Body scrubs are a timeless skincare product that helps with exfoliation and blood circulation. Incorporating body scrubs into everyday skincare can truly do wonders. They are grained coarse-like creams that primarily help with exfoliation and keep wrinkles and fine lines away.
Body scrubs are an important step to include in skincare routines as these products are made up commonly of salt and sugar both of which have excellent exfoliating properties that rejuvenate the skin. Sugar hydrates the skin and salt helps with smoothening the skin. Besides this, body scrubs are essential to rejuvenate the skin and to even out skin tone.
Table of Contents:- Part 1: What Is Body Scrub?
- Part 2: What Are the Body Scrub Benefits?
- Part 3: How to Make Body Scrub?
- Part 4: How to Use Body Scrub?
- Part 5: Can You Use Body Scrub on Your Face?
- Part 6: How Often Should You Use Body Scrub?
- Part 7: Tips To Get The Best Results From A Body Scrub
What Is Body Scrub?
Body scrubs are cream-based mechanical exfoliators specifically designed for the body alone. Over time, the skin builds up thicker layers of skin cells, which causes the skin to look dull and aged. Body scrubs act as an exfoliator and remove these dead skin cells thus, giving the skin a brighter look.
These exfoliating products are usually made up of coarse ingredients like salt, sugar, coffee, walnuts, jojoba beads, and oatmeal. Depending on the speciality of the product, other ingredients are added. Essential oils are a key ingredient of body scrubs and help with moisturising and nourishing the skin.
There are plenty of body scrubs available in the British market, such as
- BHA based body scrubs
- Shea butter body scrubs
- Coffee body scrubs
- Salt-based body scrubs
- Sugar-based body scrubs
- AHA-based body scrubs
- Chemical body scrubs
What Are the Body Scrub Benefits?
Body Scrubs come with an umpteen number of benefits, here are a few,
Regeneration of New Skin Cells
Ageing causes a build-up of dead skin cells. This build naturally makes the skin look dull and less even-toned. Body scrubs help remove these dead skin cells and improve the process of regenerating new skin cells that help the skin look even-toned and bright.
Provides Polished Skin
Skin is one part of the body that needs constant care to look fresh and bright. Exfoliants are the best bet to make skin look polished. Exfoliating ingredients in body scrubs like sugar, salt, coffee, and jojoba beads remove excessive dirt and dust on the skin and help achieve polished and smooth skin.
Reduces Inflammation
Scrubs aid well in massaging the body, the coarse ingredients in the scrub help facilitate lymphatic drainage which reduces swelling of any sort if present and helps smooth the circulation of blood.
Aids with maximum skincare absorption
Body scrubs contain essential oils and exfoliating ingredients that do wonders for the skin. The essential oils moisturise the skin. While the exfoliating ingredients unclog pores and open up the pores for skincare products to seep into the skin.
Long-term Benefits Of Body Scrubs
- Body scrubs reduce hyperpigmentation and help even out skin tone.
- Exfoliating properties of the body scrubs help with tan removal as it accelerates the process of regeneration of new skin cells.
- Prevents ingrown hair and razor bumps by unclogging pores.
- Removes deposition of sebum oil, and helps reduce the appearance of pimple heads.
- Reduces the appearance of dark spots.
- Helps with skin renewal as it removes deposition of dead skin.
- Helps achieve smooth, bump-free skin.
- Soothes the skin and body as the coarse ingredients act as a massaging agent.
- Aids with smooth blood circulation which tightens the skin.
How to Make Body Scrub?
Ingredients and Elements Required
- Mixing bowl
- Measuring cups
- Salt or Sugar
- Desired essential oil
- Honey
1. Gathering the Raw Materials
Measure ½ a cup of desired base material either salt or sugar and add the ingredients into a mixing bowl.
2. Mix The Materials
Add ½ cup of any carrier oil, it can be coconut oil, lavender oil or almond oil. Honey can be used in place of oil.
3. Test The Mixture
Mix all three ingredients together until a paste is formed. Please bear in mind to not dissolve the sugar or salt. The scrub is to be of paste consistency and is not to be too runny or too thick. Add base materials such as salt or sugar and oil to achieve the perfect consistency.
Variations In The Scrub
Check out further variations and recipes below:
- Brown Sugar Scrub: Use brown sugar in place of white sugar.
- Sea Salt Scrub: Use sea salt in place of granulated salt.
- Green Tea Scrub: In place of coconut oil, green tea can be used. Add two bags of green tea bags in hot water. Pour the tea into the oil and sugar mixture.
- Charcoal Body Scrub: Combine activated charcoal, coconut oil, and sugar to make the perfect body scrub.
How to Use Body Scrub?
1. Cleansing
Wash the skin with warm water. Do so for at least 15 to 20 minutes as this process helps soften the skin. Cleanse the skin with preferred body wash or soap and wash away the soap.
2. Exfoliating
Gently apply the scrub onto the body in a circular motion. Do so for 20-30 seconds, not any more than that.
3. Rinse
Wash off the scrub with warm water and pat the skin dry with a soft towel. If needed, shaving can be done at this step. Since the skin is soft, this will help with a smooth shaving process.
4. Moisturize
Apply a gentle soothing moisturiser onto the skin to prevent the skin from drying. This is highly advisable for those with dry skin. Doing so will help retain the skin’s moisture levels.
Can You Use Body Scrub on Your Face?
No, body scrub cannot be used on the face as the formulation and ingredients differ for the body scrub and face scrub. Doing so will cause immense damage to the skin and clog pores. It is advisable to resort to other exfoliation methods rather than using a body scrub on the face
How Often Should You Use Body Scrub?
The usage of body scrub depends on the skin type. For dry or sensitive skin, one may use a body scrub once a week. For oily skin, one should use a body scrub 2 to 3 times per week. Using body scrubs every day is not good for the skin. One must refrain from doing so as this may cause irritated and dry skin.
Factors Affecting The Body Scrub Usage Frequency
1. Sensitive Skin
Sensitive skin is usually dry and exposed to a lot of vulnerability. Increased frequency of usage of body scrub will harm the skin causing it to be irritated and dry. Dry skin can often result in cracks causing skin to open up to infections.
2. Cuts & Wounds On The Body
Using a body scrub on broken skin can cause further micro tears that open the skin to the risk of infections which weakens the barriers of the skin and weakens the ability of the skin to further restore itself and causes the skin to look weak and dull.
3. Other Skincare Routines
Adding on body scrub to other skincare routines may cause product build up causing the skin to further break out and other infections. Using body scrubs with a limit along with the other skincare routines to achieve the best results.
Tips To Get The Best Results From A Body Scrub
Preparing skin before exfoliation
Cleansing the skin with a gentle body wash helps smoothen and soften the skin. It is advised to use warm water while cleansing the skin before using a body scrub as this opens up pores, thus maximizing the effectiveness of the body scrub.
Massage it right
When using a body scrub it is vital to massage and scrub the skin the right way. Take a small portion of the scrub and apply it to the skin in a circular motion. Be gentle and do not apply too much pressure. Applying the scrub in an up-and-down or side-to-side motion can cause microtears and harm the skin.
Choosing the right body scrub
Depending on the skin type, choose a suitable body scrub. For those with dry skin, a body scrub with moisturizing properties is recommended. Body scrubs with an oil base will do wonders for dry skin. For those with oily skin, body scrubs with salt or sugar base are most suitable.
Conclusion
This article covered details on exfoliating body scrub, how to use a body scrub, and provides information on the benefits of using a body scrub. Body scrubs are best known as body polishes as they make the skin glow and look polished after use. These products are a foolproof way to cleanse and rejuvenate the skin.
