The Ultimate Guide To Exfoliating Body Scrubs For Radiant Results
WHAT IS A BODY SCRUB?
Body scrubs are a foundation step in your body care routine. They help maintain the texture and health of your skin generally; they’re especially helpful in keeping dry skin at bay on your legs! Scrubs are physical exfoliants which contain particles that remove dead skin cells from the outer layer of your skin when rubbed over your body. The particles can vary – face exfoliators usually contain smaller particles or grains to deliver benefits in a gentle way. Body scrubs are usually made with bigger particles – often salt or sugar – and the best body exfoliator you can buy will contain sea salt, which has bigger, rougher grains to give a really good abrasive treatment to body skin.
HOW DO BODY SCRUBS WORK?
Body exfoliators work by removing dead cells from the surface of your skin, and the abrasive, particle-like ingredients are massaged into the skin, clearing away dry skin and dead skin cells, stimulating cell turnover. Although our skin naturally sheds, by using these exfoliators, you're encouraging the process, making the surface smoother, brighter and more supple. With the best body exfoliators you’ll feel the benefits immediately.
WHAT’S THE BEST BODY SCRUB FOR DRY SKIN?
Body exfoliators come into their own with dry skin because of the way they remove dead, dry cells on the surface of your skin. But when skin is really dry it needs extra care with an exfoliator. For sensitive skin opt for ones with natural grains, like sugar, salt or crushed walnut shells, and a creamy or oilier base to cushion the skin, and use it gently, especially over areas where the skin is thin, like your shins.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF USING AN EXFOLIATING BODY SCRUB?
Making skin smoother and brighter isn’t the only benefit body exfoliators bring. Their abrasive action stimulates the circulation and lymphatic system. That means that freshly oxygenated, nutrient-rich blood is brought to the skin’s surface, giving it a nice pinkness and plumpness. As the lymph, the body’s natural waste disposal system, is stimulated, toxins trapped in tissues are pushed towards the lymph nodes to be filtered and metabolised by the body. So body exfoliators also help to cleanse deeply within. Legology’s Exfo-Lite Stimulating Salts For Legs combines sea salt and Himalayan pink salt crystals. It also contains two complexes which include ingredients like caffeine and butchers broom, which work to deeply drain the lymph, helping to reduce areas of puffiness and really enhance your shape.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU EXFOLIATE?
So how often should you scrub? We usually recommend no more than once or twice a week, especially if you are regularly using a body brush which can have a similar exfoliating effect as a scrub. Over-scrubbing can also strip your skin of moisture and compromise its natural protective barrier. And after exfoliating your body always apply a good thick layer of body moisturiser or cream to replenish your skin and finish the body care routine properly; moisturiser will go a lot deeper into the skin after exfoliation because the top layer has been buffed.
WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO EXFOLIATE?
- Take a generous handful of exfoliator and start massaging it into your skin. If you’re working on your legs, rub it in small circles upwards towards your knees and then over your thighs and hips.
- Scrub your body for 30 seconds with a gentle pressure throughout.
- Rinse your skin thoroughly in the shower or bath to remove any of the dead skin cells the body scrub has picked up. Wash off the exfoliator in massaging motions to remove any excess particles.
- Pat your skin dry with a towel.
- Apply plenty of body lotion/moisturiser.
TOP TIP
Exfoliating primes skin for moisturiser because the smoother surface encourages the cream to absorb more quickly. Moisturising while your skin is still warm and slightly damp after exfoliating will also maximise moisturising benefits.
THE BENEFITS OF A BODY SCRUB
- Gives you soft, supple, cleaner skin
- Smooths rough, dry skin by removing dead skin cells
- Draws out impurities
- Promotes your lymph, circulation and skin cell turnover
- Makes hair removal easier and prevents ingrown hairs
