Body Scrub, Dry Brushing Benefits & How-tos

Having silky smooth skin feels amazing, but that can be easier said than done. Harsh weather, heating systems, and dehydrating air conditioning can lead to a build up of dead skin cells and dull-looking skin. So what’s the answer? An exfoliating body scrub!

Body Scrub, Dry Brushing Benefits & How-tos

I’m sharing some tips on how to get the best out of your exfoliator and how often to use body scrub.

Why you should use body scrub & its benefits

There’s more than one benefit to using a body scrub. The most obvious plus point of exfoliating is that you remove dead cells from your skin, which leaves you with a softer, smoother surface. But there’s more to it than that.

When you buff away those dead cells, you not only get skin that feels better to the touch, you also get more radiant-looking skin. Body scrubs help to revive your natural glow by getting rid of dullness.

By helping to clear clogged pores, exfoliating also enables your skin to breathe – and to absorb the goodness. So after you’ve exfoliated, you’ll find that your skin can better soak up the nourishment from your moisturizer. When you exfoliate before shaving or waxing you’ll find it can help prevent the appearance of ingrown hairs, too, as you’ll have thoroughly cleaned your pores, so old skin cells won’t get trapped in your hair follicles so easily.

Body Scrub Benefits | How Often to Use Body Scrub

How often to use body scrub

Although exfoliating is a great addition to your skincare routine, you don’t want to make it a daily occurrence. When you first start out, exfoliating just once a week will help your skin get used to the sensation. You can then build up the frequency and get to the point where you’re exfoliating up to three times a week.

You know your skin best, and the regularity of your exfoliation might change at different times of the year. Different skin types can require a different frequency, too. How often should you exfoliate your body? Oily, blemish-prone skin might need more regular body scrub action than dry skin.

How to get the most from exfoliation

As for how to use a body scrub, you’ll want to prep skin your skin first by soaking in a warm shower or bath. Your skin needs to be damp and warm to get the best out of exfoliation, as that’ll help to soften the surface and open your pores.

You might like to use a body brush or loofah to help apply your body scrub, or just use your hands and gentle pressure to massage it into your skin in a circular motion. Think of it as an invigorating part of your self-care routine and make your bathroom the ideal setting for some me-time. It’s not just your bathroom you can turn into a place of tranquility – let me show you how to turn your outdoor space into a relaxing haven too. Remember to rinse off your body scrub before you gently pat your skin dry with a towel.

How to choose the best body scrub for you

We’re all unique, and so is our skin. So you can choose a gentle body polish if your skin is sensitive, or opt for a product that gives you a deeper exfoliation if your skin benefits from a more thorough scrub.

There are plenty of body scrubs that contain gentle ingredients, and you can even look into homemade body scrubs. If you’re interested in natural approaches like this, take a look at my eco-friendly cleaning tips for a green, clean home the natural way.

How to choose the best body scrub for you

It’s a good idea to speak with your dermatologist if you have sensitive skin, or if your skin is prone to acne. Whenever I use a new product, I test it on a small area first, to see how my skin reacts.

You can also try dry brushing to exfoliate your body. For this, all you need is a long wooden brush. Dry brushing helps with so many issues, most importantly, it helps detox. The practice of dry brushing the skin once or twice daily with a soft but firm brush is more common during a detox, but regular use has other benefits—from sweeping away dead skin cells, making skin smooth to improving the appearance of the skin, and even supporting digestion.

Benefits of dry brushing and how to do it at home

Benefits of dry brushing

While dry brushing may sound like a new trend, it actually has its roots in Ayurvedic practices. Ancient Greeks and the Japanese have used dry skin brushing to cleanse and beautify the skin as well.

Dry skin brushing also rejuvenates your body, helping with stress relief and leaving you revitalized every morning. Regular dry brushing helps smooth the appearance of cellulite, too.

Stimulating the lymphatic system is said to be one of the most important benefits of dry brushing. The lymphatic system is responsible for collecting and transporting waste to the blood and dry brushing can stimulate the lymphatic system as it stimulates and invigorates the skin.

Dry brushing helps in increasing circulation and the exfoliation leaves skin looking radiant!

Simple steps for DIY dry brushing

Dedicate at least three to five minutes to dry brushing. You would want to dry brush before you shower when the skin is dry. You can add a couple of drops of essential oil to the brush when starting out. I sometimes use a couple of drops of lavender oil I got from Provence.

Choose the right brush. Find a good dry brush with natural bristles. Most likely your local health food or beauty supply store will stock them, or you can always buy them online. Look for a natural Boar Bristle Body Brush.

To do dry brushing yourself, start at your feet and brush upward towards the heart. Similarly, when you start on your arms, begin at the hands and work upward.

Use firm, small strokes upwards, or work in a circular motion. For the stomach, work in a counterclockwise pattern. The stomach and chest are more sensitive, so will want to lighten your touch here.

Harsh exfoliation is not the point of body brushing your skin. Do not press too hard, or use a brush where the bristles are too stiff. Be gentle!

Do NOT share your brush and do keep it clean. Skip dry brushing if you have eczema, psoriasis, rashes, wounds, sunburn, or other skin irritations.

I hope this answered why and how to use a body scrub and how often should I exfoliate my body and you experience the benefits of using a body scrub and enjoy getting your glow back!

Coming soon: 6 simple self-care ideas to try at home

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