One essential step that we often skip from our skincare regime is exfoliation. It is a practice that helps unclog pores. Promotes blood circulation, and even gets rid of dead skin cells. This is where face scrub comes in. They help you exfoliate and cleanse your skin.
What Is A Face Scrub?
A face scrub is a skincare product used to exfoliate your skin. It helps in the removal of dead skin cells from the surface of your skin, reducing the chances for clogged pores and acne breakouts. With the practice of scrubbing and exfoliation dating back to ancient times, history indicates that people used something abrasive to exfoliate their skin.
For Example, the American Indians used dried corn cobs for skin exfoliation. Crushed seashells were also a popular option. Nowadays, scrubs are made with ingredients like coffee grounds, sugar, finely ground sea salt, cinnamon, honey, oats etc.
What Does A Face Scrub Do To Your Face?
Facial scrubs contain coarse particles which help to exfoliate the skin. When you apply a face scrub, the particles rub against your skin and remove all the dirt from your skin pores. It also removes dead skin cells, making your skin smoother and softer. The addition of a good facial scrub in your weekly skincare routine will provide you with healthy and glowing skin.
Steps To Use A Face Scrub
Step-1: Rinse your face with water thoroughly. Do not pat it dry.
Step-2: Take a nickel-sized amount of facial scrub in your palm.
Step-3: Apply the facial scrub on your wet face.
Step-4:Gently rub the scrub on your face. Applying the least amount of pressure. You can rub the scrub in a circular motion using your fingers.
Step-5: Always massage your face upwards and focus on areas like top and corner of your nose, cheeks and upper lip.
Step-6: Continue the massage for 10 to15 seconds.
Step-7: Now move to your neck and under the chin and massage for another 10 seconds.
Step-8: Once you finish exfoliating, wash your face with cold or lukewarm water.
Step-9: Gently pat your face dry using a soft towel.
Step-10: Apply the face pack to your face using your fingertips, making sure to cover your entire face evenly. Leave the pack on for 10 to 15 minutes, or until it dries completely.
Step-11: As the pack dries, it will draw out impurities from your skin and tighten your pores.
Step-12: Use Lukewarm water to rinse off the face pack, making sure to remove all traces of the pack from your skin. pat your face dry with a clean towel.
Step-13: Apply a few drops of facial oil to your fingertip and massage it into your skin using gentle circular motions. This will help nourish and hydrate your skin, leaving it soft and supple.
Step-14: Apply a light moisturizer to your face to lock in the moisture and protect your skin. Make sure that your face is slightly damp when you apply the moisturizer. Damp skin helps the moisture to get deep into your skin and provide maximum amount of benefits.
What Are The Benefits Of Using A Face Scrub?
1. Removes Dead Skin Cells
The first foremost benefit of using a facial scrub is removing the dead skin cells from your face. Dead skin cells make your face look dry and dull. These also clog your skin pores. Facial scrubs exfoliate your skin thoroughly and remove the dead skin cells.
2. Unclogs Skin Pores
The body produces a natural oil called sebum to keep the skin moisturized. But sometimes the production becomes excessive and the extra sebum oil gets stored in your skin pores. Since the skin pores get clogged. It leads to acne breakouts. Exfoliation removes the sebum oil and unclogs the skin pores.
3. Remove Flakes
Many people notice dry patches on their skin. These dry patches are known as flakes. These are unhealthy and also make the skin look extremely dull. Exfoliating the face using a facial scrub will help you get ride of the flaky skin and make it smoother.
4. Reduces Acne Scars
Facial scrubs also contribute to reducing acne scars and dark patches of skin. while these aren't removed completely, they do become lighter. A scrub promotes the natural resurfacing process. When you scrub your face, it removes dead and damaged skin cells and allow the skin to rejuvenate.
5. Prevents Ingrown Hair
Ingrown hair can be frustrating as it plays a key role in pimple outbreak. Facial scrubbing is one of the best way to prevent ingrown hair from ruining your facial appearance.
6. Provide Smoother Skin
Apart from the above, face scrubs also make your skin surface smooth and glowing.
7. Improves The Texture Of Skin
Facial skin is sensitive, thinner, and more prone to damage as compared to the skin on other parts of the body. Improper Skincare, pollution, etc, can lead to rough, dull skin. Facial scrubs improves the texture of the skin by encouraging the skin renewal process.
Popular Types Of Face Scrubs
History suggests that scrubbing and exfoliating dates back to ancient times. Crushed seashells and dried corn cobs were two popular options then. Now the times have changed, but not completely. We still have a type of face scrubs with grainy particles in them. The other type contains chemicals like Alpha, Beta, and Poly Hydroxy Acid
1. Physical Exfoliants
These are the products that contain granules and tiny beads in their formulation. There are many such scrubs available like papaya scrubs, coffee scrubs, sugar scrubs, apricot scrub, walnut scrub, etc. You need to find the scrub with the right ingredients according to your skin type.
2. Chemical Exfoliants
These active ingredients contain salicylic acid, glycolic, lactic acid, etc. These are ideal face scrubs for people with sensitive skin. Even though most of them work just fine, you still need to be aware of the skin issues you have, like rosacea or eczema. Before using them, you can consult a dermatologist or do a simple patch test on your skin.
How To Choose The Best Face Scrub For Your Skin Type?
Choosing the right face scrub is of utmost importance. For the best results, you should always choose a product that suits your skin type.
