Posted on January 23, 2024
Modified on April 16, 2024
Posted on January 23, 2024
Modified on April 16, 2024
I love adding a body scrub into my shower routine!
Using a body scrub can turn an ordinary bath or shower into a spa-like experience. A good exfoliation can leave your skin soft, smooth, and glowing. Not only that, many of the body scrubs are scented with essential oils adding to the spa vibe.
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Benefits Of Using A Body Scrub
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to the benefits of using a body scrub on a regular basis.
1. Smoother Skin
Regular exfoliation removes dead skin cells which softens dry, rough skin, revealing a new layer of smooth, even-textured skin.
2. Prevents ingrown hairs
When you scrub your body before shaving, it can prevent ingrown hairs and razor bumps.
3. Glowing Skin
Exfoliation boosts circulation and allows better absorption of nutrients resulting in a healthy glow.
4. Clears pores and blemishes
A body scrub can prevent breakouts by unclogging pores, removing excess sebum and other impurities from the skin that can lead to acne.
5. Hydrates skin
Exfoliation can open up your pores so applying a moisturizer after using a body scrub can boost hydration.
6. Helps fade scars and fine lines
Body scrubs can increase skin elasticity which can improve the look of scars, stretch marks, and fine lines.
7. Rejuvenating
When you combine massage and an essential oil infused body scrub, you get a rejuvenating spa-like experience.
Related Content: Best Exfoliators For Dry Skin
How To Use A Body Scrub To Exfoliate
- Bathe or shower before applying body scrub to allow skin to soak in warm water to soften and prepare it for exfoliation.
- Wash body with soap or body wash.
- Rub a small amount of body scrub on your hands, mitt, or brush.
- Massage in circular motions, applying gentle pressure starting with your upper body and working your way down to your feet.
- Rinse body scrub off with warm water.
- Shave if you need to.
- Dry off.
- Apply moisturizer to help replenish your skin’s moisture levels. If your skin will be exposed to the sun, you’ll want to take extra precaution and apply a sunscreen because your skin is more prone to burning after exfoliation.
Related Content: Best Natural and Non Toxic Body Washes
Best Natural Body Scrubs
OSEA Salts of The Earth Body Scrub
This award-winning, mineral-rich body scrub not only exfoliates and softens the skin, but the lavender essential oil also helps to provide a calming sensory experience.
Skin Loving Ingredients
- Mineral Salts Blend – Gently buffs away dead skin to reveal silky-smooth skin.
- Shea Butter – Moisturizes skin.
- Gigartina Seaweed – Nourishes skin with red algae from the pristine waters of Patagonia.
- Safflower Seed Oil – Nourishes and soothes skin with emollient oil derived from the safflower plant.
Price
$48
Review
This was one of the first scrubs I fell in love with. It has a strong lavender scent to it- very soothing. It turns into a milky consistency that helps exfoliate but also nourish the skin. It definitely leaves an oil on your skin afterwards. So if you would prefer no oil, you might want to steer clear of this one. I love using this when my skin feels extra dry and I want to really get in some extra moisture, but also some exfoliation. I wouldn’t recommend this exfoliant before using a self tanner since it is so oily.
Use code gurlgonegreen10 to save 10% off your purchase!
You can also find OSEA at Credo Beauty, Detox Market, Aillea and Beauty Heroes!
Follain Resurfacing Body Scrub
This creamy, multi-tasking body scrub combines physical and chemical exfoliation from Follain′s best-selling Dual Detox Mask for softer, smoother skin.
Skin Loving Ingredients
- Hydrated silica – Sloughs away dead skin cells and rough patches.
- Blend of AHA and BHA – Exfoliates or resurfaces through lactic acid, glycolic acid, and salicylic acid.
- Kaolin clay – Helps purify, balance, and remove excess oil.
Price
$24
Review
I love how budget friendly this scrub is and how it comes in a tube. Makes it great for travel. I also love that it doesn’t leave an oily residue when you use it. It just gives you a great exfoliation. A great exfoliant to use before applying self tanner as it doesn’t leave behind any residue. Which is also nice since you won’t be slipping at all in the shower too! It really is a unique product with the blend of AHA and BHA. It provides chemical and physical exfoliants. I like to scrub my body with it but then leave it on for a bit while I shampoo my hair and let the acids stay on a little longer to work their magic!
Beautycounter Sugarbuff Body Polish
This award-winning smoothing body polish, exfoliates skin with organic, finely milled sugar for a hydrated, healthy glow.
Skin Loving Ingredients
- Organic cane sugar – Gently exfoliates and buffs away dry skin.
- Sweet almond oil – Hydrates skin for a smooth, soft appearance.
- Organic sunflower seed oil – Hydrates and conditions skin through vitamin E and fatty acids.
Price
$50
Review
This quickly became one of my favorite sugar scrubs after using it. It feels so luxurious and smells divine. It has a lemongrass scent that makes you feel like you’re having your very own spa day in your shower. It exfoliates but also leaves behind nourishing oils on the skin. My skin feels so smooth and silky after using it. This would be another scrub I wouldn’t recommend you use before applying self tanner as it does leave behind an oily feel to the skin.
True Botanicals Pure Radiance Sugar Scrub
This nature derived formula exfoliates while protecting the skin barrier using organic sugar, sandalwood, rich camellia, jojoba oils and kaolin clay for smooth and glowing skin.
Skin Loving Ingredients
- Organic sugar – Naturally removes dead skin cells, encourages cell turnover and helps preserve moisture.
- Sandalwood Powder – Exfoliates and can be beneficial to acne prone skin with its skin barrier-friendly qualities and antibacterial properties.
