Body scrubs are a popular beauty product that can help you get softer, smoother skin. They’re great for helping your skin stay healthy and smelling good, and they’re also common to use if you have skin conditions like dry skin or eczema.
Body scrubs can be a great way to gently and effectively exfoliate and moisturize your skin. That said, they can be tricky to use if you’re not sure what type of scrub is best for your skin or how to use it.
In this article, we will explore different types of body scrubs, how to use them properly, and specific cautions or considerations you’ll want to be mindful of when choosing a body scrub.
How to Use Body Scrub
1. Prep Your Skin
This is a vital step that is often overlooked when using a body scrub. To prepare your skin, take a warm shower or soak in a warm bath. This will help loosen up the dead skin cells that you are about to remove, making the process much smoother.
Also, the warm water will help open your pores and make your skin feel more refreshed after the process is done. After prepping, wait for about 5 minutes before you exfoliate to give your pores enough time to open up.
2. Apply Scrub and Exfoliate
You will need to be in a standing position for this part. Apply a generous amount of the body scrub on your hands and rub it into your skin. Starting from the top, work your way across your body, all the way down to your feet (be careful not to slip).
If you’re feeling a little fancier, use a body brush or loofah to scrub your skin in gentle circular motions. This will help to boost the exfoliating and cleansing effect of the body scrub.
Avoid using too much pressure, or over-exfoliating as it could irritate or damage your skin.
3. Rinse and Follow Up with a Moisturizer
Now it’s time to get back into the warm bath or shower to properly rinse off the scrub. Rub your skin in gentle circular motions, scrubbing off any exfoliating particles as you go.
Pat yourself dry with a clean towel and apply a moisturizer to lock in hydration for clear, supple skin.
The skin on your face is more delicate and sensitive than the rest of your body. So it’s vital not to use a body scrub on your face as it could damage your facial skin, use a face scrub instead.
SEE: How to Exfoliate Your Face Without Hurting Your Skin
Types of Body Scrubs
There are many types of scrubs available on the market today, so you need to know what type of scrub will work best for your needs before purchasing one.
Sugar Scrub
Sugar scrubs are made with sugar, carrier oils, and essential oils. The sugar crystals exfoliate the skin, while various oils hydrate and nourish it. Together, they work to detoxify, moisturize, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on the skin.
Sugar scrubs are especially effective for people with normal, dry to sensitive skin because they are gentler and less abrasive than salt scrubs. Moreover, their grains are usually smaller and smoother compared to their salty counterparts.
Salt Scrub
Salt scrubs are a type of exfoliant that uses sea salt mixed with oil and essential oils to slough away dead skin cells from the surface of your skin. If you have oily, acne-prone skin, this is a great way to get rid of the top layer and promote healthy skin regrowth.
This is because the salt will help you create a deep cleanse by removing excess oil from your skin, while the oils help to hydrate and balance your skin’s natural pH levels. This causes your skin to become more elastic and soft.
Coffee Scrub
A coffee scrub is a type of exfoliant that uses coffee grounds mixed with oils or other ingredients, such as salt or sugar, to remove dead skin cells and smooth out your complexion. They are a great way to give your skin an excellent deep cleanse and stimulate blood circulation in your body.
Not only do they exfoliate dry, dead skin cells, but they also help to moisturize the skin, minimize pores, and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Additionally, coffee scrubs are known for doing wonders for rough patches on elbows and knees, as well as calluses on the feet.
Herbal Scrub
Herbal scrubs employ plant oils and extracts to remove dirt, oil, and bacteria from the skin. These scrubs are perfect for all skin types because they’re formulated with all-natural ingredients, which are often less harsh and suitable for all types of skin.
The benefits of using herbal scrubs include smoother skin texture, reduced acne breakouts, reduce excess oil production, and improved appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
They also help to boost collagen production, preventing signs of aging like spots or dark circles around the eyes.
SEE: Say Goodbye to Dull Skin (Best Exfoliators for Dark Skin Tones)
How to Make a DIY Body Scrub
Making your own scrubs allows you to customize them according to your specific needs. It can also give you peace of mind knowing that there are no artificial ingredients in your beauty products.
Sugar Scrub
What you need: sugar, carrier oils such as olive or coconut oil, essential oils such as lavender or rosemary oil.
