You take special care of your facial skin everyday, don't you? But, do you often forget caring for the rest of your body skin? Body scrubbing can pamper your skin, and make it softer, smoother and healthier.
Find out how to use body scrubs efficiently and the range of benefits you can get with this little extra effort for your body care.
Highlights:
What Is A Body Scrub?
Body scrubs are physical exfoliants, designed with a particle-like thick mixture, which helps to remove the dead skin cells from your body parts. The exfoliating particles of a body scrub usually are a combination of salt and sugar. Body scrubs can either be oil-based, water-based or even in powder form.
The concept of body scrubs is not new and has been there as a body care treatment since ages. Egyptians invented this beauty method to naturally exfoliate their skin. They used to combine exfoliating particles like sugar in perfumed oil to make body scrubs. The method has made its way to modern skincare due to the variety of benefits it offers.
Benefits Of Using Body Scrubs
1. Smoother Skin
Body scrubs remove the dead skin cells from the top layer of your skin. They also clean off the dirt and dust from your skin pores. Exfoliating your body makes your skin fresh, brightened and definitely smoother. Go for natural ingredient body scrub such as coffee scrub, aloe vera scrub etc. You can choose sugar-based or any other natural source of glycolic acid [1].
2. Moisturizing Benefits
Body scrubs exfoliate your skin and this opens your clogged skin pores. When you apply moisturizer after scrubbing, it penetrates your skin deeper. This gives you a better moisturising experience, boosts the effects of your moisturizer and hydrates your skin.
3. Prevents Body Bumps
Just like face scrubbing, body scrubbing helps you get rid of the extra sebum oil produced in many parts of the body. Your skin pores stay clean and the chances of bumps reduce. Also, when you shave your body hair, there is a chance of getting bumps due to ingrown hair. Body scrubbing can help. It is recommended to scrub your body parts before a shave to prevent the razor bumps. [2]
4. Skin Rejuvenation
Exfoliating with a body scrub, peels off the outermost layer( epidermis) of your skin and gives your skin time to rejuvenate. A fresh, soft and smooth skin regenerates. Also, body scrubbing massages the skin, which is a stress-buster that soothes you both mentally and physically. Your body and mind get to relax.
5. Lifts Your Mood
Last but not the least, body scrubs have mesmerizing fragrances. Apart from giving you amazing skin benefits, they lift your mood and make you feel refreshed.
How To Use A Body Scrub?
1. Warm Shower:
The first step towards a perfect body scrubbing experience, is to start with a warm shower. The warm water and steam will help open up your skin pores, which helps in better exfoliation.
2. Scrub:
Take a sufficient amount of body scrub in your hand and apply it on your slightly wet skin. Body scrubbing generally covers your back, neck, arms. legs and chest. Gently massage the scrub in circular motions on your body for 5 to 10 minutes. Wash off after you finish massaging.
3. Moisturize:
The next most important step is moisturizing. Choose a moisturizer that suits your skin type and apply it all over your body. Do not use a face cream on your body as this tends to be lighter than body care products. [3]
How To Choose The Right Body Scrub For Your Skin?
Choosing the right body scrub is important, as a wrong product can leave your skin dry and irritated. Choose a product that suits your skin type. Also, choose a product depending on how frequently you plan to use it and for which part of the body. Here are the kinds of scrubs, with information on what they’re best suited for.
1. Sugar Scrub
Sugar particles are usually round and less abrasive than other natural exfoliants. It is easy and simple to make a mild body scrub with sugar. Since it is a naturally found glycolic acid, it breaks down the dead cells of your skin and provides a smooth skin surface. Sugar also hydrates your skin and helps it maintain the natural moisture level.
Suitability :
Suits sensitive skin, and skin that is prone to acne. Also, If your skin is dry and needs hydration, sugar scrub can be your pick. [4]
2. Salt Scrub
The grainy particles in salt scrubs are mostly used to smoothen rough areas of your body such as feet and elbows. Salt is a natural skin purifier and removes the toxins from your skin pores. It helps your skin to rejuvenate. So, a salt scrub is a perfect choice to remove stubborn rough skin. [5]
Suitability :
Rougher areas of the body, esp feet and elbows. Not recommended for sensitive skin
3. Salt & Sugar Scrub
Many of you may need a solution for both dry and rough skin, leaving you confused between salt and sugar scrub. You get the best of both through salt and sugar scrubs. The salt in these scrubs will smooth your skin and sugar will provide hydration.
Suitability :
People with rough and dry skin can go for the combination of sugar and salt scrub. It can be used in areas like legs, arms, elbows, feet or any body part that needs exfoliation.
4. Other Scrubs
Besides the above, there are other body scrubs made with natural ingredients. These include coffee scrubs which can work wonders for areas prone to cellulite. You may also opt for moisturizing scrubs, if you have dry skin. Finally, there are many herbal body scrubs available which infuse a range of herbs with varying benefits.
Suitability :
With each packing in a range of benefits, suitability can be tailored for different skin types.
Side Effects Of Body Scrubs
Even though safe body scrubbing does not have any serious side effects, over scrubbing can cause trouble for your skin such as
- Unhealthy shine on your skin
- Soreness
- Redness
- Burning sensation
- Increased dryness
- If you know your skin type and choose a body scrub that serves your skin’s needs, then a body scrub is quite a safe choice.
Frequently Asked Questions On Body Scrubs
1. When Should You Use A Body Scrub?-H3
If your skin is feeling too dry, rough or flaky you should try body scrubbing. If you are planning to shave your body hair, exfoliate your skin with a body scrub first. This will give you a smooth shaving experience.
Do not use a body scrub, if you have cuts or wounds on your body or your skin is irritated due to rashes or sunburn. Scrubbing will further increase your skin irritation.
2. How Often Should You Use A Body Scrub?-H3
Body scrubbing can be done once or twice a week. Your skin is soft and delicate, and scrubbing often, can cause discomfort. If it is your first time for body scrubbing, opt for a small patch test before the actual application.
3. Can You Use Body Scrub On Your Face?-H3
You should not use a body scrub on your face. This is because your facial skin and body skin are different. Your facial skin is much softer, and face scrubs are mild and gentle. A body scrub is thicker compared to a face scrub.
4. How Long Does A Body Scrub Last?-H3
This depends on the product you are using. You will see the expiry date of your body scrub on the packaging itself. But homemade sugar body scrubs last around for 6 months, if stored and used properly.
Wrapping Up
Body scrubbing may sound like a long process, but it’s worth the time and effort. It will not just cleanse your skin deeply but also provide hydration. Follow the above-mentioned steps to exfoliate your skin, and you shall soon see the difference.
Usually, scrubbing does not cause any skin irritation. But over-exfoliation may damage your skin. Be gentle with your skin, and if you find it difficult, head to a spa and enjoy a refreshing body scrub.
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