Why do a body scrub regularly?
Body scrubbing , when practiced regularly and adapted to your skin type , plays an essential role in maintaining healthy, supple and even skin. From a dermatological point of view, exfoliation directly affects cell renewal , a natural process by which the epidermis regenerates approximately every 28 days. However, with age, external aggressions (pollution, UV, oxidative stress), or in the case of dry skin, this rhythm can slow down, leading to an accumulation of dead skin on the surface of the skin.
These keratinized cells, if not regularly eliminated, can clog pores, cause uneven skin texture , give a dull appearance to the complexion and encourage the appearance of ingrown hairs , particularly on the legs, underarms or bikini line after shaving or waxing. Body exfoliation therefore helps to remove these excess cells and prevent these skin problems.
Beyond the exfoliating aspect, scrubbing also stimulates blood and lymphatic circulation thanks to the circular movements applied during the massage. This mechanical stimulation promotes better oxygenation of skin tissues and more efficient drainage of toxins, which helps improve the overall quality of the skin.
Furthermore, by removing the superficial horny layer from the epidermis, exfoliation optimizes the penetration of moisturizing, nourishing, or anti-aging active ingredients contained in the treatments applied after showering. On damp , freshly exfoliated skin, creams and oils are better absorbed, which increases their effectiveness. This is particularly beneficial for dry skin , which tends to retain moisture poorly.
At Alaena, the AHA Smoothing Body Scrub combines performance and naturally derived active ingredients for visibly smoother skin.
Its expert formula combines two complementary actions:
- Mechanical exfoliation: fine powder of organic apricot kernels to gently remove dead cells without damaging the skin.
- Chemical exfoliation: AHAs from fruit extracts to refine skin texture and revive radiance.
Enriched with apricot kernel oil, rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, it helps restore the hydrolipidic film and prevent skin dryness.
Result: smooth, clear skin ready to receive care.
What are the benefits of a body scrub?
The benefits of body scrubbing are numerous: it exfoliates dead cells , smoothes rough areas such as elbows or knees, stimulates blood circulation , and brightens the skin. On damp skin , circular movements allow for gentle exfoliation without irritating the skin . The result: soft, more even skin that breathes better.
For the face, our dermatologist recommends a targeted treatment rich in retinol. It acts as a powerful cellular regenerator, improving the texture, appearance, and health of the skin.
Discover the benefits of retinol for smoother skin and a brighter complexion.
How often should you exfoliate your body depending on your skin type?
Body scrubbing is an essential treatment for maintaining healthy, luminous and comfortable skin. It helps remove dead skin , stimulate cell renewal , even out skin texture and prepare the epidermis to better receive moisturizing treatments. To be effective without compromising skin 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 has an altered skin barrier and a lipid deficiency. Damaged by external aggressions (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
- Exfoliate on damp skin, without excessive friction
- Immediately apply a rich moisturizer to replenish the skin's 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 by massaging regularly, leave to act then rinse
- Avoid exfoliation on irritated or reactive areas
- Moisturize immediately with a soothing treatment
Normal to combination skin
This skin type, generally well-balanced, tolerates regular exfoliation well. Exfoliation helps maintain natural radiance and smooth rough areas of the body. Recommended frequency: 2 to 3 times per week depending on skin tolerance
Precautions to follow:
- Use combined action scrubs (mechanical and enzymatic)
- Favor formulas with AHA or BHA to unclog pores
- Never exfoliate damaged, irritated or sunburned skin.
- Moisturize with a light, non-comedogenic texture to restore the hydrolipidic film
What to remember
- 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 barrier function.
- It is best to exfoliate on damp skin , using gentle circular movements , especially on rough areas .
- Regular, well-measured practice will allow you to maintain soft , smooth skin that is receptive to care.
How to do 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 that suits your needs
Depending on your skin type, choose a mechanical (grain) or chemical (fruit acid) exfoliant. At Alaena, our dermatologist has formulated a scrub that is both mechanical and chemical to suit all skin types. This dual action helps remove dead surface cells. It refines, smooths, and softens the skin to prepare it for moisturizing treatments. Sensitive skin may prefer a gentle treatment or an exfoliating glove. Do not use facial scrubs on the body: they are often too light for rough areas.
3. Apply the scrub with the right gestures
Use a small amount of product and make circular movements with your fingertips or a glove, paying particular attention to rough areas.
What movements should you adopt for effective exfoliation?
Use gentle circular motions , without rubbing too hard. Start at the feet and work your way up to stimulate blood circulation and promote lymphatic drainage.
4. Rinse without damaging the skin
Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water. Then pat your skin dry with a clean towel to avoid irritating it .
Moisturize your body after exfoliation
Post-exfoliation hydration is an essential step to maintain the integrity of the skin barrier. During a body scrub , whether mechanical (grain, exfoliating glove ) or chemical (exfoliation with fruit acids ), the friction or dissolution action leads to the elimination of dead cells from the stratum corneum. This stimulates cell renewal , but also induces a transient loss of surface lipids, essential for the barrier function of the epidermis.
By removing dead skin , body exfoliation increases skin permeability. This window of hyper-receptivity should be used to apply an emollient or moisturizing treatment, in order to prevent dehydration, strengthen the cohesion of corneocytes, and limit inflammatory phenomena (redness, desquamation, dry skin , discomfort). This is particularly crucial for sensitive or atopic skin, whose hydrolipidic film is already altered.
On damp skin , immediately after exfoliating and rinsing with warm water, the application of a product containing moisturizing agents (glycerin, hyaluronic acid, low concentration urea) or lipid-replenishing agents (ceramides, vegetable butters, oils rich in omega-3 and 6) is recommended. These active ingredients will help restore the stratum corneum, soothe weakened areas and maintain soft and supple skin over the long term.
For people with rough areas (knees, elbows), a more occlusive texture may be necessary to smooth these areas permanently. To prevent ingrown hairs , it is also advisable to maintain daily hydration, even outside of exfoliation days, in order to soften the epidermis and avoid obstruction of hair follicles.
Finally, the choice of post-scrub treatment should be adapted to your skin type and exfoliation frequency. Dry skin will require more intensive care.
In conclusion, body scrubbing is beneficial when followed by proper hydration. This combination not only optimizes the aesthetic appearance of the skin but also actively contributes to its health and functional balance.
Discover our moisturizing body care products
Discover our moisturizing facial treatments
Common mistakes to avoid with body scrubs
Common mistakes include exfoliating dry skin with a body scrub , using harsh products, or neglecting to moisturize afterward. Over-exfoliating or applying excessive pressure in circular motions can irritate the skin , especially on dry or sensitive skin . Also, be careful not to confuse facial scrubs with body scrubs : their formulations do not meet the same needs.
At Alaena, our dermatologist has formulated the AHA Smoothing Body Scrub to suit all skin types, including the most sensitive, thanks to its naturally derived composition and the combination of gentle mechanical exfoliation and the smoothing action of AHAs (lactic, glycolic, citric, malic and tartaric acids).