Body scrubs are nothing new – they’ve been around for centuries. That said, how to use body scrub in the correct way requires a little know-how…

That’s where Lionesse comes in. Today, we’re here to share nine game-changing tips to keep in mind the next time you’re exfoliating your body with a scrub. Not only will they ensure that your scrubbing habits aren’t doing your skin any harm, but they’ll also teach you exactly how to use body scrub for maximum benefits.

Find a Scrub You Can Count on

Body scrub

How to use body scrub matters when it comes to results, but only to an extent. The scrub itself plays a major role in how your skin will respond to exfoliation.

Just like all other skincare products, not all body scrubs are created equally. Some are great for the skin, while others do more harm than good.

What makes a good body scrub?

It all comes down to ingredients. Firstly, take a look at the scrub’s base. Usually, body scrubs are made from either salt or sugar. Both have their benefits, but, generally, sugar tends to offer milder results, while salt scrubs provide a deeper exfoliation.

If you don’t yet have a salt scrub in your skincare routine, read on…

The Lionesse Body Scrub

How to use body scrub

With salt as its base, you can be sure that the Lionesse Body Scrub will thoroughly exfoliate your skin. It’s worth noting that Lionesse has used sea salt, rather than table salt, in this formula. Sea salt not only offers up better exfoliating effects, but it also contains a rich mineral profile. These minerals provide their own skin-enhancing benefits.

What else does the Lionesse Body Scrub contain?

We’ve kept the ingredient list simple on purpose. Sea salt is capable of perfectly exfoliating the skin on its own. However, we also added in something a little extra special…

Diamond powder. This is another ingredient that also has a mild exfoliating effect. Being a powder, its particles are tiny. This means that this precious stone isn’t as abrasive as salt, but it helps to maximize the effects that salt has. It also comes with other advantages, such as its ability to brighten the appearance of the skin.

Always Apply a Body Scrub to Cleansed, Damp Skin

Woman using body scrub

If you’re wondering how to use body scrub on dry skin, the answer is simple – you don’t. A body scrub should always be applied to damp skin. This is because damp skin is more supple. Apply one to dry skin and you could end up tearing at your skin and causing damage.

In addition to being damp, your skin should also be clean.

Why is this so important? Because in order for a body scrub to work effectively, it needs access to your pores. If you haven’t cleansed your skin, then this means that there’ll be a layer of dirt, oil, sweat, pollutants, and other impurities sitting on the surface of your skin.

Sure, your body scrub will do a fine job of getting rid of these and cleansing your skin. However, this means that it’s only working on the surface of your skin, rather than in your pores. It’ll be cleansing rather than exfoliating, and we don’t want that!

While cleansing your skin, try to keep the water warm. Warm water helps to relax the pores, which leaves them more receptive to exfoliation. However, don’t turn the temperature up too much. Although steam does have its benefits, hot water strips the skin. Exfoliation already does this to an extent – adding to this with scorching water will only damage your skin.

Try to make sure that your skin has been exposed to warm water for at least five minutes before using your body scrub.

Scrub Gently, in Small Circular Motions

Woman learning how to use body scrub

The ingredients that make up a body scrub are already abrasive in nature. They don’t need any extra help with this.

However, many people still rub too hard when massaging a body scrub into their skin. This quickly damages the skin, leading to redness, inflammation, and sensitivities. In other words, the symptoms of over-exfoliation.

So, if you want to know how to use body scrub without damaging your skin, the secret is to be gentle. Apply only a very light amount of pressure – just enough to glide the scrub over your skin. Don’t be tempted to press down any harder.

Speaking of gliding the scrub over your skin…

While not essential, applying a body scrub using small, circular motions, as opposed to back and forth, can be beneficial.

This massage technique is known for how it promotes circulation due to the type of movements it creates in the skin. As a result, just a circular-style massage on its own will leave your skin feeling refreshed and detoxified. Add a salt scrub into the mix too and you’ll be positively glowing!

Know When to Stop

Body scrub on chest

When beginners are first learning how to use body scrub, one of the most common questions they ask is…

How long do you leave a body scrub on for?

The answer to this depends on the type of scrub that you’re using. Most scrubs aren’t designed to be left on the skin for extended periods of time. Check the usage instructions and most will tell you to rinse the scrub off after about 30 seconds or so of scrubbing.

However, some scrubs, such as the Lionesse Body Scrub, contain just a few ingredients, with each one being safe when left on the skin for a slightly longer period of time. In fact, giving the salt in our scrub some extra time to work its wonders on your complexion can leave your skin looking even more energized.