1. Face Scrub for Oily Skin
Overactive sebaceous glands produce extra sebum oil, which clogs the skin pores. Thus, people with oily skin have to regularly deal with enlarged pores, blackheads, and acne problems. If you have this skin type, look for products with salicylic acid. It is known for its anti- acne benefits. Coffee, honey, and oatmeal face scrubs are also beneficial.
2. Face Scrub for Dry Skin
Dry skin lacks moisture and can get flaky easily. People with dry skin are recommended to use face scrubs with a creamier base. Look for scrubs that are humectants so that the moisture is preserved. Glycolic acid is another ingredient to look out for as it removes dead skin cells, helping you with flaky skin.
3. Face Scrub for Normal Skin
Well-balanced skin is considered a standard skin type. Meaning it's neither too oily nor too dry and has little to no imperfections. People with this skin type need to opt for face scrubs that are pH-balanced as these will gently scrub away the dead cells and get the glow back on without tilting your skin type towards dry or oily.
4. Face Scrub for Sensitive Skin
People prone to redness, itchiness, and burning are the ones who'd fall under this category. So look out for ingredients that have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Turmeric, yogurt, and sugar are ingredients that can be beneficial. Even propylene glycol has antifungal properties.
5. Face Scrub for Combination Skin
Combination skin is a mix of dry and oily skin, making it difficult to choose a face scrub. One suggestion would be to go for fruit- based products.
How To Make Homemade Facial Scrub?
1. Coffee Scrub
Caffeine in coffee improves blood circulation and adds radiance to your skin. The antioxidants in it protect your skin from UV damage and prevent loss of moisture.
- Take 3 Teaspoons of coffee and 1/2 cup of yoghurt. Mix them well in a blender and keep the mixture aside for about 5 minutes.
- Once it becomes thick. add one teaspoon of honey to it and mix well.
- Scrub your face using this mix using circular motions for about 10 minutes.
- Wash off using cold water.
2. Lemon, honey & Sugar Scrub
Lemon helps you clear acne, blackheads, and discoloration while honey moisturizes and heals inflamed skin.
- Mix a cup of sugar with 1/2 cup of olive oil and one tablespoon of honey. Add lemon juice to it.
- Stir for some time.
- Apply this on your face and scrub for a few minutes.
- Wash off using cold water.
Note: Don't leave the scrub on for too long if you have dry skin. It might make your skin flaky.
3. Tomato & yoghurt Scrub
Tomato removes tan from your skin while yoghurt acts as a natural bleach that lightens your skin tone.
- Take 2 teaspoons of tomato pulp and yoghurt each. Add a spoonful of lemon juice to it.
- Mix them well.
- Apply it all over your face and let it dry.
- Wash it off.
4. Oatmeal Scrub
Oatmeal works great in gently exfoliating your skin. Besides, it clears the pores of excess sebum and keeps your skin clean.
- Mix a tablespoon of whole milk and olive oil each.
- Add 2 tablespoons of oatmeal to it and let the oats soften.
- Add a few drops of rose water to it and mix well.
- Apply this on your face and massage it gently for 2 minutes.
- Later, rinse using cold water.
5. Brown Sugar Scrub
Brown sugar is an effective ingredient for exfoliating your face, its antibacterial properties and glycolic acid keeps your skin healthy and radiant.
- Take 2 tablespoons of honey and brown sugar each in a bowl.
- Mix well till it forms a thick paste.
- Massage your face gently with the mix and leave it for 30 minutes.
- Wash off using warm water.
- Massage your face while doing so.
Myths & Facts About Face Scrub
Myths:
- Scrubbing damages your skin.
- Scrubs can erase acne scars.
- Scrubs can cure pimple.
- Tingling sensation during scrubbing is normal.
Facts:
- Scrubbing does not mean damaging your skin, Only if the scrub contains large and sharp grinding particles, It can cause tears in your skin.
- Applying extreme pressure while massaging the scrub can be harmful too.
- Scrub alone cannot remove your acne scar, Specifically designed acne-lightening creams are available for that purpose.
- Face scrub can however help scar to fade a little bit.
- The face scrub cannot treat your pimples, It may irritate your skin cause a burning sensation.
- If your face scrub contains peppermint or menthol kind of ingredients, then a cooling sensation is normal.
- If not then the tingling simply means that the ingredients do not suit your skin.
Face Wash Vs Face Scrub
The Primary difference between a face wash and face scrub is the texture. A face wash has a creamy smooth texture, whereas a face scrub has grits in it. The purpose of using these two are also different. A face wash just cleans the dirt, dust and pathogens from your skin's surface. However, a face scrub cleans the skin pores as well. It removes the dead skin cells by exfoliating your skin.
Can You Use Face Scrub Daily?
No. You should not use a face scrub every day. Face scrubs are made for a weekly skincare routine. You can however use a face scrub twice a week.
Do & Don't Of Face Scrub
Dos
- Never forget to wash your face before using a face scrub.
- Focus on your face's T-zone( forehead, nose, lips )
- Make sure that you spend at least 40 seconds massaging your face.
- Get a face scrub that suits your skin type.
Don't
- Do not scrub your face everyday. Twice a week is more than enough.
- Do not scrub your face more than 40 to 45 seconds. Scrubbing for too long can cause skin irritation.
- If you have open wounds or sore pimples on your face, avoid the face scrub.
- Do not expose your skin to sunlight immediately after a face scrub. It will make your skin super sensitive.
- Avoid using physical scrubs, instead, choose gentle to use scrubs containing AHA's or BHA.
- In case you have burns, wounds on your skin, avoid scrubbing. Let it heal completely.
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