Scrubs achieve the same exfoliation goal with mechanical abrasives such as sugar crystals, salt, pumice, polymerA naturally occurring or synthetic molecule made up of repeating units called monomers. beads or finely ground nutshells. Sugar and salt crystals are broken down by water and some alcohols, so these products are often oil-based, with added surfactants to enable the oil to wash off on contact with water. Due to the tougher skin on the feet, pedicure products are often formulated with coarser grit than comparable manicure products. As with exfoliating products, sunscreen should always be used on areas of the body that are exposed to sun within a week of an exfoliation service.
Masks are designed to moisturize and soothe skin. They are typically composed of clays or other minerals (“mud”), infused with moisturizing ingredients, essential oils, menthol and/or herbal extracts. Self-heating masks are water-free with butylene glycol or other ingredients that cause warming on application.
Moisturizing lotions and creams are designed to moisturize, condition and address a variety of cosmetic conditions of the skin. They are commonly water-based emulsions whose major ingredients, besides water, are typically oils (vegetable or mineral), waxy alcohols (cetyl alcoholAlcohols are a large class of important cosmetic ingredients but only ethanol needs to be denatured to prevent it from being redirected from cosmetic applications to alcoholic beverages., stearyl alcohol, etc.) and esters (isopropyl palmitate, glyceryl stearate, etc.). Humectants such as propylene glycol or glycerin are often included, along with antioxidantIngredients that prevent or slow deterioration due to chemical reaction with oxygen. vitamins or other product enhancing ingredients. Massage lotions are similar but have enhanced “slip” properties due to a careful choice of silicones, oils or esters to increase lubrication. Some specialized manicure lotions contain sun protection (SPF) ingredients.
