How To Use Body Scrub TO Get Glowing Skin
Exfoliating is the key to soft, fresh skin. Body scrubs have long been the go-to way to exfoliate, but the beauty industry game is always changing. Now we’ve got body polishes, and the age-old practice of dry brushing has hit the mainstream in recent years. Here’s what you need to know about body scrubs, body polishes, and dry brushes.
Body Scrub vs. Body Polish
Body scrubs use grainy ingredients like sugar or oats to slough off dead skin and reveal the smoothness and radiance beneath. They’re popular for a reason—you can see and feel the results immediately. Fine, soft grains are better than anything too sharp or jagged, as the latter can leave little tears in the skin. Microbeads are also on their way out since they’re notorious for polluting the oceans and rivers.
Body polishes are relatively new to the market. They’re pretty much the same as body scrubs, but some formulations are gentler since the beauty industry is trending toward nourishing ingredients like oils, clays, and coffee grounds. “Body polish” is mostly a marketing term, but it can feel brand new. And anything that gets you excited about skincare and self-care is a good thing.
How to Apply a Body Scrub?
For the best results, make sure you’re scrubbing correctly. Here are some tips:
Use your hands. No need to use a brush; your hands will do the best work. If you feel wary about dipping your fingers into the container, use a clean wooden spoon to scoop out the product, then apply the scrub to your body with your hands.
Scrub toward your heart. This is a spa secret, and the reason to do it is that it’s best for circulation. Start at your feet and massage the scrub in a circular motion up the legs and the torso. Continue at your fingertips and massage up the arm.
Don’t scrub every day. It’s tempting to scrub daily since the results feel so good, but over-exfoliating can be harsh on your skin. Do it only a couple of times a week. If you have sensitive skin, do it even less frequently, and be gentle with yourself.
Follow up with a body oil or moisturizer. Since scrubbing can strip your skin of moisture, make sure to restore it every time.
Useful Tip:
Scrub before you shave. This helps remove dead skin cells so you can get a cleaner, smoother shave.
What is Dry Brushing?
Dry brushing might seem novel but it’s an ancient Ayurvedic technique. Also known as skin brushing, it involves taking a special tool called a dry brush—which typically has a long wooden handle and stiff, natural bristles—and massaging your entire body with it from your feet up. The benefits?
Relieves tension
Detoxifies skin
Exfoliates
Stimulates cell growth
Improves circulation
Facilitates lymphatic drainage
Temporarily minimizes the look of cellulite
Here’s how to do it:
Get naked and step into the shower. Do not turn the water on; this should be a dry process, as the name hints.
Starting at your feet, brush your skin from your toes on up to the top of your thighs. Short, swift strokes are best. Always move toward the heart.
Now go over the same area, but do slow circular motions.
Brush from your stomach up to your chest. This might be a sensitive area but will get desensitized as you get acclimated to dry brushing.
Move on to your arms, going from the fingertips up to the shoulders.
Brush the skin on your buttocks from bottom to top.
Brush the lower back up to the shoulders.
When finished, store your dry brush away, then take a warm shower.
Immediately after showering, apply a generous amount of body oil or moisturizer all over your body.
Whether you’re faithful to your favorite scrub or curious about body polishes and dry brushes, exfoliating is a loving act of self-care. Enjoy.
Do body scrubs make your skin glow?
Yes, body scrubs can contribute to achieving a healthy and glowing skin appearance. Body scrubs are exfoliating products that help remove dead skin cells, unclog pores, and improve circulation. By gently scrubbing the skin’s surface, body scrubs promote cell turnover, revealing fresher and smoother skin underneath. This can give your skin a rejuvenated and radiant appearance.
Body scrubs typically contain abrasive particles, such as sugar, salt, or coffee grounds, which act as physical exfoliants. As you massage the scrub onto your skin, these particles help slough off dead skin cells, revealing a brighter complexion. Additionally, the massaging action during application can stimulate blood flow to the skin, enhancing its natural glow.
Moreover, somebody scrubs also contain nourishing ingredients like oils, vitamins, or antioxidants that can provide hydration and nourishment to the skin. These ingredients can further contribute to a healthy and radiant skin appearance.
