Our 5 Favorite Exfoliators For Winter

Winter isn’t all peppermint lattes and cute scarves. For many of us, it also means extremely dry, flaky skin. As the cold sets in, moisturizing becomes even more important. The best way to prep for ultimate quenching is to slough away all the dead skin cells that have accumulated. We rounded up our five current favorite head-to-toe exfoliators—including two tools which may be good options if you’re sensitive to certain ingredients.

Suki Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser | $32.95

A cult favorite for a reason, this lemongrass-scented sugar scrub has earned a permanent spot in our showers. The natural sugar is gentle and self-regulating, meaning that it essentially melts into your skin as you massage, so you can’t really overdo it! The product also contains alpha hydroxy acids for additional exfoliation and wrinkle-busting benefits. You’ll love the way it foams up as you wash—and that lathering action leaves behind an antibacterial coating to control oil and balance the complexion.

Japanese Konjac facial sponge | price varies

The Konjac Potato has been eaten in Japan for 1,500 years, but it’s been a mere century since the plant was repurposed for skin care! You can find sponges made from the fibers of the Konjac plant, which look almost like pumice stones at first glance. But when dampened, they transform into soft and almost jelly-like sponges, which are still textured enough for exfoliation. You won’t believe how soft your skin feels after a gentle massage with one of these bad boys! The made-in-Japan botanical line Boscia sells one, but we were able to pick up a sponge at Daiso, the Japanese dollar store. They’re also plentiful on Amazon, where the pictured ones from Dew Puff go for about $7 and up.

Indie Lee Coconut Citrus Body Scrub | $38

We. Love. Indie. Lee. And you will, too—her products are all-natural, gorgeously packaged, and they really, really work. Indie’s Coconut Citrus Body Scrub is no exception. It’s a sugar scrub with coconut oil and lemon balm—and since it’s so natural, you can even use it on your lips! Gotta love a multi-purpose product that smells like heaven.

Herban Salted Butter Moisturizing Scrub | $38

Salted butter? We were intrigued, and we weren’t disappointed. This scrub is so moisturizing, we didn’t even need to lotion up afterward. Fine-grained sea salt gently exfoliates and invigorates skin while the shea butter base leaves a soothing coat of moisture. Our favorite is the grapefruit version—great for pretending it’s still sunny outside!

Salux Cleansing Cloth | $5

Here’s another classic Japanese product that knocks it out of the park. You may have seen these colorful nylon cloths in Asian supermarkets or dollar stores and not given them a second thought (they almost look like dishcloths!). But once acquired (again, Amazon, or direct from Salux), you’ll be sold. In the shower, lather up with your favorite shower gel, and give your whole body a thorough scrubbing. The cloth is huge, so you’ll be able to cover a lot of ground quickly. The material is a little scratchy and it can feel a bit rough, but that’s how you know it’s working! Beauty is pain, right? Just kidding, it’s not that bad. You’re stimulating circulation, and some say regular use might reduce cellulite and conquer ingrown hairs. We’re in.