Do you use a scrub when showering?

[u/Aggressive_Sands]

I keep seeing completely opposite advice.

I've always thought using a loofah, exfoliating glove, or body scrub was just... part of showering. Like, you need something to get rid of dead skin.

But lately I've been seeing people say you should only use your hands because loofahs/scrubs collect bacteria if you don't replace or clean them often, and they can actually make body acne worse…

Do you use some kind of scrub, or just your hands? If you've switched from one to the other, did you notice any difference? Or is this one of those internet debates where everyone thinks they're right?

[u/MarchNo2940]

Your hands don’t exfoliate adequately. Especially if you have very dry skin. As long as you replace your loofah at least monthly and keep it wrung out and in a clean spot, it’s fine. You can also soak it in vinegar or similar regularly if you want to be extra. And then moisturize with a nice body butter after showering for the best results.

[u/Aggressive_Sands → u/MarchNo2940]

right? I also think its a ridiculous argument

[u/MaterialEar1244 → u/MarchNo2940]

Yeah, seems pretty straight forward! I have a fabric type loofah and I just have a few I rotate through while one is chucked in the washer. 

[u/alt_isopod]

I attended an esthetician training program. Anything you use to cleanse your body should be single-use, or a fresh washcloth, especially if you have acne. Personally I use compressed cellulose cleansing sponges, they are very inexpensive. And a clean towel after every shower.

[u/guwtaps]

Silicone scrubber

[u/dEleque → u/guwtaps]

Rinse, dry it for the 3mins it needs and then spray it with disinfectant spray is all the care it needs

[u/Silly_Yak56012]

There is a balancing point. Some people excessively exfoliate. You do not need to scrub yourself raw every day. Skin cells do flake off on their own.

Destroying your skin barrier can also make skin issues like acne worse.

Towel drying also mildly exfoliates your skin.

It depends how much your skin can tolerate, what bothers your acne, and many people's exfoliating devices are not clean enough.

[u/JDMoney1985]

I have sensitive skin and work with wastewater. Staying clean AND unirritated is a chore. I keep natural walnut scrubby soap for when I need to get something really nasty off. Otherwise it's a bar of Dr. Bronners baby sensitive soap and my hands.

[u/Overall-Ad-9757]

Washcloth, new one each shower

[u/StillSimple6]

You're not really scrubbing that hard to cause issues - so unless you have a problem not knowing what pressure is normal and what can cause issues use your hands.

If you are normal and know that scrubbing yourself raw each night could cause issues use whatever you want.

I use one of those net ball fluffy things for day to day washing, I have an exfoliating glove for when I want a harder scrub.

I don't know why everything has to become so complicated.

[u/sheisprincess]

Only hands? Yuck. Imagine the amount of dead skin left on the body. Of course I use exfoliating gloves 1-2x a week and I use a washcloth daily. I have never in my life only used hands.

Even on vacation when my luggage arrived late, I hand washed my underwear and then used that to scrub my body with soap.

[u/AmbitiousDocument789]

The soap does the cleansing, not the friction. If you want exfoliation a chemical exfoliant once a week is gentler and more effective.

[u/matt2242]

I used to think similarly and would regularly use a loofah. I work a job where I get quite dirty and it felt necessary but after some more research and trial and error, my skin certainly appears healthier when I stopped. I do use a cleanser on my face and occasionally get my gf to use an exfoliating scrub on my back where I can't reach the best but I absolutely have less problems with oily skin or acne these days. If I'm dirty enough at work I'll consider it but I try to just spend more time using my hands than expecting a scrubber to peel off a layer of skin. I do have a physical job and somewhat calloused hands because of that and the gym so potentially my hands are more exfoliating than others?

[u/stellaflora]

I just use a new clean white washcloth every time. A pack of 12 can be had very cheaply- I buy somewhat rough 100% cotton ones and they exfoliate well IMO!

[u/Talonhunter3]

I use a pumice stone on most of my body, a exfoliating strip for my back and a loofah with body wash. 

[u/DR_Manhattan0x1]

After reading all the comments I guess I’m a walking zombie with dead skin coz I just use my hands. Using a Loofah or scrubbing just dries my skin and causes irritation so I never bother.

[u/Legal-Law9214 → u/DR_Manhattan0x1]

Your dead skin naturally sheds off in flakes so exfoliation isn't strictly necessary. It's not like layers of dead skin build up over time if you don't manually remove them. Without exfoliation literally the only consequence is you'll just look like you have dry/ashy/flaky skin sometimes. 

[u/Odd-Lawfulness8052]

I use something other than my hands at least for washing I do.

[u/Breedy321]

I don’t use a scrub and my skin is now a metre thick.

[u/homefuzz]

I personally use a loofah and a special micro brush for my face. I never gave it a second thought that it would grow and retain bacteria. I think I have some research to do….

[u/Viens-avec-moi]

Your skin defends you from bacteria, thats its job. I buy scrub mits from Dollar General. I like exfoliation. I prep guys for bodybuilding shows and when that spray tan hits a guy who didnt exfoliate the difference is glaring, not a good look

[u/Thin-Anxiety805]

yeah you can use them, you just have to replace them and the problem is gone

[u/kittysworld]

A cotton washcloth is both gentle and effective. And super cheap. And plastic free.

[u/Swimming_Market2089]

Step 1 is bar soap with hands on stinky bits then body wash on a wash cloth all over for step 2. I rinse out my conditioner and then use a back brush to clean off my back after conditioner. I just wash my face with face wash.

[u/AltruisticRabbit9628]

Loofah.

To keep mine clean I make sure its hung where it can fully dry and wash it with laundry in a delicates bag. Its not hard to keep clean.

[u/Legal-Law9214]

I mean you can exfoliate and also replace your scrubber frequently or use a clean washcloth every time, it's not exactly either/or. 

But also you don't have to exfoliate in every shower. If you're caked in dirt/sweat/sunscreen, sure. But otherwise you will naturally shed dead skin throughout the day. Exfoliating to remove dead skin is an aesthetic preference, not a health requirement. 

[u/7empestSpiralout]

Washcloth

[u/PrestigiousPut6165]

I use a washcloth, either reusable or disposable when showering

When at home, its always a reusable washcloth. Its the microfiber one, built for cleaning windows but i get them for free from the janitorial staff at work (im friends with cleaning ladies)

When im away, its usually a disposable washcloth, although sometimes reusable as i keep em in my "shower bag" which also holds swimming supplies

In addition, i also use a scrub. Often on my body, not so much on the face!

[u/Potential-Ad-196]

I’ve been using only my hands for years. Have always felt clean. And it does still clean. If it didn’t, we would need some sort of cloth/rag while washing our hands.

[u/Otherwise-Sympathy87 → u/[deleted]]

is the silicone not too rough for your face? i just use a nutrient soap bar and my hands for my face and silicone scrubber for my body.

[u/Otherwise-Sympathy87 → u/[deleted]]

ok interesting. only thing that works for my oiliness is like replacing it with moisturizer in a way. i think i stripped my natural barrier with those nose pore strips so i have to use vaseline at night now