Sep 4, 2025
Categories
Skin Care
Just like the skin on your face, your body benefits from gentle exfoliation to remove dead cells, boost circulation, and leave skin feeling smooth and refreshed. When used correctly, body scrubs can improve hydration, brighten dull areas, and help lotions and treatments absorb better. If your routine is limited to a loofah and soap, it might be time to upgrade. Here’s what you need to know about adding a body scrub to your skin care routine.
What Is a Body Scrub?
Body scrubs are physical exfoliants that help remove dead skin cells by rubbing them away. Most scrubs get their texture from sugar and/or salt mixed into an oil base. DIY scrubs can have coarse particles, while higher-quality products use finer particles that polish skin without being too rough.
Some body scrubs also include chemical exfoliants like AHAs or BHAs, but many rely mainly on physical particles. There are also formulas that combine both physical and chemical exfoliants for extra effect.
Benefits of Using a Body Scrub
Your skin is always renewing itself: dead cells rise to the surface and shed to reveal fresh skin underneath. Over time, this process can slow down, causing a build-up of dead skin. Add pollution and other stressors, and skin can become dull, rough, or itchy.
Body scrubs remove those dead cells and encourage new cell growth. Mechanical exfoliation smooths the surface and can pull out impurities below the skin. Dr. Tasneem Bhatia, MD, integrative health expert and founder of CentrespringMD, says exfoliation supports detox pathways in the skin, helping release toxins and reduce oxidative stress.
Benefits include:
– Improved circulation, lymphatic drainage, and skin cell turnover
– Removal of dead skin cells from the surface
– Smoother, softer dry patches
– Drawing out impurities and clearing congestion
– Releasing ingrown hairs and softening razor bumps
– Preparing skin to absorb moisturizers and body oils more effectively
How To Choose the Right Body Scrub
Start by thinking about your skin type. Body skin can be oily, dry, sensitive, or combination—and it may not match the skin on your face. For example, you might have dry arms and legs but an oily back. Keep that in mind when picking a scrub.
Also consider how often you’ll use it. For a gentle daily option, choose a mild scrub. If you prefer a once-a-week deep exfoliation, look for a stronger formula.
Check the ingredients too. Some scrubs use synthetic microbeads, which are harmful; Eminence Organic Skin Care scrubs use natural and organic ingredients.
Most scrubs use sugar and/or salt to exfoliate. Each has its benefits:
Sugar Scrub
Sugar granules are rounder and less abrasive than salt, so they’re gentler. Sugar naturally contains glycolic acid (an AHA) that helps break down dead skin and smooth the surface. Sugar also helps rehydrate skin, making it a great choice for dry or dehydrated skin types.
Our Coconut Sugar Scrub blends hydrating coconut oil, natural sugar cane crystals, and refreshing cucumber. It smells delicious and leaves skin soft and moisturized.
Salt Scrub
Salt scrubs typically have grittier particles and work well on rough spots like feet and elbows. Salt’s trace minerals can help draw out impurities, clear congestion, and leave skin feeling invigorated. Salt scrubs can boost circulation and support healthy cell turnover.
Salt & Sugar Scrub
If you can’t choose, some scrubs combine both sugar and salt. Our Stone Crop Revitalizing Body Scrub mixes sugar with mineral-rich rock salt to refresh and smooth skin. It builds into a creamy lather that exfoliates and resurfaces, leaving skin brighter and healthier-looking. Like all Eminence Organics scrubs, it’s free of microbeads and made with natural, organic ingredients.
How To Use a Body Scrub Step-by-Step
Using a body scrub 2–3 times a week keeps skin soft and smooth. Here’s how to do it:
1. Use lukewarm water and let it run for 5–10 minutes to soften skin.
2. Pause the water and apply the scrub in circular motions, starting at your feet and moving up toward your heart to encourage circulation.
3. Use light pressure — don’t scrub too hard.
4. Rinse thoroughly.
5. While skin is still slightly damp, apply your favorite body oil or lotion. We recommend Mangosteen Body Lotion, which resurfaces with a Lactic Acid Complex for brighter-looking skin.
How Often Should You Use a Body Scrub?
Too much exfoliation can harm the skin barrier, causing dryness, flakiness, irritation, or increased sensitivity. Over-exfoliating can strip natural oils, leading to breakouts or uneven texture.
Aim for 1–3 times per week, depending on your skin and the scrub’s strength. Dry or sensitive skin should stick to about twice a week, while normal to oily skin can use a scrub up to three times weekly. Start slow and pay attention to how your skin reacts—you’ll notice when you’ve done too much.
Product Picks
Stone Crop Revitalizing Body Scrub
Invigorating body scrub
$48.00
Coconut Sugar Scrub
Refining & hydrating body scrub
$48.00
Dos & Don’ts of Body Scrubbing
Do be gentle. Start slowly and watch how your skin responds. Patch test new scrubs to check for irritation.
Do follow with moisturizer. After exfoliating, your skin is ready to absorb hydration. Try Monoi Age Corrective Night Body Cream and wake up with smoother-looking skin.
Don’t scrub too hard. More force won’t help and can leave skin dry, red, and uncomfortable.
Don’t use a scrub on broken or injured skin. Abrasive particles can cause more irritation, slow healing, and raise the risk of infection.
Do make it part of a ritual. Body scrubs take a little time and can be messy—so enjoy the process. Pair it with a face mask, hair treatment, or just relax in a long shower.
Product Picks
Cranberry Pomegranate Sugar Scrub
Vitamin-rich, refining body scrub
$48.00
Mangosteen Body Lotion
Full body hydration
$45.00
What To Expect From a Spa Body Treatment
A spa treatment can boost the results of your at-home routine. Licensed estheticians customize full-body scrubs and treatments to your skin’s needs. Like regular facials, professional body treatments help your skin look healthier and glow from head to toe.
Common spa services:
– Dry brushing
– Body scrub or polish
– Hydrotherapy
– Massage
– Body mask or wrap
After a professional scrub, your skin may be a bit tender. In the days after treatment, treat your skin gently and avoid:
– Steam rooms
– Intense exercise
– Further exfoliation
– Shaving or waxing
– Sunbathing
Ready to upgrade your body care routine? Explore the Stone Crop Body Collection at an Eminence Organics Spa Partner near you.