Simple Body Scrub Formulation Ingredients

Question

Hello, I would like some advice on ingredients for simple body scrubs. I'm looking for recommendations for two types:

Gel Scrub: A gel texture that includes only scrub beads, or a small amount of sugar or salt. What base should I use that feels slippery and is easy to rinse off? I also need recommendations for a preservative, a natural scent, ingredients that provide a soft and smooth skin feel after use, and water-based active ingredients for skin brightening. This should be a water-based formula that can incorporate active ingredients for skin brightening.
Cream Scrub: A cream texture similar to a cream or lotion that can be thickened with sugar or salt. What base should I use that makes the skin feel soft and smooth and is easy to rinse off? I also need recommendations for a preservative, a natural scent, ingredients that provide a soft and moisturized skin feel after use, especially on dry areas like elbows or knees (so they don't feel rough). This can be an oil-based formula that can incorporate active ingredients for skin brightening.

Thank you.

MySkinRecipes Expert · Accepted Answer

Simple Body Scrub Ingredient Recommendations

Here are ingredient recommendations for simple gel-based and cream-based body scrubs based on your requirements:

1. Gel Scrub (Water Base)

For a gel scrub with a slippery feel, easy rinse-off, and the ability to incorporate scrub particles (like sugar, salt, or beads) and water-soluble active ingredients for skin brightening.

Slippery, Easy-Rinse Gel Base that Suspends Beads:
- ClearClean™ or ThickClean™: Acrylates Crosspolymer gel makers suitable for wash-off products. They create clear (ClearClean™ is clearer) gels and effectively suspend beads, ensuring even distribution and preventing settling. They provide a slippery feel and are easy to rinse off.
- Sepimax Zen: A water-phase thickener highly tolerant to salt and electrolytes, suitable for formulas containing salt. It creates a clear and stable gel.
Preservative (Natural Focus):
- Global Guard™ 221: A water-soluble broad-spectrum preservative that is globally approved. Easy to use within a pH range of 2-7.
- NaturePreserve™ LB2: A natural origin preservative that is highly effective against bacteria and fungi at low pH values (2.0-6.5). It is directly water-soluble.
- PaeoniaPreserve™: A natural preservative (from Paeonia root extract) with a light yellow color and mild natural scent. Can be used alone or with other preservatives. Avoid heat above 60°C.
Natural Scent:
- You can use natural essential oils or fragrance oils with natural profiles, such as Angelica Root Oil, Jasmine Fragrance Oil, Neroli Fragrance Oil, etc.
Ingredients for Soft and Smooth Skin Feel After Use:
- Humectants that help attract and retain moisture in the skin, preventing dryness after rinsing. These are water-soluble and suitable for water-based formulas, such as MOIST24, HumecMax™, TransMoist™, Advanced Moisture Complex SThese are water-soluble and suitable for water-based formulas. TransMoist™ also helps with formula absorption and provides a good skin feel.
Active Ingredients for Skin Brightening (Water Base):
- GlucoBright™ (Acetyl Glucosamine): Helps reduce dark spots and stimulates natural Hyaluronic Acid production for soft, moisturized skin. It is readily soluble in water.
- Tranexamic Acid (Trans-White™): Helps reduce melanin pigment formation, suitable for addressing blemishes. It is water-soluble.
- Hexylresorcinol AF: A water-soluble version of 4-Hexylresorcinol that helps reduce dark spots and brighten skin through multiple mechanisms.
Scrub Particles: You can use sugar, salt, or opt for natural beads like CelluScrub™ Max, which is a natural cellulose scrub powder available in different sizes.

2. Cream Scrub (Cream/Oil Base)

For a cream scrub with a texture similar to cream or lotion that can be thickened with sugar or salt, focusing on leaving the skin soft and moisturized after use, especially on dry areas like elbows and knees.

Soft, Smooth, Easy-Rinse Cream Base / Emulsifier:
- Sucrose Cream Maker™: A 100% natural-based, nonionic O/W emulsifier. It creates lightweight, non-oily creams with a silky, velvety feel and good rinse-off properties.
- Skin Barrier Cream Base: An emulsifier-free cream base designed to restore the skin's protective barrier. It contains skin-mimicking lipids and provides high moisture, leaving skin soft. It can be diluted to achieve a lotion-like consistency. Suitable for very dry or rough areas.
Preservative (Natural Focus):
- Same options as for the gel base: Global Guard™ 221, NaturePreserve™ LB2, or PaeoniaPreserve™.
Natural Scent:
- Same options as for the gel base: Angelica Root Oil, Jasmine Fragrance Oil, Neroli Fragrance Oil, etc.
Ingredients for Soft and Moisturized Skin Feel:
- LipidSoft™ Palm: A natural emollient that provides good softness and helps retain moisture, suitable for dry skin.
- Humectants like MOIST24, HumecMax™, TransMoist™, Advanced Moisture Complex can be incorporated into the water phase of the cream formula to boost moisture.
- Skin Barrier Cream Base: If used as the base, it already provides significant moisture and skin softening benefits. Additional humectants or emollients can be added as needed.
Active Ingredients for Skin Brightening (Oil Base or Cream Base):
- Activated Resorcinol™: Soluble in oil, highly effective for reducing dark spots and melasma. Suitable for use in creams or lotions with an oil phase.
- Phenylethyl Resorcinol: Soluble in oil, a highly effective and safe whitening agent. Suitable for use in creams or lotions with an oil phase.
- Water-soluble actives like GlucoBright™, Tranexamic Acid, Hexylresorcinol AF can also be incorporated into the water phase of an Oil-in-Water (O/W) cream formulation.
Scrub Particles: You can use sugar, salt, or natural beads like CelluScrub™ Max.

When formulating, always refer to the recommended usage rates and mixing instructions for each ingredient. It is also advisable to perform compatibility and stability testing on your final formula before production.