16 Best Body Scrubs for Lightening Skin Singapore (2023 Updated)

best body scrubs for lightening skin

Editor's Choice

The Ritual of Hammam Hot Scrub - Rituals

best body scrubs for lightening skin

2nd Best Choice

Coconut Butter Scrub - Softsoap

3rd Best Choice

Exfoliating Body Scrub Macadamia & Rice Milk - Dove

Similar to how using a face scrub can make your skin glow, a quality bottle of body scrub can improve the skin below your neck, where dirt and residue are apt to stay. Gently sloughing dead cells away can result in smoother, softer, and more luminous skin; it also allows the skin to absorb moisturisers or lotions applied afterwards more effectively. The best body scrubs for lightening skin can easily help you achieve that. 

Body scrubs are physical exfoliants. They contain abrasive particles or granules such as sugar or salt, ground nut shells, cornmeal, or beads from a natural ingredient like silica or jojoba to lift and remove dead skin cells and dirt with friction. Exfoliating is important, otherwise, dead skin can accumulate into a thick, rough layer that cancels out light rays and results in ashy and dull-looking skin. If it continues to be left unremoved, skin problems such as acne, clogged pores, and premature ageing will occur.

How Often Should You Exfoliate With a Body Scrub?

Provided it is not irritating your skin, doing it daily is possible. On average, it is strongly recommended to exfoliate for not more than thrice a week. Sometimes, once per week is enough for most people. To find the best scrub that suits your skin type, pay attention to its ingredients. Generally, sugar is softer hence gentler than salt, cornmeal, and nut shells, chances are it may be more suitable on sensitive skin. 

To utilise body scrubs, apply a dollop of the product on damp skin in the shower, buffing in circular motions all the way from your chest down to your feet; rinse afterward.

How to Choose the Best Body Scrub for Your Skin?

The real question is, how do you use a body scrub to buff away dead skin cells without causing any redness or dryness? Here are some aspects to look into: 

a) Chemical Scrubs

We recommend chemical body scrubs with glycolic, lactic or salicylic acids over physical body scrubs with particles. This is because the former helps to exfoliate the outermost layer of your skin—stratum corneum without causing injuries to the skin, which often occurs with aggressive scrubbing from formulations containing particles.

b) Physical Scrubs

If you still prefer physical scrubs, opt for micro scrubs instead. These scrubs contain small particles that are less abrasive to gently remove dead skin cells whilst maintaining a healthy skin barrier.

c) Think About How Much You’ll Need

Whichever type of scrubs you use, you don’t need a lot. We recommend using only a cherry-sized amount on each part of your body. Gently massage it on your skin without actually scrubbing it, and use a hydrating lotion or cream afterward to seal in moisture.

16 Best Body Scrubs for Lightening Skin You Mustn't Miss Out On!

1) The Ritual of Hammam Hot Scrub - Rituals

best body scrubs for lightening skin

Bring the spa home with this indulgent exfoliator! The fraction of the price is what makes it amongst the most sought after. The bracing aroma of the eucalyptus essential oil it contains purifies and clears your senses. Its ginger extract gives off a rather comforting warming sensation on skin.

Key Feature:

An intensive purifying scrub that leaves the skin feeling ultimately soft and refreshed.

PRO

Refreshing

Improves the Appearance of Skin

CONS

Heavily Scented

Slightly Pricey

2) Coconut Butter Scrub - Softsoap

best body scrubs for lightening skin

An ultimate go-to of many beauty enthusiasts, this is hands down one of the best body scrubs for lightening skin. Indulgent and believe it or not, it costs less than a fancy cup of coffee. The rich, creamy formula smells like sweet coconut and makes the skin feel extremely soft and pampered afterward. Definitely an everyday shower treat!

Key Feature:

Coconut butter exfoliating body wash with Jojoba extract.

PRO

Generously-sized

Pleasant Scent

Gentle on Sensitive Skin

CONS

Slightly Pricey

3) Exfoliating Body Scrub Macadamia & Rice Milk - Dove

Remove and soften dry skin at the same time with Dove’s cream-based body scrub. Featuring exfoliating silica, moisturising macadamia seed and rice oils, rest assured that it leaves your entire body baby smooth! Some even say it smells like an edible dessert.

Key Feature:

Exfoliating body scrub that removes dull and nourishes dry skin. Contains a burst of velvety macadamia and rice milk fragrance.

PRO

Moisturising

Gentle Beads

Pleasant Scent

CONS

Washes Off too Quickly

Less-Abrasive Particles

4) KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub - First Aid Beauty

Not only one of the best body scrubs for lightening skin, it is one that removes ingrown hairs as well! It tackles stubborn skin bumps such as ingrown hairs and keratosis pilaris using a combination of physical exfoliators like those that are pumice and chemical, for instance, glycolic and lactic acids. 

Key Feature:

A body scrub that exfoliates to reveal healthier-looking skin.

