When applied to the skin instead of being swallowed by mouth, sugar can help enhance beauty. Sugar will moisturize the skin because it contains glycolic acid which can encourage cell regeneration, resulting in younger looking skin. You can mix sugar with a few other ingredients to make your own face mask.
Step
Method 1 of 7: Mixing Sugar with Facial Cleanser
Step 1. Apply your favorite cleansing liquid all over your face while massaging
Use warm water and gently rub the skin until it creates a lather.
This facial is best done with foam produced by cleansing liquid because the foam helps retain sugar in the skin
Step 2. Pour 1 teaspoon of sugar into your palms
You can use any type of sugar, but some people recommend using brown sugar because it's smoother and gentler on the skin.
You can also use coarser granulated sugar if you prefer. Actually it's just a matter of taste
Step 3. Use your fingers to gently rub the skin with sugar
In a circular motion, rub the sugar until it forms a foam. Do it all over the face, except the lips and eyes.
Don't use a washcloth to rub sugar into your skin, as sugar is a harsh exfoliant and can irritate your skin
Step 4. Don't press too hard on the skin
Sugar will do its job even with gentle pressure. So, don't press too hard on your skin when you spread the sugar all over your face.
Be sure to scrub the skin gently as you don't want to cause microscopic scratches to the skin. Although very small, these scratches can cause breakouts or make the skin look less healthy overall
Step 5. Add a little warm water if necessary to maintain the foam
If the foam is thin, add a little water. Be careful not to add too much water as the sugar will dissolve.
Step 6. Let the sugar sit on the skin for 15 to 20 minutes
After you've scrubbed your entire face evenly, let the mixture soak into your skin for 15 to 20 minutes.
It's best not to move too much during this time as the sugar can fall out, reducing the effectiveness of the mask. In addition, sugar splattered everywhere will make the house dirty
Step 7. Rinse off the mask with cold water
After 15 to 20 minutes, rinse off the mask with cold water. Cold water helps close pores and locks in skin moisture.
Step 8. Dry your face with a clean and dry towel
Make sure you do it slowly. Rubbing your face with a towel can cause skin irritation, including acne.
Step 9. Apply your favorite moisturizer
Give your skin a final treatment by applying your favorite moisturizer all over your face and neck.
Method 2 of 7: Mixing Sugar with Olive Oil and Essential Oils
Step 1. Prepare the required materials:
- Brown sugar
- Olive oil
- Essential oil of your choice
- Shaker
Step 2. Mix olive oil and brown sugar together
Take a bowl, then combine the olive oil and brown sugar and beat until combined. The ratio of oil and sugar is up to you. Just make sure the resulting mixture is thick enough so that it can stick to your face, not dripping.
You can start by pouring a quarter cup of sugar into a bowl and adding the sugar spoonful at a time (use a teaspoon) until the mixture is the consistency you want
Step 3. Add a few drops of essential oil
You can add any essential oil you like to the mixture. Make sure you don't add too much so the mask smells too strong. In addition, too much essential oil can cause skin irritation.
- One expert recommends adding ginger for a warm and spicy aroma, or a mixture of ginger and citrus oils such as grapefruit or citrus for a refreshing aroma to lift your spirits.
- If you're doing your facial at night, try using a calming scent like lavender.
Step 4. Wash your face with a gentle cleanser
Use a gentle cleanser to wash your face with warm water. Then dry your face with a clean and dry washcloth.
Step 5. Apply the sugar and oil mixture all over the face
Use your fingers and make gentle circular motions to apply the sugar and oil mixture to your face. Be careful when applying the mixture so it doesn't get in your eyes and mouth.
Step 6. Let the mixture sit on your face for 10 to 15 minutes
Once applied, let the mixture soak into the skin for 10 to 15 minutes.
Step 7. After that, rinse your face with cold water
Wash your face with cold water until the face scrub is completely lifted. Then dry your face gently with a dry washcloth.
Step 8. Apply moisturizer on the skin
Facial scrubs provide a moisturizing effect on the skin. To keep the moisture long, apply your favorite moisturizer.
Method 3 of 7: Mixing Sugar with Lemon Juice and Honey
Step 1. Prepare the required materials:
- Freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Brown sugar
- Honey (preferably organic)
- Shaker
Step 2. Combine lemon juice, sugar and honey in a bowl
The ratio of ingredients depends on your preference. For a first try, mix a quarter cup of brown sugar and add the lemon juice and honey until it reaches the consistency you want.
