The purpose of a body scrub is to exfoliate the skin.

Your body sheds dead skin cells naturally (and constantly!) and exfoliation can help dramatically to remove dead skin cells from the outer layer of your skin, preventing build up and revealing healthier cells underneath (read: brighter, bouncier skin).

Salt scrubs and sugar scrubs are both effective for exfoliating the body, but they have some key differences in terms of texture, benefits, and best uses.

Here are some tips to help you choose the one that’s right for you!

Our Maris Sal salt scrub

A salt scrub is coarser and more abrasive than sugar. It provides deep exfoliation.

Our Maris Sal scrub contains Dead Sea salt which has natural minerals like magnesium, calcium, and potassium that can help detoxify and nourish the skin. It also stimulates circulation and promotes lymphatic drainage. It may help reduce inflammation. Salt can be drying, so we add sunflower and coconut oil as well as hemp seed butter to keep your skin hydrated! 

Scent: The Maris Sal to me is very spa-like. A steam room in a bottle, with hints of eucalyptus and mint. It’s therapeutic, uplifting, energizing!

Our Maris Sal scrub is ideal for:

• Rougher areas like feet, elbows, knees

• Thicker or oily skin

• People needing more intense exfoliation

Our Sugar Polish sugar scrub

Sugar has finer, softer granules making it gentler on the skin. It’s also less drying. Naturally contains glycolic acid, which helps with chemical exfoliation (removing dead skin cells and brightening skin). We have added nourishing  coconut and macadamia nut oil to our Sugar Polish to leave skin smooth and moisturized.  

Scent: The Sugar Polish is like the sweet smell of the Caribbean. Organic cane sugar, coconut, and macadamia nut blended together. It's gentle, relaxing, soothing like an ocean breeze!  

Our Sugar Polish is perfect for:

• Sensitive or dry skin

• People with skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis

• After shaving

The benefits of exfoliating  

As you age, your arms and legs become even dryer than other parts of the body, and it's not uncommon to notice increased buildup of dead skin cells, flaking skin, and an almost fish scale appearance. 

Exfoliating can help improve the appearance of skin, providing an even tone and healthy glow.

Exfoliating also enhances the absorption of skin care products. When dead skin isn’t blocking your pores, moisturizers, oils, and treatments are more easily absorbed. This boosts the impact of what body care product you are using and means you get more bang for your buck.

Exfoliating stimulates circulation and lymphatic drainage, which helps the body's process of detoxification.

Finally, regular exfoliation can help prevent ingrown hairs, and is especially helpful pre- and post-shaving or waxing. But I'd recommend using the gentler Sugar Polish post-hair removal, so as not to irritate your already sensitive skin.

Here's my go-to routine for regular exfoliation:

1.  Start with warm water, shower or bath, your choice. Warm water softens the skin and opens the pores, priming them for a good scrub.

2. Scoop a small amount of body scrub (about a tablespoon per area) into your hand.  Work on one section at a time, like arms, legs, back, etc.

3. Use circular motions starting at the feet and working your way up the body. Always move up the legs and arms for lymphatic drainage.

4. Avoid the very delicate skin on breasts. (But never skip your self-exam in the shower!)

5. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry with a towel. Don’t rub!

6. Apply moisturizer while the skin is still damp.

Above all, be gentle! Don’t overdo it. Exfoliating two to three times a week is plenty.  

Shop the Sugar Polish and Maris Sal Body Scrub.