If you're looking for a way to exfoliate and rejuvenate your skin, a sugar scrub might be just what you need. It's one of the few things in life that's fast, cheap, and good. Yes, this is the one time you should totally be reaching for the sugar jar!
With just a few simple kitchen ingredients you can remove dead skin cells, unclog pores, and leave your skin feeling soft and smooth.
Sugar Scrub Benefits
1. Exfoliate dead skin
Despite their simplicity, sugar scrubs are a great way to keep your skin looking healthy and vibrant while gently exfoliating away dead cells and increasing skin cell turnover, explains Shannon Irene, a bi-coastal esthetician.
"Because sugar scrubs can remove dull or dry skin and increase blood circulation in the body, they help improve the skin’s appearance, leaving it smooth and soft," she says. "The gentle exfoliation that occurs when you use a sugar scrub also allows your skincare products to penetrate more effectively and nourish the skin."
2. Moisturize dry skin
Depending on the ingredients in your scrub formula, they can also help moisturize the skin. Carrier oils like coconut, jojoba, grapeseed, or almond improve overall skin hydration while sugar is a humectant to lock in moisture.
If you struggle with dullness, dry skin, or ashiness, incorporating an extra rich whipped shea butter sugar scrub into your shower routine may be helpful.
3. Boost skin circulation
Sugar scrubs are also a great way to improve circulation in your skin. The gentle massage that comes with applying a sugar scrub can help increase blood flow to your skin, which can help give you a healthy glow.
4. Improve skin texture
Another reason to use a sugar scrub is that it can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. By removing dead skin cells and promoting the growth of new skin cells, sugar scrubs can help improve the texture and tone of your skin, making it look more youthful and vibrant.
Sugar Scrub Recipes for Head to Toe Exfoliation
Sugar scrubs are not one size fits all. You can customize with different oils and essential oils to nourish skin and experiment with different types of sugar, such as white, brown, or coconut sugar.
Different sugars may have additional benefits and uses depending on their mineral content and granule size. Here's a simple guide on what sugar to use where:
For Scalp: Brown Sugar Scrubs
Brown sugar is a finer-grained sugar that's great for scalp scrubs because it's gentle on the skin and is excellent for almost every skin type—especially those with sensitive skin.
"Brown sugar blends into the skin easily and may leave it a bit sticky, so be sure to rinse thoroughly after exfoliating," says Irene.
ACV Sugar Scalp Scrub
The brown sugar scalp scrub exfoliates and helps remove product buildup, while the coconut oil moisturizes and the apple cider vinegar and peppermint essential oil clarify and refresh.
—¼ cup brown sugar
—2 tablespoons coconut oil
—1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
—5 drops peppermint essential oil
Mix all ingredients together until well combined. Apply to scalp and massage gently in a circular motion. Rinse off with warm water and follow with shampoo and conditioner as usual.
For Face: Caster Sugar Scrubs
Caster sugar, also called sanding sugar, is a superfine white sugar often used in baking. Caster sugar has finer granules than white granulated or brown sugar, making it ideal for a sugar scrub for your face or anywhere you might have dry skin. It's especially great for the face, neck, chest, and back of the hands since it polishes sensitive skin without being too harsh or abrasive.
Lemon Sugar Face Scrub
The caster sugar gently exfoliates while the avocado oil and honey moisturize, and the lemon juice helps brighten and even out skin tone.
—¼ cup caster sugar
—2 tablespoons avocado oil
—1 tablespoon honey
—1 tablespoon lemon juice
Mix all ingredients together until well combined. Apply to face and massage gently in a circular motion. Rinse off with warm water.
For Lips: Brown Sugar Scrubs
Unlike some other sugars, brown sugar is a superfine grain, so it's naturally gentle on sensitive lip skin and won't cause microscopic tears that can worsen inflammation and irritation.
If stored properly, brown sugar is also pretty soft because it contains molasses, a natural humectant that draws in moisture and locks it in. When used as a scrub, that extra moisture then gets transferred to your skin, guarding it against germs and toxins and keeping it looking healthy, nourished, and glowing.
Lastly, brown sugar contains glycolic acid, an antibacterial and exfoliating agent that keeps acne in check and improves the look and feel of skin. Like the other alpha-hydroxy acids, it helps improve sun damage and give aging skin a boost [source].
