How to use a body scrub

How to use a body scrub: in the shower, after your body wash, massage a small scoop over damp skin in light circles, rinse with lukewarm water, pat dry and put on an oil or cream straight away. Do it once or twice a week. That is the whole method; the rest of this guide is about doing it gently and in the right order.

What a body scrub does

A scrub is mechanical exfoliation: fine grains physically lift dead skin cells from the surface. The American Academy of Dermatology notes that exfoliating is not for everyone and, done badly, can do more harm than good. So the two rules are gentle pressure and not too often.

Our Volcano Scrub is a creamy scrub with fine volcanic sand that buffs away dry flakes and leaves skin smooth to the touch. Kaolin, a soft clay, sits alongside the sand in a creamy base, so it glides as you massage. It is the one body scrub in our range, and it is made for face and body.

How to use a body scrub, step by step

1. Wash first. Use your body wash and rinse.
2. Step out of the spray. Skin can be damp or dry for our scrub, but running water rinses the grains away before they do anything.
3. Scoop a little onto your fingertips. You need less than you think.
4. Massage in small, slow circles. Arms, legs, elbows and knees. Dermatologists suggest about 30 seconds. There is no need to press hard.
5. Rinse well with lukewarm water, not hot.
6. Pat dry. Do not rub with the towel.
7. Moisturize straight away. Exfoliating can be drying, so the Academy advises applying moisturizer immediately after.

Before or after body wash?

After. Our own gift box sets the order as wash, scrub, oil. A light gel wash such as our Ginger Cardamom Hand + Body Wash goes first every day; the scrub follows once or twice a week.

How often should you use a body scrub?

Once or twice a week is all our scrub is directed for. The Academy's general rule is that the more vigorous the exfoliation, the less often it should be done, and that overdoing it leaves skin red and irritated. If your skin feels tight or looks pink after a scrub, drop to once a week or less.

What to put on after

Freshly scrubbed skin feels smooth, and an oil or cream keeps it feeling soft.

• All over: a light oil on damp skin right after you rinse. Our Glow Body Oil is seven organic seed oils that sink in fast with no greasy film.
• Elbows, knees and heels: a rich cream. Our Urea Body Cream is made for rough, dry patches.

Not sure whether you want a serum, an oil or a cream? See body serum vs body oil.

When to skip the scrub

• Open cuts, wounds or sunburn. The Academy says never to exfoliate these.
• Products that already make skin peel. Retinol, prescription retinoids and benzoyl peroxide can leave skin more sensitive. Scrubbing on top may worsen dryness.
• Dry, sensitive or breakout-prone skin. The Academy notes that a scrub may be too irritating for these skin types, and that a washcloth with a mild chemical exfoliator may suit them better.
• Skin that marks easily. If you notice dark spots after bites, burns or breakouts, especially on darker skin tones, avoid strong scrubbing. It can lead to more dark spots.

If you are unsure about your skin type, a board-certified dermatologist can tell you whether exfoliating is right for you.

Scrub days and bath days

If you are having a bath, scrub in the shower first, then soak. That is the order our Forest Soak Gift Box uses: candle, wash, scrub, soak. Afterwards, oil on damp skin. The soak itself is covered in how to use bath salts and how to use a bath bomb.

Face, body and scalp are different jobs

Our Volcano Scrub is made for the face as well as the body. On the face, use a lighter touch and keep it away from your eyes.

The scalp is another matter. We make a separate Scalp Scrub for that, and the method is in how to exfoliate your scalp.

What is in our Volcano Scrub

Fine volcanic sand gives the scrub its grains, with kaolin alongside. They sit in a creamy hydrogenated castor oil base with organic sunflower seed oil, which keeps skin feeling soft, and four organic berry extracts: blueberry, strawberry, cloudberry and raspberry.

It is COSMOS Natural certified by Ecocert Greenlife, 99% natural origin, vegan and cruelty-free, with no parabens and no silicones, at pH 5.0 to 5.3. The jar is 5.75 fl oz (170 mL). It is scented, fresh cucumber with lemon, citrus peel and cut grass, so it is not the pick if you avoid fragrance.

Frequently asked questions

Do you use body scrub before or after body wash?

After. Wash and rinse first, then scrub, then rinse again. Our Warm Spice Gift Box follows that order: wash, scrub, oil.

What is the proper way to use a body scrub?

Massage a small amount over skin in gentle, small circles for about 30 seconds, rinse with lukewarm water, pat dry and moisturize straight away.

Do you use body scrub on wet or dry skin?

It depends on the scrub. Ours can go on dry or damp skin. Either way, step out of the running water while you massage, then rinse.

What is the best time to use a body scrub?

In the shower, after washing, once or twice a week. If you are taking a bath, scrub before you soak.

Can I use a body scrub on my face?

Only if the scrub is made for it. Our Volcano Scrub is made for face and body. Massage gently and keep it away from your eyes.

Should I moisturize after a body scrub?

Yes, straight away. Dermatologists advise applying moisturizer immediately after exfoliating, because exfoliating can be drying.

Sources

American Academy of Dermatology. How to safely exfoliate at home. https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/routine/safely-exfoliate-at-home
Product details are taken from the exokiss product pages. This article is general information, not medical advice.