As winter turns to spring, many of us start to think about peeling off the clothing layers and dusting off our body scrubs.
Lighter nights are coming, and we might want to flash a little more flesh – even if it’s just an upper arm, or smooth shin.
At Odylique, we start to get an influx of requests for different types of body scrubs and exfoliants.
So in this guide we look at which body scrubs to choose and what to avoid if you have sensitive skin. We’ll also share a top-to-toe scrub regime to slough off the winter dullness and reveal brightness and smoother skin in a flash.
What is a body scrub?
A body scrub is a manual ‘physical’ way of exfoliating the skin. By manual – we literally mean ‘use something rough to create smoother skin’.
It works by helping to remove dead skin cells from the top layer of the skin, leaving the brighter ‘new’ skin below. Because it’s physical, it’s a great way to increase circulation, nutrient flow and an improved tone and colour.
You can also chemically exfoliate the skin, with products containing added salicylic or glycolic acids or AHAs and BHAs, but we’re not huge fans of that. It’s rarely a kind way to treat sensitive or eczema prone skins, so we stick to tried-and-tested natural body scrub alternatives.
What is the best ingredient for a body scrub?
Some people refer to a cloth or a loofah as a body scrub – this is a very gentle way to turn over the skin and is entirely natural, so a good first step, or to do in the shower to keep your skin glowing and radiant.
Here we’re talking about body scrubs that include any number of mildly abrasive ingredients.
Recently there’s been a trend for recycled coffee grounds as body scrubs.
We did consider making one, but if any of you use it, you’ll know the grounds get everywhere and are a pickle to remove from the shower, bath, floor and everywhere else they get. We’ll stick to putting them on our lawns.
The Japanese used to use ground rice mixed with a little water to make a paste: this is still the basis for some scrubs today, although they usually come with added ingredients these days. This is a simple and effective home scrub though if you want to make one.
Our award-winning, certified organic body scrub is made with fairtrade sugar and poppy seeds.
Sugar has a double benefit; it provides a physical exfoliating action but also is naturally rich in a healthy amount of glycolic acid. It’s effective and nurturing without being processed or too harsh.
Poppy seeds and sugar are excellent exfoliants, but the coarse grains are best suited to use on the body. To use sugar on the face, it needs to be finely ground to make it softer - which is what we do with the sugar in our Maca Face Mask.
Another gentle alternative is finely ground oats. We use oatmeal in our soap with honey and oat which is gentle, but exfoliates effectively. You don’t need to rub at the skin, especially if you have eczema, psoriasis or rosacea.
Some scrubs are made with salt. We’re often asked if you can use Epsom salts for a body scrub? The answer is yes, you can, but don’t overdo it.
You can literally just rub some into your skin after a workout to not only benefit from softer skin, but also the anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxing properties of magnesium.
What should my body scrub be mixed with?
We believe products should offer more than one benefit. Our scrub is mixed with hydrating virgin coconut and cocoa butter, to put in moisture as you take off old skin. This way we avoid dehydrating or damaging the skin’s surface.
You can also mix your scrubs with oils – ethically sourced olive oil is good for this, and if you’re comfortable with nut oils, macadamia and argan oil would give a super-luxurious treat.
“Feels so lovely to use and afterwards I definitely notice the difference, it’s wonderful”… Odylique Customer
You can also suspend some exfoliants in soap or shower gel, but always check they’re Sulphate free. - Sulphate detergents are harsh and some of them are not great for the environment.
Why should I avoid microbeads in my body scrub?
Up until recently, some brands put tiny plastic beads – called microbeads – into their scrubs. These beads got into the aquatic system and did untold hard to the environment.
According to the government website, just one shower could send up to 10000 microbeads straight into the water system, and residues were found in aquatic life all over the world.
Britain has led the way in banning this harmful use of plastic, but always check your cosmetics to make sure they don’t include microbeads. You can check using Beat the Microbead, a website and app created following a collaborative campaign supported by more than 90 NGOs from 38 countries.
You can download the app (Android and iOS) and use it to scan a product's barcode to find out if it contains microbeads.
How often should I use body scrub?
Stronger scrubs like salt and sugar scrubs should only be used once or twice a week for best effect.
If you like to self-tan, you can use it before tanning and in the mid period after a day or two to ensure a smooth fade.
Milder scrubs like our honey and oat soap can be used daily.
How to Use our Coconut Candy Body Sugar Scrub for Best Results
For stronger exfoliation use on dry skin, otherwise hope into the shower or bath first. Scoop up a handful of the scrub. Gently massage it in, paying special attention to the:
- Thighs and hips
- Tummy
- Buttocks
- Upper arms and shoulders
- Knees, elbows and soles of feet
Be careful with:
- Your decolletage – it’s very delicate
- Shins – don’t go too hard here, even if they’re dry
- Breasts - these shouldn’t be handled roughly
Once you’re finished, gently rinse with warm water and pat the skin dry. You’ll find the scrub turns into a lovely moisturising milk on contact with water. Follow up with a rich toning butter for an extra treat.
For more information about any of our organic body care, please contact our experts