To scrub or polish??? Well this is a question posed to many…we have construed all the options and figured out the best solution for you!

Skin scrubs have undoubtedly become a matter of controversy leaving many confused. Are they good exfoliants? Can they actually cause more harm than good? There are so many questions that you can think of! 

Then enter the skin polishes most often considered as the skin scrubs ‘more cultured sibling’. With innumerable skin polishes dominating the skincare world, you can’t help but wonder of these are better than the traditional skin scrubs. To get a better understanding of this, we analysed face scrub and face polish benefits. Read on to learn more….

What is a Skin Scrub?

A face scrub is formulated with exfoliating agents like sugar, salt, oats, grounded coffee etc. The basic purpose of a skin scrub is to cleanse your skin thoroughly by eradicating all the dead skin cells accumulated on your skin which give it a dull and lifeless appearance. 

You can apply a scrub on your skin by rubbing it in smooth circular motions to boost blood flow in your skin. This makes your skin smooth and reinvigorated. 

What is a Skin Polish?

Skin Polish is more like a facial treatment, in that its main function is to brighten your skin while providing it with a much-needed exfoliation at the same time. 

Like a skin scrub, a polisher for skin also comprises ingredients that eliminate the dead cells from your skin surface. More so the nourishing oils in the product hydrate your skin from deep within, giving it an ultimate glow. 

What is the Key Difference Between the Two?

To understand the difference between scrub and skin polish we have classified them according to the following categories:

Consistency

In terms of texture, a skin polish tends to be finer with fewer granular particles. It is milder on your skin as its formulated to revitalise your skin without irritating it. 

Our personal favourite is the Glow Time Polisher Kit by Pinksoul. It comprises all skin boosting ingredients like Aqua, hydrogen peroxide and strawberry oil which render it the best skin polish in Pakistan. 

On the contrary, a scrub contains larger granular particles that can be felt in your hand as you apply it on your skin. These prove to be more useful to get rid of stubborn dead skin cells. However, if scrubbed harshly, they could also cause irritation and breakage of skin.

Concentration

When we consider the intensity of exfoliation for both products, a skin polish offers lighter exfoliation as compared to a scrub. They also give your skin a smooth texture without any rubbing or massaging. Scrubs on the other hand offer intense exfoliation to your skin. it is for this reason they are advised to be used occasionally as overdoing it can disturb your skin barrier and microtears in your skin. 

Skin Type

While making a choice between a scrub and skin polish its best to consider your skin type. If you tend to have sensitive skin, it is suggested you opt for a skin polish over a scrub. This is because the mild ingredients render it less likely to cause redness and irritation on your skin. 

Scrubs are better suited for individuals with normal to oily skin types. However, if you tend to have acne prone skin its best to consult your dermatologist before you use any product on your face. The use of thick scrubs can further exacerbate your skin. 

In our opinion, Bright Booster Scrub by Pinksoul is the best scrub for sensitive skin in Pakistan. This product contains all the natural ingredients that brighten up your skin and exfoliate it effectively. 

Product formulation

Skin polish basically comprises nourishing and moisturising agents like antioxidants, oils and vitamins which revitalise the skin while also hydrating it. Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerine, Benzoyl peroxide, Glyceryl Stearate, Shea Butter Extract, Capric Triglyceride are among the common chemical ingredients used in skin polish. 

Scrubs tend to focus on exfoliating with natural ingredients and therefor do not have a chemical composition as high as of skin polish. Common ingredients in scrubs include rice, ground coffee, almond, flax seeds, cornmeal, oats, sugar, salt etc. 

When Can you Substitute a Scrub with your Skin Polish?

Though both skin scrub and polish provide effective exfoliation for your skin, yet they serve different purposes. Scrubs offer basic cleansing of your skin while skin polishes focus on exfoliating as well as hydrating. 

If you merely wish to cleanse your skin, you must know all the excess oil, dirt and grime can be removed with a simple sugar scrub. Apricot oil, olive oil and coconut oil are among the common nourishing elements in the best scrub in Pakistan. Some also comprise lactic acid, salicylic acid, alpha and bet hydroxy acids as well as glycolic acid to treat specific skin conditions. 

The Skin Scrubs and your Skin Barrier

While a face scrub can be used as an alternative over skin polish on many occasions, there is something that you must consider before you use them! Upon regular use, let’s say 3-4 times a week, skin scrubs may slightly damage the protective layers of your skin. when the skin barrier is compromised, your skin becomes more susceptible to bacteria, pollution and dust. 

This leads to skin sensitisation which in turn gives way to infections that may include fungal and bacterial. Redness, inflammation and post inflammatory scarring are very much likely if you over exfoliate. Besides, excessive scrubbing can also cause your sebaceous glands to get overactivated and in turn produce more oil, clogging your pores and giving way to breakouts. 

The Final Verdict

Since its already clear how important exfoliation is for your skincare needs, you can only choose between a face scrub and face polish by considering the key facets. These include your skin type; your skin needs and the composition of the skincare product at hand.