That said, when it comes to the scrubbing action itself, it’s usually best to limit yourself to 30 seconds or so. No matter how gentle a body scrub may be, scrubbing your skin with anything for too long will leave it feeling raw and irritated.

Scrub Before You Shave

Scrubbing leg

How to use body scrub on a regular day is pretty straightforward, but what about when shaving is involved? Should you scrub before or after shaving?

Fortunately, the answer to this is simple too. A body scrub should always be used before shaving.

Why?

For a few reasons. Firstly, removing the dead skin cells from your skin before shaving means that they won’t end up clogging up your razor. This results in a much closer shave, which also means that you’ll be able to wait a little longer before you next shave.

Using a body scrub before shaving can also help to prevent ingrown hairs. It’ll keep your skin looking smooth, soft, and blemish-free!

Always Moisturize After Using a Body Scrub

Body Cream

We’ve already shared several tips on how to use body scrub, but what comes after exfoliating?

The answer is always the same – moisturizing. No matter how gentle your body scrub may be, exfoliation of any form strips the skin of its natural layer of oil. It doesn’t remove everything, but it clears away a large portion. This leaves the skin feeling quite dry.

That’s where a moisturizer comes in. A good moisturizing formula will help to replenish that feeling of dryness. It’ll give your skin the moisture boost it needs to look plump, soft, and glowy post-exfoliation.

What should you use to moisturize your body after using a body scrub?

That depends on your skin type…

If your skin is on the dry side, then you’ll need a thick and rich moisturizing formula, such as the Lionesse Body Butter. This velvety blend contains shea butter, a natural ingredient that’s loaded with moisturizing fatty acids.

Just like our Body Scrub, our Body Butter also contains a sprinkle of diamond powder. This helps to add a natural-looking shimmer to the skin, which will leave your body looking luminescent.

If you would prefer a lighter formula, then the Lionesse Body Cream won’t disappoint. It contains humectants and botanicals that hydrate and moisturize the skin, leaving it looking full and radiant.

Don’t Use a Body Scrub Too Often

Applying body scrub to skin

We’ve already talked about how over-exfoliation can be caused if you spend too long scrubbing your skin in a single session.

However, the same occurs when people use a body scrub too often. This doesn’t give the skin enough time to recover and rebuild its natural layer of oil, which leads to a whole host of different problems.

So, how often can you use a body scrub?

Again, it depends on your skin type. Everyone’s skin is different. Some, such as those with thicker, oilier skin, will be able to handle more frequent scrubbing sessions. Others, like those with thinner, drier skin, will need to space their scrubbing sessions out more.

Generally, if you aren’t already a regular scrubber and are learning how to use body scrub for the first time, it’s best to start with a weekly scrub. Use your body scrub once a week for the first few weeks and see how things go.

If your skin is responding well and looks happy, then maintain your weekly scrubbing sessions. However, if your skin looks as though it would have benefited from an extra scrub, then try scrubbing twice a week. You may be able to build this up to once a day, but always cut back if your skin doesn’t seem happy.

Show Your Lips Some Love

Lip scrub

While there are dedicated lip scrubs out there, using a body scrub on your lips can be just as good (so long as the scrub contains lip-friendly ingredients).

The same rules apply as when scrubbing the rest of your skin. Make sure that your lips have been thoroughly dampened, and then gently apply the scrub in circular motions. Once you’re done scrubbing, rinse the scrub off and follow up with a layer of a moisturizing lip balm.

Treat Yourself to the Lionesse Body Care Set

Body butter

Want to take all of the hassle out of your weekly exfoliation session?

That’s where the Lionesse Body Care Set comes in. This set contains all of the three products that we’ve featured above; the Lionesse Body Scrub, the Lionesse Body Butter, and the Lionesse Body Cream.

If you’re still learning how to use body scrub and want to keep things simple, then this set is what you need. Start off with the Body Scrub and then apply either the Body Butter or the Body Cream once you step out of the shower. In fact, some people apply both – they use the Body Cream on most of their body but apply the Body Butter to their rougher areas, such as the elbows and knees.

While each product can be purchased individually, going with the set gives you so much more value!

Learning How to Use Body Scrub is Easy With Lionesse

If you’re new to exfoliation, trying to work out how to use body scrub in a way that’s beneficial without being damaging can seem like a challenge. However, with Lionesse’s tips by your side, along with our exquisite body care products, your future exfoliation sessions should run smoother than ever.

Click here to check out more bestselling Lionesse skincare products.