There has been much back and forth over scrubs on the internet over the past few years. Is it the worst thing to use on your face? Can chemical exfoliants replace them? Are natural scrubs the best ones to use? We answer this and more in this post.
What Is A Scrub?
A scrub is a skincare product designed to exfoliate and remove dead skin cells from the skin's surface. Scrubs typically contain small granules or particles that help to physically buff away dead skin cells, revealing smoother, brighter skin underneath.
Can Scrubs Damage Your Skin?
At SERUMIZE, we recommend chemical exfoliants over scrubs because we believe that it delivers benefits to the skin that outweigh physical scrubs. Scrubs are often too harsh for the skin causing inflammation and damage, especially to sensitive and/or acne-prone skin.
However, we do not believe that physical exfoliation is irredeemable. Whether or not to scrub your face depends on your skin type and the scrub you use.
How Do I Use Scrubs Safely?
The key to using scrubs safely is choosing a gentle, fragrance-free scrub. Many scrubs use granules of natural/or synthetic ingredients which are too abrasive for the skin. Salt, Sand and Coffee scrubs are to be avoided because they are too rough on the skin’s surface. Repeated use causes micro tears that breakdown the surface of the skin
If you decide to use a scrub, choose one that is formulated with gentle ingredients. We find that finely milled sugar, rice and oatmeal scrubs are gentler options for the skin. It is also important to look out for nourishing and hydrating ingredients on the skin.
It is also advised that people with sensitive skin avoid scrubs altogether.
Are Chemical Exfoliants Better Than Scrubs?
Both chemical and physical exfoliants can effectively remove dead skin cells and promote a smoother, brighter complexion. However, the benefits of chemical exfoliation far outweigh using scrubs.
Scrubs, use granules or particles to physically buff away dead skin cells. While physical exfoliants can be effective for smoothing the surface of the skin chemical exfoliants, on the other hand, use alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs) to dissolve dead skin cells without the need for scrubbing. Chemical exfoliants can be gentler and less abrasive than physical exfoliants, making them a better choice for those with sensitive skin or acne-prone skin. They are also more effective at penetrating the skin to unclog pores and improve skin texture.
BHAs unlike scrubs are a lot more effective at managing acne and breakouts, reducing the appearance of pores, improving skin complexion and getting rid of blackheads and whiteheads. This is because BHAs like our Clear Fight Serum penetrate the epidermis, which allows it to deliver superior benefits.
Can You Use Scrubs and Chemical Exfoliants In the Same Routine?
Yes, you can if the scrub is gentle. Gentle scrubs can provide improved cleansing of the skin which can improve the efficacy of other products.
