Body scrubs are a great way to get rid of dead skin cells and give your body a deep cleanse. An exfoliating body scrub also helps to make your skin softer and smoother.
But there are different types of scrubs out there, and not all of them are created equal. Some scrubs are too harsh and can cause irritation while others are too gentle and won’t do the job well.
Thinking about trying out an exfoliating body scrub? Stick with us to learn more about how to use body scrub exfoliators to get supple and radiant skin.
What is a Body Scrub?
A body scrub is a treatment for your skin that uses exfoliating agents such as sugar, salt, or baking soda to cleanse your skin. The process is done using a loofah sponge or another similar tool. The best body scrubs contain natural ingredients like lemon juice and essential oils, which help to soften skin and remove dead skin cells.
While body scrubs are great at removing dead skin cells and dirt, they don’t do much to improve the appearance of fine lines or wrinkles. Still, clear and soft skin becomes more attainable with the help of body scrubs exfoliators.
What is Exfoliating?
So, we’ve been saying ‘exfoliate’ a lot, but what does it mean exactly? Exfoliating is the fancy name for the process of removing dead skin cells from the surface of the body. Exfoliating helps to prevent clogged pores and blackheads. Exfoliation is also used to remove dirt and oil from the face. If you don’t exfoliate regularly, then you may end up with more frequent acne breakouts to treat, blackheads, and similar skin issues.
Types of Body Scrubs
Today’s market is saturated with many different types of body scrubs. These body scrubs differ based on their primary purpose and ingredients. Here are some of the key types of body scrubs you’ll come across.
- Sugar
Sugar scrubs are body scrubs that contain a mixture of sugar and other ingredients such as glycerin, aloe vera, and essential oils. Brown sugar scrubs are used for exfoliation and moisturizing the skin. They are also used to prevent future breakouts.
- Salt
Salt scrubs are products that contain sea salt and other natural substances such as olive oil, sugar, honey and essential oils. They can be used to soften and exfoliate dead skin cells, improve circulation, and reduce inflammation.
- Herbal
Herbal scrubs, like their name suggests, are made from herbs such as rosemary, sage, lavender, chamomile, peppermint, eucalyptus, tea tree, etc. These herbal scrubs have anti-inflammatory properties and can relieve muscle aches and pain caused by arthritis.
- Coffee
A coffee body scrub is a product that contains coffee grounds, sugar, and other ingredients that are used to exfoliate the skin. Coffee scrubs are popular because they’re easy to use and often can be made at home. They’re inexpensive but still provide effective cleansing.
- Grain
Grain scrubs are a type of body scrub that has been around since ancient times. It was originally used on horses because it helped to keep their coats soft and shiny. Grain scrubs were later introduced into human medicine and became popular among people who wanted to maintain healthy hair growth. Today, grain scrubs are still widely available and affordable.
- Moisturizing
Moisturizing scrubs are usually made from coconut oil, shea butter, cocoa butter, jojoba wax, almond oil, avocado oil, grapeseed oil, sunflower seed oil, sesame seed oil, and more. Moisturizing scrubs work well when applied topically after cleansing.
How Body Scrub Benefits Skin
Body scrubs can be immensely beneficial for your skin, and they can be worked into your skin care routine easily. Here are some top benefits of using the best body scrubs.
Softens Skin
When you apply a body scrub (especially over dry or rough skin) it scrubs your skin clean of impurities. With all the dirt and flakes of skin gone, you’re left with clear, soft skin. You can get supple skin easily and you don’t need to slather body lotion throughout the day to make your skin soft. Body scrubs can also help to reduce the chances of ingrown hairs appearing.
Renews Skin
Dead skin cells build up on our bodies every day. Over time, these dead cells form layers under our skins causing us to appear older than we really are. Applying a body scrub removes dead skin cells so that new ones can replace them.
Preventing Breakouts
Regular exfoliating can help prevent pimples and blackheads from forming. By gently rubbing off old skin cells and clearing out clogged pores, your pores become smaller and less likely to trap bacteria.
Reducing Inflammation
Many people suffer from chronic conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, and dermatitis. Gently applying a body scrub on problematic areas of the skin might reduce redness and inflammation. As for eczema, as long as the affected area is not weeping, a natural body scrub can be useful to dislodge flakes of dry skin while keeping the skin moisturized.
Improved Circulation
When you scrub your body with some pressure, you’re boosting blood circulation in a natural way. Your body is then encouraged to go through detoxification and will release toxins and other impurities that your skin was holding on to. If you’re experiencing muscle soreness, the skin massage that comes with using a body scrub might actually help relieve the pain.