- Measure out 1/2 cup of sugar and 3 tablespoons of your chosen oil.
- Add 6-8 drops of your desired essential oil.
- Mix these until they form a paste-like substance.
- Add more sugar or oil as needed to get the desired consistency.
- Mix in any additional ingredients, such as cocoa powder, for a deeper scrubbing effect.
- Transfer your scrub into a jar or container with a lid and store it in a cool dry place.
Sea Salt Scrub
What you need: sea salt, coconut or jojoba oil, essential oils (lemon or lavender).
- Measure out 1/2 cup of sea salt, and 1/4 cup of coconut oil.
- Add 6-8 drops of your favorite essential oils.
- Mix until they form a paste-like substance.
- Add more or less sea salts until you reach your desired consistency.
- Transfer into an empty jar or container and store in a cool dry place.
Coffee Scrub
What you need: ground coffee beans, brown or white sugar, olive oil or coconut oil, and essential oils (if desired).
- Measure out 1/2 cup of ground coffee beans and 1/2 cup of sugar.
- Add 1/4 cup of your chosen oil.
- Add a few drops of your essential oils.
- Mix until they form a paste-like substance.
- Add more coffee grounds or oil if needed and stir until thoroughly mixed.
- Put the mixture into a jar and use it as needed.
Herbal Scrub
What you need: brown sugar, olive or almond oil, lavender leaves, rose leaves, lavender oil.
- Measure out 1/2 cup of sugar and 1/4 cup of olive or almond oil.
- Grind the lavender and rose leaves and add them to the mixture.
- Add 6-8 drops of lavender oil.
- Mix these until they form a paste-like substance.
- Add other essential oils or fragrances to your liking,
- Add in any other ingredient you desire, such as green tea powder, and stir until completely mixed.
- Store the scrub in an airtight container so it doesn’t dry out or go bad.
Why You Should Use a Body Scrub?
Using a body scrub offers several benefits. The primary one is that it helps to exfoliate dead skin cells, which will keep your skin feeling soft and smooth.
Another benefit is that it helps to remove any dirt or oil that has built upon the surface of your skin. This will also help to prevent rash or other skin problems from occurring.
Other benefits include improved blood circulation, reduced dryness and itchiness, improved metabolism, improved mood, increased vitality, and improved skin elasticity and texture.
SEE: How to Exfoliate Your Skin: Your Skin Type Is Your Safety Compass
FAQs
How often should I use a body scrub?
2-3 times a week. It’s not advisable to use a body scrub more than 3 times a week as over-exfoliating your body can cause irritation or damage to your skin.
Over-exfoliation can also strip your skin of its natural oils, causing it to get dehydrated and become dry, which can lead to redness, dry skin, and other skin conditions.
Is it important to apply a moisturizer after using a body scrub?
Yes, it is. Applying a moisturizer immediately after exfoliating with a body scrub will help to hydrate and lock in moisture on your skin.
Moreover, exfoliation helps to remove dead skin cells and open up pores which makes it easier for skincare products like your moisturizer to be absorbed more quickly.
When should I use a body scrub?
The best time to exfoliate with a body scrub is after a warm bath or shower, but before moisturizing.
Showering or taking a warm bath helps to loosen up the dead skin cells that you are about to remove, making the process much smoother. It also allows your pores to open up, which makes it easier for the body scrub to be absorbed into your skin.
When should I not use a body scrub?
You should not use a body scrub if you have rash, bruises, cuts, or if your skin is damaged or irritated in any way.
Also, do not use a body scrub if you’re sensitive or allergic to any of the ingredients in it. It is important to choose a body scrub based on your body type and sensitivity.
Conclusion
Body scrubs are a great way to exfoliate your skin and leave you feeling soft, smooth, and beautiful. They are so great because they help to slough off all the dead skin cells on your body, leaving you with new, healthy cells.
And unlike most other products which use chemicals, body scrubs contain natural elements that are good for your skin and natural oils to help soothe skin dryness, leaving you feeling smooth and rejuvenated.
From sugar to herbal scrubs, there are several types to choose from. There’s a body scrub for all skin types and the options are just endless. Follow these simple tips to properly use a body scrub and choose the best suited for your skin type.
Thanks for reading.
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