What are the differences between a facial scrub and a body scrub?

Skin cells renew themselves every 28 days on average. Biologically, the keratinocytes originating from the deep layer of the epidermis known as the basal layer, gradually migrate to the surface undergoing various mutations. When they lose their nuclei, they are referred to as corneocytes. In other words, these are dead cells that make up the stratum corneum, the outermost layer of the skin. These scales are then naturally eliminated through sweat and sebum. However, boosting cell renewal by performing a scrub once a week can be beneficial for the skin. This practice allows to prepare the epidermis for treatment, deeply unclog the pores, and stimulate blood circulation. In summary, scrubbing helps to improve skin texture and its overall appearance.

Note : Caution! It is necessary to avoid doing more than one exfoliation per week. Indeed, excessively accelerating the process of cell renewal can lead to the appearance of certain skin conditions such as psoriasis. Furthermore, exfoliations should not be performed at just any time. It is more prudent to exfoliate before bedtime to allow time for the hydrolipidic film to regenerate.

The major difference between these two types of exfoliation lies in the size of the exfoliating grains and/or their content in the formula:

• The face:While the body has a relatively thick skin texture, the skin on the face is thinner and more sensitive. Scrubs containing a small amount of particles are preferred, and/or those containing micro-grains that are more spherical, not angular. However, the most sensitive skin types would still prefer a peeling (also known as chemical exfoliation) based on fruit acids like lactic acid.

• The body: A mechanical scrub that is more concentrated in exfoliating grains and/or with larger particles than those found in facial scrubs is appropriate. Depending on the areas, be sure to adapt your movements. Thus, the roughest parts such as the elbows, heels, or knees require a more vigorous scrub to prevent the appearance of imperfections or ingrown hairs. On the contrary, the neck, groin, or armpits require a less vigorous scrub. However, for the décolletage, it is better to use your facial scrub, which will prevent this area from becoming fragile and irritated.