However, it’s important to note that excessive or harsh exfoliation with body scrubs can irritate the skin and lead to dryness or sensitivity. It’s recommended to use body scrubs 2-3 times a week or as directed by the product instructions. Additionally, choose a scrub that suits your skin type and preferences. If you have sensitive or delicate skin, opt for gentler exfoliants or consult with a dermatologist for personalized recommendations.
To maximize the benefits of body scrubs and promote a glowing complexion, it’s essential to follow up with proper moisturization and sun protection. After using a body scrub, apply a nourishing body lotion or oil to lock in moisture and maintain skin hydration. Also, remember to use sunscreen when exposing your skin to the sun to protect it from harmful UV rays.
In conclusion, body scrubs can help promote a healthy and glowing skin appearance by removing dead skin cells, improving circulation, and providing nourishment. Incorporating them into your skincare routine, along with moisturization and sun protection, can contribute to achieving a radiant and vibrant complexion.
Do body scrubs remove tan?
Yes, body scrubs can help in reducing the appearance of tan on the skin. Tan occurs when the skin is exposed to the sun’s UV rays, causing an increase in melanin production, which leads to darkening of the skin. Body scrubs can aid in the gradual fading of tan by exfoliating the outermost layer of the skin, where the tan resides.
When you use a body scrub, the abrasive particles or granules help to physically slough off dead skin cells that contain the excess pigmentation from tanning. This process promotes the shedding of the darker, tanned skin cells, revealing fresher and lighter skin cells underneath. As a result, the overall appearance of tan can become less noticeable over time.
It’s important to note that body scrubs alone may not completely remove a deep or long-lasting tan. The effectiveness of body scrubs in reducing tan depends on the intensity of the tan and how deeply it has penetrated the skin. In some cases, multiple sessions of exfoliation may be required to achieve the desired results.
To enhance the effects of body scrubs in reducing tan, you can consider incorporating other skincare practices such as using skin-lightening or brightening products that contain ingredients like vitamin C, kojic acid, or licorice extract. These ingredients can help inhibit melanin production and promote a more even skin tone.
Additionally, it’s crucial to protect your skin from further sun damage to prevent the recurrence of tan. Wear sunscreen with a high SPF, cover exposed skin with clothing or accessories, and seek shade during peak sun hours. Consistent sun protection measures can help maintain the results achieved from using body scrubs and prevent new tanning.
Overall, while body scrubs can assist in reducing tan by exfoliating the skin and promoting cell turnover, it’s important to have realistic expectations and to combine their usage with other appropriate skincare practices for optimal results.
Is body scrub better than soap?
Body scrubs and soap serve different purposes and have distinct benefits for the skin. It’s not a matter of one being better than the other, but rather about choosing the right product for your specific skincare needs.
Soap is primarily used for cleansing the skin by removing dirt, oil, and impurities. It helps to maintain overall cleanliness and hygiene. Soap typically creates a lather that helps to dissolve and wash away surface-level impurities. It’s important to choose a soap that is gentle and suitable for your skin type to avoid stripping the skin of its natural oils.
On the other hand, body scrubs are specifically designed for exfoliating the skin. They contain abrasive particles or granules that help to physically remove dead skin cells and promote cell turnover. Body scrubs are effective in sloughing off dull, dry, and flaky skin, leaving it smoother and more radiant. Regular exfoliation with a body scrub can improve the texture of the skin, unclog pores, and promote better absorption of moisturizers or other skincare products.
So, while soap cleanses the skin, body scrubs provide an additional exfoliation step to remove dead skin cells and reveal fresher skin underneath. They can be particularly beneficial for addressing concerns like roughness, uneven skin tone, or dry patches.
To incorporate both cleansing and exfoliation into your skincare routine, you can use soap or a gentle cleanser to cleanse your body and then follow up with a body scrub a few times a week to exfoliate the skin. This combination allows you to achieve clean and refreshed skin while also reaping the benefits of exfoliation.
It’s important to note that when using body scrubs, it’s recommended to choose one that is suitable for your skin type and to avoid harsh or abrasive scrubs that can cause irritation or damage to the skin. Also, be mindful of the frequency of exfoliation to avoid over-exfoliation, which can lead to dryness or sensitivity.
In summary, both soap and body scrubs play a role in skincare routines. Soap is for cleansing the skin, while body scrubs provide exfoliation. Choosing the right product and using them appropriately based on your skin’s needs can help you achieve healthier and smoother skin.
