Using a body scrub may seem straightforward, but it turns out, there’s a right and wrong way to rid your face of dead skin cells. From the order that you apply a scrub with your other products, to the pressure you apply, there’s more to it than meets the eye. So let's get started with how to get our body to "GLOW"!
Why Do I Need To Exfoliate My Body?
As you remember, exfoliating is an extremely effective way to slough off dead skin cells. When the skin is not properly exfoliated, dead skin cells will "stack up" and give your complexion a dull appearance. Pigmented areas will appear darker, and fine lines and wrinkles will seem deeper. It also helps skin be more prepared for moisturizers to penetrate properly, and give us that overall "GLOW" that we're looking for.
How Should I Exfoliate My Body?
- Cleanse your skin before you exfoliate. It's important that your skin be clean from dirt and environmental pollutants that attach to our skin throughout the day.
- Use lukewarm water and gently apply the scrub in circular motions, avoiding your eye area. ( There are "dry brush" techniques that can be extremely effective when no water is used. With this technique, the water comes second. More on this in an upcoming blog in this series)
- The softer the touch the better—let the product do the work!
- Make sure to get your entire body. To do this work from top to bottom, making sure to hit your chest, stomach, thighs, buttocks, and back (You may need a Loofah Back Brush for this)
- WARNING: When using oil-based scrubs in the tub, always use caution. The oils could cause the bottom of the tub to become slippery and you will fall hard ( Trust me, I learned the hard way!)
What Should I Use To Exfoliate My Body?
You want to use small granules that are not too abrasive. Too large of a granule can actually cause damage to the tissue. I always recommend small granules for most skin types, and I prefer to use extremely fine granules, myself and even enzymes for delicate and sensitive skin types.
Hint: Our Sugar Scrubz are made from fine granules of vegan fair trade sugar, and are mixed with sweet almond oil which allows them to roll around on skin's surface without causing damage.
Other great (Natural) exfoliates:
- Oatmeal
- Ground Coffee
- Fruit Seeds (like strawberry seeds)
- Baking Soda
- Salt (use caution)
- Loofah (Loofahs are nature's natural exfoliates. They are naturally made in the ocean and are FANTASTIC for whole-body exfoliation!!!!)
How Often Should I Exfoliate My Body?
This is completely dependent on the individual's skin type. Our skin changes day to day due to changing hormone levels, therefore your routine may change. If you're just starting out, begin with once per week and increase up to 3 times per week depending your on skin tolerance.
What Should I Avoid When Exfoliating My Body?
- Never tug or rub downward on the skin!
- Ground Nuts (That are too abrasive)- walnut, almond, and other nut shells can some times have sharp edges that create small, microscopic, cuts on skin's surface and can cause serious damage!
- Never use exfoliates with Microbeads!!!- microbeads seemingly disappear down our drains, but reappear in oceans, rivers and lakes. Microbeads attach to fish, plant life and other organisms. Fish consume them, and the microbeads are absorbed into their bodies. They attach to the tissue of larger fish, and the humans who eat these fish ingest the microbeads as a result, creating a toxic chain reaction. What's more, the particles in microbeads can exist in the environment for years.
- "Overexfoliating"- strips the skin of natural oils thereby causing irritation and inflammation. Overstripped skin can backfire and then cause excess oil production, triggering breakouts. Other consequences can be oversensitivity, redness, bumps and even peeling.
There you go! Everything you need to now to start facial exfoliation! You'll be "Glowing" in no time if you follow the steps I provided! Stay tuned for the next installment in our exfoliation series. We'll be covering our face next! Our face is our personal advertisement to the world, so let's make a great first impression!
If you're looking for some All-Natural body exfoliates that are non-abrasive and easy to use, check out what The Butter Bar has to offer here: Butter Bar Body Care
If You Are Looking for DIY's and At-Home Body Scrub recipes, I Got You! here: DIY Skincare on Pinterest
