7 Reasons Sugar Scrubs Are Essential To Your Skincare Routine
If there was an easy and affordable way to achieve bright, healthy skin, you’d probably do it, right?
Well, let us be the bearers of good news: there actually is a way, and it comes without expensive procedures, harmful ingredients, or time-consuming treatments. All it takes is a little something sweet — and that something is a sugar scrub.
Sugar scrubs are an exfoliating skin treatment to clear, brighten, and hydrate the skin. They consist of fine sugar granules that are bound together by natural fats. The granules slough dead cells from the surface of the skin (without tearing or damaging it), spurring new cell growth underneath. In the meantime, the oils in the sugar scrub work to soothe and hydrate the skin. The result is smooth, clear, rejuvenated skin.
Sugar scrubs are a simple, natural solution for healthier skin, both on the body and the face. Here are seven reasons why sugar scrubs are essential for your bath and body routine:
I. Sugar scrubs are a natural exfoliant.
Exfoliation is a fancy word for the process of removing dead cells from the skin’s surface. Our skin naturally sheds dead cells to make room for new ones about every 30 days. Most of them will leave the body completely, but some get stuck on their way out, resulting in clogged pores and dry, flaky patches of skin.
Using a sugar scrub can help you avoid that buildup of dead cells on your skin. Not only do the sugar granules physically aid in the removal of dead skin cells, but their chemical structure also helps. Sugar is full of naturally occurring glycolic acid, which penetrates the skin and breaks the “glue” that binds skin cells together, making it easier to buff away old cells.
What’s more, because exfoliation removes excess cells that clog pores, it can also prevent acne and reduce the appearance of dark spots.
II. They keep the skin moisturized.
A key to achieving healthy, youthful-looking skin is keeping it moisturized. This helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
Sugar is a natural humectant, meaning it draws moisture from the atmosphere and into your skin. This helps your skin retain moisture throughout the day. Additionally, natural lipids found in sugar scrubs, like shea butter, coconut oil, avocado oil, and sunflower seed oil are packed with nourishing, moisturizing compounds.
The best part about natural oils is that they work double-time: in addition to quenching thirsty skin, they can also tackle a variety of skin issues. Coconut oil, for example, helps reduce inflammation and heal broken skin. Grapeseed oil tightens skin while lightening dark circles, while sunflower oil is high in vitamin E, an antioxidant that naturally shields the skin from harmful UV radiation.
III. They clear the path for other skincare products.
Sugar scrubs allow you to start your skincare routine with a clean canvas. Because they’re so effective at removing blockages in your pores, sugar scrubs enable products like lotions and serums to reach deeper into the layers of your skin. The more the products get soaked into your skin, the more you’ll see results.
IV. Sugar scrubs promote circulation and lymphatic drainage.
Detox, anyone? Using a sugar scrub in circular motions can actually rid your body of waste and toxins. This is what’s known as lymphatic drainage, which stimulates the internal flow of lymph fluids, our body’s natural detoxifiers. Massaging a sugar scrub on the body or face can also stimulate circulation, delivering oxygen-rich blood to your muscles and ridding the body of toxins. To go the extra mile, try a sugar scrub made with charcoal, a naturally detoxifying ingredient.
V. They promote cell turnover.
Scrubbing away old cells from the skin means that new, healthy cells move to the surface to take their place. This is what’s called cell turnover, and it results in a dewy, glowing complexion.
VI. Sugar scrubs can improve your shave.
Buffing away old skin cells before shaving removes them from your razor’s path. The result? A closer shave and smoother skin to boot. Pro tip: using a sugar scrub pre-shave can also keep those pesky ingrown hairs at bay.
VII. They just feel good.
There’s nothing better than relaxing after a long day with a personal self-care routine. Sugar scrubs feel wonderful on your skin, and it feels especially great to know you’re taking care of yourself with products full of natural, skin-nourishing ingredients.
Sugar scrubs are a staple in our skincare routine, but don’t take our word for it: try them yourself, and let us know what you think!