Beauty Advice

Scrubs: why does your body need them?

What are the benefits of exfoliation for your body?

Our skin is constantly renewing: every day, new skin cells replace the old ones on its surface. From its creation, a skin cell has an average life cycle of 28 days, during which time it gradually works its way towards the surface.

However, this renewal process can slow down, in particular as we get older. This then causes older skin cells to accumulate on the skin’s surface. This is where a scrub comes in: exfoliating your skin helps to dislodge dead skin cells and stimulate the arrival of new replacements. In other words: don’t skip this step if you dream of soft and luminous skin!

Exfoliating is also a real boost for skin and mood… Available in a variety of textures and scents, a body scrub is one of the most sensorial skincare products you can find.

When is the best time to use a scrub?

We recommend exfoliating your body once or twice a week. You should ideally use a scrub before waxing, as removing dead skin cells allows easier hair removal and helps to prevent ingrown hairs.

And it’s also a good idea to use a scrub before a holiday in the sun, to make your tan more even. When you get back from your holiday, to reveal a luminous tan, exfoliate again to remove the layer of dead skin cells that are making your skin appear dull.

Don’t let this good habit slip in winter, you still need to exfoliate your skin to keep it feeling soft and smooth and counteract the drying effects of cold weather and rough patches caused by friction from clothes.

Which product is right for me?

Most body scrubs use mechanical exfoliation: small grains integrated in the formula dislodge dead skin cells when massaged over the skin. These grains can be natural (nut powder or nut shells, for example) and these particles biodegrade easily after the product is rinsed off.

You can also use sugar or salt crystals, which gradually melt on contact with damp skin. Ideally, choose a formula containing different types and sizes of grains for even more effective exfoliation.

How can you make your scrub even more effective?

Wet your entire body, then dispense a small quantity of scrub into the palm of your hand. Apply all over your body, focusing in particular on areas where the skin is thicker: knees, elbows, upper arms, etc.
Then massage over your entire body in circular movements, varying the pressure according to the sensitivity of each area: be gentle, you don’t need to harsh to achieve super-smooth results. Then rinse thoroughly with warm water to wash away all the grains.

Once your skin is dry, it’s time to moisturize. This is always essential after using a scrub. Apply your moisturizer liberally (fluid, lotion or balm, depending on your skin type and preference).
Unless you choose a 2-in-1 exfoliating and nourishing scrub (such as the Rêve de Miel® Nourishing Body Scrub, rich in botanical Oils and Shea Butter) to cloak your skin in a protective nourishing veil: a beauty tip for busy lifestyles.



NUXE

NUXE

Writer and expert