For many of us, our daily skin care routine begins and ends with the face. With all the importance placed on facial skin care, body care can sometimes be forgotten. Still, body care is just as important as facial skin care, and a natural body scrub is the perfect way to start!

The benefits of body scrubs are numerous, and if you're not already using them, you might want to consider making body scrubs a staple in your bathroom essentials. Here are some of the top benefits of body scrubs we came across, along with tips on how to use them and which scrub to choose.

The benefits of using a body scrub

First, let's look at how our skin works.

Desquamation is the natural peeling process of the skin that occurs in a constant regenerative cycle. The effectiveness of this process depends on a number of factors, including age, skin type, the products you use, and the environment.

However, the process is not 100% perfect and can cause dead skin cells to build up on the surface of your skin. This is where body scrubs come in.

Key benefits for the skin

Body scrubs remove dead skin cells and thus provide several benefits:

They allow your skin to absorb the moisturizer better. By removing dead skin cells, any moisturizer applied afterwards will absorb more fully into the skin.
They unclog pores and prevent ingrown hairs. By using a body scrub regularly, you'll unclog your pores, which can prevent razor bumps and ingrown hairs.
They leave your skin smoother and more even. When dry skin is not removed, it becomes 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-toned skin.

How to use a body scrub?

Using a body scrub is relatively easy. Here's a quick step-by-step guide (including a few tips):

Rinse your body with warm water.
Apply the scrub with your fingertips.
Cleanse your hands and feet in a circular motion and move inwards.
Rinse thoroughly with warm water.
Shave, always after the body scrub therapy.
Dry the skin, leaving it slightly damp.
Apply a moisturizing cream, lotion or body oil. Applying moisturizer while your skin is still damp will lock in moisture.

Pro tip: Don't overdo it. Too much of a good thing can be bad when it comes to body scrubs. Learn why below. Use twice a week at most.

When to use a body scrub?

Here are two timing considerations to keep in mind before using a body scrub.

How often should you use a body scrub?

In general, you don't want to use a body scrub on your skin every day or even every other day. This can cause skin dryness or irritation.

How often you should use a body scrub (or exfoliate in general) depends on your skin type. But our advice is not to use a body scrub more often than twice a week, because otherwise you will dry out and irritate your skin.

For sensitive skin, using a body scrub once a week may be enough.

What about washing the body and taking a shower?

It's best to use a body scrub while you're still in the shower, but right after washing, so your skin is clean and ready to exfoliate.

Types of body scrubs

There are so many different body scrubs on the market these days, it may take some trial and error to find the combination that you and your skin love the most.

Here are a few of the most common types of body scrubs:

Body scrub with salt

Sea salt is a natural exfoliant. Its abrasive texture easily washes away dead skin cells.

Sugar body scrub

Although it is not good to take too much sugar, it is actually extremely beneficial for the body and especially for the skin in the form of a body scrub.

Sugar is a humectant, which means it draws water into the skin, leaving it hydrated while ridding it of dry and dead cells.

Body scrub with seeds and stone powder

Scrubs with this type of abrasive ingredients improve blood circulation and, accordingly, the elasticity of the skin, remove dirt and excess sebum. They are suitable for adding to the composition of both body and face scrubs.

Buy Primavera's 100% Natural Body Scrub with Olive Kernel Powder and Jojoba Seeds

Coffee body scrub

Coffee has many benefits that carry over to body scrubs. Not only does it have natural exfoliating and anti-inflammatory properties, but it can also improve blood circulation and smooth the skin.

Buy the 100% natural Ikarov Arabica coffee body scrub.

Lavender body scrub

Lavender-based body scrubs can be great for soothing irritated skin, treating inflammation, and calming and relaxing the senses. Right before bed is a great time to use a lavender body scrub.

Body scrub with activated charcoal

Charcoal has become an ingredient in many beauty and hygiene products. Charcoal is highly absorbent, meaning it picks up all the dirt, grime and dead skin cells and gets rid of them with ease.

Exfoliating glove

If you've ever been to a spa, you may have encountered a body scrub. Instead of cleaning with a cosmetic product, dead skin is removed using scrubbing gloves. Using regular soap, you can use these gloves to soften your skin.

Dry brushing

Want to try something a little different? Dry brushing is a great way to exfoliate dry skin. In addition, it enhances blood circulation and lymphatic drainage, unclogs pores and stimulates the nervous system.

Using an exfoliating brush also has the added advantage of not stripping the skin of moisture.

Body scrub recipes

We present you several basic recipes to which you can add various essential oils or combine them with other exfoliating ingredients:

Coffee scrub

½ cup ground coffee (coffee grounds are preferable)
2 tablespoons (tbs) of hot water
1 tablespoon almond oil or oil from jojoba

Mix the coffee grounds with the water. Add the butter.
If necessary, add more coffee grounds or butter until you get the right consistency.

Salt scrub

½ cup sea salt
½ cup oil (olive oil, almond oil or jojoba)

Mix the sea salt and oil. Add essential oils if desired. If necessary, add additional salt or oil until you get the right consistency.

Sugar scrub

1 cup of sugar
½ cup oil (olive oil, jojoba, almond oil)
15 drops lavender essential oil

Mix the ingredients well. If necessary, add additional ingredients to get the right consistency. Add the lavender essential oil.

Body scrub with coffee and sugar for radiant skin

¼ cup ground coffee
¼ cup sugar
2 tablespoons unrefined olive oil
15 drops vitamin E

Preparation time: 2 minutes

Treatment time: 10 minutes

Method of preparation and use:
Combine all the ingredients until you get a rough paste. Clean your skin and apply this paste on it. Use your fingers to gently massage the mixture into your skin in a circular motion. Gently massage and exfoliate the body, spending 1-2 minutes on each part. Wash the mixture off your body using a hydrating body soap and lukewarm water.

How often is it applied?
2–3 times a week

How it works:
This is one of the best scrubs you can use for your skin. Coffee is rich in antioxidants and the sugar in this mixture acts as an exfoliant to help get rid of dead skin. The olive oil in this scrub penetrates deep into the skin, keeping it hydrated and healthy.

Oatmeal Body Scrub for Radiant Skin

½ cup uncooked fine rolled oats
½ cup brown sugar
½ cup raw honey
¼ cup jojoba oil
2 drops lavender essential oil
4 drops geranium essential oil
4 drops frankincense essential oil

Preparation time: 2 minutes

Treatment time: 10–15 minutes

Method of preparation and use:
Grind the dry ingredients until you get a fine powder and mix the liquid ingredients with it. Mix the rest of the ingredients until you get a coarse paste. Clean your skin and apply this paste on it. Use your fingers to gently massage the mixture into your skin in a circular motion. Gently massage and exfoliate the body, spending 1-2 minutes on each part. Wash the mixture off your body using a hydrating body soap and lukewarm water.

How often is it applied?
Twice a week

How does it work?
Oatmeal is one of the best natural exfoliants. It not only helps to get rid of dead skin cells, but also soothes and heals problem skin.

You can view all body scrubs offered in the MAKASA online store in the category - Body scrub.

Conclusion

Regular body scrubs help to make your skin smoother, softer, and more radiant. Combine homemade recipes with quality store-bought products and listen to your skin's needs.