The Ultimate Guide to Using a Face Scrub

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How to choose a face scrub, how often to use it, and more
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Facial scrubs use small particles to remove the layer of dead skin on your face and reveal a smoother, brighter, and more youthful complexion. Using a facial scrub is super easy and just involves cleansing your face and gently massaging the scrub into your wet skin once or twice each week. Read on to find out how to apply a facial scrub and why it’s beneficial, as well as tips for choosing a scrub and when and how often to apply it!

Things You Should Know

  • Wash your face with a mild cleanser. Then, use gentle, circular motions to massage the facial scrub into your wet skin for 30-45 seconds.
  • Then, rinse the scrub off with lukewarm water and pat your face dry. Apply a moisturizer to lock in hydration and prevent dry skin.
  • Use a facial scrub that’s formulated for your oily, dry, combination, or sensitive skin type. Only exfoliate once or twice per week to prevent irritation and sensitivity.
Section 1 of 4:

Applying a Facial Scrub

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  1. Washing your face before you apply the facial scrub ensures your skin is clean and free from dirt, oil, and other debris. Just wet your face with lukewarm water and gently rub a gentle facial cleanser into your skin. Then, rinse your face with lukewarm water. [1]
    • If you have makeup on, use makeup remover to clean it off before washing your face.
    • If you have long hair, pull it back into a ponytail or bun so it doesn’t get in your way.
    • Using hot water can dry out or damage your skin, so keep the temperature low.
  2. Squeeze a dime-sized amount of facial scrub into your hands and rub it between your fingertips. Then, use your fingertips to gently massage the scrub into your face using circular motions. Just use a soft touch and avoid vigorously rubbing or scrubbing it into your skin, as this can cause irritation or damage. [2]
    • Massage the scrub starting at your chin and then work your way up your face.
    • Concentrate the scrub on your T-zone, which makes up your forehead, nose, and chin. This area gets oilier than other areas and has more clogged pores. [3]
    • Feel free to massage the scrub into your upper neck and below your chin, too.
    • Applying the facial scrub on dry skin and massaging it in for more than 60 seconds can cause irritation, sensitivity, and damage.
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  3. Splash your face with lukewarm water to remove the facial scrub. Then, gently pat your face dry with a soft towel. Your face should already feel smoother and softer! [4]
    • Do not rub your face with the towel, as this can irritate your skin. After using a facial scrub, your skin is more sensitive than normal.
  4. Facial scrubs remove the dead skin cells on your face, which can dry out your skin. Regardless if you have oily, combination, or dry skin, applying a moisturizer locks in hydration to keep your skin supple and soft. Just gently massage your moisturizer of choice into your skin. [5]
    • Apply any other skincare products on your skin before you put on moisturizer, like toner or serums.
    • Moisturizing is a necessary part of a creating a good skincare routine . Moisturizer hydrates your skin and prevents the overproduction of skin oils to keep your skin healthy. [6]
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Section 2 of 4:

Dos and Don’ts of Using Facial Scrub

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  1. Facial scrubs contain different physical abrasives and active ingredients that work better for dry, oily, combination, or sensitive skin. Just determine your skin type by feeling and inspecting your face and then choose the best scrub for your skin: [7]
    • Oily skin : Use a facial scrub formulated for oily or acne prone skin that includes ingredients that reduce excess oil and are non-comedogenic (don’t clog your pores), like salicylic acid. More abrasive ingredients like apricot pits, walnut shells, and almonds also work well. [8]
    • Dry skin : Choose a dry skin face scrub formula that has lots of nourishing ingredients, like glycerin or hyaluronic acid, and uses gentle, finely ground abrasives. [9]
    • Sensitive skin : Use mild facial scrubs that include antibacterial and anti-inflammatory ingredients like aloe, witch hazel, and chamomile. [10]
    • Combination skin : Use face scrubs for either oily or dry skin.
    • Patch test the scrub on your inner arm before you use it on your face, especially if you have sensitive skin, to ensure it doesn’t cause an allergic reaction.
  2. It might be tempting to scrub your face every morning to get that soft, glowy look. However, over exfoliating can leave your skin dry, irritated, red, and full of breakouts. For most skin types, only apply the scrub once per week. [11]
    • If you have oily skin, you can increase the frequency to twice per week if your skin looks and feels healthy.
  3. Using a facial scrub on inflamed, sensitive skin can further irritate your condition and potentially worsen the problem. If you’re dealing with an active breakout, rosacea, eczema, warts, herpes, or open wounds, avoid applying product on the area. [12]
    • If you use a prescription-strength skin medication, like retinol or benzoyl peroxide, talk to your dermatologist about adding a facial scrub to your routine before using it. Mixing products can potentially irritate your skin.
    • If you have a history of skin problems, consult your dermatologist to determine what kind of skin care regime is most appropriate for you.
  4. If you’re thinking of adding a chemical exfoliator, like alpha hydroxy acid or beta hydroxy acid, to your skincare routine, don’t use it on the same day that you use a facial scrub. This can over exfoliate your skin, leading to dry, red, and irritated skin. [13]
    • Chemical exfoliators work similarly to facial scrubs, except they use acids and other active ingredients to break down dead skin cells.
    • Don’t use a face scrub after receiving a face treatment, like a facial, either. Your skin is sensitive after a treatment, so exfoliating can irritate your skin.
  5. To use your facial scrub safely, pay particular attention to product warnings, expiration dates, possible allergens, or adverse interactions with other facial products. Most scrubs also include information about how often to apply the product.
    • Look at how the facial scrub should be stored, too. Some scrubs store best in the shower, while others need to be kept in a cool, dry place.
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Section 3 of 4:

Benefits of Using a Facial Scrub

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  1. Your skin tends to look dull, dry, and splotchy when dead skin cells accumulate on your face. Physical exfoliators, like facial scrubs, remove dead skin cells to reveal the shiny, new skin cells underneath. This gives you a brighter and more luminous complexion. [14]
  2. Dead skin cells and sebum, the oil your body produces, can get trapped in your pores and cause acne breakouts. [15] Face scrubs clear away the dead skin cells, as well as the excess sebum, to unclog your pores and help reduce acne. [16]
  3. Without a barrier of dead skin cells in the way, it's easier for moisturizers, serums, toners, and other products to seep into your skin. This can help your products work better and give your skin a healthy glow. [17]
  4. The outermost layer of your skin typically shows texture and damage from the weather, air quality, and stress. Sloughing off the dead layer of skin helps remove bumps and dark spots to unveil softer, smoother, and more even-toned skin. [18]
    • This means that facial scrubs can also help lighten and reduce the look of acne scars.
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Section 4 of 4:

Results & Troubleshooting

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  1. If the facial scrub works well with your skin, your complexion should look soft, glowy, and more youthful fairly quickly. In which case, congratulations! You’re using the best facial scrub for your skin. [19]
  2. Stop using your facial scrub if your skin is irritated or inflamed. Redness, itching, or rash are indications that the scrub is making your skin sensitive or causing an allergic reaction. [20]
    • Talk to your dermatologist about getting an allergy test to determine what ingredient you might be allergic or sensitive to.
  3. It might take a few tries to find the ideal product for your skin type. Just remember to follow the scrub's instructions and avoid over-exfoliating to ensure you get the best possible results. With time, you’ll find a good match!
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    Can I apply scrub around my eyes?
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    Don't! The area around your eyes is too sensitive for a scrub.
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    Not Helpful 11 Helpful 59
  • Question
    Should I use the facial scrub in the morning and evening?
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    You can use a scrub either in the morning or evening, but should not use it more than a few times a week.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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    Not Helpful 18 Helpful 62
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      Tips

      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • Make your own glowing skin rub by combining 4 tbsp of gram flour, 1/2 tsp of turmeric powder, 2 tbsp of rice flour, a few drops of rose water, a few drops of olive oil, and a few drops of glycerin. Mix it together well and apply it to your face until it's completely dry (about 10–15 minutes). .
      • I like using scrubs that have micro particles, which help in removing the dead cells.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/care/face-washing-101
      2. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/routine/safely-exfoliate-at-home
      3. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/acne-face-map/
      4. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/routine/safely-exfoliate-at-home
      5. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/routine/safely-exfoliate-at-home
      6. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/acne/skin-care/moisturizer
      7. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/routine/safely-exfoliate-at-home
      8. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/dry/oily-skin
      9. ↑ https://www.self.com/story/hydrating-skin-care-ingredients
      1. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/beauty-fashion/skincare/skin-inflammation
      2. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/acne-face-map/
      3. ↑ https://www.aad.org/stories-and-news/news-releases/evaluate-before-you-exfoliate
      4. ↑ https://www.realself.com/news/mixing-skin-care-ingredients
      5. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/routine/safely-exfoliate-at-home
      6. ↑ https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/acne
      7. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/5-ways-to-exfoliate-your-skin-without-irritation/
      8. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/5-ways-to-exfoliate-your-skin-without-irritation/
      9. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/5-ways-to-exfoliate-your-skin-without-irritation/
      10. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/5-ways-to-exfoliate-your-skin-without-irritation/
      11. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/routine/safely-exfoliate-at-home

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To use a facial scrub, choose the right scrub for your skin type, which might be oily, combination, normal, dry, or sensitive. Read the directions on the package, and use warm water to wet your skin. Then, massage the product into your skin for 60-90 seconds, and then rinse your skin with warm water. Use a soft towel to pat your skin dry, and apply a moisturizer all over your face. For tips on selecting a moisturizer and making sure the moisturizer is working for your skin, keep reading!

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