Introduction
Exfoliation is a solid option as it assists in removing the dead skin cells from the skin surface which reveals a healthy and glowing skin. However for sensitive skin, it quickly leads to irritation or micro tears if you use the wrong body scrub on the skin. As not all of the scrubs are suitable for sensitive skin.
A damaged skin barrier can cause skin irritation, redness and intense burning. That’s why it becomes quite complicated to pick the right scrub for sensitive skin. The good news is that you do not need to avoid exfoliation as there are more gentle and safer scrub options available in the market.
Therefore in this guide, we will understand what makes the body scrub good for sensitive skin, what to look for in a scrub and tips to patch test the scrub that will help you to pick the right body scrub for sensitive skin which helps in giving you a brighter and smoother skin without damaging the skin.
What Makes the Scrub Good For Sensitive Skin?
Not every body scrub is formulated for sensitive skin. As the traditional physical scrubs are a totally wrong option as they contain harsh, sharp and jagged exfoliating particles which can totally cause micro injuries on the skin and result in damaged skin barrier.
For that reason, you should look for these qualities in a face scrub:
- Look for a scrub which contains a gentle formula that contains gentle chemical exfoliants which provides gentle exfoliation without causing any skin damage.
- You should opt for a scrub which contains barrier supporting ingredients such as ceramides or glycerin which totally help in supporting the skin barrier and keeping the skin hydrated.
- For physical scrubs look for ultra fine or powdery exfoliating particles which gently slide over the surface and remove the surface impurities from the skin without causing any micro tears on the skin.
Body Scrubs Suitable For Sensitive Skin
- Lactic Acid Body Scrub
Lactic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid which is known for its gentle properties. It is extensively used in cosmetic products like soaps, body scrubs etc. A lactic acid body scrub is an excellent choice for people with sensitive skin as it is more gentle than other exfoliants.
It helps in removing the dead skin cells by gently exfoliating the skin’s outermost layer which improves the skin texture and complexion. However, gentleness does not mean it is irritation free, even commonly used ingredients can cause redness or irritation particularly when your skin barrier is already weakened.
That’s why if you are new to acids then start slowly and allow the skin to adapt to acids and avoid using the scrub multiple times to protect your skin.
- Fragrance Free, Cream based Scrub
Synthetic perfumes are one of the ingredients that totally cause allergic reactions and skin irritation while it is solely used for aesthetic purposes and does not provide any real skin benefits.
That’s why you should look for a body scrub which is labelled as fragrance free and non-comedogenic as it assists in removing the dead skin cells without causing any unwanted skin allergy or irritation.
On top of that you should also look for a body scrub which is cream based and contains barrier friendly ingredients such as ceramides and glycerin as it helps in locking the moisture on to the skin while the scrub removes the impurities which keeps the skin hydrated.
- Gentle, Ultra Fine Scrub
Some physical scrubs can be harsh to skin as it contains harsh exfoliating particles like walnut shells which can totally harm the already weakened skin barrier and cause redness, burning and skin related issues.
However, if you do like to use a physical scrub then you should look for a body scrub which contains ultra fine or powdery form exfoliating particles as these gently slide over the skin which help in removing the skin without causing any injury on the skin.
What One Should Avoid
While picking the body scrub for sensitive skin you should strictly avoid these ingredients to protect the skin from any damage.
- Physical scrubs which contain jagged edges or apricot kernels should be avoided as it can totally damage the already weakened skin barrier.
- High concentration of AHA and PHA should also be avoided as certain acids will quickly cause intensive dryness or chemical burns on the sensitive skin.
- Scrubs contain harsh cleansing ingredients like sodium laureth Sulphate (SLES) should be avoided as it can completely strip off the natural moisture of the skin and leaves the skin feeling dry or flaky.
- Sometimes products aren’t the cause of skin problems, following bad scrub habits like over exfoliation or aggressive scrubbing play a role in damaging the skin barrier. That’s why they should be avoided.
Always Patch Test New Products
No matter if the product has dermatologically tested or fragrance free claims on the bottle, everyone’s skin is completely different. That’s why patch tests are very important. Steps for patch testing are:
- Pick a hidden area where the tissue is relatively thin like under the wrist and apply a coin sized amount of scrub on that area.
- Massage it gently for 30-45 seconds and clear off with warm water and dry the skin with a clean towel.
- Leave the area completely bare for 24-36 hours.
After waiting periods, monitor the skin. If the skin is calm then the product can be used on the skin. If the skin feels redness or irritation then the product might not be suitable for your skin.
Conclusion
For sensitive skin, choosing skincare products becomes quite difficult. Similarly body scrub is a solid pick for that fresh and glowing skin, however sensitive skin may notice redness or irritation if the wrong scrub is applied.
That’s why having an understanding of what to look for in a body scrub, body scrubs suitable for skin types and what one should avoid will help the person to pick the right body scrub for sensitive skin which provides benefits without causing any unwanted skin problems.