by Ana |
Last Updated: March 23, 2024 Facial scrubs are an important part of a skin care regimen. It is usually a cream-based product containing small exfoliating pieces or beads that help make your skin smooth when you massage them across your face, as they physically lift off dry and dead skin cells.
They have been in existence for quite some time now, and through the years, their formulas have changed; ingredients were added and taken away. But the bottom line is that it still remains a necessity in any skin care routine.
Another way to look at a face scrub is that it is an exfoliation product that is intended to specifically be used on the face. You might not know it, but facial skin is more sensitive and delicate compared to any other skin area of the body, and since the face is more exposed to the elements and pollution, it needs special attention in terms of skin care.
Thus, it is essential that you use a scrub that is exclusively labeled for facial use only, and not those generic exfoliating scrubs that some may be too harsh for your face.
So how does a facial scrub work? Facial scrubs are made of a mild abrasive that is designed for pulling away both dead and dying skin as you gently rub it on your face. There are two ways of applying a face scrub on your face.
One, you use your hands—that is, you put a tiny amount of the scrub on your fingers, then gently massage your face. Or two, you can use a cosmetic pad. Just put the scrub on the pad and rub the pad across your face.
But whichever way you choose, it is crucial that you massage gently and do it in a circular motion to make sure that your whole face is covered, without being too harsh or hard on your face. You then rinse your face and apply a moisturizer.
Now, there are several things that you can use as an exfoliant in a face scrub. These include ground nut shells, sugar, bamboo fibers, fruit pulp and oatmeal. There are also those considered as harsher exfoliants such as sand, ground pumice and salt, but are not used in scrubs.
Further, aside from an exfoliant, a scrub typically consists of a cream or carrier oil that is intended for holding the exfoliant in suspension. A fragrance is also mixed in, which can come from an essential oil that promotes relaxation.
If you wonder why a face scrub is necessary, there are a lot of reasons. A face scrub works by getting rid of dead skin, exposing a new layer of younger and healthier skin that was just beneath the old and dead layer.
By regularly using an exfoliant, you keep your skin smooth and glowing since you constantly reveal new skin. A lot of face scrubs also consist of moisturizers in order to nourish the skin, eliminating dead skin. Moreover, using a face scrub can also get rid of lingering facial make up that may have not been thoroughly removed
So many beauty care suppliers and drug stores offer a wide range of face scrubs. If you can, test the product first before you purchase. The best way to do this without wasting much of it is to rub a small amount of sample on the inside of your wrist.
The skin around this area is also delicate, so if the product irritates your wrist, there is a likely chance that it will also irritate your face. In testing, make sure to scrub and wait for a few minutes before rinsing with lukewarm water. This way, you will see if any signs of irritation surface, such as itching or swelling.