PRO

Gentle On All Skin Types

Brighten & Soothes Skin

Sustainable

CONS

Takes Time to Work

5) Crushed Cabernet Scrub - Caudalie

Amongst the best body scrubs for lightening skin out there, Caudalie sugar scrub contains cabernet grapes; grape seed oil and powder formulated; lemon, geranium and rosemary scented, it will make your skin feel extremely smooth like never before. The brand and its namesake spa was established in the founder’s family vineyard in Bordeaux, bringing a luxurious French vineyard and spa to your bathroom and skin. 

Key Feature:

A professional treatment used in Caudalie’s Vinothérapie® Spas, this scrub with grape-seeds and 6 essential oils leaves the skin smooth, soft and silky.

PRO

Gentle on Sensitive Skin

Pleasant Scent

Amazing Long-Lasting Effects

CONS

Slightly Pricey

Impractical Packaging

6) Fresh Skin Face Apricot Scrub - St.Ives

The classic St.Ives exfoliator, this supposedly face scrub is tested effective in removing impurities and oil even on the body. It deeply sloughs skin using a mix of walnut shell powder and cornmeal. Who doesn’t love a product that can be used both on the face and body? It definitely saves you up a few dollars!

Key Feature:

Contains 100% natural exfoliants such as walnut shell powder and apricot pit powder for deep exfoliation.

PRO

Reduces Skin Bumps Caused by Keratosis Pilaris

Gentle

Pleasant Scent

CONS

Big Particles may be a Little Harsh on Face

7) Almond Milk & Honey Gentle Exfoliating Cream Scrub - The Body Shop

The Body Shop’s cream-based body scrub gently exfoliates the skin with sweet almond shell powder along with a whip of soybean, sesame, jojoba oil, honey and shea butter. It is gentle enough to remove dry flakes without irritating even the driest and sensitive skin. 

Key Feature:

Delicately exfoliate and buff away dead skin cells, leaving the skin feeling incredibly smooth and soft.

PRO

Pleasant Smell

Gentle Exfoliation

CONS

Might Trigger Breakout

Sticky Sensation

8) Sugar & Rose Scrub Peace and Glow Creamy Body Scrub - Love Beauty and Planet

Contains exfoliating silica alongside nourishing plant oils, butters, and extracts, Love Beauty & Planet’s body scrub has a thick, creamy consistency that coats and adheres to the skin. It doesn’t run off as quickly under the shower. You need not worry about using more products to see effects. Upon rinsing, it will leave the skin feeling hydrated, fragrant, and soft. 

Key Feature:

A sweet creamy body scrub that eliminates rough, dry skin and brings out its natural glow. Containing handpicked Bulgarian Rose for ultimate fragrance.

PRO

Pleasant Scent

Smoothens & Rejuvenates Skin

CONS

Minimal Effects

9) The Body Exfoliator (Sandalwood) - Necessaire

Definitely one of the best body scrubs for lightening skin out there! Made with a combination of heavy-duty exfoliators like pumice, bamboo charcoal, and glycolic, lactic and salicylic acids, the gel texture of Necessaire’s Sandalwood Body Exfoliator will adhere to the skin and lathers when diluted. If you love the scent of sandalwood, this is made for you.

Key Feature:

A chemical and physical body scrub that works synergistically to exfoliate, soften, and renew skin (AHA/BHA trio).

PRO

Small yet Effective Exfoliating Beads

CONS

Takes Time to Work

Overpowering Scent

10) Guerande Salt Exfoliating Body Balm - Ren Skincare

best body scrubs for lightening skin

One of the best body scrubs for lightening skin, formulated with a combination of buffing sea salt and decadent, invigorating botanical oils (sweet almond, olive, peppermint, basil, and rosemary, this exfoliating body balm by Ren Skincare lets you enjoy a professional body scrub treatment at the comfort of your own home. The dense consistency leaves a coating of hydration on the skin, making you feel incredibly refreshed and rejuvenated after use!

Key Feature:

Contains purifying guerande sea salt that accelerates blood flow as it removes dead skin cells whilst the peppermint oil adds a refreshing burst of stimulation. Basil and olive oil provides deep hydration and nourishment for a radiant, healthy skin.

PRO

Refines & Smoothes Skin

Maximal Effects

Generously-Sized

CONS

Sightly Pricey

11) I-Recover Body Soak - Indie Lee

This new double duty Indie Lee formula works effectively both as a body scrub and a bath soak. Contains a blend of Himalayan and Dead Sea Salts that delicately exfoliates and purifies, its lavender, sage, rosemary, and black pepper essential oils will help relax your senses after a long, tiring day out. 

Key Feature:

Infused with mineral-rich dead sea and Himalayan salts, this body soak and scrub combination will not only purify and refine skin’s appearance, it is also one that reduces tension, gently exfoliates and nourishes.

PRO

Maximal Effects

Aromatherapeutic

CONS

Slightly Pricey

12) Silky Body Scrub - Meeth

Amongst the best body scrubs for lightening skin, Meeth’s Silky Body Scrub is formulated with hydrating and nourishing ingredients that are excellent for improving skin condition. Enriched with sea salt sourced from Ako city, it gently removes impurities and nourishes the skin afterwards. Infused with a combination of natural ingredients including ceramide, pear juice, and red algae, rest assured that it helps tighten and refine your skin texture. Above all, it has a mood-lifting scent, making it a perfect addition to your body care regime. 

