If you have ever wondered whether you are using a body scrub the right way, you are not alone. Most of the emails we get at the Honey House are not “does this work,” they are “am I doing this right.” Below is exactly how I use a honey body scrub myself, from the first splash of warm water to the moisturizer I reach for after. If you are still deciding whether a scrub belongs in your routine at all, our guide on what a body scrub actually is is the better place to start. This one is just the how-to.
The Short Version
- Warm, damp skin works best. Apply after a few minutes in the shower, not on dry skin.
- Use gentle circular motions for about thirty seconds per area. The sugar and honey crystals do the work; you do not need to press hard.
- Rinse fully, pat dry, and moisturize while skin is still a little damp.
- Most people do well exfoliating two to three times a week. Sensitive skin usually prefers once.
Prep: Cleanse and Warm Up First
Start your shower like normal and let the steam run for a minute or two before you reach for the scrub. Warm water softens skin and makes it easier for the scrub to do its job, and a quick cleanse first clears away any surface dirt or oil so the exfoliating particles are not competing with anything else. If you like a pre-scrub ritual, dry brushing before you step into the shower is a nice way to loosen surface flakes first.
Step 1: Apply to Damp Skin
Scoop a small amount, less than you think you need, and apply it to damp (not soaking, not dry) skin. Damp skin lets the scrub spread evenly without sliding right off. A little goes further than it looks, since the oils in the scrub spread as you massage.
Step 2: Massage in Circular Motions
Work the scrub in with gentle circular motions, about thirty seconds per area. You do not need to scrub hard or fast; let the honey crystals or sugar do the exfoliating instead of your grip. This is also just a nice minute to slow down before the rest of your day starts.
Step 3: Focus on Rough Areas
Elbows, knees, and heels build up rough, dry skin faster than the rest of the body, so give them a little extra time and product. These spots can usually take a bit more pressure than more delicate areas like your inner arms or chest.
Step 4: Rinse Thoroughly
Rinse with warm water until your skin feels smooth and no grit remains. If you shave, doing it after your scrub (rather than before) tends to give a closer result, since exfoliating first clears away the buildup that can trap hairs.
Step 5: Pat Dry and Moisturize
Skip the towel-rub. Pat dry instead and moisturize while skin is still a little damp, which helps lock in hydration. This is the step people skip and then wonder why their skin feels tight an hour later. Reach for a honey body butter for rich, all-over moisture, or a lighter Sea+Tea Body Oil if you want something that absorbs faster.
Our Original Honey Body Scrub is a single ingredient: pure, crystallized honey. Simple enough for the most sensitive skin.
Body Scrub Before or After You Wash?
Either order works, and honestly it comes down to preference. Scrubbing first means your usual cleanser rinses away any leftover grit. Washing first means your skin is already clean before you exfoliate, which some people prefer if they are also shaving that day. Try both and see what feels better in your own routine.
How Often Should You Use a Body Scrub?
This depends more on how your skin responds than on a strict schedule, but here is where most people land.
Normal to combination skin
Two to three times a week is a good starting point. Our Nectar+Honey Body Scrub or Rose Garden Body Scrub both work well for this rhythm.
Dry skin
Once or twice a week is usually plenty, paired with a rich moisturizer right after. Choose a scrub with a heavier oil base, like our Sea+Tea Body Scrub, which is formulated with shea butter and is gentle enough for sensitive, dry skin too.
Feet and heels
These areas can usually take more frequent, firmer exfoliation than the rest of your body. Our Autumn Harvest Body Scrub, with walnut shell powder, is a favorite for feet and calluses.
Sensitive skin
Start with once a week and pay attention to how your skin responds. Reach for something fragrance-free or lightly scented, like the Original Honey Body Scrub (just crystallized honey, nothing else) or Peace of Mind Body Scrub, which is scented with essential oils rather than synthetic fragrance. Always patch test a new scrub on a small area first, and if you have a diagnosed skin condition like eczema or psoriasis, check with your dermatologist before adding a new exfoliant to your routine.
Our Peace of Mind Body Scrub is a gentle place to start if your skin is on the reactive side.
Not Sure Which Scrub to Try First?
If you are new to our line, the Find Your Formula Petite Scrub Set lets you try a few scents and textures before committing to a full-size jar. And if you want the full story on why we build our scrubs the way we do (waterless, preservative-free, essential oils instead of synthetic fragrance) it is worth reading what actually goes into a good scrub.
Want scrub and butter together in one step? Our Citrus Blossom Body Care Duo pairs the two so you are not guessing which butter to match with which scrub. And if you are shopping for someone else, the Peace of Mind Spa Bag bundles a full scrub-and-moisturize routine, plus a bath soak and lip balm, into one gift-ready bag.
Get scrub and butter together with our Citrus Blossom Body Care Duo
A Few Precautions
Patch test new scrubs
Apply a small amount to a discreet area of skin and wait a bit before using it more broadly, especially if you have sensitive skin or a history of reactions to skincare products.
Watch for signs of over-exfoliating
Redness, tightness, or a rash after scrubbing usually means it is time to scale back frequency or switch to a gentler formula. Give your skin a few days off before trying again.
Keep body scrubs off your face
Most of our body scrubs are formulated for the thicker skin on your body and are too abrasive for facial skin. The exception is our Sea+Tea Body Scrub, which is gentle enough to use on the face with a light hand. Otherwise, look to our face care collection for something formulated specifically for facial skin. For hands and nails, a simple DIY cuticle treatment covers the spots a body scrub is too coarse for.
Rinse the tub when you are done
The oils in our scrubs rinse cleanly off skin but can leave a shower floor slick. A quick rinse of the tub, or a bath mat, keeps things safe for the next person in. Prefer to make your own? We have honey, coffee, and sugar scrub recipes you can mix at home.
Follow up with a rich body butter to lock in moisture after scrubbing
That Is It
Using a body scrub well comes down to a few simple habits: apply to damp skin, keep your pressure gentle, rinse fully, and moisturize right after while skin is still a little damp. Match your frequency to how your skin actually responds rather than a fixed schedule, and you will get the most out of it without overdoing it. If you want to go a step further with a full pre-scrub ritual, take a look at our bath soaks or a warm milk and honey oatmeal bath before you scrub.
FAQs About Using a Body Scrub
Should I use a body scrub before or after washing?
Either order is fine. Scrubbing first lets your regular cleanser rinse away any leftover grit. Washing first means your skin is already clean before you exfoliate. Try both and stick with whichever feels better in your routine.
How often should I use a body scrub?
Most people do well with two to three times a week. If your skin is dry or sensitive, start with once a week and adjust from there based on how your skin responds.
Can I use a body scrub on my face?
Most body scrubs, including most of ours, are too abrasive for facial skin. Our Sea+Tea Body Scrub is the exception and can be used on the face with a light hand. Otherwise, reach for a product formulated for your face.
What should I do if my skin feels irritated after scrubbing?
Cut back on frequency or switch to a gentler formula, like our Original Honey Body Scrub or Peace of Mind Body Scrub. If irritation continues, check in with a dermatologist.
Is it necessary to moisturize after using a body scrub?
Yes. Moisturizing while skin is still a little damp helps lock in hydration, and it is the step people skip most often, usually right before wondering why their skin feels tight later.
How much scrub should I use?
Less than you think. A small scoop is usually enough for your whole body, since the oils spread as you massage. A jar typically lasts three to four months with regular use.
