Skin scrubs can work as an important element in your weekly skincare regimen for enhancing your skin's health and appearance. Ground apricot kernels are one of the "most typical scrub particles" found in skin scrubs, according to skincare expert Paula Begoun. Although such particles are too abrasive for sensitive skin or skin afflicted with a condition like acne, normal skin may experience several benefits from apricot-based scrubs.
Less Wrinkles
An abrasive scrub like one formulated with apricot kernels helps get rid of the old, dead skin cells on the surface of your skin to allow new skin to regrow. Over time, this exfoliating action can help get rid of fine lines and small wrinkles, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, because it rids the skin of the damaged surface cells.
Moisturization
Some apricot scrubs include apricot kernel oil. This natural oil has moisturizing properties to help keep your skin cells hydrated, reports "Real Simple" magazine's beauty editors. The inclusion of the apricot-based emollient can help counteract any drying effects associated with exfoliating your skin, thus ensuring a healthier and softer skin surface.
Better Skin Tone
Exfoliating, whether it's with a mechanical scrub like apricots or a chemical treatment like alpha hydroxy acids, helps correct poor skin tone, according to makeup artist Damone Roberts writing for Oprah Winfrey's "O" magazine. It works by exfoliating away the damaged skin cells where poor pigmentation has occurred to reveal the newer, lighter skin cells beneath.
100 Percent Natural
Unlike polyethylene beads and may other abrasive agents used in skin scrubs, apricot kernel additives are completely natural, reports Begoun. The same goes for apricot oil used as a moisturizer in a scrub. This is preferential if you want to treat your skin only to natural or organic skincare products and wish to avoid synthetic ingredients.