What Are the Benefits of Body Scrubs?

Body scrubs have been used for years, and over time a wide range of varieties has appeared, including scrubs made from coffee, salt, and sugar. You might even have some sitting in your bathroom cabinet right now.

Whether you’ve experimented with them before or not, you may be curious about what advantages, if any, body scrubs offer.

Beyond leaving your skin feeling ultra-smooth, body scrubs offer several additional perks.

Board-certified dermatologist and aesthetic specialist Kavita Mariwalla, MD, FAAD notes that body scrubs “are a useful item to include in your skincare routine, particularly during winter when the skin tends to become very dry.”

The advantages of body scrubs

First, let’s review how our skin functions.

Desquamation is the natural process of shedding skin, occurring in a continual regenerative cycle. The effectiveness of this process varies based on factors like age, skin type, the products you use, and your environment.

That said, the process isn’t flawless, and it can result in a layer of dead skin cells accumulating on the skin’s surface. This is where body scrubs help.

Body scrubs remove dead skin cells and therefore deliver several benefits:

• They help your skin take in moisturizer more effectively. By clearing away dead skin cell buildup, any moisturizer applied afterward will penetrate the skin more fully.
• They unclog pores and reduce ingrown hairs. Regularly using a body scrub helps clear your pores, which can reduce razor bumps and ingrown hairs.
• They leave skin feeling smoother and looking more even. When dry skin stays on the surface, it makes skin feel rough and appear dull or cracked. Removing those dead, dry cells reveals smoother, more even skin.

How to use a body scrub

Applying a body scrub is pretty simple. Here’s a short step-by-step guide (with a few tips):

1. Rinse your skin with warm water.
2. Apply the scrub using your fingertips.
3. Rub your hands and feet in circular motions, moving inward.
4. Rinse completely with warm water.
5. Shave, if desired.
6. Pat your skin dry, leaving it slightly damp.
7. Apply moisturizer. Putting moisturizer on while skin is still slightly damp helps lock in hydration.

Pro tip: Don’t overdo it. Even beneficial things can be too much when it comes to body scrubs. Use no more than twice a week.

When to exfoliate

Here are two timing factors to consider before using a body scrub.

How frequently should you use a body scrub?

Generally, you shouldn’t use a body scrub every day or even every other day. Overuse can cause dryness or irritation.

How often you exfoliate depends on your skin type, but typically you shouldn’t use a body scrub more than twice weekly or you risk drying and irritating your skin, according to Mariwalla.

If your skin is sensitive, consider limiting body scrub use to once a week.

What about body wash and shower timing?

It’s best to use a body scrub while still in the shower but after washing so your skin is clean and ready for exfoliation.

Different types of body scrubs

We asked Mariwalla whether all body scrubs are essentially the same. The short answer: no.

“The ingredients determine the grit, and that in turn affects how much exfoliation the product delivers. Keep in mind that more isn’t better, and just because you can exfoliate aggressively doesn’t mean you should,” she explains.

There was a time when sugar and salt scrubs were the most talked-about options. Now many different body scrubs are available, and it may take some experimenting to find the one your skin responds to best.

Here are several common types of body scrubs:

Salt body scrub

Sea salt is a natural exfoliant. Its coarse texture helps slough off dead skin cells effectively.

Purchase Ocean Salt Face And Body Scrub from Lush online.

Sugar body scrub

While too much sugar isn’t great to consume, it’s actually beneficial to apply to your skin.

Sugar is a humectant, which means it draws water into the skin, keeping it hydrated while removing dry, dead cells.

Coffee body scrub

Coffee offers several benefits that translate into body scrubs. It provides natural exfoliation and anti-inflammatory effects, and may boost circulation and help smooth skin.

Purchase First Botany Cosmeceuticals’ 100% Natural Arabica Coffee Scrub online.

Lavender body scrub

Lavender-infused scrubs can soothe irritated skin, calm inflammation, and relax your senses. Using a lavender scrub just before bed is a lovely option.

Purchase pureSCRUBS Lavender and Sea Salt Scrub online.

Charcoal body scrub

Charcoal has become a popular ingredient in many beauty and hygiene products. Its absorbent nature captures dirt, grime, and dead skin cells and removes them easily.

Purchase Dark Angels Face And Body Cleanser from Lush online.

Korean body scrub

If you’ve been to a Korean spa, you may have experienced a Korean-style body scrub. Rather than using a cosmetic scrub, dead skin is removed with scrubbing mitts. With simple soap and these mitts, you can soften and exfoliate your skin.

Purchase Korean Italy Towels online.

Dry brushing

Looking to try something different? Dry brushing is excellent for sloughing off dry skin. It also boosts circulation and lymphatic drainage, clears pores, and stimulates the nervous system.

Using a dry brush to exfoliate has the added advantage of not stripping the skin of moisture.

Purchase a dry brush online.

DIY body scrub recipes

If you’re interested in crafting your own body scrub, you’ll be glad to know it’s not difficult.

Homemade scrubs require just a few ingredients and can be more affordable than store-bought options.

Recipe #1: Coffee scrub

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup coffee grounds
• 2 tablespoons hot water
• 1 tablespoon warm coconut oil

Directions

1. Combine the coffee grounds with the water.
2. Stir in the warm coconut oil.
3. If needed, add extra coffee grounds or oil until you achieve the desired texture.

Recipe #2: Salt scrub

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup sea salt
• 1/2 cup oil (olive, coconut)

Directions

1. Mix the sea salt and oil together.
2. Add essential oils if you like.
3. Adjust with more salt or oil until you reach the right consistency.

Recipe #3: Sugar and lavender scrub

Ingredients

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup oil (olive, coconut, almond)
• 1/2 teaspoon real vanilla extract
• 15 drops lavender essential oil

Directions

1. Blend all ingredients thoroughly.
2. Adjust ingredient amounts as needed to get the preferred texture.

Potential drawbacks

Overusing body scrubs can cause the skin to become overly dry. For that reason, Mariwalla suggests applying lotion right after exfoliating to seal in moisture and prevent irritation.

A 2016 study found that physical exfoliation, while useful for maintaining visible radiance, can temporarily disrupt the skin barrier.

Thus, body scrubs and other at-home exfoliation methods may not replace the need for in-office peels or other professional treatments.

Aftercare precautions

To keep your skin in good condition, consider these precautions after exfoliating.

Avoid sunbathing

Be mindful of intense sun exposure after exfoliating. Mariwalla explains that skin can be slightly more sensitive to the sun after exfoliation, so consider postponing sunbathing until the next day.

Also, don’t exfoliate if you already have a sunburn.

Don’t exfoliate again right away

Body scrubs are exfoliants, so there’s no need to follow up with additional exfoliation immediately. Doing so can cause more dryness and irritation.

Avoid saunas and steam rooms

Using a steam room or sauna after exfoliating can aggravate the skin, so it’s best to skip them for a while.

Always be gentle when exfoliating and cautious about overuse.

The takeaway

Body scrubs are a helpful option for nearly any skin type. Whether you buy a product or make your own, these exfoliants soften and nourish the skin while removing the dead, dry cells that accumulate on your body.