Beauty testing: 14 best body scrubs

Tester says: "This is my first scrub since high school, and I love it! The scent is medicinal with an undertone of patchouli, and I didn't like it at first, but it grew on me -- it smells no-nonsense, like it's doing some good rather than just making me smell nice. The packaging is great -- it's in a squeeze tube with a wide bottom, so it sits well in the shower, and the consistency of the product means it doesn't gunk up around the lid. I've received compliments on the softness of my skin -- I used to have to moisturize or I would have scaly skin on my lower legs, but I have that less now because I think it's being sloughed away. I would definitely buy this product again -- it was a part of my skin-care routine that was missing, and it works!"

Available at select stores; visit dermalogica.ca for retailers

Tester says: "I love Aveda products, and this one is no exception. The smell is very natural, and the scrub comes in an easy-to-use squeeze tube. It feels wonderful on my skin, with small grits that lather nicely, and afterward, my skin feels fresh and very clean and I smell great! It isn't nearly as messy as other scrubs I've tried, and it's very gentle -- I'm not rubbing my skin raw. I would definitely buy this scrub."

Available at Aveda Experience Centers; visit aveda.com for locations

Tester says: "This scrub feels wonderful on my skin. It smells really seaweed-y in the package, but when you rinse it off a minty freshness comes out. My skin feels so soft and alive after I use it."

Available at H2O+ stores and online at h2oplus.com

Tester says: "This scrub has a pleasant floral scent that is feminine and fruity. It feels excellent on the skin, not at all oily, sticky or soapy. Loofah particles form the 'grit' of the scrub but do not feel at all rough or gritty. The fact that this product contains no salt is nice, because it can be safely and comfortably used over problem skin (I have psoriasis) without pain. The scrub significantly moisturizes and softens my skin, which is no small feat for a psoriatic living in a very dry prairie region. After using the scrub, my skin feels softer and finer than if I had used lotion, and it's gentle enough for daily use. This is by far the best scrub I've ever used and I've tried a lot of different in-shower products to keep my parched skin moisturized in this difficult climate. Unlike other scrubs I've tried, it soothes the skin rather than irritating it."

1-800-361-6089 or soparc.ca for retailers

Tester says: "This scrub makes my skin feel amazing -- it left it really soft and super smooth for days. The sugar exfoliates and then gently melts into your skin with the orange oil and grapefruit oil. The smell is very clean and fresh, like you are walking in a field of citrus trees. Yum! It's in a tub and separates a bit, so you do have to get in there and mix it up before using and be careful not to spill the oil -- but it's worth it for such a great product that actually makes my skin feel softer longer than other products I have used."

Available at select Loblaws, Whole Foods and natural health retailers across Canada; visit kissmyface.com for store locator

Tester says: "My skin feels smoother! The grapefruit scent was energizing in the morning, and it lingered on my skin. The scrub is not too rough, perfect for my sensitive skin, although I would still only want to use it once or twice a week. One of my pet peeves with exfoliators is finding grains still clinging to my skin once I've gotten out of the shower but I never had a problem with this one -- I would definitely buy this product."

Available at The Body Shop stores and online at thebodyshop.ca

Tester says: "I definitely feel that this scrub has made my skin softer. Areas such as my bum, legs and arms, where I have some dry skin and little bumps, have totally improved. The scent is a combination of cocoa and orange, very strong in the package, but it doesn't leave a strong scent on your skin, just the smallest hint of something sweet. I'm impressed with this product."

Available at select The Bay locations and origins.com