5 Common Skin Irritations Exfoliation Can Relieve

Skin irritations, though widespread and common among most people, can definitely be the rain on anyone’s parade. Conditions like acne and eczema, as well as minor skin blemishes like cellulite, dark spots and stretch marks, are frustrating and sometimes even painful. Luckily, there is a natural and hassle-free solution to these irritations: exfoliation. 

Exfoliation essentially means sloughing dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. This process promotes what’s called cell turnover, lifting the new, healthy cells to the surface of the skin once the old ones are removed. The result is healthy-looking, radiant skin. 

As it so happens, sugar scrubs are excellent natural exfoliants. The sugar granules are just rough enough to buff away dead skin cells, but soft enough to avoid exacerbating any condition on the skin. Read on to find out how exfoliation can help alleviate these five common skin irritations: 

I. Acne 

If you have acne-prone skin, a gentle exfoliating solution can help smooth and soften your skin. (The keyword here is gentle: you don’t want to scrub too hard, otherwise it will inflame the skin and make your condition worse). Exfoliation can also help reduce breakouts by keeping your pores free from debris that may cause blockages. Dead skin cells, sebum (oil naturally secreted by the skin) and external pollutants all contribute to the blockage of pores. Exfoliation will gently remove those impurities and leave your skin looking fresh and healthy. 

II. Eczema

Eczema is characterized by dry, itchy skin typically accompanied by a rash. Sugar scrubs are gentle enough to help calm the effects of eczema. What’s more, the natural oils found in sugar scrubs help moisturize the skin, helping it properly heal.  

III. Cellulite

Cellulite is a fat deposit that pushes up against the skin from underneath, causing the appearance of dimples in the skin. Cellulite usually makes its debut around the thighs, hips, arms and belly. This is completely normal, but there is a way to diminish the appearance of uneven skin with a sugar scrub exfoliant. 

Coffee sugar scrubs are popular remedies to cellulite. Aside from the exfoliating properties of the sugar and coffee grinds themselves, the caffeine may help dilate blood vessels to reduce the appearance of dimples. Coffee is also laden with antioxidants, which boast a ton of healthy benefits for skin tone. 

IV. Dark spots

Sugar scrubs contain naturally occurring glycolic acid, which is known to reduce the appearance of dark spots on the skin. Sloughing off dead, discolored skin cells can also help your skin better absorb products like spot treatments and brightening serums. 

V. Stretch marks 

Between 70% - 80% of Americans have stretch marks somewhere on their bodies. They typically occur after fat and/or muscle gain, or in areas that become enlarged during a woman’s pregnancy. Anyone who wants to diminish the appearance of stretch marks can use a sugar scrub to do so. Glycolic acid found in sugar scrubs, in addition to exfoliating the skin, can actually promote the production of collagen. Collagen is a protein that is naturally found in humans; approximately 90% of it is found in our skin. It essentially binds us together, contributing to the appearance of smooth, radiant skin. Stimulating more collagen production will help reduce the appearance of lines and stretch marks.