A good body care regime is just as important as your face care regime if you want to look and feel your best…especially during Summer when your body is on show. It’s fundamental that your body care regime should include regular exfoliation to ensure your skin is in tip top shape and stays soft, smooth and radiant. You will also get better results from your body moisturiser and save money by using less product to see results.
Here’s what you need to know about including a body scrub to your skin care routine.
What Is A Body Scrub?
Body scrubs are physical exfoliants designed to slough away dead skin cells. The textural element of a “scrub” is usually raw sugar and/or salt or coffee blended in an oil base. Good quality scrubs will be formulated with finer or softer particles that gently polish the skin without being abrasive or irritating.
Benefits of Body Scrub
Our skin is constantly turning over to bring dead cells to the surface to shed naturally and reveal softer, new skin cells underneath. As we age, this process slows down leading to a build-up of dead cells on the surface of the skin which block absorption of moisturisers and oils leading to dry, rough and sometimes irritated skin. Daily exposure to environmental toxins and pollutants also contribute to dull skin.
The body scrub’s main purpose is to remove dead skin cells, boost circulation and encourage the healthy production of new cells. This manual exfoliation not only smooths and polishes the skin but also draws out impurities as a form of detoxification. “According to traditional Ayurvedic science, scrubbing is a highly effective way of purifying your body and of stimulating the flow of energy.”
Regular exfoliation will give you a brighter & more even skin tone, smoother texture, reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation, fine lines, scars, and stretch marks.
In summary, the benefits of regular use of body scrubs include:
- Promoting circulation and skin cell turnover
- Removing dead cells from the skin’s surface
- Smoothing and softening rough, dry skin
- Drawing out impurities and clearing congestion
- Boosting absorption and maximising the benefits of your moisturiser
- Freeing ingrown hairs and smoothing razor bumps
- Helps when applying self-tanner to your skin, helping you attain a glow without the streaks
Salt, Sugar or Coffee?
Sounds like morning tea options rather than skin care but most body scrubs use sugar and/or salt or coffee grinds as the active ingredients to exfoliate the skin. Each of these has unique benefits for your complexion.
Coffee Scrub
Coffee granules are used in many scrubs as the caffeine acts as a stimulant which improves the circulation of blood and for this reason is often recommended to help treat cellulite. It’s thought that the caffeine in coffee can help dilate blood vessels and reduce the appearance of skin dimples.
Sugar Scrub
We love using sugar granules because they are rounder and less abrasive than salt so they are excellent for dry, dehydrated and sensitive skins. Sugar is also a natural source of glycolic acid (an AHA), so it breaks down layers of dead skin and smooths the skin’s surface. It also speeds up rehydration, keeping skin well hydrated and plump.
Salt Scrub
We also love salt in a scrub as it tends to have grittier particles which is really useful in smoothing rough areas like feet and elbows. Salt also has detoxifying properties: Its trace minerals are natural purifiers that draw out pore-clogging toxins and relieve congestion. Included in a scrub, this can promote more efficient circulation and healthy skin cell turnover.
Salt & Sugar Scrub
The perfect combo! Some scrubs offer the best of both worlds. Our Coconut + Sugar Body Polish combines hydrating raw sugar and mineral-rich sea salt in an organic coconut oil blend to invigorate the skin and smooth dryness. This gentle scrub polishes the skin to reveal a healthy, radiant-looking complexion and leaves a light coconut oil film for moisture and protection. It is free from nasties including harmful microbeads and is enlivened with Australian Lemon Myrtle for a refreshing and revitalising experience.
How To Use A Body Scrub
It’s best to scrub once or twice per week to keep your skin soft and smooth from head to toe. Here’s how :
- Hop in the bath or shower and wet skin with warm water for a few minutes for soften the skin. Grab a small handful and start applying the scrub in circular motions; start at your feet and move upwards towards your heart to enhance circulation
- Maintain gentle pressure (don’t scrub too hard!)
- Rinse thoroughly
- With most scrubs, your skin will feel a bit dry and thirsty so you will need to follow with your favourite body oil, lotion or butter when your skin is still slightly damp. Because we use coconut oil in our formulation, you will be left with a lovely protective and moisturising sheen so there is no need to follow up with a moisturiser.
Beyond just the skin clearing benefits, indulging in a revitalising fragrance is even easier with body scrubs versus other skin care products because fragrance tends to last longer on exfoliated skin. You can enjoy your scrub for body exfoliation and bask in the uplifting fragrance for hours. A longer-lasting fragrance, especially if derived from natural oils, will help soothe and relax your body, and your mind as well. Now you know why an exfoliating body scrub is often used in spa sessions and massages.
How often you should use a body scrub
As a general guideline, start off with a scrub once per week, and then gradually increase to 3 times per week. If you are new to exfoliation, first test on one part of your body. If you know you have sensitive or irritated skin, talk to your dermatologist first or start very slowly.
Your Home Spa
Healthy skin has both external and internal effects. Exfoliating your body’s biggest organ will surely leave you feeling rejuvenated and relaxed as it will give your body the gentle massage it needs to destress and re-charge.
Some body scrubs use pretty harsh and abrasive ingredients, so be sure you choose a brand or product that is transparent with its exfoliating ingredients and uses gentle, plant-based ingredients in its formulas.
Are you ready to give your body a skincare regime?
