The Beauty Benefits of a Body Scrub

When we hop in the shower, most of us have a variety of body and skin care products lined up around the edge of the shower cubicle.  But amongst all of those products, do you have what you would class as a ‘good’ body scrub? An essential for maintaining healthy, smooth skin, body scrubs are a must-have for your body care ritual. The combination of cleansing, exfoliation and massage provides benefits that go far beyond what a bar of soap can do.

Read on to learn how a body scrub can improve your skin’s health and become a satisfying, spa-like body care ritual. Plus, tips on choosing the best product for you and how to properly use a scrub to give your skin the invigorating rubdown it deserves.

THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF A BODY SCRUB
Just like the skin cells on your face, the cells on your body regularly shed to reveal new, healthier skin underneath. That turnover process slows as we get older; to give it a nudge, reach for a body scrub.

A scrub works in a few ways: As you massage it over your body, the exfoliating granules help to remove dead skin, and the rubbing action itself boosts circulation and helps drain your lymph nodes, by increasing blood flow to the skin’s surface. Plus, after all that deep cleansing work in the shower, your post-wash moisturiser will be better able to soothe and hydrate your skin.

But another important benefit of using a scrub is how good it can feel in the moment. Being mindful of the refreshing texture against your skin and captivating scent that fills the shower allows you to enjoy the treatment as it’s happening—an experience that can lift your mood and affect your ‘glam’ometer as you continue your day or evening.

TYPES OF BODY SCRUBS
Typically, a body scrub has larger exfoliating particles than a facial scrub as the skin on your body isn’t as delicate. Common ingredients in scrubs are salt, sugar and crushed nut shells, and some include chemical exfoliants, like alpha hydroxy and glycolic acids, which can help smooth and firm skin, and salicylic acid, which can help improve the appearance of blemishes or redness.

Grace Cole Body Scrubs are a magnificent spa-in-a-tube that polishes in the most divine way, using gentle beads to reveal a soft canvas of glowing skin.  At once invigorating and stimulating, the formula releases a stunning burst of delicate scent. The buffing grains inside every tube are made from biodegradable eco beads protecting the environment from unnecessary pollutants.

If you’d rather stick with a smooth shower gel, using a loofah or exfoliating cloth can provide the cleansing scrub your skin needs. Whether you have a long, languid hour or a speedy 10 minutes for bathroom me-time, experiment with this technique using any of our soothing Body Washes to look and feel utterly divine emitting the most delicious explosion of scent on the skin.

HOW TO USE A BODY SCRUB
If your skin is healthy and firm, you can use a shower scrub up to three times a week. But if you have sensitive or thin skin, limit a good buffing to once a week.

Hold off on running the water in the shower and spend a few minutes using your hands or scrubbing tool to rub your scrub in circular motions onto dry skin for full and longer-lasting coverage. Turn on the water and rinse, using your hands to help remove any remaining granules. If you’re short on time, massage the scrub all over your body and rinse during your normal shower routine.

Be careful not to over scrub. Though your body skin is heartier than the skin on your face, it is susceptible to irritation. Always moisturise after you’ve dried off for smooth, nourished skin.

WHEN NOT TO USE A BODY SCRUB
If you have a sunburn or are experiencing a rash or other skin condition, give the body scrub a rest. Some of the ingredients, and the actual rubbing, could further irritate your skin. You’ll also want to skip it after shaving if your scrub contains salt or any chemical ingredients.