To choose the best face and body scrub, begin by thinking of your skin type and what you hope to accomplish by using a scrub. Scrubs are designed to be exfoliating, to slough off dead skin cells, and make skin look younger, softer, and fresher. They generally contain exfoliating ingredients such as plastic beads, oatmeal, salt, sugar, coffee, or fruit pieces such as pieces of apricot. You will want to be sure to choose a different face and body scrub, and not use the same one for both purposes.
To choose a face scrub, it is best to choose one that is designed to gently exfoliate. Body scrubs can have larger, rougher exfoliating particles, such as the apricot pieces mentioned above, but ones for the face should be small and smooth to prevent getting tiny scratches on the face. Face scrubs with small, smooth beads are very popular, which are able to gently cleanse and exfoliate the face. Because many people with oily or acne-prone skin choose to use a face and body scrub, many face scrubs also contain acne-fighting ingredients like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid.
These acne-fighting ingredients are able to better penetrate exfoliated skin, allowing the medication to clear and help to prevent blemishes. Keep in mind that acne-fighting ingredients are not just found in face scrubs; they may be found in body scrubs as well, in order to fight body acne. Though a face and body scrub may have some similarities, body scrubs typically contain larger exfoliating ingredients, particularly oatmeal, salt, and brown sugar.
To choose the best body scrub, determine whether or not you want a scrub made of organic or natural ingredients. It is also possible to make your own body scrub; simply search online for directions. In addition, many aromatherapy scrubs have added fragrance as well, such as lavender, to make a bath more relaxing. Both a face and body scrub will typically be quite inexpensive, and you might need to try a few different versions before finding one that you like.
In general, it is a good idea not to use a face and body scrub every day, but just every few days, or once a week, as needed. Use the scrub on skin that is damp from a bath or shower, and scrub the product into the skin for a minute or so in order to get the most exfoliating benefits. Rinse off and apply a moisturizer for younger looking, softer skin.