Choosing the Right Body Scrub for Your Skin
A body scrub is a great way to polish and exfoliate your skin. They can cleanse, moisturize, and exfoliate your skin all at the same time. There are many different choices of scrubs on the market. Some will work better for your skin type than others.
Soap/Body Wash or Oil Based Body Scrubs
Most body scrubs are either an exfoliate body wash or an oil based polish. These are used differently and are suitable for different skin types. Body wash based scrubs may or may not be moisturizing. They are usually suitable for normal to oily skin types and tend to be to harsh for dry or sensitive skin. These can be a good choice for people with body acne. They are also quicker to use and less messy than oily scrubs, and can be used daily.
Oil based scrubs are very popular and are usually what people are looking for when they are interested in a body scrub. These scrubs contain an exfoliant like salt, sugar, jojoba beads, or ground nut hulls suspended in an oil or oil and butter base. They are usually sold in jars and may be a thick gritty paste or thin with a layer of oil floating on top and salt or sugar settled at the bottom. These are massaged onto wet or dry skin and are more for moisturizing than cleansing. Similar treatments are commonly found in high-end spas. They are suitable for all skin types and make a particularly nice dry skin treatment.
Should You Choose a Synthetic Natural Body Scrub?
Some body scrubs are completely natural, others contain synthetic ingredients, and many have both. Many scrubs may not be all natural but still contain some good natural ingredients, like shea butter. Some scrubs are almost completely natural but contain synthetic preservatives or emulsifiers. Most people prefer a natural body scrub, but they can be very expensive. Synthetic ingredients may improve absorbtion, texture, and rinse off cleaner.
If you don’t want to spend a lot of money to see if body scrubs are for you, look for a cheaper scrub that contains synthetics. Choose a natural body scrub if you want better ingredients and a spa quality product. Be careful if the product is marketed as preservative free. Although these products are shelf stable, once they are opened and exposed to water from the shower they can start growing mold and bacteria.
Sugar or Salt
Sugar scrubs and salt scrubs are very popular exfoliants. They are all natural and both polish off dead skin cells when massaged onto skin. Sugar is the best choice for sensitive or very dry skin. Salt has detoxifying properties, but may be irritating for sensitive skin. The residue from sugar scrubs may actually attract ants! If you can’t wash your tub well after each use, salt may be a better choice.
Active Ingredients
Sometimes a body scrub contains active ingredients or plant extracts to renew skin. Others contain chemical exfoliators like glycolic or salicylic acid for even more exfoliation. This can be very beneficial to aging or acne prone skin.
Scents
Sometimes the fragrance of the body scrub can be one of the best parts. Many natural scrubs contain essential oils for an aromatherapy experience. Body scrubs are often very scented, so if you don’t like the scent, you may not wish to continue using it.
Using Body Scrubs
It’s important not to use excessive pressure when using a body scrub. It is more effective to use moderate pressure for a longer time than to scrub harshly and quickly.
A Gel body scrub can be used like a normal body wash. Massage onto your skin with moderate pressure in circular motions for more scrubbing. Use with a loofah or body brush for extra exfoliation. These can be used daily
Oil based scrubs can be used on wet or dry skin. If you have dry or sensitive skin, you may wish to only use it on wet skin. You may wish to shower as usual and use the scrub at the end of the shower when your skin is super hydrated and dead skin is prone to rolling off. If you are using it on dry skin, stand in the tub or on newspapers.
Using moderate pressure, massage in circular motions paying extra attention to rough areas like the knees and elbows. These scrubs are usually too oily for your face and neck. Don’t use it on the bottoms of your feet because it will be too slippery. For more moisturization, try to allow it to soak in for a few minutes, so you may wish to turn the shower off. Rinse well. The tub may become very oily and pose a slipping hazard. Be sure to clean your bath tub well, especially if you don’t live alone. You can use a body scrub one or twice a week, or daily on rough patches.
Finding the right body scrub can take some time, but there is something out there for everybody. Don’t scrub too hard and find a scent you love. For the best results, look for a natural body scrub with essential oils.