Olive Oil Sugar Scrub
The brown sugar gently exfoliates while the honey and olive oil moisturize, and the cinnamon gives this scrub a delicious flavor.
—¼ cup brown sugar
—1 tablespoon honey
—1 tablespoon olive oil
—¼ teaspoon cinnamon
Mix all ingredients together until well combined. Apply to lips and massage gently in a circular motion. Rinse off with warm water.
For Hands: White Granulated Sugar Scrubs
Regular white sugar is the most common type used in sugar scrubs. It is a gentle exfoliant that helps remove dead skin cells, promoting smoother and brighter-looking skin.
White granulated sugar is slightly more abrasive than brown sugar, making it ideal for the body and, if your skin isn't particularly sensitive, the face. If your skin is prone to being dry and itchy, white sugar is great for buffing away flakes, improving circulation, and increasing cell turnover, so your skin will look fresh and healthy.
Almond Sugar Scrub
The vanilla and almond extracts give this scrub a delicious scent, while the white sugar gently exfoliates and the coconut oil moisturizes.
—1 cup white granulated sugar
—½ cup coconut oil
—1 tablespoon vanilla extract
—1 tablespoon almond extract
Mix all ingredients together until well combined. Apply to damp skin and massage gently in a circular motion. Rinse off with warm water.
Heather Vanilla Sugar Body Scrub
Adding things like heather blossoms, vanilla beans, and essential oils to white sugar scrub recipes makes them smell amazing and also helps tighten the skin and soothe itchiness.
—1 cup white granulated sugar
—¼ cup oil
—10 drops sweet orange, jasmine, or rose essential oils
—Seeds from 1 vanilla bean
—1 tablespoon dried heather blossoms (you can also use lavender or rose petals)
—1 small wide-mouth glass jar
Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and stir well. Apply the mixture to your skin and massage in a gentle, circular motion to remove flakes. Rinse well. Store any remaining scrub in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
For Legs: Cane Sugar Scrubs
Cane sugar is the unrefined version of white granulated sugar that is ideal for use in leg and foot scrubs. Much like coconut sugar, it's slightly coarse helps remove dead skin cells and rough patches, leaving them feeling soft and smooth.
Because it hasn't been stripped of its nutrients, it can also help replenish vitamins and minerals. Use it in body and foot scrubs to your heart's content, but avoid the face and neck if you're worried about irritation.
Pineapple Cane Sugar Scrub
—1-½ cups cane sugar
—½ cup walnut or coconut oil
—½ cup pineapple puree (about ¼ to ½ of a pineapple)
Depending on the size of your pineapple, you may need ¼ to ½ of the pineapple fruit to create ½ cup of puree. Take cut pieces of the pineapple, and place them in a blender or food processor. Puree until a smooth consistency and then place into a mixing bowl.
Add the cane sugar and walnut oil into the bowl. (If you have a nut allergy, feel free to swap out the walnut oil for coconut oil or extra virgin olive oil.)
Mix with a spoon thoroughly and for your next shower or bath, scrub the mixture onto your body, taking extra time at your knees and other dry areas. Rinse with warm water.
Peppermint Sugar Scrub Recipe
The cane sugar gently exfoliates while the coconut oil moisturizes, and the peppermint extract and tea tree oil help refresh and soothe tired feet.
—1 cup cane sugar
—½ cup coconut oil
—1 tablespoon peppermint extract
—1 tablespoon tea tree oil
Mix all ingredients together until well combined. Apply to damp legs and massage gently in a circular motion. Rinse off with warm water.
For Feet: Raw Sugar Scrubs
Turbinado, or raw sugar, is the coarsest of all the sugars, so it's best reserved for the toughest skin areas like the feet. Although it's not as gentle as other sugars, turbinado sugar makes tackling tough flaky skin a breeze.
Raw sugar is an excellent natural exfoliant that is rich in minerals, vitamins, and enzymes. It helps remove dead skin cells and promote cell turnover, revealing smoother and brighter-looking skin. Combine it with nourishing essential oils to add moisture, and use a light touch—even on the feet—so you don't end up with tender skin when all's said and done
Raw Sugar Scrub Recipe
The raw sugar exfoliates while the olive oil moisturizes, and the grapefruit zest and eucalyptus essential oil give this scrub a refreshing scent.
