However, the rough nature of sugar scrubs makes them far too harsh for facial skin. They can create small tears in the skin and lead to damage, especially if you're using regular sugar. Using sugar scrubs on your face may lead to: irritation.
Sugar is one of the best natural beauty ingredients to exfoliate your skin. Sugar scrubs are mild and help remove dead skin. They also help rejuvenate the skin by cleaning all the dirt from the skin pores. With all the dead skin and dirt removed, the new skin is more radiant and you have a healthier glow.
“Excessive scrubbing and rubbing as well as exfoliating can damage the skin, so one should not do so on a daily basis unless using an extremely mild homemade scrub,” she states. While scrubs are said to slough off dead and dry skin, we often overdo that.
There isn't a sugar scrub I would recommend for the face, as I think people are better off with a washcloth or a mild chemical exfoliation. However, even tiny granules may damage sensitive facial tissue, which is why Ross dissuades the use of sugar scrubs for the face.
Exfoliating with a sugar scrub can help create the appearance of smoother, glowing skin. Just keep in mind that generally, you wouldn't exfoliate with a sugar scrub every day—consider it a sweet treat for your skin that you'd use a few times a week.
Application of brown sugar helps to lighten skin and diminish the scars. Glycolic acid present in brown sugar is known to make the skin fairer. It also controls the melanin formation.
Ultimately, when it comes to choosing between salt vs sugar scrubs, it's all about you and your unique needs. If you want a product that will offer a gentler manner of exfoliation, go with sugar. However, if you wish to add detoxifying benefits, always opt for salt.
It is less abrasive on sensitive skin, like the skin on your face, but still exfoliates to loosen damaged or dead skin cells. This keeps dead cells from clogging pores, which is a major cause of acne.
Gently rub it on your skin in small circular motions, using your hand or an exfoliating glove. Scrub your skin gently for no longer than 30 seconds.
"As with most exfoliants, sugar scrubs should be used once to two times per week to avoid over-exfoliation and a disrupted natural skin barrier," says Dr. Garshick. Oily skin types can use a sugar scrub up to three times a week, says celebrity facialist and esthetician Taylor Worden.
"Exfoliating every day can strip the skin of its natural oils, which can cause breakouts," says celebrity facialist Joanna Vargas. "It can also cause irritation because you're removing the top layer of skin before it can heal." Negative, long-term effects are also a concern.
Repeated over-exfoliation, manipulation, friction and skin tampering can slow down the healing process, introduce bacteria, and cause epidermal cells on and around blemishes to thicken, darken, and get larger as the body struggles to defend itself from constant “self-assault”.
The idea is to massage these granules into your skin to remove debris and dead skin cells. However, the rough nature of sugar scrubs makes them far too harsh for facial skin. They can create small tears in the skin and lead to damage, especially if you're using regular sugar.
Apply a hydrating or nourishing face mask after scrubbing – Use a good mask or gel after you finish scrubbing. This will help your skin absorb the goodness of your scrub and mask efficiently.
Brown sugar is the least abrasive making it a good choice for sensitive skin and facial scrubs. Since it is the gentlest, a brown sugar scrub can be used up to 4 times a week. Pure cane sugar (unrefined white) is good for all skin types and contains essential nutrients to feed the skin.
Once you've thoroughly exfoliated your face, rinse the sugar scrub away with lukewarm water and pat your face almost completely dry with a soft towel.
The Cleveland Clinic recommends exfoliating prior to shaving, as exfoliating first will help prevent the razor from becoming overloaded with dead skin cells, which reduces its effectiveness. Basically, exfoliating first is a serious pro-tip for a closer shave.
According to Dr. Shah, exfoliating can be helpful when it comes to preventing hair removal-related problems, but since the bikini area is so sensitive, you should be picky with your exfoliant. "Sugar scrubs tend to be less abrasive than many other scrubs because the granules are round and smaller.
Soap, shower gel, or body wash should be used before applying the body scrub. This way your skin is clean and primed up for the body scrub to do its magic.
Scrub your skin clean.
Scrubbing can irritate your skin, causing acne to flare. What to do instead: Be gentle when washing your face and other skin with acne. You want to use a mild, non-comedogenic cleanser. Apply the cleanser lightly with your fingertips, using a circular motion.
Scrubs might help improve minor bumps and breakouts, they just aren't going to be effective against a stubborn case of acne. Scrubs only work on the skin's surface. They can't penetrate deeper into the pore, where pimples develop.
How long does DIY sugar scrub last? DIY Sugar scrub will last a few months. As long as you keep it sealed and avoid getting water in the container it should be fine for up to 6 months.
Whilst coffee scrub is great for intense exfoliation, sugar scrubs are best for those who have sensitive skin, troubling dry skin and want to exfoliate regularly. Body scrubs that use sugar and salt as a base will dissolve in the water as you use them meaning that the more you rub, the less intense they'll be.
Exfoliate with salicylic acid or glycolic acid. These products will help keep your hair follicles open, so the hairs don't get trapped again. Don't use these products if you already have an ingrown hair, because they could irritate the area. Use a benzoyl peroxide cream.