Scrub or not to scrub?

I must admit I do like a body scrub. And, I did have a trusted spa inspired go to. I don't use a body scrub all that often and only when I feel I need to. Say once a month.

It occurred to me one day in 2020, why am I buying body scrubs still when I already make a few other skin care treats? With a bit of research and formulating I made my Spa body scrub. I was pleased with it so made some for family and friend as holiday season gifts.

Feedback was great. I got requests for other scents that lead me to expand my body scrub vision. My main four trusted body scrubs made it to the Handmade by Steven shop.

Surprisingly the Rose body scrub is most popular. It's a blend of rose, geranium and orange giving you a fresh floral scent.

I see in the shops that body scrubs can quite pricy and I was not wanting to create a big price product, but wanting to make a hard working, great smelling scrub.

Body scrubs

Relax - salt scrub - lavender and vanilla.

Rose - salt scrub - rose, geranium and orange blossom.

Spa - salt scrub - lavender, bergamot, lemon, peppermint, patchouli, rose and vanilla.

Zesty - salt scrub - orange, mandarin, lemon and lime.

In 2021 I added three new body scrubs to the online collection. The festive Gingerbread is available between November and February.

Honey bee - sugar scrub - honey, orange and vanilla.

Mayan gold - salt scrub - lavender, chamomile, grapefruit, lemon, lime, patchouli, pine and peppermint.

Gingerbread - brown sugar scrub - ginger, amber and vanilla.

Ingredients

The bulk of a body scrub tends to be either, sugar or salt. I add sweet almond oil, Jojoba oil, vitamin E oil for that luxurious feel. I do add polysorbate-80 which helps the oils mix with water to help reduce oily residue. I make my own blend of scents using essential oils and fragrance. I also include a preservative called plantaserve E and it helps to prevent microbe build-up as using a scrub opens it up to water getting into the jar. I try to keep the colour subtle and use natural mica powders. These are used in lots of make-up and will not stain.

What is a body scrub?

Basically, body scrubs area exfoliants helping to remove dead skin cells from the outer layer of your skin using sugar or salt as an abrasive ingredient. Body scrubs can temporarily disrupt your skin barrier and this could make your skin dry out, so ensure your body scrub contains ceramides, hyaluronic acid or vitamin E to help.

How to use a body scrub

Depends if you're about to shower or bath. I tend to use a body scrub before bathing.

I tend to take out an amount of the scrub from the jar (replace the lid) and add it to a little bowl. This is so that I do not put my wet hand in the jar.

It's best to wet your skin with a little warm water first. If you in the show just shower down, turn off the water before applying the salt scrub. I usually apply before a bath and stand on a bath matt and apply the body scrub and exfoliate before getting into the bath water. I do my feet once in the bath to avoid slipping and sliding.

With a small amount of body scrub in your hand simply just gently rub it on your skin in small circular motions, using your hand. If you want to protect you hands and nails you can use a exfoliating glove.

You don't have to do this for long and no more than 30 seconds.

Rinse your skin liberally with water if in the shower or sink into the bath.

Then its time to wash your skin using your regular cleanser.

It's also best to shave after a body scrub rather than shaving before as it can be more irritating for the skin.

To dry off, try patting down your skin rather than any vigorous rubbing with the towel.

Once dry if you feel you skin needs it then apply apply a moisturiser or body butter.

You can buy my scrubs and body butter at the Handmade by Steven shop.

Let me know in the comment below what you like in a body scrub and your favourite scents.