What is the Difference Between Scrub and Exfoliator

The main difference between scrub and exfoliator is that scrub is a cream-based skincare product that contains tiny exfoliating particles while an exfoliator is a mechanical or chemical agent you apply to the skin to remove dead cells from the surface of the skin.

There are two types of exfoliators as mechanical/physical exfoliators and chemical exfoliators. And, scrub is a type of mechanical exfoliator, which uses friction to cleans the skin.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is an Exfoliator
     – Definition, Types
2. What is a Scrub
     – Definition, Characteristics
3. What are the Similarities Between Scrub and Exfoliator
     – Outline of Common Features
4. What is the Difference Between Scrub and Exfoliator
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Exfoliator, Chemical Exfoliator, Mechanical Exfoliator, Scrub

What is an Exfoliator

Exfoliating is the process of removing old dead skin cells on the skin’s outermost surface and cleaning pores on the skin, which are clogged by impurities. This process can revive your skin while softening and stimulating the regrown of cells. Exfoliators are skincare products that help you to exfoliate the skin. They can help you to soften your skin, lighten acne scars, as well as, improve skin texture. Moreover, there are two ways to exfoliate skin: mechanical or physical exfoliation and chemical exfoliation.

Mechanical or physical exfoliators are scrubs, which cleanses the skin using friction. These exfoliators use abrasive particles like micro grains of salt or sugar, which polish the surface of the skin when rubbed against the skin. In addition to these, body brushes, loofahs, pumice stones, and exfoliating mitts are some other tools that help in physical exfoliating.

Chemical exfoliating, on the other hand, include chemicals like hydroxy acids and retinol, with enzymes to renew your skin. AHA exfoliators and BHA exfoliators are two major types of exfoliators. AHA (alpha hydroxyl acid) exfoliators contain water-soluble acids that are generally derived from sugary fruits. Citric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, and glycolic acid are few components commonly found in AHA exfoliators. These acids help to peel away the outer layer of the skin and grow more evenly pigmented skin. BHAs (beta hydroxy acid) are oil-soluble and can go deep into hair follicles to dry out excess oil and dead skin cells while unclogging your pores. In fact, these types of exfoliators are ideal for oily and acne-prone skin.

What is a Scrub

A scrub is a cream-based skincare product that contains tiny exfoliating particles. When you massage a scrub across the skin, it helps to smooth the skin by removing dry, dead skin cells. When you are choosing a scrub, it is better to choose a scrub with artificial grains like polyethylene grains and jojoba beads, instead of scrubs with natural seeds or shells or ingredients like apricot kernels, which may cause irritations. This is especially true for sensitive and acne-prone skin.

Moreover, a scrub is an added step to the basic cleanser–toner-moisturizer routine. It can deeply cleanse your face, remove blackheads, and tone your face by reactivating your skin’s microcirculation. Also, you have to apply it to slightly damp skin and massage in a circular motion for about a minute. Avoid pressing too hard on the skin as it can cause irritation.

Similarities Between Scrub and Exfoliator

• Scrubs and exfoliators are skincare products that remove dead skin cells on the skin’s outermost surface and clean pores on the skin, which are clogged by impurities.
• Furthermore, they can help you to soften your skin, lighten acne scars, and improve skin texture.

Difference Between Scrub and Exfoliator

Definition

A scrub is a cream-based skincare product that contains tiny exfoliating particles while an exfoliator is a mechanical or chemical agent you apply to the skin to remove dead cells from the surface of the skin.

Nature

There are two types of exfoliators as mechanical/physical exfoliators and chemical exfoliators. A scrub is actually a type of mechanical exfoliator.

Conclusion

The main difference between scrub and exfoliator is that scrub is a cream-based skincare product that contains tiny exfoliating particles while an exfoliator is a mechanical or chemical agent you apply to the skin to remove dead cells from the surface of the skin.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Exfoliation tools” By OttawaAC – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Young, woman, natural, female, applying, applies, beauty, face, cream, lotion, also, on” (CC0) via Pikist