- White Kaolin Clay – Gently cleanses and purifies pores.
Price
$38
Review
This is such a decadent sugar scrub full of organic sugar, sandalwood, rich camellia, jojoba oils and kaolin clay. It exfoliates the skin but also supports the skin barrier. The scent is a blend of orange peel, cedarwood, and sandalwood- smells divine! It has larger sugar crystals and does leave the skin feeling smooth and moisturized. It leaves a slight residue but not as much as some of the others. This totally evokes a spa-like feeling. Plus, I love the amber hued glass jar.
You can also find True Botanicals at Credo Beauty, Detox Market and Beauty Heroes!
Nature of Things Cleansing Body & Scalp Polish
This polish purifies, detoxifies, and moisturizes the body and scalp through Moroccan clay, Himalayan salt, Jeju volcanic ash, Ceylon cinnamon, and Argan and olive oil.
Skin Loving Ingredients
- Grapefruit Peel Essential Oil – An energizing citrus-scented essential oil that helps relieve fatigue and stress.
- Tocopherol – A pure form of vitamin E that neutralizes free radicals and moisturizes skin.
- Luffa Cylindrica Seed – A potent antioxidant that helps protect hair and skin from environmental damage.
- Fuller’s Earth – A clay-like form of aluminum silicate exfoliates and removes dead skin with its ability to absorb dirt and oil.
Price
$46
Review
I discovered this scrub after it came in a Beauty Heroes box. I love the earthy smell! It reminds me of a spa I worked at. It is nice because the salt granules in it are very small and not as large as some of the other scrubs I tested out. It has a great little suds that happens when you rub it in your hands and add some water to it. My skin feels exfoliated, but there’s no residue left behind. It also doubles as a scalp exfoliator/shampoo too! It leaves the hair feeling hydrated, but not weighed down or greasy. It comes in a tube that’s made of aluminum and I find as I get towards the end of the tube it is a little harder to squeeze out all the product. That would be my one drawback.
Nécessaire The Body Exfoliator
This award-winning, dual-action exfoliator contains both a physical and chemical exfoliation treatment through Volcanic Pumice, AHA/BHA/PHA, and Niacinamide.
Skin Loving Ingredients
- Volcanic Pumice – Physically exfoliates by removing calluses and smoothing rough spots.
- AHA, BHA, PHA – Glycolic acid and lactic acid, Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA), salicylic acid, a Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA), and gluconolactone, a Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) are chemical exfoliators that can be helpful for acne-prone skin, and uneven skin texture and pigmentation.
- Niacinamide – This skin soothing powerhouse helps treat and prevent keratosis pilaris.
Price
$30
Review
This is a great budget friendly pick, when you consider how much product you get for the price. It really is a lot for the money. This is another exfoliant that uses chemical and physical exfoliants in it. It feels like a body wash almost, but with exfoliants in it as well. It comes in 4 different scents, bergamot, sandalwood, eucalyptus and fragrance free. I tested out the fragrance- free version. This has been touted as one of the best exfoliants/products for helping to even out skin tone especially when it comes to keratosis pilaris(the bumps you can get on your arms). I love using this before applying self tanner.
You can also find Nécessaire at Detox Market.
Related Content: Nécessaire Review
Bluh Alchemy Phyto-Enzyme Body Polish
This multi-tasking body polish tones and resurfaces the skin through nutrient dense plant oils, butters and actives.
Skin Loving Ingredients
- Guarana – With its high caffeine content, it boosts circulation, and improves skin tone through caffeine.
- Papaya – Essential vitamins, minerals and the enzyme papain help to exfoliate dead skin cells, hydrate and brighten skin.
- Buriti Fruit Oil – As a rich source of vitamin A and C, it helps improve cellular turnover and skin elasticity.
Price
$65
Review
This is the newest scrub that I tested. I also received this in a Beauty Heroes box. It’s such a luxurious body scrub! It’s also a total splurge when it comes to the price. The scrub itself does so many things, from exfoliating, detoxifying, and helping with circulation. It even helps with cellulite and skin texture. It leaves your skin silky smooth and nourished, but there isn’t an oily feel like with some of the others. This is packed with so many WOW ingredients as I call them. From ginger root, to buriti fruit oil to Guarana, pumpkin, kakadu plum and papaya. This truly a skin treat! My skin feels all the things after using it. Smoother, tighter, and brighter.
Body Scrub FAQ’s
1. How often should a body scrub be used?
It’s best to start out 1x/week and see how your skin responds and then build up to 2 or 3 times a week if your skin needs it. As great as exfoliation feels, it can be irritating to the skin when done in excess.
2. Should a body scrub be used before or after shaving?
A body scrub should be used before shaving to remove dead skin and ensure a smooth shave. It’s also not a good idea to shave before using a body scrub because you don’t want to use a body scrub on irritated skin or on nicks and cuts.
3. Should body scrub and body wash be used together?
It’s best to use body wash first and follow with a body scrub to prepare the skin for exfoliation.
4. Are salt and sugar scrubs the same?
Salt scrubs and sugar scrubs are both physical exfoliants but the granule size of salt is bigger than sugar, making salt scrubs more abrasive. Sugar scrubs are generally recommended for those with sensitive skin and salt scrubs are recommended if you want the added benefit of detoxification or have sore muscles and want some anti-inflammatory support.
Related Content: Salt vs Sugar Scrub (What’s The Difference?)
Did I miss your favorite body scrub? Share it below!
If you liked this post, check out these past posts:
- Body Butter vs Body Lotion: What’s the difference?
- Best Natural Body Oils for Dry Skin
- How To Use A Lip Scrub + Best Lip Scrub Products