Moisturizing
Unsurprisingly, body scrubs work hard to rehydrate your skin. Because of its exfoliating properties, it frees up your clogged pores to allow hydrating products like moisturizers to perform at their best.
Leaves a Pleasant Scent
Body scrubs are largely made from natural ingredients, most of which are floral-scented or herb-scented. Therefore, you can guarantee that a body scrub will leave your skin smelling subtly fragrant and pleasant.
Relaxing
Of course, we have to talk about how stress-relieving it is to take some time out of your day to give your skin the treatment it deserves. Showering is often muscle memory for many of us, but introducing a body scrub into your routine might help to recenter your attention and promote mindfulness. It can be immensely therapeutic for both the skin and the mind.
How to Use Body Scrub Exfoliators
To use a body scrub effectively, follow this simple step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Run warm water over skin for at least 5 minutes. The warm water relaxes your skin, softening it. This helps to prepare the skin for the body scrub.
Step 2: Begin to apply a generous amount of the body scrub onto damp skin. Lather scrub on your skin gently with circular motions. Spread the product evenly across your whole body. Start at your head and move downward until you reach your toes. Be careful not to miss any areas.
Step 3: Apply pressure on the surface of your skin as you are scrubbing. This helps to scrub to dislodge any dirt stuck to your skin.
Step 4: Rinse well with lukewarm water. Once you have finished rinsing your body, gently pat dry with a soft towel. Do not rub your skin too harshly with the towel.
Step 5: Moisturize and enjoy your smooth skin!
Bonus Tips:
- Scrub before Shave
If you plan to shave, make sure to shave after using the body scrub. Body scrubs remove all the accumulated dirt on your skin, successfully priming your skin for a clean shave.
- Scrub after Soap
Body scrub should come after you’ve soaped your skin. Body wash can be considered a great way to give your skin an initial cleanse and prepare it for the scrub.
Are Body Scrubs for Everyone?
There are some precautions that should be taken if you’re planning to try body scrubs. First, never use an abrasive soap on sensitive areas such as eyes, ears, nose or mouth. Second, avoid applying products containing alcohol. Do not use a body scrub if you have open wounds or cuts.
Your skin type matters. If you have sensitive skin or suffer from skin conditions like eczema, not all body scrubs are right for you. Some synthetically created body scrubs may end up causing flare-ups for eczema-ridden skin. To avoid this, make a habit of trying your exfoliating body scrub on a small patch of skin first. If you don’t experience any adverse reactions, you can continue using it.
Don’t use your body scrub too often, especially if you’re new to it. Try it once a week and see if that works for you.
Always read labels before purchasing a new product. Lastly, keep in mind that different types of body scrubs work differently depending on what type of problem you need them for.
Best Body Scrub Malaysia Products
Here are some of the best exfoliating body scrub Malaysia products on the market. If you’re looking to try out body scrubs, you could start with these top products.
1. L’Occitane Almond Shower Body Scrub
The L’Occitane Almond Shower Body Scrub is ideal for softening and soothing skin. This full body scrub is gentle on skin, able to cleanse while moisturizing. The pleasant-scented shower scrub leaves your skin feeling fresh. The L’Occitane body scrub is gentle enough to be used daily.
2. DOVE Ice Cream Exfoliating Body Polish
This Dove body scrub is a unique product incorporating natural ingredients like shea butter, rice milk and pomegranate seeds. These quality ingredients help to give your skin the gentle exfoliating treatment it needs to look radiant. This salt scrub is highly nourishing for skin and is very fragrant.
3. The Body Shop Spa Of The World™ African Ximenia Scrub
This Body Shop body scrub is a softening salt scrub that effectively exfoliates the skin. It’s a gentle scrub that focuses on skin renewal and leaves you with a supple skin texture. It contains the famous ximenia oil sourced from Namibia, Africa which is extremely beneficial for skin. On top of that, users agree that it has a pleasant and long lasting fragrance.
Final Word
All in all, body scrubs come with numerous benefits for your skin. It effectively cleanses, exfoliates and moisturizes your skin while improving circulation and mood. Now, you know how to use a body scrub and you’re ready to add it to your body care routine. If you’re thinking of trying out body scrubs for the first time, ensure that you choose a type of body scrub that suits your skin. Always read the labels of skincare products and look for ones that contain natural ingredients.
Our top choice is The Body Shop African Ximenia Scrub. Although it is relatively expensive, it excels in terms of the quality of its ingredients. Leave a comment if you’ve tried any body scrubs and let us know what you thought of it!
