Everything You Need to Know About Body Scrub

There’s more to getting clean than simply soap or body wash and water. One important step that’s often overlooked in a skincare routine is exfoliation. But don’t let the word “scrub” fool you. If it conjures up images of a harsh exfoliation that leaves your skin feeling raw, think again.

An exfoliating body scrub can (and should) be quite gentle and beneficial for your skin. In fact, regular scrubbing can help improve your skin's texture and overall appearance, stimulating skin cell turnover and promoting smooth skin.

Here’s everything you need to know about how to use a body scrub, from choosing the right one for your skin type to how often you should use it.

Body scrub is an exfoliant used to remove dead skin cells without damaging the skin's surface. Its key ingredient is an abrasive substance such as salt, sugar, jojoba beads, or oatmeal. In addition to exfoliating, many scrubs also nourish, hydrate, and protect the skin with ingredients like oils.

Besides sloughing away dead skin cells, using body scrubs has many benefits for your skin and overall well-being.

• Better skincare product absorption: Your skin absorbs products such as moisturizers and vitamins more readily with regular exfoliation, resulting in healthier, supple skin.
• Improved circulation: The massage-like motions used when applying body scrub can help to improve circulation and promote lymphatic drainage.
• Minimize the appearance of large pores: Removing dead skin cells unclogs pores which helps minimize their perceived size.
• Decreased hyperpigmentation: Unclogging pores helps reduce the appearance of dark spots, improve skin tone, and give you brighter skin.
• Fewer ingrown hairs: Scrubbing helps prevent ingrown hairs from forming during hair removal.
• Less stress: The massage-like motions used during exfoliation can create a relaxing spa-like experience, helping to relieve stress.
• Maintaining skin health: Regular use of body scrubs can help maintain your skin's natural moisture, preventing future dryness and irritation through stimulating skin cell turnover.

How to Use a Body Wash and Scrub Routine

Next time you hop in the shower, follow these easy steps for a thorough cleansing and exfoliating routine:

• Step 1: Begin with your normal showering routine. Apply a generous amount of shower gel onto slightly damp skin and gently rub it in using circular motions. Focus on cleansing your entire body. Rinse your skin thoroughly using lukewarm water.
• Step 2: Now, apply a generous amount of the best body scrub onto your damp skin. Massage it in using circular motions, maintaining a gentle pressure. Pay extra attention to any areas that are particularly dry or rough. (Tip: Use a tool such as a glove, pad, or brush to massage the scrub more effectively.)
• Step 3: Rinse skin thoroughly again, making sure to remove all traces of the scrub.
• Step 4: After showering, pat your skin dry with a soft towel, leaving it slightly damp.
• Step 5: Lastly, apply body lotion moisturizer, such as our Coco Cocoa Creme Body Butter, which restores skin's natural moisture and leaves dry skin feeling hydrated and soft. Gently massage the moisturizer into your skin, paying extra attention to typically dry areas like elbows and knees.

By following this comprehensive routine regularly, you'll cleanse, exfoliate, and hydrate your skin, keeping it clean, soft, and well-nourished. 

Start off by using body scrub once a week to see how your skin reacts. If your skin becomes irritated, discontinue and switch to a gentler formula.

If there is no irritation, increase usage to a maximum of 2-3 times per week. Using a body scrub daily may be too harsh for your skin.

But, you might discover that you need to exfoliate more often to keep your skin looking and feeling its best, depending on your skin type and preferences.

Whichever way you choose to use body scrub, make sure to choose a product that is designed for your skin type, as using a scrub that is too harsh can do more harm than good.

Most body scrubs are salt or sugar-based. However, the market is ever-changing as new chemical and natural exfoliant options are introduced.

While all body scrubs exist to exfoliate and wash away dirt and grime, not all body scrubs provide the same experience.  

• Sugar Body Scrub: As a humectant, sugar sloughs off skin cells and absorbs water, leaving your skin moisturized.
• Salt Scrub: This naturally abrasive exfoliant easily scrubs away dead skin cells.
• Coffee Scrub: Coffee exfoliates naturally with anti-inflammatory properties and improves your skin texture.
• Charcoal Scrub: As an absorbent, charcoal attracts dead skin cells as you scrub it into your skin, leaving you feeling clean and refreshed.

With so many body scrubs on the market, it can be difficult to know which one is right for you. Be sure to read product labels to find the most effective and best cruelty-free body scrub.

Here’s how to choose an exfoliating product with the best natural ingredients based on your skin type.

• Sensitive Skin: Look for a product that contains gentle ingredients to prevent irritation. Avoid body scrubs with harsh exfoliants such as salt.
• Dry Skin: Go with a scrub that contains moisturizing ingredients like shea butter coconut oil, or avocado oil for skin - such as our Welcome to the Scrub Coconut Body Scrub. These ingredients help lock in moisture and reduce inflammation.
• Normal to Combination Skin: While not as limited as those with sensitive or dry skin, you’ll still need to look closely at ingredients to find the best scrub for you. Try a few different options, see how your skin reacts, and choose the best option for your skin.

Still not sure which body scrub to choose? You can’t go wrong with our Welcome to the Scrub Coconut Body Scrub made with organic coconut oil, natural cane sugar, and a shot of vitamin E. Its gentle ingredients are safe for all skin types.

Whatever type of body scrub you choose, make sure to follow up with a moisturizer such as our Coco Cocoa Creme Body Butter to maintain healthy, hydrated skin.