How to Use Body Scrub Effectively for Soft, Radiant Skin

You’ve likely noticed containers of sugar, coffee grounds, or salt lining store shelves promising softer, more radiant skin.

Here’s a concise guide to using body scrubs to achieve silky, luminous skin.

What is it?

Body scrubs are a form of mechanical exfoliation, which physically sloughs off dead skin cells from the outermost layer using abrasive components like sugar or salt.

This encourages skin cell turnover, producing smoother, brighter skin and potentially reducing future acne flare-ups.

“If your skin appears dry and lackluster, gentle exfoliation can help,” says Suzanne Friedler, a board-certified dermatologist with Advanced Dermatology PC.

Depending on your skin’s condition, certain body scrubs may not be ideal for you.

How to use it

Applying a body scrub is fairly simple and safe when you follow a few basic steps.

Deanne Mraz Robinson, MD, FAAD, president and co-founder of Modern Dermatology in Connecticut and an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Yale New Haven Hospital, along with Friedler, recommend this routine:

• Rinse your skin with warm water.
• Scoop a small amount of body scrub into your hand.
• Gently massage it onto your skin using small circular motions with your hand or an exfoliating glove.
• Limit scrubbing to no more than 30 seconds per area.
• Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.
• Cleanse your skin with your usual body wash. (You can do this before exfoliating if you prefer.)
• Shave afterward, if you wish.
• Pat your skin dry gently.
• Finish by applying a moisturizer.

Body scrubs can temporarily disturb the skin barrier and may dry the skin. Robinson recommends seeking products that include oil-free humectants or emollients like ceramides, vitamin E, or hyaluronic acid.

Pro tip: Skip loofahs. Robinson warns they often harbor bacteria.

How often should you use a body scrub?

Frequency depends on your skin type, though Robinson advises beginning with 1 to 2 times weekly.

“You don’t want to strip too much moisture or weaken the skin barrier. Observe how your skin reacts, and adjust from there,” she says.

Types of scrubs

Robinson suggests choosing a gentle physical exfoliant with fine, soft particles, such as:

• crushed macadamia
• sugar
• sea salt

“Avoid large, coarse particles like apricot or walnut shells, which can create micro-tears in the skin and cause inflammation, scarring, or infection,” Robinson cautions.

Some physical scrubs combine chemical exfoliants. Friedler recommends a scrub containing salicylic acid for oily skin, or glycolic acid for sensitive or dry skin.

If acne isn’t a concern, Robinson suggests scrubs that include nourishing oils, such as:

• rosehip oil
• olive oil
• avocado oil
• moringa oil

Consider the InfiniteAloe Face & Body Scrub with rosehip oil or The Body Shop Moringa Exfoliating Cream Body Scrub.

DIY recipes

To whip up a body scrub at home, combine coffee grounds or finely ground sugar with honey, which Robinson notes has humectant and antimicrobial qualities.

Thin the mixture with a little coconut oil for a softer texture.

“This works well for spot-treating feet, knees, or elbows, or for applying across broader areas of the body,” she says.

Friedler recommends mixing salt and sugar with fragrant oils. “Just avoid using these blends on the face, where they can trigger breakouts,” she adds.

Try the following DIY scrub recipes.

Brown sugar and honey

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup melted coconut oil
• 2 tbsp. honey

Directions

1. Combine the brown sugar with the melted coconut oil.
2. Stir in the honey.
3. Mix well, adding more coconut oil to reach a looser consistency if needed.

Coffee and coconut

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup coffee grounds
• 2 tbsp. hot water
• 1 tbsp. warm coconut oil

Directions

1. Stir the coffee grounds into the hot water.
2. Fold in the warmed coconut oil.
3. Tweak by adding extra grounds or oil until you achieve the desired texture.

Sugar and olive oil

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup olive oil

Directions

1. Mix the brown sugar and olive oil together.
2. Adjust with additional sugar or oil until the consistency suits you.

Sea salt and oil

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup sea salt
• 1/2 cup oil of your choice

Directions

1. Combine the sea salt with the chosen oil.
2. Add more of either component to reach the consistency you prefer.

Product recommendations

If you prefer to purchase ready-made options, Robinson and Friedler suggest these body scrubs:

• Caudalie Gentle Buffing Cream for sensitive skin
• First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub for dry, rough patches
• Neutrogena Body Clear Body Scrub for acne-prone skin
• SkinCeuticals Micro-Exfoliating Scrub suitable for most skin types

Cautions

Although exfoliation can benefit many skin types, Robinson points out several exceptions.

Retinol or benzoyl peroxide

Mechanical exfoliants may harm skin for people using prescription retinoids or products with retinol or benzoyl peroxide, making it more sensitive or prone to peeling.

If you’re using any of those treatments, consult your dermatologist about whether mechanical exfoliation is appropriate.

Skin conditions or injuries

If you have a skin disorder, seek guidance from a dermatologist based on your treatments and skin status.

Avoid exfoliating when experiencing:

• psoriasis
• eczema
• active acne
• sunburn
• skin infection
• open wounds

Beyond avoiding exfoliants in these situations, “don’t scrub irritated skin, which can worsen inflammation and trigger flare-ups,” Robinson says.

Hyperpigmentation

If you have darkened spots from burns or insect bites, skip harsh scrubs; they can exacerbate hyperpigmentation.

Sensitive skin

Robinson notes you can exfoliate dry or sensitive skin provided you immediately follow with a rich moisturizer.

“I recommend choosing fragrance-free formulas and doing a patch test before applying broadly to observe how your skin reacts,” she adds.

Consider PureSCRUBS Unscented Dead Sea Salt Body Scrub or Organic Fiji Fragrance Free Whole Body Sugar Scrub.

Oily skin

Don’t be tempted to over-exfoliate oily skin.

“Removing too much oil can prompt the skin to produce even more oil to compensate,” Robinson explains.

Takeaway

Body scrubs are physical exfoliants that use ingredients like sugar or sea salt to lift away dead skin cells, helping the skin appear brighter and potentially reducing future breakouts.

Most people can gain from body scrubs, but consult your provider first if you have a condition such as psoriasis or eczema, or if you’re using retinoids.

Avoid scrubbing burned, damaged, or irritated skin.