For any skincare brand working with a scrub manufacturer, ingredient choice is a major consideration. Consumers want products that exfoliate gently, nourish deeply, and support skin health. Brands, in turn, need formulations that meet those expectations while staying compliant, stable, and marketable. With more consumers reading labels and prioritizing results, this blog reviews the key ingredients body scrub manufacturers rely on in 2025—and why they matter to your product strategy.
Key Takeaways
-
- The best scrub formulations combine exfoliation with hydration and skin barrier support.
-
- Natural oils and plant-based actives are among the most used by scrub manufacturers.
-
- Ingredient selection directly affects product feel, performance, and market success.
Behind Exfoliation and the Role of Body Scrubs
Exfoliation removes dead skin cells to reveal newer layers beneath. It supports better product absorption, smoother texture, and more even tone. According to an article from Harvard Health Publishing, there are two major types: physical exfoliation and chemical exfoliation. Body scrubs fall under physical exfoliants, using granules in a creamy or oily base.
For brands and manufacturers, choosing the right particle size, oil-to-solid ratio, and emulsifier matters. A poorly formulated scrub can clog pores or cause microtears. A well-made one respects the skin barrier while still delivering visible results. Skincare brands usually work closely with cosmetic manufacturers to adjust abrasiveness, scent, and stability during R&D.
7 Best Ingredients to Make Body Scrubs
Body scrub ingredients must do more than exfoliate—they should also protect, soften, and deliver a positive user experience. So, here are the seven top ingredients scrub manufacturers rely on:
Natural Sugar
Sugar is a popular base for physical exfoliants. Its rounded granules are less abrasive than salt, which makes it a preferred choice for sensitive skin. It contains natural glycolic acid, a type of alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), which helps loosen dead skin and stimulate turnover.
In the manufacturing sense, sugar is easy to suspend in emulsions and pairs well with oils, emulsifiers, and actives. Brown and raw sugars are used more often now due to their mineral content and marketing appeal. It also dissolves in water, which reduces cleanup time—a plus for consumers.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil remains one of the top oils in body scrubs. Rich in lauric acid, it offers antimicrobial properties that help reduce acne-causing bacteria. It also improves moisture retention without a greasy finish. Its semi-solid state at room temperature helps stabilize the scrub texture.
For skincare brands leaning towards affordability, global availability, and shelf-stable properties, coconut oil is a must-have scrub ingredient. However, usage levels must be balanced—it can clog pores in higher concentrations. That’s why manufacturers often blend with lighter oils like sunflower or jojoba to adjust spreadability and absorption.
Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil closely resembles the skin’s natural sebum, which makes it excellent for hydration without irritation. It penetrates the outer layers and delivers nutrients like vitamins B and E. Scrub manufacturers use it to balance heavier oils and give products a smooth, non-sticky feel.
Since jojoba oil is resistant to oxidation, it extends the product’s shelf life naturally. It’s also non-comedogenic and well tolerated by oily or acne-prone skin. Jojoba helps soften the exfoliating process, which reduces the chance of microdamage on the skin’s surface.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E functions as both an antioxidant and a skin conditioning agent. In body scrubs, it helps prevent the oils from oxidizing, maintaining freshness. It also supports skin recovery by strengthening the moisture barrier.
Brands usually include it to promote “nourishing” or “repairing” benefits. It blends easily with oils and emulsifiers and helps soften the impact of physical exfoliants. For manufacturers, tocopherol (a common form of Vitamin E) is easy to incorporate during the cooling phase of production to preserve potency.
Shea Butter
Shea butter is a fatty substance derived from the nuts of the shea tree. It offers intense hydration and skin-soothing benefits. Rich in vitamins A and F, it also supports collagen production. In body scrubs, it forms the creamy base that allows exfoliating particles to glide over the skin instead of dragging.
Additionally, shea butter improves product viscosity, which gives body scrubs a more luxurious texture. Since it melts at body temperature, it leaves a soft, non-waxy finish. This makes it popular in premium or spa-style formulations.
Wheat Protein
Wheat protein isn’t as commonly used as oils or butters, but it contributes to supporting skin elasticity. It forms a thin film that helps retain moisture and makes skin feel firmer post-exfoliation.
Some manufacturers use hydrolyzed wheat protein because it has smaller molecules that absorb into the outer layer of the skin. It also helps stabilize the emulsion and improve sensory feel. Skincare brands aiming to promote “firming” or “anti-aging” scrubs often include this as a supporting active.
Grapeseed Oil
Grapeseed oil is lightweight and rich in linoleic acid and polyphenols. It absorbs quickly without clogging pores, which makes it ideal for oily or combination skin. Also, its antioxidant content helps reduce inflammation and support skin repair.
In body scrub manufacturing, grapeseed oil is used to lighten heavier oils or to create fast-absorbing formulations. It also helps reduce the greasy afterfeel that some oil-heavy scrubs can leave. If you’re a natural and clean-beauty brand, you may want your product to contain grapeseed oil.
How a Skincare Manufacturer Makes a Body Scrub Effective?
An effective body scrub is about more than exfoliation. Scrub manufacturers focus on synergy between particles, oils, and additives to create a formula that works with skin. To give you an idea, here’s how it’s done:
-
- Particle sizing: Selecting and milling abrasives to ensure safe exfoliation without skin damage.
-
- Oil phase design: Choosing oils based on absorption rate, stability, and target skin type.
-
- Stabilizers and emulsifiers: To keep the formula consistent, without separation.
-
- Preservatives: These are tested to meet shelf-life standards and microbiological safety.
-
- Consumer testing: Testing final samples for rinse-off feel, scent retention, and skin compatibility.
For skincare brands, partnering with a capable scrub manufacturer means less guesswork and more confidence in product performance and safety.
A Good Scrub Manufacturer Knows The Right Ingredients
Ingredient choice reflects your brand’s values and affects how well your product performs. Remember, each component plays a role in exfoliation, hydration, and feel. The best scrub manufacturer understands these technical layers and develops products that deliver. If you’re developing a new body scrub and want insight-driven support, Medpak Solutions works with skincare brands to create products that are tested, functional, and customer-approved.