Step 3. Make sure the mixture is thick enough so that it won't drip off the skin, get into your eyes and contaminate clothes and furniture
Step 4. Use lemon juice carefully
Lemon juice can make the skin dry and irritated. If using olive oil to make a facial scrub, you can add more lemon juice. Since this face scrub does not contain olive oil, just add a few drops of lemon juice.
Step 5. Wash your face with a gentle cleanser
Use a gentle cleanser and warm water to wash your face. After that, dry your face with a clean and dry washcloth.
Step 6. Apply the mixture to the face with fingers
Rub the honey-sugar mixture onto your face using your fingertips in a gentle circular motion. Be careful when applying the mixture so that it doesn't get in your eyes and mouth.
Step 7. Do not apply the mixture on the injured skin
If you have sores or breakouts on your facial skin, do not apply a facial scrub to those areas because the lemon juice will sting. In addition, the friction that occurs when rubbing facial scrubs can make acne conditions worse.
Step 8. Let the mixture sit on your face for 10 minutes
After applying it all over your face, let the mixture sit for 10 minutes. During this time, the facial scrub will help tighten pores and even out skin tone (lemon), remove dead skin cells and clean pores (sugar), and prevent acne (honey).
Step 9. Rinse your face with cold water
Rinse your face with cold water until all the scrub is removed from the skin. Then dry your face with a clean and dry washcloth. You will notice that your skin looks more radiant and feels softer.
Step 10. Apply moisturizer on face and neck
To retain moisture on the skin after using a scrub, use your favorite moisturizer.
Method 4 of 7: Mixing Sugar with Lemon Juice, Olive Oil and Honey
Step 1. Prepare the required materials:
- Lemon juice squeezed from fresh lemon
- cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey (preferably organic)
- Shaker
- 1 container with lid
Step 2. Mix lemon juice and olive oil in a bowl
Make sure that the two ingredients are evenly mixed. You can mix the ingredients in the container that will be used to store this exfoliating scrub.
Step 3. Add honey and beat until smooth
Do this until the lemon juice, olive oil, and honey are combined into a fairly thick mixture.
You can adjust how much honey and olive oil to use according to the thickness of the scrub you want
Step 4. Add sugar to a bowl and mix well
Use a whisk to stir all the ingredients until well blended. You can add more sugar if you want.
Step 5. Wash your face
Use a gentle cleanser and warm water to wash your face, then pat dry with a clean, dry washcloth.
Step 6. Apply the sugar mixture on the face
Use slow circular motions to apply the scrub to your face. Be careful when applying the scrub so that it doesn't get in your eyes and mouth.
Step 7. Do not apply the mixture on the injured skin
If you have a wound or a broken pimple on your face, don't apply the scrub to the area as the lemon juice will sting. In addition, the friction that arises when applying the scrub can make acne conditions worse.
Step 8. Let the mixture sit on your face for 7 to 10 minutes
During this time, the mixture will help tighten pores and even out skin tone (lemon), reduce scars (olive oil), remove dead skin cells and clear pores (sugar), and prevent breakouts (honey).
Step 9. Wash your face with cold water
After letting it sit for a while, wash your face with cold water until all the scrub is lifted from the skin. Then dry your face with a clean and dry washcloth.
Step 10. Apply moisturizer on the skin
To retain moisture after scrubbing, apply your favorite moisturizer.
Step 11. Apply body scrub (optional)
You can also use body scrubs to treat body skin. If you want to do this, focus on rough areas like elbows, knees, feet, and hands. Rub the scrub on your skin in circular motions for 3 to 5 minutes.
When applying body scrub, you don't need to be very careful like on the face because the skin on the body is not as sensitive as facial skin
Method 5 of 7: Mixing Sugar with Baking Soda and Water
Step 1. Prepare the required materials:
- 1 tbsp baking soda
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 2 tbsp water
Step 2. Mix the baking soda, sugar and water together
Make sure all the ingredients are well mixed until it forms a smooth, lump-free paste.
Step 3. Wash your face with a gentle cleanser
Washing your face will get rid of the dirt that has accumulated before exfoliating. Be sure to dry your face gently with a clean, dry washcloth before applying the sugar-baking soda mixture.
Step 4. Apply the mixture on the face
After the mixture is applied to the face, give it a gentle massage with your fingers. You have to do it gently so as not to irritate the skin and cause breakouts.
