10 Best Exfoliating Scrubs for a Smooth, Bump-Free Bikini Line

Soft, beach-ready skin starts here.

Orange bikini bottoms. / Getty Images

Exfoliating your bikini line might not be the most glamorous part of your routine, but it’s one of the most important—especially if you shave or wax. A gentle scrub helps buff away dead skin cells, prevents clogged pores and reduces the risk of ingrown hairs and razor bumps. It also helps your moisturizer or bikini balm absorb better afterward.

Katie Austin and Brooks Nader were photographed by Ben Watts in Bermuda. / Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated

But here’s the catch: not all body scrubs are safe (or effective) for this delicate area. That’s why we rounded up the best bikini-line-friendly exfoliators—ones that actually work without irritating. From chemical and physical formulas to travel-friendly serums and oil-based scrubs, these products are specifically designed to smooth, soothe and brighten. Whether you’re dealing with bumps, dryness or post-wax redness, there’s something here for every skin type and concern.

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Editor’s picks: Bikini-safe exfoliators that work

Nécessaire, $30

Necessaire

• Best for: Pre-shave prep or bikini line TLC
• Key ingredients: Niacinamide, charcoal powder, salicylic acid
• Why we love it: Nécéssaire’s The Body Exfoliator in the Fragrance-Free version is technically a full-body treatment, but its creamy texture and non-stripping formula make it a smart pick for delicate areas. The fine grit provides effective exfoliation without any added scent or harsh surfactants.

Fur Silk Scrub, $55

Fur

• Best for: Gentle exfoliation and daily use
• Key ingredients: Jojoba beads, glycolic and lactic acids
• Why we love it: A hybrid formula that smooths without stripping, and it’s safe enough to use several times a week.

Bushbalm, $23

Bushbalm

• Best for: Ingrown hairs and dull texture
• Key ingredients: Sugar, tea tree oil, jojoba oil
• Why we love it: Designed for pubic skin, this sugar-based scrub helps prevent bumps while hydrating at the same time.

First Aid Beauty, $30

Frist Aid Beauty

• Best for: Keratosis pilaris and post-shave roughness
• Key ingredients: Glycolic and lactic acids, pumice buffing beads, Bisabolol
• Why we love it: Though made for the body, it’s gentle enough for bikini use (just not right after shaving).

Topicals, $30

Topicals

• Best for: Brightening and hyperpigmentation
• Key ingredients: Urea, Encapsulated All-Trans-Retinol, Lactic and Glycolic Acid
• Why we love it: It’s fragrance-free, powerful and has a buttery texture that glides without tugging.

Oui the People Serum, $45

Oui the People

• Best for: Chemical exfoliation without irritation
• Key ingredients: Glycolic acid, lactic acid, niacinamide
• Why we love it: These individually packaged pads gently resurface skin and are perfect for travel—plus, they’re fragrance-free and leave no sticky residue.

Skinfix Scrub, $32

Skinfix

• Best for: Serious exfoliation with skin barrier benefits
• Key ingredients: Glycolic, lactic and salicylic acids, niacinamide
• Why we love it: One of the most derm-approved body scrubs out there, this formula clears clogged pores and fades post-shave marks without stripping.

Trader Joes Bar, $3.99

Trader Joes

• Best for: Daily exfoliation and gentle smoothing
• Key ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal, natural almond ginger fragrance
• Why we love it: French-milled for a luxurious lather, this budget-friendly bar buffs away dead skin with colloidal oatmeal while leaving behind a warm, spa-like scent—no irritation, no fuss.

Cyklar Glycolic Spray, $34

• Best for: Ingrown hairs, hyperpigmentation and rough texture
• Key ingredients: 10% glycolic acid, glycerin, tripeptide, pomegranate enzyme
• Why we love it: This ultra-innovative spray format makes it incredibly easy to apply—no rubbing or mess required. The potent glycolic acid smooths and brightens, while hydrating ingredients keep skin balanced. Great for post-shaving maintenance—just wait 24 to 48 hours before use to avoid irritation.

Soft Services Bar, $30

Soft Services

• Best for: Ingrown hairs, keratosis pilaris, rough or bumpy texture
• Key ingredients: Glycerin, shea butter, aloe vera, jojoba esters
• Why we love it: Like a microdermabrasion treatment in bar form, this physical exfoliant is designed to slough off dead skin and trapped keratin without irritation. It’s especially effective on the bikini line for stubborn ingrowns and “strawberry skin”—just avoid using on freshly shaved or sensitive areas.

What to look for in a bikini-area exfoliator

Not all scrubs are made equal—especially when it comes to delicate areas. Here’s what to look for:

• Gentle physical exfoliants: Think sugar, jojoba beads or fine powders—nothing sharp or scratchy.
• Chemical exfoliants: Salicylic acid (BHA) for unclogging pores, glycolic or lactic acid (AHA) for brightening and smoothing.
• Soothing ingredients: Aloe vera, panthenol, coconut oil and glycerin help calm and rehydrate post-exfoliation.
• What to avoid: Crushed nutshells, synthetic fragrance, alcohol and anything labeled “microbeads.”

Bonus: Look for products that are non-comedogenic, pH-balanced and dermatologist-tested—and if they’re cruelty-free or vegan, even better.

Physical, chemical or hybrid: Which one’s right?

Physical scrubs: Great for sloughing off surface dryness, but use sparingly and gently. Best 1–2 times a week.

Chemical exfoliants: AHAs and BHAs can get deeper into pores and are great for congestion and pigmentation.

Hybrids: The best of both worlds—look for sugar scrubs infused with acids.

Pads and wipes: Convenient and consistent, often BHA-based and ideal for travel.

How to exfoliate the bikini line safely

• Always start with clean skin
• Use gentle, circular motions—no scrubbing
• Rinse with lukewarm (not hot) water.
• Follow with a fragrance-free, hydrating moisturizer or bikini balm.
• Limit exfoliating to 2–3 times a week.
• Avoid exfoliating on broken, freshly shaved or just-waxed skin.

Learn more about bikinis here at SI Swimsuit.

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