How to use a body scrub: the right way to exfoliate

Body scrubs are one of the more misunderstood personal care products. People either overuse them (scrubbing every day until skin is raw) or underuse them (keeping the jar for months without opening it). The right approach is somewhere in the middle — and how you use a scrub matters as much as which one you choose.

Here is a practical guide to using a body scrub correctly, with notes on what is in the Olive & Foam Body Scrub and why it works the way it does.

What a body scrub actually does

Exfoliation removes dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. Your skin naturally sheds these cells every few weeks, but the process can slow down, leaving skin looking dull, feeling rough, or developing dry patches — particularly on elbows, knees, heels, and upper arms.

A physical scrub (using particles like salt or sugar) manually buffs away these cells, revealing the fresher skin underneath. The effect is immediate: skin feels smoother and softer, and looks brighter within minutes of rinsing off.

What is in the Olive & Foam Body Scrub

Our Body Scrub uses Sodium Chloride (salt) as its exfoliant base, which is coarser than sugar and more effective at shifting dead skin on body areas. The salt is suspended in a blend of oils:

• Olea Europaea Fruit Oil — Palestinian olive oil, for skin conditioning
• Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil (Sweet Almond Oil) — a light, softening oil that absorbs easily
• Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil (Sunflower Oil) — a lightweight carrier oil that helps the formula spread
• Butyrospermum Parkii Butter (Shea Butter) — a nourishing butter that softens and protects the skin
• Tocopherol (Vitamin E) — an antioxidant that conditions the skin and stabilises the formula

This combination means you are exfoliating and conditioning in the same step: the salt removes dead skin while the oils and shea butter leave the skin feeling soft and nourished rather than stripped.

How to use a body scrub — step by step

Step 1: Wet your skin first. Always use a body scrub on damp skin in the shower, not dry skin. Water softens the surface layer and allows the exfoliant to work more gently and evenly.

Step 2: Apply with your hands. Take a generous amount and apply directly with your hands rather than a loofah or cloth. This gives you better control over pressure and ensures the oils in the formula reach the skin.

Step 3: Use circular motions. Massage in circular movements, working from the feet upward. Spend extra time on rough areas — heels, knees, elbows — where dead skin accumulates most.

Step 4: Rinse thoroughly. Rinse all the salt away with warm water. The oil residue left on the skin after rinsing is intentional — it leaves skin feeling soft without needing to apply a separate moisturiser immediately after.

Step 5: Pat dry, do not rub. Pat your skin dry gently to preserve the moisture left by the oils. If you want additional hydration, follow with the Hand & Body Milk.

How often should you use a body scrub?

For most people, once or twice a week is the right frequency. More than that can over-exfoliate, leaving skin sensitive or irritated. Once a week is a good starting point; adjust based on how your skin responds.

Avoid using a scrub on sunburned, broken, or irritated skin.

Where to find it

The Olive & Foam Body Scrub is available in our full product range. Every purchase supports Palestinian olive grove owners — the farmers who grow and press the olive oil that goes into every product we make.