Focus on areas that have a lot of blackheads (usually around the nose and chin). This face scrub is perfect for getting rid of blackheads
Step 5. Let the mixture sit on your face for 3 to 5 minutes
While waiting, you can sit back and relax. If you move around a lot, the scrub may come off your face and soil your clothes/furniture.
Step 6. Rinse your face with warm water
Make sure to rinse your face until it's completely clean and that there's no scrub residue left on your face.
Step 7. Dry your face with a dry and clean washcloth slowly and carefully
Rubbing your face with a washcloth will only irritate your skin and can lead to breakouts.
Step 8. Repeat this treatment if needed
Most beauticians don't recommend exfoliating more than twice a week. If your skin has a lot of blackheads, you can apply the mixture only to the problem areas.
- If you're only using the mixture for a specific area, not the entire face, it's probably okay to exfoliate more than twice a week. However, discontinue use if you notice any signs of irritation on your skin.
- Baking soda is known to cause dry skin. So, you should not use it excessively.
Step 9. Do not apply the mixture on broken skin or squeezed pimples
Applying baking soda to a cut or popped pimple will only make the condition worse. So, you should avoid this area.
Method 6 of 7: Mixing Sugar with Lemon, Honey and Baking Soda
Step 1. Prepare the required materials:
- Lemon juice squeezed from lemon (or 1 tsp lemon juice concentrate)
- 1 or 2 tbsp baking soda
- 1 tsp honey
- Brown sugar according to desired thickness
Step 2. Mix lemon juice, baking soda and honey
Use a fork or a whisk to mix the lemon juice, baking soda, and honey in a bowl. Make sure all the ingredients are well mixed and there are no lumps.
Step 3. Add brown sugar until it reaches the desired consistency
How much brown sugar is added depends on your needs. If you want a thicker paste, add more sugar. If you want a thinner paste, use less sugar.
Step 4. Mix all the ingredients to form a smooth paste
Make sure the pasta is free of lumps and not too runny. The runny paste may drip into the eyes or on clothing/furniture.
Step 5. Wash your face with a gentle cleanser and dry carefully
Use warm water and massage your face gently while washing it. Make sure your face is really clean. Be careful when drying your face so it doesn't irritate your skin.
Step 6. Apply the mixture on the face and neck
When applying the mixture to your face and neck, use gentle circular motions.
Step 7. Let the mixture sit on your face for 5 to 15 minutes
You may feel your skin a little sore and tight. That means the mask is working! However, if the skin starts to feel burning, immediately remove the mask.
Step 8. Clean the mask using a wet washcloth
Wet a washcloth with warm water and remove the mask from the skin using gentle circular motions.
You may need to rinse the washcloth several times to remove the entire mask from your face
Step 9. Splash cold water on face
Use as cold water as you can stand as the cold temperatures help close the pores and retain the benefits the mask provides. After that, dry your face carefully with a clean, dry washcloth.
Step 10. Moisturize skin
After the face is clean and dry, apply your favorite moisturizer on the face and neck. Even without a moisturizer, you can see that your skin is smoother and brighter after just one treatment.
Step 11. Repeat facial treatment once a week
We recommend using this mask only once a week. If it is too often can cause the skin to become dry and irritated. The mask will improve the quality of the skin and reduce acne.
Method 7 of 7: Making Your Own Recipe
Step 1. Choose the type of sugar to be used
If you have sensitive skin, it's best to use brown sugar instead of granulated sugar or other sugars with coarse grains. Brown sugar is the softest sugar and will feel soft on the skin.
Step 2. Choose the preferred oil
The following oils have ingredients that are beneficial for the skin:
- Olive oil has natural antibacterial properties and will moisturize very dry skin without clogging pores.
- Safflower oil also has antibacterial properties, and can help soothe irritated skin and prevent pore clogging.
- Almond oil also has antibacterial properties, can reduce the effects of UVB rays, and improve skin tone.
- Extra virgin coconut oil is the oil that is most favored by lovers of homemade beauty products. Coconut oil has antibacterial properties, and is abundant in antioxidants that can fight free radicals, making skin look young.
- Avocado oil is a powerful moisturizer. Unlike other oils, avocado oil has no antibacterial properties.
Step 3. Add fruit or vegetables
You can add fruit or vegetables as needed. Start small and make sure the fruit/vegetables are finely chopped so the mixture doesn't feel heavy. The following fruits and vegetables are popular recommendations:
- Kiwi fruit flesh contains antioxidants that can brighten facial skin, reduce fine wrinkles, and fight signs of aging. Kiwi seeds can provide an exfoliating effect in body scrubs.
