One or more scrubs are in every woman’s beauty arsenal. In one procedure, this tool can make the skin smooth and shiny, get rid of enlarged pores and black spots, smooth wrinkles. But you need to use a cosmetic product only taking into account the characteristics of the skin and in accordance with the instructions: not too often, but regularly, with gentle massage movements, on moisturized skin. After the procedure, the skin needs to be moisturized additionally.
What is a face and body scrub, mask, gel
Scrub is a cosmetic product for face and body skin care that contains solid particles. The product is intended for soft or deep cleaning of the skin from dead cells, giving freshness, improving blood circulation. Regular use of the scrub improves the color and texture of the skin, helps to make keratinized areas (elbows, knees, hips) soft.
What is a cosmetic product made of? A scrub is solid particles and a soft base. The composition necessarily includes abrasive particles that mechanically remove existing contaminants. It can be natural components or synthetic. Most often these are crushed apricot kernels, plant seeds, sea salt, synthetic balls or coffee. The softest are scrubs for lips and facial skin, and body formulations contain larger particles. As a basis, gel, cream, oils are used (attention: this is permissible only for very dry skin), kefir or sour cream (for home remedies).
Some scrubs can be used not only for their intended purpose. So, the soft remedy for normal skin from the domestic brand “Clean Line” with raspberry and lingonberry extract seems too soft even for owners of sensitive skin, so many use it as an excellent exfoliating lip treatment. There are scrubs, gels, masks, foams. Gels and foams are best used for washing, but they can dry the skin. Particulate masks give a good effect on oily skin.
How does a cosmetic product work?
A scrub is a tool that removes dead skin particles mechanically, that is, through direct exposure to solid particles. The cosmetic product allows you to achieve instant “wow effect” and gives good results with regular use. The skin condition improves if you use the scrub correctly and not very often. In addition, you need to choose the right product. Some scrubs are designed for sensitive skin and will not give any effect when used on oily. And products for oily make dry skin more sensitive and can cause peeling.
How to use a scrub: rules
Scrub is not a daily skin care product. If the skin is normal, it is enough to use a cosmetic product once a week. For owners of oily skin, it is allowed to use scrub twice a week. If the skin is dry, then you should use the product no more than two to three times a month. Body scrub can be applied once or twice a week.
It is best to have a mechanical effect on the skin immediately after bathing or bathing. Steamed skin tolerates the aggressive action of particulate matter more easily and cleans better. It is advisable to carry out the procedures in the evening, because street dirt and dust can easily get into the pores that are open after using the scrub.
Before applying the product, you need to cleanse your skin and moisturize with water at room temperature. With your fingertips you should take a small amount of cosmetic product and apply on the face with gentle movements. Within two to three minutes, you need to massage the skin (preferably along the massage lines), avoiding sensitive places, which are the area around the eyes and lips. Then the scrub soap or gel is washed off with warm water. After the procedure, it is advisable to apply a night moisturizing or nourishing cream.
You can massage the skin with your fingers or a special glove. Be sure to moisturize your face and hands before the procedure, because otherwise you can seriously injure the skin. Those who often have acne can be advised to use a special tonic after scrub, which closes the pores. For any dermatological diseases, the use of cosmetics should be discussed with your doctor or cosmetologist.
How to choose the right skin scrub
You can make a skin scrub at home or purchase a finished cosmetic product. In any case, you need to focus on the type of skin. Owners of sensitive skin prone to inflammation, it is better to pay attention to scrubs with artificial granules. They have a more regular shape, so they scratch less. The softer the skin, the less abrasive particles should be.
For oily skin, a clay-based remedy is the best option. Such a cosmetic product will help eliminate oily sheen, close enlarged pores and make the surface silky. You can safely choose scrubs with natural particles (for example, crushed seeds of plants) and on a gel basis. A good effect will give and scrub masks. Such funds are applied to the skin, massaged, and then left for several minutes so that the masks can act.
How to make a homemade scrub from natural ingredients
For problem areas, you can use homemade scrubs based on oatmeal and rice. For cooking, you need two tablespoons of oatmeal, a tablespoon of ground rice grains and the same amount of vegetable oil. Use this composition can only be for the body. In the fight against cellulite helps home scrub based on sour cream or cream. You need to add a few drops of orange essential oil and six tablespoons of fine sea salt to a glass of dairy product.
Coffee body scrubs (for cellulite and more)
The most popular are homemade cellulite coffee scrubs. You will need two tablespoons of coffee, the same amount of salt, one tablespoon of castor oil or olive, two drops of citrus essential oil (grapefruit, lemon, orange). Everything needs to be mixed, wait a little before use, so that the salt crystals disperse a little. Such a scrub can massage problem areas once or twice a week. If the skin dries quickly and peels off, then the salt can be replaced with sugar, in addition add cosmetic oil (base) or honey.
Scrubs for dry and sensitive skin
Facial scrub, which is prone to peeling and dryness, should be soft. A cosmetic product from the Pure Line brand with raspberry extract is suitable. Cream scrub with rice powder and Kenyan shea butter Planeta Organica received excellent reviews. Fresh Line with fruit acids and grape seed oil is very delicate. This tool is great for aging skin, because it contains antioxidants. Having familiarized yourself with the compositions of the most popular products, you can make a scrub yourself: in grape seed oil, for example, add crushed rice grains or coffee.
Scrubs for oily skin
Oily skin needs more frequent cleansing. A good scrub will help get rid of shine, narrow pores, reduce inflammation and even out relief. In stores you can find scrubs for oily skin with apricot kernels (“Clean Line”), blueberry extract and salicylic acid (“Clean Skin Active” from “Garnier”), bamboo microparticles (Hydra Vegetal from “Yves Rocher”), seaweed extracts and glycolic acid (Peel Me Perfectly from Givenchy). In choosing a product, you can rely on your own preferences (consistency, smell, abrasive particles), but still it’s worthwhile to dwell on the product marked "for oily skin".
Pros and cons of using scrubs
Many experts are very wary of scrubs, claiming that these cosmetics most often cause irritation on the skin, rashes and even premature aging. This is true, but it’s enough to follow the rules of use of the product and not to overdo it. Natural particles, if used every day, injure the skin, can lead to inflammation or drive an existing infection deeper. There is a risk of completely depriving the dermis of protection.
Scrubs also have many advantages. Mechanical removal of keratinized particles stimulates the production of hormones, and this process makes the skin more youthful and supple. There is no equal to body scrubs in the fight against cellulite. Regular exfoliation stimulates blood circulation, promotes the removal of excess fluid and provides deep penetration of the active components into the tissue. In addition, any scrub can include ingredients that “work on all fronts”, that is, not only cleanse the skin, but also moisturize and nourish.