How to use a face scrub: A complete guide

A face scrub is one of the key components of a skincare routine. By doing a face scrub you get rid of dead cells on your skin and you will have smooth and glowing skin at the end. Doing face scrub steps in the right way is crucial because by ignoring some steps or exaggerating some of them, you can damage your skin over time. Therefore, in this article all face scrub steps will be explained to help protect your skin while keeping it clean and glowing.

1. Choosing the right face scrub for your skin type

The first and most important step of a face scrub is to choose the right product for your skin type. Here is a short but fine face scrub product selection guide with which you will have a better perspective when purchasing a face scrub product:

1. Sensitive or dry skin: If you have sensitive or dry skin, it is highly recommended to go for products that are cream-based and have a gentle scrub formula. Try to find products that contain hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid or aloe vera. Do NOT use face scrub products with a severe scrubbing formula that can damage your skin.
2. Oily or acne-prone skin: If you have oily skin or you are exposed to acne on your skin, try to find gel-based face scrub products that contain ingredients with skin-oil-control features such as tea tree or salicylic acid.
3. Combination skin: Normal face scrub products that have a balanced formula without harsh ingredients are suitable for combination skin. Try to find products that contain ingredients such as glycolic acid with an exfoliating feature but are not harsh enough to cause damage to your skin.

2. Cleanse your face before applying face scrub

The next step before using face scrub on your skin is to cleanse your face completely. Use a suitable skin cleaning product that is suitable for your skin type. If you have makeup, try to remove it by using makeup remover creams before washing your face skin with cleansing gels. After applying the cleansing material on your face, rinse your skin with lukewarm water NOT hot water as hot water can cause skin dryness and impact the final face scrub result.

3. Apply the face scrub

Here are the main steps for applying the face scrub on the skin:

1. It is better to dampen your face with lukewarm water to help the face scrub move on your skin smoothly. 
2. Squeeze a small amount of face scrub on your finger (do NOT overuse it as a small amount of scrub would be enough).
3. Massage the face scrub on your skin smoothly in a circular direction. Try to focus on places like the nose, forehead, and chin where they are oily and there are more dead cells.
4. Do NOT use face scrub around sensitive places like around your eyes or lips as it can cause irritations in those places.
5. Only massage the scrub for 30 seconds to 1 minute in a gentle way. You do not need to continue massaging it for more than this amount of time as it can cause irritations and damage to your skin.

4. Rinse off the face scrub

After applying the face scrub and massaging it for up to 1 minute, it is time to rinse the scrub using lukewarm water. Rinse your face skin carefully to completely wash the scrub from your skin. It is important to wash your skin carefully because the presence of the face scrub on your skin leads to skin irritation and redness.

5. Follow up with a toner after face scrub

After rinsing your skin with lukewarm water, it is recommended to use a toner to restore your skin PH and tighten the skin pores. Try to find a suitable toner for your skin type. A hydrating toner is a good choice for dry skin and a clarifying toner is suitable for individuals with oily skin.

6. Moisturize your skin

After skin exfoliation using the face scrub, your skin may become dry, so it is highly recommended to apply some skin moisturizer cream or lotion to return the moisture to your skin. Try to find a suitable moisturizer for your skin. If you have oily skin, it is better to use lotions or creams that do not contain oily materials and only hydrate your skin, but if you have dry or sensitive skin, you can use moisturizing products that contain oil-based ingredients.

💡If you exfoliate your skin during the daylight, you need to use sunscreen on your face as your face skin is completely sensitive and exposed to sun damage after the exfoliation.

How often should you exfoliate your skin with a face scrub?

The frequency of skin exfoliation with face scrub at home completely depends on your skin type and needs. Here are some general skin-type-based recommendations for the frequency of using face scrub:

1. Sensitive and dry skin: Only use a face scrub once a week to avoid skin irritation and redness.
2. Oily or combination Skin: You can use face scrub up to 3 times a week to clean all your skin pores and remove dead cells. Deciding about the exact number of times for face scrubbing is related to the level of your skin oil level. 
3. Normal skin: Using face scrub 1 to 2 times a week would be enough for your skin to have a clean and smooth face skin.

💡Overusing face scrub can cause skin irritation, redness, and swells, so it is crucial to find a suitable skin exfoliation routine based on your skin need and type.

Additional tips for using a face scrub

Here are some tips for face scrub that you need to consider before and after the skin exfoliation:

1. If you are going to use a face scrub product for the first time, try to test it on a small part of your body to make sure it does not cause any allergic reactions or irritations.
2. Another tip is to do face scrubbing in the evening to let your skin get restored overnight, but if you want to do it during the day, do not forget to use sunscreen at the last step.
3. If there are any kind of face scrub materials in your skincare routine products or if you have a regular facial treatment in a clinic, reduce the number of weekly skin exfoliations to avoid any skin damage and irritation due to overusing face scrub-based materials. 
4. Do not use face scrub if your skin is experiencing irritation or sunburn. This can intensify the condition. 
5. If you have active acne on your skin, do not use a physical face scrub as it can irritate the acne. Using a gentle chemical exfoliant can be a better choice.

Conclusion

Using a face scrub is a great way to get rid of dead cells and have smooth, clean, and glowing face skin. However, it is really important to find the right product based on your skin type and find out your skin needs to decide about the frequency of face skin exfoliation. Consulting with skin professionals can help you find the solution for your skin. Purify Skincare Clinic in Melbourne offers the latest skin treatments where you can schedule an appointment with professional skin experts to know your skin better and find the right skin treatment method and product for your skin.