Face Scrubs
No matter how great your cleanser 
may be, followed by a toner , and then topped of with a high-end moisturiser , you still might be experiencing flaky or dull looking skin. This is all because you need to complement your skincare regiment with an exfoliating face scrub in order to really make your skin glow.
Every minute, your face sheds about 30,000 dead skin cells. After just a day or two, imaging how much build up this will cause, putting a damper on your perfect skin. These dead skin cells take your skin from glowing to lacklustre if they are not properly sloughed away. A great scrub will help to lift away all of this dead skin to reveal a luminous complexion in no time.
Choosing a Face Scrub
- Consider Your Budget. This is an important thing to think about. Are you prepared to drop $30 for a 4 ounce jar of scrub or would you rather spend less than $10 ? Either way, there is a scrub out there for you. In the end what matters is the results, not the price tag.
- Understand Your Needs. Every skin type will need a scrub that is specifically tailored to their needs. For ageing skin, a more intense treatment may be needed. Microdermabrasion and chemical peels are an effective replacement for a scrub or an addition for monthly use. Click on the links to learn more about Microdermabrasion and Chemical Peels.
- Know What Makes a Good Scrub. There are some things that everyone should know when shopping for scrub. The exfoliating granules should be uniform and fine in order to avoid damage to the skin. While your feet may be able to handle a pumice stone , your face is much more sensitive. Find a scrub that is gentle yet effective. Also, a scrub should rinse off easily and not leave any residue on the face.
Facial Scrubs
A simple exfoliator or scrub can be found in any pharmacy. Many of the normal skin care brands have at least one product designed to exfoliate the skin and not break the bank. More expensive brands brand their products with fancy names, like 'facial polish'. Generally, the fancier the name, the higher the price will be. What's most important, however, is to know the ingredients and understand what a scrub will do for you. Once you know what to look out for, you will definitely be able to know if it's worth spending the money.
- A gentle Cleansing Scrub is suitable for everyday use as long as you have normal skin. One of the first three ingredients of a cleansing scrub is usually lauryl sulphate or sodium laryth. As you get older, you should look out for a more intense scrub that fights the natural drying of skin over time.
- Medicated Scrub --If you have acne, then you might benefit best from a medicated scrub with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. These often also contain alcohol to dry up pores. Be careful though. If you scrub too hard, you can actually make your acne worse.
- Anti-Ageing Scrub --While they may be expensive, look for a scrub with AHAs to get the best anti-ageing benefits. However, if you don't want to shed the extra expense, save your money for a microdermabrasion or chemical peel kit. Since exfoliants get washed away from the skin, there is less of a chance that the nutrients will penetrate and stay on your face.
- Moisturising Scrub --Even if you have dry skin, a scrub is still important. Just make sure that you are using one that contains some sort of moisturising emollient, like jojoba oil, cocoa butter, Shea butter, or mineral oil.
No matter what type of scrub that you choose, you will want to make sure that you follow up with a SPF moisturiser . Scrubbing can make your skin more vulnerable to damage from UV rays and you can never be too protected.
Top Picks
Here are some favorite scrubs from different websites:
For Ageing Skin
For Dry Skin
For Sensitive/Acne-Prone
Organic Lovers
Not Quite Scrubs
- Chemical Peels use chemicals to slough away skin. They are generally more expensive than scrubs and are only meant to be used 1-3 times a week, depending on which formula you choose.
- Microdermabrasion Scrubs are newest to the scrub family and are recommended for those with maturing skin who want to try and reduce the appearance of fine lines, acne scars, blotches, and any other visible damage to the skin. These microdermabrasion scrubs are often expensive. See our guide on Microdermabrasion for more information.
- Most dermabrasion products come in kits that include an electronic instrument to simulate a spa-like experience.
- These products should not be used frequently. Some say once a week, others say once a month-be sure to read directions.
- It is discouraged to use these products simultaneously with prescription face medication.
- For sensitive skin, microdermabrasion can be very harsh. These products often cause redness, inflammation, and breakouts. Be careful!
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