Here's a general guideline: For sensitive or dry skin, opt for a sugar scrub. If your skin is balanced or oily, a salt scrub can effectively exfoliate. For detoxifying and soothing tired muscles, a salt scrub with Epsom salts may be ideal.
Epsom salt's exfoliating properties help you eliminate toxins, excess oil, dirt, dust, and other impurities from your skin. The coarse crystalline texture of this salt is effective for removing dead and dry skin cells, blackheads, and whiteheads.
However, some popular options include gentle exfoliants like St. Ives Apricot Scrub, Cetaphil Extra Gentle Daily Scrub, and Neutrogena Deep Clean Invigorating Foaming Scrub. It's essential to choose a scrub that suits your skin's needs and doesn't cause irritation.
If you have sensitive skin or want to exfoliate gently, a sugar scrub may be the best option for you. A salt scrub may be a better option if you want deep exfoliation and have normal to oily skin. Finally, your skin type and preferences will determine the best exfoliant for your skin.
Exfoliation: Sugar scrubs provide gentle exfoliation, helping to remove dead skin cells without being too abrasive. Stronger Exfoliation: Salt scrubs tend to be more abrasive, making them suitable for tougher skin areas like elbows and feet.
Sugar scrub does not have to be used during every shower. Daily exfoliating can dry out the skin, so only use your sugar scrub 2-3 times per week.
Sugar scrubs are sometimes used in the shower and sometimes users dip wet hands into the jar. Both of these circumstances will introduce water to the sugar scrub, which eventually will lead to bacterial growth.
Despite the link between sodium and blood pressure, the journal Open Heart published a review that proposes added sugar may be more strongly and directly associated with high blood pressure and overall cardiovascular risk.
Although sugar scrubs are highly effective at physical exfoliation, they do not provide any other cleansing benefits. Salt scrubs, on the other hand, do detoxify the skin as they scrub, which can be a huge benefit for people struggling with overactive oil glands on the body, for example.
For exfoliation, a body scrub is the go-to option. Exfoliation is its sole purpose, sloughing off dead skin cells for incredibly soft and smooth skin. A dry brush, on the other hand, does exfoliate your skin a bit but its real magic lies in its benefits for your circulation.
But you should avoid Epsom salt baths if you have any of these conditions: Severe skin inflammation. Open wounds. Infected skin.
Exfoliating the kin
The crystallized compound structure of Epsom salt provides exfoliation of the dead skin on the feet. The foot soak may help decrease roughness and leave the feet softer. After soaking the feet is a great time to use an exfoliating tool to remove dead skin.
The sugar or epsom salt in scrubs helps aid in exfoliation through a mechanical means (scrubbing vigorously aided by the crystals) which helps remove dead skin and possibly improve circulation.
“Rinsing promptly ensures that the exfoliation process is effective while preventing potential irritation that could occur if the scrub were left on for too long,” she says.
These scrubs are sometimes just too much for such a gentle area. Many clients that end up with ingrowns mistakenly are using a scrub. Sugar can also throw off the pH in the intimate areas and cause infection (particularly yeast since they love sugar.) It can also spread bacteria and create microtears in the skin.
Jojoba oil mimics your skin's natural oil (sebum) and helps moisturize and cleanse your skin. Coconut oil is also great for your skin (it's used in Vietnam to relieve and cure dry skin all the time), while super-refined sugar sweetly scrubs away your rough patches. If you use it on your face, just be gentle!
According to Bowe, sugar scrubs are generally ok for rough patches of skin such as elbows and heels. However, she doesn't recommend them on your face as the texture can be too abrasive. "If you rub too hard, or use these scrubs too often, it can show up as red blotchy skin.
How Often Should You Use a Sugar Scrub on Your Face? Given the potential risks associated with daily exfoliation, it's recommended to use a sugar scrub no more than two to three times per week. This frequency allows you to reap the benefits of exfoliation without compromising your skin's health.
Chips, pretzels, or other salty snacks: Excess sodium causes skin to puff up, reduces radiance, and makes fine lines more noticeable. Cookies, pie, and other desserts: Refined sugar releases free radicals in the body, which diminish the skin's elasticity and damage it overall.
Perfectly prepped skin will enable your chosen scrub to work its magic. First up, you need to soak – either under the shower or in the bath. Skin should be damp to get the full benefit of exfoliation, plus a warm temperature will help to open your pores and soften the surface of your skin.
You should exfoliate your skin prior to shaving, as exfoliating first can help prevent the razor from becoming clogged with dead skin cells (which can reduce its effectiveness). In other words, exfoliating first is a serious pro tip for a closer shave.
“The best practice is to avoid over-scrubbing because you want to maintain a healthy and intact skin barrier,” Dr. Khalifian notes. Going too hard can leave your skin red and irritated. Use it after cleansing, and always follow with moisturizer to lock in hydration.