How to exfoliate your body without damaging your skin

Exfoliation has become an essential step in our bodycare routines. Using a body scrub once or twice a month (depending on your skin type) is good for your skin – and your mind! Find out more about the best way to exfoliate your body both effectively and gently, to take care of your skin all year round.

The purpose of exfoliation is to get rid of dead cells on the surface of your skin. The human body naturally sheds old skin cells so they can be replaced by new ones: this is the cell renewal process. Certain internal factors (such as age or stress) and external factors (such as pollution or changes in lifestyle) can affect the body and disrupt its natural cycles. This, in turn, can disrupt the renewal of dead cells, causing them to build up on the skin surface. These cells can then “suffocate” the skin and make it less radiant. And this is when exfoliation becomes essential!

In addition to promoting skin cell renewal, body scrubs make your skin more receptive to the products applied afterwards, as they’ll be absorbed more easily. Exfoliated skin feels smoother, firmer, and toned. Exfoliation also helps to stimulate blood flow, reduce the appearance of cellulite, keep blemishes away, and prevent ingrown hairs caused by shaving or waxing.

It’s always best to cleanse your skin before you exfoliate, so you can remove any impurities first. Use a soothing shower gel or your favorite soap. Le Lavant Corps Doux is suitable for all skin types and gentle on even the most delicate and sensitive skin, as it doesn’t contain any irritating surfactants. You could also use Le Savon Noir for its detoxifying benefits and to create your own relaxing “spa ritual” in the bathroom. This soap is ideal for blemish-prone skin, and detoxifies without drying. If you like the idea of using a soap but your skin is sensitive and delicate, try Le Savon Blanc instead. Formulated without palm oil (just like Le Savon Noir), it works to cleanse and soften the skin, and can be used on the face, body and hands. It’s a great 3-in-1 product for anyone in a hurry!

To get the most out of your body scrub, it’s recommended that you apply it to dry skin, as it will transform into a milky lotion on contact with water. So, once your skin is clean, simply turn off the tap and lightly pat your body dry with a towel. Then apply a tablespoon’s worth of body scrub to areas you want to exfoliate, and massage over the skin in circular motions, working upward. This will rid your skin of dead cells, while stimulating blood circulation and helping to prevent or reduce the appearance of cellulite. The important thing is to exfoliate your skin gently, so you won’t weaken it, while enjoying some relaxing me-time. It’s also a good idea to pay extra attention to areas where the skin tends to be thicker, such as the elbows, knees and feet.

Once you’ve exfoliated, rinse away any residue with warm water – or cold if you’re feeling really brave! The advantage of using cold water is that it’s excellent for toning your skin (but yes, it’s cold!). Rich in organic botanical oils, Le Gommage Corps Éclat leaves your skin deeply cleansed, nourished and softened. Once you step out of the shower, grab your towel and gently pat your skin dry.

If your skin isn’t particularly dry, then you won’t need to hydrate it after using Le Gommage Corps Éclat, as our body scrub already leaves your skin nourished. On the other hand, if your skin is very dry or tends to feel itchy after showering, you should moisturize after exfoliating.

Use a nourishing body cream of your choice, or your favorite body lotion. And, of course, look for one that’s natural and certified organic! If your skin needs some extra nourishing care, treat it to Le Lait Peau Douce, our “soft skin milk,” which works to soothe and repair the skin, while delivering long-lasting nourishment.

To get even more out of your body scrub, look for one that’s not only rich in gentle exfoliating ingredients, but nourishing and repairing ingredients too. And always give priority to certified-organic formulas, which are better for your health and the planet!

Le Gommage Corps Éclat can be used by all skin types. It’s made with natural active ingredients and is incredibly gentle, so even extra sensitive skin can enjoy it. One of the star ingredients in our scrub is Volcanic Rhyolite – a remineralizing, detoxifying, exfoliating powder. Unlike sugar or salt crystals, which can cause microlesions, the rounded granules of Volcanic Rhyolite exfoliate without being harsh on the skin. Our body scrub also contains Diatomaceous Earth – a powder made from the fossilized remains of diatom microalgae, which we’ve used in our La Crème Gommante face scrub too. It gently but thoroughly exfoliates, without ever damaging the skin.

Exfoliation isn’t just about scrubbing – it’s also about softness! So make sure you look for a body scrub that combines exfoliating agents with nourishing ingredients. That way, you can be sure it will leave your skin feeling supple and comfortable afterwards. There are various botanical oils that offer nourishing and regenerating benefits, such as Sesame, Avocado, Evening Primrose and Coconut. These oils are ideal for blending with exfoliating agents, to create a scrub that not just leaves skin deeply cleansed, but also nourished and regenerated. Another brilliant body scrub ingredient is one you must have heard of: Aloe Vera. This natural active ingredient has an instant soothing and healing effect, and we’ve incorporated it into the Le Gommage Corps Éclat formula.

To exfoliate and tone at the same time, opt for formulas rich in astringent and firming active ingredients. Meadowsweet is often used in herbal teas that help to flush out excess water and toxins, but it’s also an excellent skincare ingredient. Its astringent properties make it perfect for skin that needs a toning boost.

Another natural astringent ingredient is Witch Hazel hydrosol, which refreshes, boosts microcirculation, and helps to firm tissues.

Le Gommage Corps Éclat was formulated to provide an effective-but-gentle exfoliating solution for all skin types. This certified-organic body scrub softens, nourishes, and tones the skin. Microgranules of Volcanic Rhyolite and Diatomaceous Earth gently rid skin of dead cells, leaving it deeply cleansed, detoxified and nourished. Meadowsweet works to promote drainage, firm, and help prevent the effects of skin aging. Rich in Coconut and Avocado oils, the scrub’s oily texture transforms into a sheer milky lotion when rinsed off, and doesn’t leave skin feeling sticky. In fact, all it leaves behind is a protective film, satin-soft skin, and the exquisite, delicate scent of Neroli, which lingers deliciously on your body and in your bathroom for hours… It’s a scrub that ticks all the boxes!