser

Why it’s worth it: Origins’ GinZing collection is all about glowing skin. Powered by a brightening combination of Panax ginseng root extract and caffeine, the vegan collection harnesses botanical ingredients to give dullness the boot. In the Refreshing Scrub Cleanser, the ginseng-caffeine blend mingles with jojoba beads and carnauba wax. The formula exfoliates and cleanses while clarifying pores—all while dousing the skin in an energizing scent. Melding notes of grapefruit, lemon, and spearmint, the body scrub has the invigorating (one might even say, zingy) fragrance of a citrus grove.

Best Musky Scent: Dedcool Body Scrub Xtra Milk

Dedcool

Body Scrub Xtra Milk

Why it’s worth it: With rice powder for exfoliation and kakadu plum for brightening, Dedcool Body Scrub Xtra Milk bears the genderless, second-skin scent that Allure editors can’t stop spritzing (or, in this case, scrubbing on). A mix of bergamot, white amber, and musk, the fragrance is a Best of Beauty Award winner. It is, in our opinion, the perfect musk, leaving a subtle trail of scent that’s at once cozy, warming, and clean. Just imagine stepping into a thick, fresh-from-the-dryer towel after a shower that left your skin feeling like silk—that’s the vibe of this scent.

Best Spa-Like Scent: Nécessaire The Body Exfoliator Eucalyptus

Nécessaire

The Body Exfoliator Eucalyptus

Why it’s worth it: Nécessaire The Body Exfoliator Eucalyptus makes sloughing off dead skin cells feel like a trip to the spa—or smell like it, at least. With both physical exfoliants and chemical exfoliants—including volcanic pumice, salicylic acid, and glycolic acid—the product doesn’t just make skin smooth. It’s also a salve for keratosis pilaris, ingrown hairs, and rough skin. See why we gave it a Best of Beauty Award? As yet another perk, its notes of eucalyptus, Siberian fir, lavender, and ginger channel a decadent nap in the post-treatment lounge.

Best Fruity Scent: Dove Crushed Cherries & Chia Milk Body Scrub

Dove

Crushed Cherries & Chia Milk Body Scrub

Why it’s worth it: A drugstore gem that smells like stone fruit wrapped in cashmere, Dove’s Crushed Cherries & Chia Milk Body Scrub is pH-balanced, sulfate-free, and made with naturally derived cleansers. In short, the exfoliating body scrub works ultra-gently to unveil smooth skin that smells like a summer picnic. And if your skin is on the drier side, this will be your bowl of cherries in particular. One quarter of its formula is moisturizing cream that delivers hydration from head to toe.

Best Beachy Scent: Kai Body Buffer

Why it’s worth it: Kai’s dreamy, white-floral mix of jasmine, gardenia, and tuberose wafts from its body buffer, which works a little differently from the other products on this list. Instead of adding exfoliating agents to a body wash, Kai infused hypoallergenic sponges with a foaming soap made with moisturizing natural oils. Give the sponge a little squeeze, rub it over the body in circular motions, and get satiny skin that smells like a seaside resort. And speaking of tropical getaways, the product’s solid format helps it breeze through TSA without any, ahem, rough patches.

Best Citrusy Scent: Josie Maran Sugar and Argan Oil Body Scrub in Topless Tangerine

Josie Maran

Argan Oil & Sugar Balm Body Scrub in Topless Tangerine

Why it’s worth it: Josie Maran’s Topless Tangerine, a bright mix of citrus fruits and brown sugar, has a fan in executive beauty director Jenny Bailly. She describes the scent as “irresistible,” which is “not surprising, since [it] was dreamed up by perfumer Jerome Epinette, who also created some of my favorite scents from Byredo, Phlur, Victoria Beckham Beauty, and many more.” In the sugar scrub, the scent infuses a skin-softening blend of coconut oil, shea butter, sugar, and argan oil. Han considers it one of the best body scrubs, bar none. “When a body scrub smells like I’m sipping on a tall glass of chilled, freshly-squeezed juice somewhere tropical and extra vibey, I go all in,” she says.

Best Earthy Scent: Sidia Wired The Body Exfoliant

Sidia

Wired The Body Exfoliant

Why it’s worth it: With key ingredients such as niacinamide, rambutan, and baukuchiol, Sidia’s Wired The Body Exfoliant hydrates, smooths fine lines, and boosts radiance. Designed for daily use, the gentle exfoliant has thoughtful packaging that makes it easy to dispense, even with wet hands. Instead of a tub with a twist-off cap, this is served up in a 35% post-consumer-recycled bottle with a flip-top cap. Plus, its scent—an earthy mix of tea leaves, bergamot, eucalyptus, and tonka—has an energizing, morning-hike-through-misty-mountains vibe.

Best Beachy Scent: Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Body Scrub

Sol de Janeiro

Bum Bum Body Scrub

Why it’s worth it: Sol de Janeiro’s Bum Bum Body Scrub smooths the skin with a mix of tropical ingredients: crushed capuaçu seeds for buffing, guaraná extract for smoothing, and coconut oil for conditioning. Plus, it bears the brand’s beloved Cheirosa 62 scent. With notes of pistachio, almond, jasmine petals, salted caramel, and sandalwood, the gourmand fragrance channels a sun-drenched day at a Brazilian beach. (Fun fact: The “62” references the year 1962, when The Girl from Ipanema was released.) A 2023 Readers’ Choice Award winner, the body scrub makes every shower ritual smell like summertime.

Best Warming Scent: Pattern Dry Exfoliating Scrub

Pattern Beauty

Pattern Dry Exfoliating Scrub

Why it’s worth it: Ask any beauty editor how to bring moisture back to parched curls, and Pattern Beauty is bound to come up within 10 seconds. Case in point: The brand’s Hydration Shampoo is our favorite for bringing bounce back to dry, type 4 curls. With its recent expansion into body care, Pattern now brings its hallmark hydration below the neck—and its Dry Exfoliating Scrub makes the body feel like cashmere and smell just as expensive. Made with sweet almond oil, mango seed butter, vitamin E, and Dead Sea salt extracts, the scrub has a Midnight Amber scent with notes of rose petals, sea salt, suede, and cedarwood essential oil. Spicy and warming, it’s perfect for a fall or winter shower ritual.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often can you use body scrubs?

In a standard, head-to-toe skin-care routine, “Most people can use a body scrub one to two times per week,” says Dr. Collins. “Those with oily skin or thicker skin types may tolerate more frequent use, while people with sensitive or dry skin should stick to once a week or choose a very gentle exfoliant.” And unless a body scrub, like Sidia Wired the Body Exfoliant, is clearly labeled for daily use, don’t get overzealous: “Over-exfoliating can strip the skin barrier, leading to irritation, dryness, or even microtears,” Dr. Collins says.

Who should avoid fragranced body scrubs?

“Anyone with sensitive skin, eczema, psoriasis, or a history of allergic contact dermatitis should be cautious with fragranced scrubs,” Dr. Collins says. She explains that fragrance is one of the most common causes of skin irritation and allergic reactions. “Even natural essential oils can trigger redness or itching,” she notes. “If you’re prone to irritation, it’s best to look for fragrance-free or hypoallergenic scrubs and always patch-test new products before applying them all over.”

Meet the experts

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When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.

For our list of best-smelling body scrubs, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists we interviewed for the piece. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.

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