Korean Body Scrub: What It Is, How to Use One and How to Make Your Own
A Korean body scrub is a full body exfoliation, traditionally done with a textured mitt on skin that has been warmed and softened first. It is a familiar ritual in Korean bathhouse culture, and here in Palisades Park, where Korean traditions are part of everyday life, plenty of neighbors grew up with it.
The short answer for anyone new to it: a body scrub lifts away dead surface skin so your skin feels smoother and takes moisturizer better, you use it once or twice a week at most, and you can make a gentle version at home from sugar and oil. Below is how to use one, how to make one, what it is used for, and who should skip it.
What is a Korean body scrub?
It is a thorough, hands on exfoliation of the whole body, done after soaking or steaming so the skin is soft. In a traditional bathhouse, the scrub is done with a rough textured mitt, often in firm strokes from the arms and shoulders down to the feet.
Skin naturally sheds dead cells all the time. Warm water and steam loosen them, and the mitt rolls them off in small gray pieces. People are often surprised by how much comes off, and the sight is part of the reason the ritual is so satisfying. Those pieces are dead skin cells and a little dirt, nothing more alarming than that.
The result is skin that feels polished and clean. Because the top layer is gone, creams and oils sit on fresh skin instead of on a layer of dryness, which is why a scrub is usually followed by moisturizer. If you want the professional version, see how a body scrub is done here.
Korean scrub versus a store bought scrub
A jar of scrub from the drugstore uses small grains that you rub in with your hands. The Korean method relies on the mitt and on softened skin, so it exfoliates more evenly and thoroughly. It also asks more of your skin, which is why it should not be done often.
What is body scrub used for?
Body scrub is used to smooth rough patches, remove dull surface skin, prepare skin for moisturizer, and help prevent ingrown hairs after shaving. It is a cosmetic treatment, not a medical one, so keep expectations modest.
- Smoother skin: elbows, knees, heels and shins collect dry skin, and a scrub resets them.
- Better moisturizing: lotion and body oil absorb more evenly on freshly exfoliated skin.
- Ingrown hair care: clearing dead skin around hair follicles can reduce trapped hairs.
- Prep before a tan or shave: a light scrub a day earlier gives a more even result.
- A sense of reset: many people simply enjoy the feeling of starting fresh, and that counts.
A scrub will not remove stretch marks, cellulite or scars, whatever the label says. For scars in particular, our piece on when it is too late to massage scar tissue explains what hands on work can and cannot do.
How to use a body scrub
Wet your skin with warm water, apply the scrub in slow circles with light to medium pressure, rinse well, and moisturize right away. The key is to let the warm water do half the work.
- Soak first. Spend five to ten minutes in a warm shower or bath so dead skin softens. If you have access to steam, even better, and you can read how that compares in our guide to the steam room and the sauna order.
- Start at the feet and work up. Use circles on the legs and arms, and longer strokes on the back if someone helps.
- Keep pressure moderate. Your skin should look pink, not red or sore.
- Skip the face and neck. Body scrubs are too rough for them. Use a gentler product made for the face.
- Rinse thoroughly. Leftover grains or sugar can irritate.
- Pat dry and moisturize. Apply lotion or oil within a few minutes, while skin is still slightly damp.
How often
Once a week is plenty for most people. Dry or sensitive skin may need less. If your skin stings, flakes or looks shiny and tight afterward, you are doing too much.
How to make a body scrub at home
The simplest homemade scrub is sugar mixed with a plain oil. It takes two minutes and uses things already in most kitchens.
Basic sugar and oil scrub
- Put half a cup of sugar in a bowl. Fine grain white sugar is gentler, brown sugar is softer and slightly moist.
- Add about a quarter cup of oil, such as olive, jojoba or sweet almond, and stir until it looks like wet sand.
- Add a few drops of an essential oil if you like a scent, keeping it light. Our post on what aromatherapy massage is explains lavender, eucalyptus and peppermint.
- Store it in a clean jar with a lid, and use clean, dry hands to scoop it.
What to avoid
Do not put lemon juice or other strong acids in a scrub, since they can irritate skin. Keep water out of the jar, because moisture lets bacteria grow. Do not use salt scrubs on freshly shaved skin, since they sting. And take care in the tub afterward, because oil makes the floor slippery.
Homemade scrubs last about a couple of weeks. If it smells off or changes color, throw it out.
Who should skip a body scrub
Skip a scrub if your skin is sunburned, broken, freshly waxed, or inflamed, or if you have a skin condition such as eczema or psoriasis that flares easily. Exfoliating over irritated skin makes it worse.
Ask your doctor or dermatologist first if you use strong prescription creams, retinoids or other products that thin the skin, or if you are not sure whether your skin can handle it. Pregnant guests should also check before trying new products or strong scents.
Healthy skin recovers quickly from a gentle scrub. If you notice stinging, a rash or lasting redness, stop and keep your skin calm with a plain moisturizer.
Body scrub, facials and the rest of the spa day
A scrub fits easily into a longer visit, and it works best early in the plan, before you relax into a massage. Smooth skin also takes oil better, so a massage that follows feels richer.
Many guests combine skin care and bodywork from our wider list of spa services. If you are thinking about your face as well, our guide to facials and back facials sets out how often and how long, and our notes on Korean style acupressure show the tradition we work in.
Heat helps skin soften, which is part of why the scrub and the sauna go together. If you are curious about dry heat, read about the Finnish sauna and how it differs from steam.
Paying for it: HSA and FSA questions
Body scrubs are generally cosmetic, so they usually do not qualify for HSA or FSA spending, while some massage may with the right documentation. Rules differ by plan, so check with your plan administrator before assuming anything.
We keep a separate explainer, can you use an HSA for massage, that covers what paperwork helps. For our own pricing, call the spa, since we give prices by phone.
Body scrub in Palisades Park
If you would rather have a professional handle it than do it in your bathroom, ask us about the body scrub when you call or stop in. Hana Spa is at 520 Bergen Blvd, Palisades Park, NJ 07650, open every day from 9 AM to 11 PM, and walk ins are welcome.
Call 201-242-0444 to ask what is available and to hold a time, or book a time online. Free parking is on site, Korean and English are spoken, and you are six minutes from Fort Lee and the George Washington Bridge.
Questions readers ask
Why does so much gray stuff roll off my skin?
Those are dead skin cells that were loosened by warm water and steam, mixed with a little dirt and oil. It is normal and harmless. It does not mean your skin was dirty.
Can I use a body scrub on my face?
No. Body scrubs are rougher than facial skin can handle. Use a gentle product made for the face, or ask a licensed professional.
Should I scrub before or after shaving?
Scrub first, a day earlier or at least a few hours before, and not right after shaving. Fresh razor skin is more sensitive and a scrub can sting or irritate.
Can I use a scrub on my feet?
Yes, feet usually tolerate more pressure than other areas. Go gently around cracks or cuts, and moisturize well afterward.
How long does a homemade scrub keep?
A couple of weeks in a clean, dry, closed jar. Throw it out if it smells odd, changes color, or gets water in it.