Experts explain the benefits of using a body scrub, to combat keratosis pilaris, chicken skin, and ingrown hairs. Here, find 17 body scrubs for every skin type.
You know all of the 10,000 ways you can take care of the skin on your face—but what about your body? If your current routine stops at body wash and lotion, consider adding a scrub a few times a week. Not only does it exfoliate the skin to reveal a smoother look and feel, but adding in a scrub can keep conditions like Keratosis Pilaris and ingrown hairs at bay. It also makes other parts of your routine—shaving or waxing, using self-tanner—even more effective.
“The benefits of a body scrub is to exfoliate dead skin, reduce scaliness, smooth rough skin, and reduce the appearance of bumpy skin,” says Ayesha Bshero, Head of Product Development, Beekman 1802. Scrubs can also help combat keratosis pilaris (commonly known as chicken skin), or ingrown hairs. “Body scrubs work great for Keratosis Pilaris,” says dermatologist Dr. Karan Lal. “Scrubs help reduce the extent of bumpiness that is seen in KP. Gentle exfoliation can also help ingrown hairs but this must be done cautiously to prevent scarring.”
“I recommend body scrubs no more than 1-2x a week to reduce the risk of redness, peeling, post inflammatory hyperpigmentation and even scarring,” says Dr. Lal. “Scrubs with fruit pits fragments, such as apricot, or nut shells, like walnut, are known to tear up the skin and cause inflammation,” says Bshero. “I recommend a scrub that combines a gentle chemical exfoliant like PHAs with a finely ground pumice in order to achieve the best results especially for people with Keratosis Pilaris.”
Here, find the 17 best body scrubs for all skin types.