—1 cup turbinabo (or raw) sugar
—½ cup olive oil
—1 tablespoon grapefruit zest
—5 drops eucalyptus essential oil
Mix all ingredients together until well combined. Apply to damp legs and massage gently in a circular motion. Rinse off with warm water.
Vitamin E Sugar Scrub Recipe
Use this scrub in the bath or shower to exfoliate, moisturize, and soothe feet, knees, elbows, and other areas with less sensitive skin.
—1 cup turbinado sugar
—¼ cup olive oil
—10 drops geranium essential oil
—½ teaspoon cinnamon
—½ teaspoon vitamin E oil
—¼ cup milk
Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl and mix well. Transfer the scrub to a glass bottle and store any remaining scrub in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
For KP + Ingrown Hairs: Coconut Sugar Scrub
Coconut sugar is a natural source of glycolic acid, which helps exfoliate the skin and promote cell turnover. It is also rich in antioxidants, which can help protect the skin from environmental stressors.
While not used nearly as often as brown and white sugars in these recipes, coconut sugar makes a wonderful scrub because it contains a slew of vitamins and minerals essential to skin health. Despite the name, coconut sugar isn't a sugar in the traditional sense. It's actually the dehydrated and boiled sap of the coconut palm tree, which is just ground into a fine sugar-like consistency.
Coconut sugar benefits
Coconut sugar is much less refined than white sugar, which makes it a great alternative for people who want to use a more minimally processed ingredient, notes Olivia Rose, N.D., a Toronto-based naturopathic doctor and founder and CEO of ReLiv Organics. Coconut sugar contains antioxidants, but it is drier than brown and white sugar, which may not be great for exfoliating your face. It also costs more than brown and white sugar.
Because it's not refined like other sugars, it can be a little too coarse for sensitive skin such as the face, neck, and chest. Instead, it's best used on the arms and legs to fight flakes, improve circulation, and get rid of common skin conditions like ingrown hairs.
One of the main benefits of coconut sugar is that it naturally cleanses skin and breaks down dead skin cells that can exacerbate skin conditions such as keratosis pilaris. And when used regularly, it can help unclog pores and keep skin clean. It also improves the look and feel of the skin and replenishes minerals that have been stripped by soap or hot water.
KP Sugar Scrub Recipe
The coconut sugar exfoliates while the coconut oil moisturizes, and the lime juice and fresh mint leaves give this scrub a refreshing scent.
—1 cup coconut sugar
—½ cup coconut oil
—1 tablespoon lime juice
—1 tablespoon fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
Mix all ingredients together until well combined. Apply to damp legs and massage gently in a circular motion. Rinse off with warm water.
Circulation-Boosting Ginger Sugar Scrub
—1 cup coconut sugar
—½ cup coconut oil
—½ teaspoon vitamin E oil
—1 teaspoon powdered ginger
—8-ounce glass jar with lid
Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl and stir well. Apply to the skin and massage in a gentle, circular motion to remove flakes. Rinse well. Store any remaining scrub in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of using a sugar scrub?
Using a sugar scrub can help to remove dead skin cells, improve circulation, and leave your skin feeling soft and smooth. It can also help to unclog pores and prevent ingrown hairs.
How often should I use a sugar scrub?
You should use a sugar scrub 1-2 times per week, depending on your skin type. If you have sensitive skin, you may want to use it less frequently.
Can I make my own sugar scrub?
Yes, you can make your own sugar scrub using simple ingredients like sugar, oil, and essential oils. There are many different recipes available online, so you can find one that works for you.
What kind of sugar should I use?
You can use white sugar, brown sugar, or coconut sugar in your sugar scrub. Brown sugar is the most gentle, while white sugar is the most abrasive. Coconut sugar is a good middle ground.
What kind of oil should I use?
You can use a variety of carrier oils in your sugar scrub, including coconut oil, almond oil, and jojoba oil. Choose an oil that works well with your skin type and has moisturizing properties.
This post was medically reviewed by Dr. Jennifer Haley, a board-certified dermatologist with extensive experience in medical, cosmetic, and surgical dermatology. Learn more about Hello Glow’s medical reviewers here. As always, this is not personal medical advice, and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.
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