Physical Exfoliants - Scrubs ingredients

Ingredients in physical exfoliants, especially facial scrubs:

1. Sugar: Sugar crystals are a natural exfoliant that dissolves easily, reducing the risk of over-exfoliation. Sugar scrubs are usually gentle enough for all skin types.

2. Salt: Salt is a bit more abrasive than sugar but has the added benefit of natural mineral content. Dead Sea salt, for instance, is often used in exfoliating products for its rich mineral content.

3. Jojoba Beads: These are smooth, round beads made from jojoba oil. They offer gentle exfoliation and are biodegradable, unlike microplastics.

4. Coffee Grounds: Coffee is often used in body scrubs for its exfoliating properties and natural caffeine content. It's usually too harsh for the face but can be used carefully on the body.

5. Baking Soda: While not as common, baking soda is sometimes used as an exfoliant due to its fine texture. However, its high pH can be irritating for some skin types.

6. Oatmeal: Ground oatmeal is a gentle exfoliant that's great for sensitive skin. It's also soothing and hydrating.

7. Crushed Nut Shells: Some scrubs use finely ground nut shells (like apricot or walnut shells) as an exfoliant. However, they can be too harsh and cause microscopic tears in the skin, so they're generally not recommended by dermatologists.

8. Rice Bran: Used commonly in Asian skincare, ground rice bran is a gentle exfoliant that also helps absorb excess oil.

9. Silica or Aluminum Oxide Crystals: These are used in microdermabrasion treatments and can be found in at-home microdermabrasion scrubs.

10. Bamboo Powder: A natural powder made from the bamboo plant. It's a gentle exfoliant that's also environmentally friendly.

Physical exfoliants or scrubs often use small, abrasive substances to physically remove dead skin cells.