The benefits of using body scrubs
First, let’s take a look at how our skin works.
Desquamation is the natural process of shedding skin, and it happens in a constant, regenerative cycle. The efficiency of this process depends on a number of factors including your age, skin type, the products you’re using, and your environment.
However, the process isn’t 100 percent perfect, and it can lead to a buildup of dead skin cells on the surface of your skin. This is where body scrubs come in.
Body scrubs remove dead skin cells, and so provide several benefits:
- They allow your skin to absorb moisturizer better. By doing dead skin cell buildup, any moisturizer applied afterward will soak into the skin more thoroughly.
- They unclog pores and prevent ingrown hairs. By regularly using a body scrub, you’ll unclog your pores, which can prevent razor bumps and ingrown hairs.
- They leave your skin smoother and more even. When dry skin isn’t removed, it makes the skin rough to the touch and has a dull, cracked texture and appearance. By removing the dead, dry cells, you should have smoother and more even skin.
How to use
Using a body scrub is relatively straightforward. Here’s a quick step-by-step guide (including a few tips):
- Rinse your skin with warm water.
- Apply the scrub with your fingertips.
- Scrub your hands and feet in a circular motion and move inward.
- Rinse thoroughly using warm water.
- Pat skin dry, leaving it slightly damp.
- Apply moisturizer. Putting on moisturizer while your skin is still damp will trap in the moisture.
Pro-tip: Don’t overuse it. Too much of a good thing can be true when it comes to body scrubs. Learn why below. Use twice a week at most.
Here are two timing considerations to have in mind before using body scrub..
How often should you use a body scrub?
How often you should use a body scrub (or exfoliate in general) depends on your skin type. But in general, you don’t want to use a body scrub more than twice a week, or you’ll dry and irritate your skin.
For sensitive skin, you may want to just use a body scrub once a week.
In general, you don’t want to use a body scrub on your skin every day or even every other day. Doing this could lead to dry or irritated skin.