Key Feature:

Contains rare natural ingredients such as rockweed for added skin toning and apricot seeds, which have long been used in China for skin brightening and acne prevention.

PRO

Smoothens Skin

Gently Removes Dead Skin Cells

Pleasant Scent

CONS

Slightly Pricey

13) Lemon & Key Lime Extract Soap Scrub - Body Barrier

One of the best body scrubs for lightening skin on the market, Body Barrier’s soap scrub uses all-natural citrus oils that are almost the level of your skin PH and lipid layer. You can put your mind at ease knowing that it won’t dry out or irritate your skin. In fact, both lemon and lime work extremely well in brightening skin, and are abundant in antioxidants. These natural fragrances and the scrub’s rich lather will bring your bath to another level. 

Key Feature:

This dual action soap scrub provides humectant rich exfoliation and cleansing gentle enough for daily use. Detoxifying lemon peel extract works as a natural antioxidant that helps reduce excessive oil on the skin and restore lustre.

PRO

Pleasant Scent

Rich Lather

Maximal Effects

CONS

Gritty, Sticky Sensation

14) Double Milk Triple White - Scentio

Apart from milk, this brightening body scrub is infused with glutathione and arbutin, ingredients that lighten your skin tone and reduce melanin production, making it one of the best body scrubs for lightening skin out there! If you are a beach babe, opt for this to relieve sunburn.

Key Feature:

Offers ultimate exfoliation, and accelerates cell renewal. The whole milk essence, herbal extract, and Glutathione help to moisturise, nourish and brighten skin, leaving it radiant and soft to the touch.

PRO

Brightens Skin

Mild & Pleasant Scent

Doesn’t Clog Pores

CONS

Contains Paraben

15) Rice Bran Body Scrub - Naturals by Watsons

Rice bran has long been used amongst Asians in their beauty regime for centuries. It contains ample amounts of enzymes and proteins that accelerate cell renewal. One of the best body scrubs for lightening skin on the market that doesn’t irritate even the most sensitive of skin. While it may take longer to brighten armpits and inner thighs, I love how it doesn’t cause redness or irritation. If you find most scrubs stinging, opt for this. It is also one that doesn’t break your bank!

Key Feature:

Revitalises skin using 100% natural exfoliators, leaving it smooth and hydrated. Free from paraben, mineral oil, silicones, colourants, Sodium Lauryl Sulphate, soap, Isothiazolinone (MIT, CMIT, BIT).

PRO

Rich Lather

Affordable

Cleanses & Refreshes Skin

CONS

Takes Time to Work

16) Avocado Brightening Sherbet Body Scrub—Scent

Immerse your skin in a blend of pure sea salt with avocado extract and vitamins for an ultimate glow experience. The Scentio Avocado Brightening Sherbet Body Scrub features non-abrasive salt granules that will gently exfoliate away dark spots, dull and rough skin texture to offer a clear, bright and luminous skin. Formulated in Thailand with natural ingredients, you can count on this body polish to achieve that ideal soft, smooth and youthful skin. It also boasts a pleasant fresh fragrance that lasts longer than any regular body wash.

Key Feature:

Body scrub made in Thailand with pure sea salt, avocado extract and skin-loving vitamins.

PRO

Formulated with natural ingredients

Contains gentle, non-abrasive salt granules that don't cause injuries to the skin

Offers clear, bright and luminous skin

CONS

None

Ingredients to Look for in a Brightening Body Scrub

  • Brightening Ingredients : Papaya extract, Liquorice, Glutathione, Vitamin C, Kojic acid, Arbutin.
  • Chemical exfoliants that remove dead skin cells : Lactic & Glycolic acid.
  • Antioxidants that accelerate cell renewal for glowing skin : Plant and flower extracts, Grapeseed/Olive oil, Vitamin C & E, Rice water, Green tea.
  • Moisturising ingredients to prevent dryness and skin irritation : Shea butter, Oils, Honey

Tips & Tricks to Brighten Elbows, Underarms and Knees

  • Any face serum that tackles hyperpigmentation or dark spots can help lighten the skin tone on “intimate areas.” You may also opt for whitening deodorants that are made to brighten your underarms. 
  • Avoid wearing jeans or shirts too often as they are amongst the biggest culprits causing dark armpits and inner thighs. They are apt to cause friction and irritate the skin. Try wearing comfy clothes with breathable fabric such as cotton or linen for better airflow. 
  • Apply lotion or patting body oil into damp skin after shower to restore moisture. 
  • Exfoliate in the evening as newly-scrubbed skin is more sensitive to the sun. 
best body scrubs for lightening skin

Editor's Choice

PRODUCT RECOMMENDATION

The Ritual of Hammam Hot Scrub - Rituals

5/5

Bring the spa home with this indulgent exfoliator! The fraction of the price is what makes it amongst the most sought after. The bracing aroma of the eucalyptus essential oil it contains purifies and clears your senses. Its ginger extract gives off a rather comforting warming sensation on skin.

Celine So

Celine So

Be mindful of your words as they are impactful, which also explains why I'm so fond of writing.

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