A good scrub will exfoliate your skin and give it a fresh, healthy appearance. Scrubs can be found at most drug or beauty stores, but they are also easily made at home. Here is a guide on how to pick a scrub or exfoliator.

• Scrubs are a great way to cleanse and rejuvenate the skin. By scrubbing you exfoliate the skin, getting rid of dead, dull skin cells to reveal fresher, smoother, healthier looking skin underneath. Scrubs can be bought at a store or made at home. By following a few simple guidelines, you will be able to choose a scrub that works for you.

(Creative Commons photo by Crystalwood Naturals)

• Before you pick a scrub, you should know your specific skin type. Only then can you choose a product that best meets your needs. These are the five skin types:

1. Normal: no dry flaking, only occasional breakouts.
2. Dry: flaky and sometimes dull.
3. Oily: skin is shiny and prone to breakouts.
4. Combination: dry in some places, oily in others.
5. Sensitive: skin is easily irritated by cleansers and face lotions.

• Once you know your skin type, you are ready to do some shopping. You will find a plethora of scrubs at your local drugstore or on the Internet. To start, look for a gentle scrub that will not be too harsh on your delicate complexion. There will be two basic types to choose from, manual and chemical.

• These scrubs contain small, bead-like particles or granules that rub away dead skin cells. They are sometimes made with sugar or ground nutshells. These exfoliate instantly, scraping away the top layer of skin.

• These contain chemicals such as alpha hydroxy acid (AHA, also called glycolic acid) or beta hydroxy acid (BHA, also known as salicylic acid) that erode dead skin cells away with continuous use. Results will not be seen until after a few scrubbing sessions.

• You may opt to make your own scrub using natural ingredients that will be gentler on your skin than many store-bought alternatives. There are many recipes available for all skin types. For a basic scrub, mix a teaspoon of honey with 1/2 teaspoon of sugar in a bowl. Wet face, scrub gently, and rinse well. For more recipes, check out this website or do a Google search for homemade scrubs.

• Scrubs can help you achieve soft, smooth, healthy-looking skin. Choosing one specific for your skin type will maximize benefit and help alleviate problems such as dryness or acne. You may purchase a scrub from a store or the Internet, but they can also be easily made at home using simple, inexpensive ingredients.

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• Introduction
• Step 1: Find your Skin Type
• Step 2: Hit the Store
• Step 3: Homemade Scrubs
• Conclusion