Organic Scrubs 

Susanna Cellucci

BySusanna Cellucci

Updated Nov 2, 2026

Conventional Scrubs

Avoid conventional scrubs and exfoliants, they are made with toxic ingredients such as fragrance, preservatives, parabens, and colorants, and also controversial ingredients such as clay, acids, and micro-beads. They can contain Harsh ingredients that can leave your skin red and irritated.

❌ 𝘼𝙘𝙞𝙙𝙨: Other main ingredients often found in natural scrubs are lactic acid and glycolic acid. I find them to be too aggressive, and they may create skin reactions.
The SCCNFP: SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE ON COSMETIC PRODUCTS AND NON-FOOD PRODUCTS reports glycolic acid as a skin irritant.
❌ 𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙨: If you are in another country, check for micro-beads aka micro-plastic on your scrubs. Banned in the USA but still present in other countries.
While in the US,A microbeads are banned from cosmetics, they are still present in certain countries. If you are traveling there, bring a plastic-free scrub with you!

Beat the microbeads: A European microbeads ban in scrubs and cosmetics was expected in 2022, so there are still many scrub products that are carrying toxic, polluting microbeads,  dangerous for marine life and all of us. Especially in Greece, Poland, and Spai,n read the labels and check that they do not contain the following: 

1. Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate

2. Acrylates Crosspolymer-4

3. Styrene/ Acrylates Copolymer

4. Carbomer

5. Dimethicone

Greenwashing Scrubs

Avoid Greenwashing scrubs made by brands that pretend to be organic, eco-friendly, natural, or safe when it is not. They use misleading greenwashing techniques to convince you to buy their products! They contain controversial ingredients:

  • ❌​ Potassium sorbate: considered a skin, eye, and respiratory irritant. 

  • ❌​ Sodium benzoate: benzoic acid and vitamin C mix can cause cancer. Capable of causing contact urticaria

  • ❌ Honeysuckle: creates benzoic acid. Lonicera Caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract and Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract.

  • ❌ Citric Acid lab made: conventional cheaper lab-made citric acid AKA Manufactured citric acid (MCA) is derived from a mold. “Approximately 99% of the world’s production of MCA is carried out using the fungus Aspergillus niger, a known allergen, identified merely as “citric acid” in ingredients lists. The FDA has generally considered it safe, but no scientific studies were performed to evaluate the safety of MCA when ingested in substantial amounts and with chronic exposure.” Depends on which citric acid method a company wants to use.  A synthetic option or a natural. Synthetic is cheaper. You can ask a company which processes they use: Certificate of Authenticity COA.

The Best Organic Scrubs & Exfoliants 

✅ 𝙎𝙖𝙛𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙘𝙧𝙪𝙗: Here are my current favorite scrubs made with organic, not abrasive or irritants, plant ingredients, and made with fresh natural ingredients!
They gently and safely clear and exfoliate the skin!
Result: smoother, healthier, and glowing skin! 

​Here are the best organic, sustainable, eco-friendly, microbead-free, and plastic-free scrubs on the market! 🌎

The Best Organic Scrub Brands 

My top organic scrub brand recommendations are:

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Shop with my links to support my research!💖

Susanna Cellucci

About the founder

Susanna Cellucci

Susanna Cellucci is the founder of PrettyOrganicGirl and a NASM Certified Nutrition Coach based in Beverly Hills, California. Since 2016 she has researched organic and non-toxic products ingredient by ingredient, and today the site covers more than 6,000 products and 700 organic brands across skincare, makeup, food, clothing, home and baby care. Every page is written by Susanna herself, and the site is 100% ad-free and independent. She holds a Master's in Marketing from the Milan Academy of Luxury, studied business and digital marketing at UCLA, and is Green Business Certified. Global companies including Chanel, Walmart and the Four Seasons have reached out to her about greener practices, and her push for titanium-dioxide-free makeup led several clean beauty brands to reformulate. Originally from Italy, she shares her picks with promo codes so that organic shopping can be for everyone.