- Strawberries are rich in vitamin C, and will help brighten and even out skin tone. This fruit also contains alpha hydroxy acids, which help get rid of dead skin cells. Experts say strawberries can also reduce oil levels, and heal acne, and reduce the appearance of eye bags.
- Pineapple contains enzymes that dissolve dead skin cells, making it perfect for acne-prone skin. Research shows that pineapple fruit enzymes can also have a skin whitening effect.
- Tomatoes contain lycopene, a type of antioxidant that can protect the skin from UV damage caused by sunburn.
- Cucumber has anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce the appearance of puffiness.
Step 4. Provide a suitable container for storing facial care products
Small plastic containers with tight-fitting lids can be a good option.
Step 5. Know that adding fruit or vegetables to the mix will make it less durable
In other words, don't make a large amount of the mixture as it will spoil before you finish it. Also, if you add fruit or vegetables to your facial care products, make sure you store them in the refrigerator.
Step 6. Learn some recipes
Regardless of the combination of sugar, oil, and fruit you choose, use a 2:1 ratio for sugar and oil. How much to add fruit really depends on your needs. Beauticians recommend the following combinations:
- White granulated sugar, safflower oil, and kiwi to brighten the skin.
- White granulated sugar, almond oil, and strawberries to brighten and even out skin tone.
- Brown sugar, avocado oil and cucumber to soothe, comfort and restore sensitive skin.
Step 7. Mix the ingredients
The process of mixing the ingredients is done by stirring the sugar and oil to mix well, then adding the finely chopped fruit or vegetables. Next, mix the ingredients together.
Step 8. Don't mix too many ingredients
Make sure you don't mix too much sugar, oil and fruit/vegetables as this will dissolve the sugar.
Step 9. Transfer the mixture to a container and store it
Make sure you close it tightly. The mixture stored in the refrigerator can last up to 2 weeks.
Step 10. Follow the usual directions when applying the mixture to your face:
- Wash your face and dry gently.
- Apply the mixture on your face using your fingers, making slow circular motions.
- Let the mixture sit on your face for 10 to 15 minutes. If you feel a burning sensation, wash it off your face immediately.
- Rinse your face with cold water until completely clean and pat dry.
- Continue with applying your favorite moisturizer.
- Repeat the treatment twice a week.
Step 11. Done
Tips
- Beauticians usually recommend not exfoliating more than twice a week.
- While you can use any type of sugar, estheticians usually recommend using brown sugar because the grains are softer and smaller, which reduces the chance of microscopic scratches on the skin.
- You can apply the sugar scrub with your hands, a clean washcloth or clean exfoliating gloves. Hands are usually the best choice because they are the softest.
- Facials using sugar which exfoliate the skin are very good for cold weather because the skin tends to be dry. Getting rid of dead skin cells helps the moisturizer to penetrate deeper into the skin and work more effectively.
- If you want to try lemon juice for skin care, but are worried that its acidity will upset your skin's natural pH balance, try adding a little baking soda to the mix. The baking soda will help maintain the skin's natural pH by neutralizing the acidity of the lemon. Make a 2:1 mixture of baking soda and lemon juice.
Warning
- When exfoliating using facial scrubs, you should not be too harsh because it can irritate the skin and cause redness and acne.
- Don't use a sponge to exfoliate your face, as this can trap dead skin and bacteria, which can trigger acne breakouts.
- Avoid using facial scrubs on injured skin such as broken pimples or scratches. The ingredients used in facial scrubs can irritate damaged skin, and the friction caused by exfoliating can cause acne conditions to worsen and even trigger new breakouts.
- How often you should exfoliate your skin depends on your skin type, age, and climate. For oily skin, you can do it more often. For those who are older and/or have dry skin, twice a week may be too much.
- We recommend using a face mask containing lemon juice at night. Lemon juice is phototoxic and can increase your risk of sunburn or even chemical burns if you go out during the day with the lemon juice residue still on your skin.
- Some experts recommend not using lemon juice at all because of its acidity. In addition, lemon juice can irritate the skin by disrupting the skin's natural pH balance. Safer alternatives include pineapple or papaya mixed with plain plain yogurt.
- Some experts do not recommend using sugar to exfoliate the skin because it can cause small scratches on the skin, making the skin rough, dry and flaky in the long run. Some other experts do not recommend the use of sugar because it can accelerate aging by binding to proteins such as collagen.
