Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate – my mother has been telling me for ages that it’s the key to beautiful, healthy looking skin – and we all know that mothers are always right! Especially when the seasons change, it is more important than ever to look after our skin, because it gets more sensitive. Exfoliating helps to rejuvenate the skin by exposing the smoother and supple layer of the skin after removing the dead skin layer.
There are loads of scrubs and exfoliants on the market, but which are the best? How do you choose the right one? There are basically 3 elements to take into account when deciding on which scrub to use: Shape, grain size and composition.
The right shape is actually very important. On your face, it is best to use scrubs with perfectly round beads or with as few edges as possible. If the beads aren’t round they may scratch the skin, even if the size is small. Polyethylene beads, also used in JUARA’s Rice Facial Scrub, are examples for perfectly round, soft beads that will take the dead skin off your face in a very gentle way.
As for size, coarse scrubs are more abrasive and can slough off more dead skin cells, so I would advise not use coarse scrubs on your face. Fine scrubs are definitely suitable for facial skin.
Now let’s take a closer look at the composition of some scrubs:
Scrubs containing nuts or grains:
Ground tree products like ground apricot kernels or ground walnut shells are very popular ingredients in body scrubs. Walnut, for example, nourishes and rejuvenates the complexion, helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Apricot kernels contain natural moisturizing properties, leaving your skin soft and supple.
Scrubs containing grains should be used for normal skin types only since they might be too abrasive for sensitive or breakout prone skin. In general, I would advise to use grainy scrubs on your body rather than your face, because they may tear at the tender facial skin, or worse, irritate, infect, or spread pimples, particularly the red bumpy kind.
Scrubs containing grains don’t dissolve, so they can exfoliate the body effectively and only stop exfoliating when you wash them off. An advantage of grainy scrubs: A little goes a long way, so your scrub will last longer.
We at JUARA use walnut grains for both our Invigorating Coffee Scrub and Candlenut Body Polish.
Sugar Scrub:
Sugar is not just very yummy, but also an amazing ingredient used in skin care products, especially in scrubs. Sugar scrubs hydrate the skin without clogging up the pores and are safe enough for frequent use, even on your face. Furthermore, sugar scrubs are known to stimulate circulation.
And as for our male readers – sugar scrubs are also wonderful for soothing the skin after shaving!
Creative use for JUARA’s Rice Facial Scrub: Try mixing it with sugar – it makes your skin feel amazingly soft and supple and is very soothing!
Salt Scrub:
Salt has been used by women throughout centuries to get smooth, healthy and radiant looking skin and they got it right!
When applied to the skin, salt can help to reduce inflammation. Using salt scrubs may also encourage regeneration, which helps to tighten the skin, giving it a firmer and younger-looking appearance. Skin regeneration also helps to reduce skin discoloration, can even out skin tone and improve texture.
If your facial skin is very sensitive, I would refrain from using salt scrubs on your face. Also if you’re a first time scrubber, you might want to try sugar because it’s a little gentler on the skin, but salt is more effective if you need heavier duty products.
Oatmeal Scrub:
I used to hate having to eat oatmeal for breakfast as a kid, but since I got older and wiser (most of the time anyway ;-)) I have gone back to eating it regularly, because it is just so very good for you and actually quite tasty! But did you know that oatmeal also works wonders when applied on your skin?
Oatmeal contains anti-inflammatory properties and can be used on even the most sensitive skin types. As every scrub, oatmeal scrubs remove dead skin cells, but it moisturizes at the same time and can be used a mild soap, because it contains saponins (mild cleansing agent).
However, no matter how gentle the scrub, I would not suggest to use it more than 2 or 3 times a week.
Oh and by the way, did you know that our Rice Facial Scrub has won the Life & Style Beauty Award 2012 for best Spa Exfoliator? Check it out here J
Now I am interested in your experiences with scrubs! Which is your favorite? Is there a specific ingredient you prefer in a scrub?
JUARA Skincare 