How to do a body scrub?

Why exfoliate your body regularly?

A body scrub, when used regularly and adapted to your skin type, plays an essential role in maintaining healthy, supple, and even skin. From a dermatological perspective, exfoliation acts directly on cell turnover, a natural process by which the epidermis regenerates approximately every 28 days. However, with age, external aggressors (pollution, UV rays, oxidative stress), or in cases of dry skin, this rhythm can slow down, leading to an accumulation of dead skin on the skin's surface.

If not regularly removed, these keratinized cells can clog pores, cause an uneven skin texture, give the complexion a dull appearance, and encourage the appearance of ingrown hairs, particularly on the legs, underarms, or bikini area after shaving or waxing. A body scrub therefore helps to dislodge these excess cells and prevent these skin discomforts.

Beyond the exfoliating aspect, scrubbing also stimulates blood circulation and lymphatic flow thanks to the circular motions used during the massage. This mechanical stimulation promotes better oxygenation of skin tissues and more effective drainage of toxins, which helps improve the overall quality of the skin.

Furthermore, by ridding the epidermis of its superficial horny layer, the scrub optimizes the penetration of moisturizing, nourishing, or anti-aging active ingredients contained in skincare products applied after showering. On damp skin that has been freshly exfoliated, creams and oils are absorbed better, which boosts their effectiveness. This is particularly beneficial for dry skin, which tends to hold moisture poorly.

At Alaena, the AHA Smoothing Body Scrub combines performance and natural active ingredients for visibly smoother skin.
Its expert formula combines two complementary actions:

• Mechanical exfoliation: fine organic apricot kernel powder to gently remove dead cells without being harsh on the skin.
• Chemical exfoliation: natural AHAs extracted from fruits to refine skin texture and revive radiance.

Enriched with apricot kernel oil, which is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, it helps restore the hydrolipidic film and prevent skin dryness.

Result: smooth, clean skin that is ready to receive its treatments.

What are the benefits of a body scrub?

The benefits of a body scrub are numerous: it exfoliates dead cells, smooths rough areas such as elbows or knees, stimulates blood circulation, and brightens the skin. On damp skin, circular motions allow for gentle exfoliation without irritating the skin. Result: soft skin that is more even and breathes better.
For the face, our dermatologist recommends a targeted treatment rich in retinol. It acts as a powerful cell regenerator, improving skin texture, appearance, and health simultaneously.
Discover the benefits of retinol for smooth skin and a more luminous complexion.

How often should you exfoliate your body according to your skin type?

A body scrub is an essential treatment for maintaining healthy, luminous, and comfortable skin. It helps to remove dead skin, stimulate cell turnover, even out skin texture, and prepare the epidermis to better receive moisturizing treatments. To be effective without compromising the skin's balance, the frequency of scrubbing must be adapted to your skin type.

At Alaena, we advocate an expert approach that respects skin physiology and its needs. Here are our recommendations:

Dry skin

Dry skin often shows an altered skin barrier and a deficiency in lipids. Buffeted by external aggressors (hard water, cold, friction), it can become rough, dull, and uncomfortable. Recommended frequency: Once every 10 to 15 days

Precautions to follow:

• Use a gentle scrub enriched with nourishing agents
• Avoid abrasive grains and harsh exfoliating gloves
• Perform exfoliation on damp skin without excessive friction
• Apply a rich moisturizer immediately to replenish skin lipids

Sensitive skin

Sensitive skin reacts easily to friction, temperature changes, or certain active ingredients. Exfoliating too frequently can lead to redness, tightness, and discomfort. Recommended frequency: Every 2 to 3 weeks

Precautions to follow:

• Favor gentle scrubs with fruit acids
• Apply the treatment with gentle massage, let it sit, then rinse
• Avoid any exfoliation on irritated or reactive areas
• Hydrate immediately with a soothing treatment

Normal to combination skin

This skin type, generally well-balanced, tolerates regular exfoliation well. Scrubbing helps maintain natural radiance and smooth out rough areas on the body. Recommended frequency: 2 to 3 times per week depending on skin tolerance

Precautions to follow:

• Use scrubs with combined action (mechanical and enzymatic)
• Favor formulas with AHAs or BHAs to unclog pores
• Never exfoliate damaged, irritated skin or skin after a sunburn
• Hydrate with a light, non-comedogenic texture to restore the hydrolipidic film

Key takeaways

• Adapting the frequency of your body scrub according to the nature and reactivity of your skin is essential to avoid any skin damage.
• Exfoliation should always be followed by targeted hydration to restore the barrier function.
• It is best to perform the scrub on damp skin, using gentle circular motions, particularly on rough areas.
• A regular, well-balanced practice will allow you to maintain soft skin, smooth and receptive to skincare.

