Why We Use Real Exfoliants (and Not Microplastics)

You’ve probably used an exfoliating soap or body wash that claimed to “scrub away dead skin.”
But did you ever stop to ask: what’s actually doing the scrubbing?

If it came from a big-name brand, there’s a good chance the answer used to be microplastics.

At Stench Soap Co., we do it differently — and always have.
We use real exfoliants like salt, clay, pumice, and coffee grounds. Here’s why that matters.

The Dirty Truth About Microbeads

For years, mass-market soaps and scrubs used plastic microbeads as exfoliants. They were cheap, uniform, and easy to mass-produce.

But here’s the problem:

  • They don’t break down

  • They clog waterways

  • They’re toxic to marine life

  • They end up in our food chain

Microbeads were eventually banned in many countries — including the U.S. in rinse-off cosmetics — but that didn’t stop brands from pushing synthetic substitutes with similar consequences.

What We Use Instead

Every exfoliant in a Stench bar is natural, biodegradable, and skin-safe.
We’re not interested in perfect polish — we’re interested in function, texture, and integrity.

Our favorite scrubbing ingredients:

  • Pumice – Volcanic rock ground into fine grit for a rugged but skin-safe scrub (Wipeout Wash)

  • Sea Salt – Dissolves as you use it, helping exfoliate and detox at the same time

  • Clay – Not rough, but pulls impurities and tightens pores (Prairie Fresh)

  • Coffee Grounds – Coarse and bold, perfect for cutting through serious grime (Dumpster Dive Delight)

  • Oatmeal – Soothes and gently buffs dry or sensitive skin

No plastic. No fluff. Just real stuff that does real work.

Why Real Exfoliants Work Better

Natural exfoliants don’t just scrub — they support your skin in ways synthetics can’t:

  • They’re texturally varied — meaning you get a better clean

  • They carry minerals that benefit skin health (like magnesium from salt or silica from clay)

  • They break down naturally, leaving no trace behind

They’re not just better for the planet — they’re better for your body.

No Gimmicks. Just Grit.

When we build a bar at Stench, we think about how it performs in the wild:

  • After a skate session

  • After a long hike

  • After a dirty job or a sweaty day

We use exfoliants that can handle that — not ones that look pretty under studio lights.

Final Word

If your soap claims to “scrub,” but doesn’t tell you what it’s scrubbing with — that’s a red flag.

At Stench, you’ll never have to guess. We use ingredients you can see, feel, and trust — not synthetics that harm more than they help.

Real grit. Real exfoliation.
Because when you actually get dirty, you need soap that knows what to do.

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