Scrubs are a method of keeping your skin healthy and beautiful through exfoliation. Exfoliation is the removal of dead cells from the surface of your skin, leaving younger, smoother and fresher skin.

Typically, scrubs are used in the shower or bath and rinsed off leaving a moisturizing ingredient on the new skin.

Yes, there are different types of exfoliants used in scrubs as well as different forms of scrubs. Among there scrub forms are:

Simple oil, exfoliant and perhaps fragrance. Emulsified scrub which is thickened with various ingredients to keep the oil and exfoliant from separating. Cleansing scrub which includes a soap ingredient to help wash away excess oils.

Various abrasive materials are used in scrubs ranging from mild to fairly coarse. They include such ingredients as jojoba beads, apricot kernel meal, oatmeal, sugar, salt, poppy seeds, coffee, etc.

You use the texture of exfoliant which best suits the type of skin, or area of the body to be exfoliated. Below are some examples:

Jojoba beads, apricot kernel meal and finely-ground (colloidal) oatmeal are suited to facial and sensitive skin. Sugar, ground oatmeal and medium-coarse exfoliants are best for body and medium skin. Salts, coffee grounds, poppy seeds are more coarse and suggested for deep cleansing and exfoliation and are particularly effective on rough skin such as elbows, heels, working hands, etc.

Any of a large range of skin-loving oils can be used in your scrubs. Keep in mind both the properties as well as the shelf life of the oils you use. Some oils are good for older skin, others are more moisturizing, etc.

Preservatives are normally used in products which contain water to prevent bacterial growth. Scrubs are oil-based and don’t require a preservative for freshness, but it is suggested that you use a preservative in case water is introduced to the product during use. Be sure to use a preservative which is effective in a predominantly oil environment such as Germaben II E. You might also add an antioxidant such as T-50 tocopheral (vitamin E) to improve the shelf life of your oils. It is the oxidation of oils that contribute to rancidity.

Many consumers look for a fresh, spa-like scent in their body scrubs. Be sure to use a skin-safe fragrance or essential oils that are safe on the skin.

Scrubs can be colored with skin-safe, oil-based colorants. Many micas are effective to give a gentle to color scrubs. Be cautious to color lightly, as the product will be scrubbed into the skin, and you do not want it to stain.

Packaging will depend on the type of scrub you are making. Most scrubs are packaged in a wide-mouthed jar, allowing the user to scoop out a combination of oil and exfoliant.

Scrubs are considered a cosmetic and labels should follow the FDA requirements. There is a link on regulatory information in the education section of the website.