How to perform a body scrub in 4 simple steps:

1. Prepare your skin before exfoliation

Start with a warm shower to open pores and soften dead skin. On damp skin, the scrub will be more effective and less aggressive.

2. Choose a body scrub adapted to your needs

Depending on your skin type, choose a mechanical (grainy) or chemical (fruit acid) exfoliant. At Alaena, our dermatologist has formulated a scrub that is both mechanical and chemical so that it adapts to all skin types. This double action helps eliminate dead cells on the surface. It refines, smooths, and softens the skin to prepare it for moisturizing treatments. Sensitive skin types will prefer a gentle treatment or an exfoliating glove. Do not use a facial scrub on the body: it is often too light for rough areas.

3. Apply the scrub with the right technique

Use a small amount of product and use circular motions with the pads of your fingers or a glove, focusing on rough areas.

What movements should you use for an effective scrub?

Perform gentle circular motions without rubbing too hard. Start from the feet and work your way up the body to stimulate blood circulation and promote lymphatic drainage.

4. Rinse without being harsh on the skin

Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water. Then, pat your skin dry with a clean towel so as not to irritate the skin.

Hydrating your body after a scrub

Post-exfoliation hydration is an essential step to maintain the integrity of the skin barrier. During a body scrub, whether it is mechanical (grainy, exfoliating glove) or chemical (exfoliation with fruit acids), the action of friction or dissolution leads to the elimination of dead cells from the horny layer. This stimulates cell turnover but also induces a temporary loss of surface lipids, which are essential to the epidermis's barrier function.

By removing dead skin, a body scrub increases skin permeability. This window of hyper-receptivity should be used to apply an emollient or moisturizing treatment to prevent dehydration, reinforce the cohesion of the corneocytes, and limit inflammatory phenomena (redness, flaking, dry skin, discomfort). This is particularly crucial for sensitive or atopic skin, whose hydrolipidic film is already altered.

On damp skin, just after exfoliation and rinsing with lukewarm water, applying a product containing moisturizing agents (glycerin, hyaluronic acid, low-concentration urea) or lipid-replenishing agents (ceramides, plant butters, oils rich in omega-3 and 6) is recommended. These active ingredients will help restore the horny layer, soothe weakened areas, and maintain soft skin and suppleness over the long term.

For those with rough areas (knees, elbows), a more occlusive texture may be necessary to smooth these regions lastingly. To prevent ingrown hairs, it is also recommended to maintain daily hydration, even on non-scrub days, to soften the epidermis and avoid clogging hair follicles.

Finally, the choice of post-scrub treatment must be adapted to the skin type and the frequency of exfoliation. Dry skin will require more intensive care.

In conclusion, a body scrub is beneficial when followed by appropriate hydration. This combination not only optimizes the aesthetic appearance of the skin but actively contributes to its health and functional balance.

Discover our moisturizing body care
Discover our moisturizing facial care

Common mistakes to avoid with a body scrub

Among the common mistakes: using a body scrub on dry skin, using products that are too abrasive, or neglecting to moisturize afterward. Over-exfoliating or applying excessive pressure during circular motions can irritate the skin, especially on dry or sensitive skin. Also, be careful not to confuse a face scrub with a body scrub: their formulations are designed for different needs.

At Alaena, our dermatologist has formulated the AHA Smoothing Body Scrub to suit all skin types, even the most sensitive, thanks to its naturally derived ingredients and the combination of gentle mechanical exfoliation and the smoothing action of AHAs (lactic, glycolic, citric, malic, and tartaric acids).