Which scrub for which skin type?
Exfoliation dates back to antiquity! Egyptians were the first to exfoliate their skin using white clay extracted along the Nile or in the desert oases. They also used fine sand, Red Sea salt, or crushed grape seed powder mixed with vegetable oils. Their use on the skin was an integral part of their beauty rituals. Nearby, the Maghreb region evolved with this same ancestral tradition. In Morocco, residents exfoliate in hammams with black soap made from olive oil, black olives, and sea salt. The mixture is applied to the body and face with a kessa glove, made of rough fabric.
In the 20th century, the method evolved with cosmetology and the beauty industry, spreading worldwide. It cleanses and reveals softer, smoother, and more radiant skin, provided it is practiced one or twice a month. Its practice is especially appreciated in summer (avoiding doing it before sun exposure), when the epidermis accumulates dead cells more quickly due to the sun, heat, and humidity. Exfoliation then offers a feeling of freshness with its scrubbing particles while stimulating blood circulation. Here are the best scrubs depending on your skin type!
Your skin mood
Not sure what your skin type is? Start by cleaning your face with lukewarm water and a gentle cleanser, without adding moisturizer. Let your skin rest for about an hour and watch it. Oily skin shines on the forehead, nose, and chin. Dry skin looks dull, sensitive, and may feel tight. Normal to combination skin has moderate shine in the T-zone and a rather smooth, even texture with little to no irregularities.
1. Dry to sensitive skin
Hydration is the key for dry and sensitive skin! Its particularly fragile barrier leads to faster moisture loss, becoming irritable and prone to itching. For this skin mood, avoid large grains like fruit pits or thick salts and sugars. Alcohol, sulfates, and fragrances can also increase dryness. The epidermis needs to be restored and nourished.
A scrub based on sweet almond, vegetable oils, or shea butter is ideal. Also suitable are those with fruit enzymes or alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), like our Crème Gommante. It contains blueberry, lemon, orange, cane sugar, and maple sap extract!
For the body, you can trust our Gommage Corps Eclat, which also adapts to other skin types with its nourishing, oil-gel texture. It is formulated with diatom powder, a microalgae that exfoliates without irritating the epidermis.
Absolution’s scrubs
La Crème Gommante
Le Gommage Corps Éclat
2. Oily skin
Oily skin doesn’t mean tough skin! It can react to certain irritants and is prone to imperfections like acne, blackheads, and excessive shine. It’s best to choose a gentle scrub that regulates sebum production with clay, activated charcoal, or salicylic acid, which deeply cleans pores and reduces shine. Tea tree oil or witch hazel are beneficial for keeping imperfections at bay. For the grain size, opt for fine particles and gel or cream textures, which won’t add excess oil to oily skin.
3. Combination to Normal Skin
Combination to normal skin can be considered robust! It has fewer issues than oily and dry skin since its moderate sebum production keeps it hydrated without being too greasy. Be cautious with combination skin, which can have sensitivities in certain areas. Sea salt and sugar scrubs are very irritating so look for formulas that offer both mechanical and enzymatic exfoliation (like our Crème Gommante).
For your body, dry brushing is excellent to promote blood circulation and detoxifie the epidermis, although we do not recommend it for very sensitive or problematic skin affected by eczema, psoriasis, or body acne.
whether you prefer gentle chemical exfoliants, fine grains, or enzymatic scrubs, exfoliation is a great way to maintain healthy skin. Not only does it improve skin texture and radiance, but it also soothes irritations and itching. This ancestral ritual it a true gift for both your body and mind!
