How to Use a Body Scrub (2024)

We all know what a quality body scrub can do for our skin. Exfoliating ensures dead skin cells are removed, boosting your overall skin health by promoting blood flow, stimulating collagen production and improving texture and radiance. But what if we also told you that a scrub could brighten your mood too? Inspired by the new generation of body scrubs infused with aromatherapy-worthy essential oils and results-driven ingredients like AHAs, our tips create meaningful moments that rebalance both body and mind. With a few simple tweaks to how you use yours, a spa-worthy sense of peace and harmony can be created in your very own bathroom. Here’s how:

1. Create a full sensory experience with aromatic steam

Scrubbing in the shower is convenient, but it does mean that all those delicious smelling ingredients are quickly washed down the plug-hole. And that’s not just a shame for your body – as well as nourishing our skin, essential oils in scrubs can also be potent mood-boosters too.

Rather than focusing on your body alone, create a full sensory experience by putting a dollop of essential-oil infused scrubin the corner of the shower tray, away from the plughole. The hot steam will activate and release the essential oils in to the air, creating a spa-like ambiance in your bathroom and an aromatherapy treat for mind and mood. Or to extend the experience even more, put a small scoop of scrub in to a muslin face cloth and tie it close to your shower head. Take 10 deep breaths of the aromas and enjoy a moment of calm under the warm water. Then untie the cloth and use it to scrub your body, adding more product as needed.

2. Use it as a body mask for extra soft skin

Body scrubs and masks are usually consecutive steps during a spa treatment, because of the deep-cleansing, skin-smoothing results. And yet at-home, body masking is often overlooked. But if you’re treating your face to masks, why not your body too?

Many scrubs can actually double-up as a mask – simply apply it before your shower or bath, focusing on your chest and upper back, and leave for five to 10 minutes. Our Amsterdam Collection body scrub, for example, is a dual action, fragrant powerhouse that leaves skin feeling silky soft when left to sink in for 10 minutes. Giving any product time to absorb will exponentially improve its effectiveness. Plus it creates a moment for yourself too – while you wait, try a candle meditation or repeat affirmations in the mirror.

Afterwards, run the shower and use the warm water to scrub the product around other parts of your body. The Ritual of Karma mild scrub pastecontains kaolin clay that gently sloughs away dull and dead skin cells, absorbs impurities and leaves the skin feeling super soft.

3. Apply like a pro to boost your lymph system

Being more mindful when applying your scrub has multiple benefits. Not only does it increase exfoliation, boosting your natural glow and preventing blocked pores, but it stimulates the drainage of toxins too. Take inspiration from the professionals - use gentle dry brushing strokesto stimulate your lymphatic system, promoting blood flow and making skin more radiant. Rather than the hurried, haphazard application that many of us deploy, this technique requires slow, light, and intentional movements. Take your time with each stroke and be mindful of the grains as they glide over your skin.

Think of it as a soulful and meaningful moment to reconnect with yourself. Then make it a habit and feel the sense of harmony that comes from uniting mind and body.

And don’t forget these basic scrub tips:

Which scrub is best for my skin?

Learn more about body scrubs and finding the right one for you hereto make sure your scrub experience is safe and effective. Or discover our brand-new scrub lab at House of Rituals, Amsterdam, which opened earlier this month.

When do I use a scrub?

Exfoliating in the morning is ideal because your skin repairs and regenerates itself overnight, leaving you a layer of dead skin cells just waiting to be sloughed off.

How to apply?

A good rule of thumb is to soften your skin with warm water before exfoliating. Make sure the water isn’t too hot though, as that will dry out your skin. Scoop up a generous amount of scrub and massage into the skin in circular motions using a little pressure. Work from chest to stomach, from back to hips, before focusing on your limbs. Rubbing from top to bottom will give all beneficial ingredients plenty of time to sink into the skin and work their magic before you rinse off.

Does exfoliated skin need moisturiser?

After rinsing off thoroughly using warm water, gently pat your skin dry with a soft towel. Apply a moisturiser to slightly damp skin to trap in the hydration.