How do I use a body scrub?

- Before each application, mix your body scrub thoroughly, this ensures all ingredients are evenly distributed. Portion out a small amount into a small shower-safe container. Start by washing your skin to remove dirt, oil, and other debris. Apply scrub on clean, wet skin. Gently massage scrub in circular motions from the neck down and legs up to enhance circulation.

- Pay particular attention to areas prone to rougher drier skin. Rinse with warm water (not hot). Avoid exfoliating areas with freshly shaved or broken skin. Avoid scrubbing in one area for too long or with excessive force.

- If you’re new to exfoliation, we recommend starting slow and building up use over time. We do not recommend using a scrub two days in a row as your skin needs to rest after being exfoliated.

- For sensitive skin – we recommend starting with a patch test when introducing a new skincare product.

- Apply your favourite body oil or lotion while your skin is still slightly damp or just towel dried.

- Wash hands with scrub before bed as a rehydrating treatment and to help reduce stress and anxiety.

- Use as a moisturizing bath soak - to make a hydrating bath, add 1/2 cup of salt or sugar scrub to your warm bath water and let it dissolve. Start with 1/2 cup or you can work your way up to 1 cup of scrub. Soak in the tub for 15 – 20 minutes. Take caution - the oil from this product may make your bath or shower floor slippery.

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What is the difference between a Salt scrub and Sugar scrub?

Both Salt and Sugar have unique benefits for your skin. Although both are excellent for exfoliation and hydration and can be used interchangeably, understanding your skin type and deciding which scrub is best for which areas is a great way to determine which scrub to use. The frequency of how often you should exfoliate your skin depends on your skin type and lifestyle.

Sugar Scrub
Sugar scrubs are a fantastic pick for dry, sensitive and dehydrated skin and are particularly useful in smoothing rough areas like feet, elbows and calluses. Sugar is also a great option for people dealing with common skin sensitivities since sugar tends to be non-irritating.

Our raw sugar granules are larger, angular and can be more abrasive than salt when applied onto dry skin, offering a slightly more invigorating exfoliating experience. Sugar is effective in helping to clear clogged skin preventing moisture loss and speeding up rehydration. Raw sugar also contains calcium, iron, magnesium and potassium, which helps feed and replenish your skin. Please keep in mind, all of our scrubs are for external use only.

Salt Scrub
Salt scrubs are great for normal to oily skins. Our salt scrubs tend to have finer, grittier particles and can be less abrasive than sugar when applied onto wet skin. Salt also has detoxifying and anti-inflammatory properties. Its trace minerals are natural purifiers that draw out toxins and relieve congestion, invigorating skin thus promoting more efficient circulation and healthy skin cell turnover. Salt scrubs can be a huge benefit for people struggling with overactive oil glands on the body.

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Can I use salt and sugar scrubs on my face?

We do not recommend it. Using a body scrub on the face can be too abrasive and can often cause irritation on the skin. We recommend our Seaweed Hemp Face Scrub which is gentle with a very mild exfoliation.

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When should you use a Body Scrub?

If your skin is feeling dry, flaky or rough. Body scrubs are very effective when used as a skin replenisher at the end or beginning of a season, when your skin needs a refresher.

Use as a pre-shave treatment on legs and bikini area to exfoliate the skin beforehand enhancing the overall shaving experience and preventing ingrown hairs. Always start with a patch test when trying a new skincare product.

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When should I not use a body scrub?

- If your skin is irritated in any way – particularly if you have a sunburn, cuts, bruises or a rash, as scrub can irritate and slow down the healing process.

- After getting a bug bite/bee sting. Exfoliating can spread venom from a bite which increases the histamine and leukotriene in the skin to make it even redder and itchier.

-We do not recommend using a body scrub every day as over-exfoliation can damage the skin cells and prevent natural restoration.

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Can my body scrub clog drains?

By the time you have applied the scrub on your skin and rinsed it off with warm water, it literally melts away and should not cause any problems.

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How long is the shelf life?

Our scrubs should last approximately 4-6 months. Our scrub formulations do not contain water and because of this, they do not require a broad-spectrum preservative (broad spectrum preservatives ward off microbial growth, which require water to live). This is why it is important to avoid getting water in the jar. Our essential oil blends (as well as the salt and sugar) have natural anti-bacterial and preservative properties. Make sure to close the lid tightly after each use. Store in a cool dark place as moisture and UV rays can degrade essential oils and lead to oxidation.

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Can I use scrub on my Lips?

Lips can really benefit from the delights a scrub can offer. To exfoliate and soften lips, once a week, dilute a small amount of salt or sugar scrub with water and gently massage onto lips, rinse. If your lips are feeling raw, you should stop immediately as you are over-exfoliating.

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Can I use body scrubs on children with dry skin?

Children’s skin can be more sensitive so we recommend doing a small patch test first to make sure there are no sensitivities. To do this, take a very small amount of scrub and gently apply it to a small area of wet skin, rinse and wait 24 hours.
We formulate our products with pure, natural ingredients in safe dilutions so there shouldn’t be any problem using on children 13 and up. Take caution - the oil from this product may make your bath or shower floor slippery.

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Can I use Saltspring Soapworks scrubs while I am pregnant?

Although we formulate our products with pure, natural ingredients in safe dilutions, we always recommend speaking with your trusted healthcare practitioner prior to introducing any essential oil-based products during your pregnancy. Take caution - the oil from this product may make your bath or shower floor slippery.

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Should I use my scrub on wet or dry skin?

For best results, apply your scrub on wet skin then rinse thoroughly. We recommend rinsing your skin first with warm to hot water. This opens the pores and prepares the skin for exfoliation. For a stronger exfoliation treatment, apply on dry skin then rinse thoroughly with warm water.

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Should I apply body lotion after using a body scrub?

Regular use of a body scrub will boost the effects of your lotion helping it to penetrate deeper for a more hydrating experience. Following up with any of our body lotions will help to lock in the moisture.
After exfoliation, apply a good amount of body lotion on newly dried skin and massage it gently to seal in the moisture.

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Exfoliating Tips

- Before each application, mix your body scrub thoroughly, this helps to make sure that all ingredients are evenly distributed.

- Keep water out of scrub container and always keep glass away from tub and shower.

- Portion out the amount you are about to use into a small shower-safe container.

- While we recommend exfoliating regularly, we do not recommend using scrubs two days in a row as your skin needs at least 24-48 hours to replenish.

- Exfoliating at least once a week to get rid of dead skin cells is a great way to help prevent dry, dehydrated skin.

- Listen to your skin. If it is looking irritated by the exfoliation allow more time between treatments to give your skin a break.

- Moisturize after exfoliating.

- Use scrub on hands before bed as a nightly skin rejuvenating treatment.

- For sensitive skin, always start with a patch test when testing a new skincare product.

- Take caution - the oil from this product may make your bath or shower floor slippery.

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Are your body scrubs vegan?

All of our body scrubs are vegan. Almost all of our products are vegan, but some are not. The full list of our ingredients can be found on each product’s information page.

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Do you test your products on animals?

We never have – and never will – test any Saltspring Soapworks products on animals.