Sugar granules can exfoliate dead skin cells with just a gentle motion. Sugar also contains glycolic acid which can keep the skin smooth and prevent flaky skin. While sugar isn't a miracle cure for all skin problems, it's hard to beat the benefits of sugar in terms of price and safety for the skin. Keep in mind that any type of scrub can damage the skin if used in excess.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Rubbing Your Body
Step 1. Start with brown sugar, granulated sugar, or raw sugar
Raw sugar can be a strong body scrub option, especially suitable for the soles of the feet, and very rough skin layers. Brown sugar has smaller grains and more liquid content, making it the gentlest scrub choice. Granulated sugar is in the middle, grain size is the same as brown sugar, but does not contain molasses in liquid form.
Before you start, you need to know that using a scrub on sensitive skin can cause some of the layers to peel off. Just in case, wait until you have nothing to show for the evening before trying it for the first time
Step 2. Select the oil you will use
Olive oil is a common choice, but any natural carrier oil will work. The addition of oil will make the sugar easier to apply to the skin, while keeping your skin healthy. Choose an oil according to your skin type and taste:
- For oily skin, try saffflower oil, hazelnut oil, or grapeseed oil.
- For very dry skin try coconut oil, shea butter, or cocoa butter. You can also stir it to make it easier to spread to the surface of the skin.
- To avoid overpowering scents, try grapeseed oil, saffflower oil, and sweet almond oil.
Step 3. Mix sugar with oil
To make a regular scrub, mix 1 part sugar with 1 part oil to form a thick paste. For a stronger scrub, try mixing 2 parts sugar with 1 part oil.
- If you are using granulated sugar, the recommended ratio is 2:1.
- If you're going to rub the scrub on areas of your body that have acne or broken blood vessels, use a very gentle scrub, such as one made from 1 part sugar to 2 parts oil. Because exfoliants will make the condition of the skin worse.
Step 4. Add essential oil (optional)
To give it a certain aroma and health benefits, add essential oils. Essential oils can be added up to no more than 1 or 2 percent of the scrub amount. Generally, you can add 48 drops of essential oil to each cup (240 ml) of the other ingredients, or three drops for every tablespoon (15 ml).
- Thyme, mint, and essential oils from herbs and other spices have antimicrobial properties. This option is great for fighting acne, but can be irritating to sensitive skin.
- Do not use citrus, cumin, ginger, and hazelnut oils before consulting your doctor. These oils can trigger photosensitivity, which is a painful reaction to sunlight.
Step 5. Cleanse your skin
If your skin is dirty, use a mild soap and warm water to wash it off. If your skin is clean, all you need to do is wet the entire surface. Rubbing the scrub into dry skin can cause redness or irritation of the skin.
Hot water or harsh soap can irritate your skin, causing it to sting and hurt
Step 6. Rub the skin with the sugar mixture
Gently rub the surface of your skin with the sugar and oil mixture. Rub in circular motions for 2 or 3 minutes all over. Rub gently, if you feel pain, soreness, or your skin is red it means you are rubbing too hard.
Step 7. Rinse and dry
Rinse your skin with warm water and pat it dry. Optionally, you can apply a moisturizing lotion, or apply sugar-free oil to your skin.
Step 8. Repeat no more than once every two weeks
Your outermost layer of skin takes about two weeks to grow back. If you scrub your skin again before two weeks, you're actually damaging the living skin cells instead of removing the dead skin cells. This will cause the skin to become rough and red, making it more susceptible to infection.
Method 2 of 2: Scrubbing Your Face
Step 1. Understand the risks
Even though sugar is mild, it's still a harsh exfoliant. This means that sugar can exfoliate dead skin cells, and irritate sensitive skin layers, such as the face. Most people have no problem using sugar, but using it excessively or inappropriately can cause your skin to feel rough or sore.
Rough scrubbing is not recommended for people who have acne or broken blood vessels on their face
Step 2. Start with brown sugar or granulated sugar
Brown sugar is the softest of sugars, so it's the best choice for sensitive skin, including your face. Granulated sugar contains less liquid, and tends to be coarser in taste. You can use granulated sugar, but not recommended if you have sensitive skin.
Step 3. Mix it with honey or oil
Mix 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of sugar with 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of vegetable oil. Alternatively, use honey instead of oil. Most of the content of honey is sugar, so its ability to exfoliate dead skin cells is better.
Safflower oil and olive oil are common choices. For advice on choosing an oil, read the body scrub section above
Step 4. Clean your face
If your face is dirty, wash it with mild soap and warm water. But if your face is clean, make sure to only wet the entire surface, so the sugar won't feel too harsh.
Wash your hands too to prevent dirt from entering your face
Step 5. Tie your hair back
If necessary, tie your hair back to keep it away from your face. Sugar scrubs are easy to clean in the shower, but preventing your hair from sticking is the best preventive measure.
Step 6. Rub your skin with sugar
Take 1 - 2 tablespoons (15 - 30 ml) of your sugar scrub with your fingertips. Place the scrub on the area where you want to exfoliate dead skin cells, and rub in a circular motion. Rub gently for 2-3 minutes to remove dead skin cells. As long as you rub, you shouldn't feel any pain or soreness. If you feel sore or sore, then you are rubbing it too hard against your face.
Step 7. Clean the sugar
Wet a soft washcloth with warm water, then wring it out. Place a washcloth on the surface of your face, and gently wipe off the sugar. Repeat until clean.
Step 8. Dry and moisturize your skin
Use a clean cloth to pat your skin dry. If you want to soften your skin, you can finish this treatment by massaging a moisturizing lotion into your skin. Massage for 1-2 minutes, and your skin will become smooth and soft.
Tips
- This treatment can also be done on chapped lips. Your lips will feel so soft afterwards!
- When used alone, sugar will only moisturize your skin in the short term, and can even dry it out in the long run. The oil content in the scrub is what provides long-term moisture.
- Store the sugar scrub in a tightly closed container in a cool, stable temperature place. A few drops of vitamin E can extend its shelf life. The exact shelf life of a scrub is largely determined by the oil used.
Warning
- Lemon and other citrus juices can cause sun sensitivity, skin irritation, and dry skin. While sugar scrubs can exfoliate dead skin cells, their abrasive effect makes sugar less used than chemical scrubs.
- Sugar can cause your skin to hurt or peel, making it painful. As long as you don't scrub too vigorously, it shouldn't damage your skin.
- Essential oils can cause allergic reactions. Before trying a new essential oil for the first time, mix it together with as much vegetable oil as you want. Apply a small amount on your wrist and leave the bandage protected for 48 hours.
- Do not use exfoliating treatments as long as your skin still feels sore or sore from the sunburn.
