If you haven’t been using an exfoliating body wash, it’s time to start reaping the benefits of what one of these twofer cleansers can offer. Not only will an exfoliating body wash refresh and clean your skin, but depending on the formula you choose, one can also help you manage any number of skin conditions, from body acne to eczema or even keratosis pilaris. Exfoliating body washes also help to prime and prep your skin, whether you’re just looking for better absorption of your favorite moisturizer or you want an even, head-to-toe spray tan glow. Whatever your reason for trying one of these hard-working washes out, you’ll want to make sure you know a bit about how they work first so you can find your best product match.

Meet Our Experts: Dr. Melissa Kanchanapoomi Levin, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Entière Dermatology, Chrissy Dress, aesthetician and founder of CURE de Repos

According to Dr. Melissa Kanchanapoomi Levin, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Entière Dermatology, exfoliating body washes can fall under two categories depending on their ingredients and how they exfoliate: mechanical and chemical. “Mechanical exfoliation can include microfiber cloths, scrubs, crystals, sugar, pumice, and tools such as sponges, loofahs, and brushes,” says Levin. “Chemical exfoliants include alpha-, beta-, and poly-hydroxy acids, and enzymes. While acids and enzymes loosen and dissolve the connections that hold skin cells together, mechanical exfoliants physically remove dead skin cells.”

To pick the perfect formula for you, consider your skin type—sensitive, normal, dry, oily, or combination skin—and your personal preferences. According to Chrissy Dress, an aesthetician and founder of CURE de Repos, “grittier” washes featuring ingredients like oats, walnut shells, or salts are super effective for the body, but you might opt for a gentler physical exfoliant with sugar or jojoba beads if you have sensitive skin. Something enzyme-based might be your best choice for delicate skin in the bikini area or underarm region, says Dr. Levin, especially if you are dealing with razor bumps or ingrown hairs, since that kind of formula doesn’t use mechanical exfoliating agents at all.

As far as working an exfoliating body wash into your routine, Dr. Levin suggests using it two to three times a week for starters, but some might find weekly use to be more than enough. Whatever your regimen, the application and removal method is the same. “Apply the exfoliating body wash using light and small motions for no longer than 30 seconds and rinse off with lukewarm water,” Dr. Levin says. Dress likes to go upwards against the hair growth on the legs in particular. “This will lift follicles and assist in banishing ingrown hairs,” she says. Regardless of your exact technique, there’s no need to rub or scrub aggressively. “Once the skin is pinky, that is alerting you that you did a good job and created microcirculation as well as body exfoliation in that area, so you can move on to the next body part,” says Dress.

Post-shower, it’s important to follow up with your favorite body cream or lotion. “Applying a moisturizer immediately after exfoliation is key in order to keep the skin barrier intact and hydrated,” says Dr. Levin. And though it probably goes without saying, never exfoliate over open skin or skin that’s sunburnt or has a rash.

Ready to give an exfoliating body wash a try? These ten formulas address a number of skin concerns and have different textures and hero ingredients, so you can mix and match depending on the week or what your skin needs at any given time.

boscia

ulta.com

$35.00

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This refreshing cleanser features mandelic and lactic acids for smoothing the skin, reducing signs of aging, and even targeting body and back acne.

Dial

walmart.com

$14.89

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Dress likes formulas that feature Himalayan salt, which is a mild exfoliator that’s also rich in minerals. Free from parabens, phthalates, and silicones, Dial’s Himalayan Salt Enriching Body Wash works into a creamy lather for soft, nourished skin that has a faint floral scent post-shower. Stock up with this budget bundle — the 30 cents an ounce cost can’t be beat.

Kosas

sephora.com

$22.00

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Tropical fruit enzymes in Kosas’ body wash combine with an AHA blend of glycolic, lactic, and mandelic acid to make quick work of any dry skin you might be experiencing due to winter weather or otherwise. Gentle enough to be used daily on more sensitive skin or in the bikini area, the wash also contains allantoin, a comfrey plant extract that’s said to soothe skin and promote cell turnover.

CeraVe

walmart.com

$28.28

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The salicylic acid in CeraVe’s body wash for rough and bumpy skin targets dry patches, particularly in areas that may be tougher to the touch, like the elbows and knees. Like other CeraVe products, the ceramides in the formula then go to work repairing the skin barrier, while niacinamide soothes and hyaluronic acid brings moisture up to the skin’s surface for a silky, smooth feel.

Bath & Body Works

bathandbodyworks.com

$19.95

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Sugar’s another excellent natural exfoliator, and that’s how Bath & Body Works’ Neroli Blossom & Bergamot Salt Body Scrub buffs away flaky skin. This bright, flower-scented formula is rich, thick, and contains essential oils, vitamin E, and aloe to leave behind a light layer of moisture on your skin even after you rinse. Follow it up with the matching lotion to lock in softness and amplify the scent.

SheaMoisture

ulta.com

$12.99

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You can thank the African black soap, which mingles with bamboo charcoal in this detoxifying scrub, for helping to slough away that top layer of dead, dry skin. Even better, this Fair Trade-certified formula is also packed with organic raw shea butter, which will leave your skin feeling supple and luxurious long after you’ve showered.

Dove

target.com

$7.19

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Any time you see the word “polish” on an exfoliating body cleanser, it’s going to be on the gentler side. Such is the case with Dove’s exfoliating polish, which contains medium-sized exfoliating beads delivered via a rich, creamy formula that you simply massage over wet skin and rinse for revitalized, radiant skin. Reviewers love the sweet but not overpowering gourmand scent, and it’s suitable for any type of skin, from normal to mature.

Glossier

glossier.com

$14.00

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If you’re a no-fuss, bar soap kind of person, you can still get your exfoliation on. Give Glossier’s Body Hero Exfoliating Bar a try. You don’t have to worry about irritation, since its exfoliating power comes from the finely milled, biodegradable bamboo powder in its formulation. Make no mistake about this bar though — it has a nice weight and hand-feel to it, and the sunflower seed oil and aloe juice it also packs will make your skin feel supple — never stripped — each time you suds up.

Fresh

sephora.com

$67.00

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Even though its price is on the higher side, Fresh’s award-winning, cult favorite polish has been a hit for years for a reason: The brown sugar crystal-based product is effective at removing patchy, parched skin and moisturizing to boot. Because its crystals are quite large and the base somewhat oily, fans of this formula suggest using exfoliating gloves to apply it directly to your body in the shower, which cuts down on the chance of the product washing away as you’re applying it.

Alba Botanica

target.com

$6.19

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Alba Botanica’s foaming scrub is a heavy-hitter for anyone concerned with acne. Powered by ground walnut shells, it’ll help eradicate backne and prevent stubborn white heads from popping up, too, but it's also gentle enough to be used on the face or décolleté area for daily cleansing.

Cure De Repos

curederepos.com

$91.00

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If you want to splurge, Dress swears by this small batch Aussie brand’s jojoba-based polish that also smells dreamy, thanks to its mix of bergamot and ylang ylang. “These little guys won't leave micro-lacerations on the skin like an apricot scrub, whose shells are jagged,” says Dress. “Jojoba is close [in form] to humans’ natural sebum, a natural oil secreted by the sebaceous glands.”