This Is Exactly How To Use A Sugar Scrub - Byrdie

Maybe your like

CONFIDENCE, COMMUNITY, AND JOY

Subscribe Email Address Subscribe Thank you for signing up. Please enter a valid email address.

Skin
- Skincare Ingredients A-Z
- Skin Type
- Skin Concerns
- Sun Care
- Body
- Hair Removal
- Facecare
- Moisturizers
- Fragrance
- Devices
Makeup
- Tools and Techniques
- Face
- Eyes
- Lips
Hair
- Hair Care
- Hair Types
- Hair Concerns
- Scalp Care
- Hair Styling
- Hair Color
- Haircuts
Nails
Style
- Fashion Trends
- What to Wear
- Shoes
- Accessories
- Clothing and Apparel
News
- Celebrities
- Product and Brand News
- Trends and Innovation
What to Buy
- Shopping
- Amazon Picks
- Gift Guides
- Product Reviews
Health and Wellness
- Nutrition
- Mental Health and Mood
- Fitness
About Us
- The Byrdie Team
- Editorial Guidelines
- Contact Us

Email Address Subscribe Thank you for signing up. Please enter a valid email address.

Contact
Editorial Policy
Careers
Advertise
Terms of Use and Policies
Privacy Policy

Search Search Close search

If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

This Is the Right Way to Use a Sugar Scrub, According to Dermatologists By Jill DiDonato

Jill DiDonato Jill Di Donato is the Associate Editorial Operations Director Byrdie's Editorial Guidelines Updated on July 24, 2024 05:53PM Reviewed by Julia A. Siegel, MD

Reviewed by Julia A. Siegel, MD Julia A. Siegel, MD is a board-certified dermatologist based in Boston, Massachusetts. She is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology and has authored several peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters. About Byrdie's Beauty & Wellness Board Board-Certified Dermatologist In This Article View All In This Article

How Do Sugar Scrubs Work?
Are Sugar Scrubs Safe for Your Face?
Are Sugar Scrubs Safe for Your Lips?
Are Sugar Scrubs Safe for Your Body?
How to Use a Sugar Scrub on Your Body
Frequently Asked Questions

Sugar scrubs are one of the most luxe ways to exfoliate. From the sweet scents to the unmistakable texture, despite their ubiquity, these treatments have an undeniable way of making your bathroom feel like a spa. But despite how common they are, chances are you are probably using these scrubs all wrong. We tapped board-certified dermatologists Dendy Engelman, MD, and Karan Lal, MD; celebrity aesthetician Joshua Ross; and SpaRitual founder Shel Pink to weigh in on the right way to use a sugar scrub. Keep reading as they debunk common myths surrounding the beloved body product and more.

Meet the Experts

Dendy Engelman, MD, is a board-certified dermatologic surgeon with Shafer Clinic in New York City.
Karan Lal, MD, is a double-board certified adult and pediatric dermatologist and fellowship-trained cosmetic dermatologist.
Shel Pink is an author and the founder of the beauty brand SpaRitual.
Joshua Ross is a celebrity aesthetician and founder of West Hollywood’s SkinLab.

How Do Sugar Scrubs Work?

"A sugar scrub works by physically and manually exfoliating the skin," says celebrity aesthetician Joshua Ross. When it comes to exfoliating, there are two ways to get the job done: Chemical and physical. Chemical exfoliators contain ingredients such as glycolic, lactic, or salicylic acid to clear out pores and give you a smoother complexion.

Physical or mechanical exfoliators—like sugar scrubs—are made from tiny granules that do the heavy lifting, buffing away dead skin and encouraging cell turnover (hopefully) without leaving your skin raw or red. "Sugar acts like a mechanical exfoliant, gently wiping away dead skin cells on the top of your skin," board-certified dermatologist Dr. Karan Lal explains. "Plus, the sugar dissolves as you use it, so it's safer than using other mechanical beads."

Are Sugar Scrubs Safe for Your Face?

In short, sugar scrubs are not safe for your face. While Ross tells us that face and body sugar scrubs will differ in the number and grit of the particles—"A body scrub will have larger particles, and a face scrub will have smaller ones," he says—even tiny granules may damage sensitive facial tissue. "They can cause irritation and small scratches on the skin," Ross explains. "There isn't a sugar scrub I would recommend for the face. I think people are better off with a washcloth or mild chemical exfoliation."

Are Sugar Scrubs Safe for Your Lips?

Lips, however, can really benefit from the delights a sugar scrub can offer. "For all our lips do for us, we don't give them enough credit or care. In fact, our lips are primed to be dry and chapped because they have a lower density of oil glands and are in daily contact with saliva that contains alpha-amylase (a digestive enzyme that can break down skin)," board-certified dermatologist Dr. Dendy Engelman explains. Plus, because lips are always exposed, they "take a beating from the sun, the cold weather, wind, and heat," she adds.

To heal and soften lips, try exfoliating with a sugar scrub once a week—but be gentle, warns Engelman. "If your lips are feeling raw, you should stop immediately, as you are over-exfoliating," she cautions.

When using a lip scrub, avoid lip products with chemical plumping agents, which may be irritating. Instead, Engelman recommends looking for ingredients like "hyaluronic acid, madecassoside, and peptides" to boost hydration and stimulate collagen for a more natural plumping effect. And finally, wear a lip protectant with SPF. "Look for balms or formulations containing petroleum or beeswax to seal in moisture," Engelman advises.

Are Sugar Scrubs Safe for Your Body?

Exfoliating the body with a sugar scrub is not only safe but encouraged. SpaRitual founder Shel Pink explains that exfoliating your body helps break down and remove dead skin cells from the top layer of your skin, revealing healthy skin and texture beneath. Hydrating and moisturizing healthy cells (versus dead cells) may even translate to smoother skin; Pink notes a sugar scrub is ideal for "stimulating and increasing blood circulation" for a healthy glow. Both chemical and physical exfoliation help increase cellular turnover and keep skin fresh and supple.

How to Use a Sugar Scrub on Your Body

Prep the skin: Before using a sugar scrub, wash your skin with a body wash. Clean, damp skin is ripe for exfoliation. Pink even recommends exfoliating with a sugar scrub after you bathe, on towel-dried skin, for best results.
Massage in the scrub: Using your hands, massage the scrub into your skin in a circular motion. "Self-massage techniques have the added benefits of helping to improve circulation, tone skin, and reduce stress and anxiety," Pink says.
Focus on specific areas: Use a quarter-sized amount of sugar scrub—or, if you have sensitive skin, try a body polish, which has finer granules and is gentler. Target thicker skin like the knees, heels, and elbows, as these areas tend to dry out faster.
Repeat a few times a week: Lal believes you should exfoliate once or twice a week, and Pink agrees. "We recommend exfoliating your body one to two times per week for sensitive skin, two to three times per week for normal skin, and three to four times per week for oily skin," she says.
Protect Your Skin: Post-exfoliation, your skin is more susceptible to burning and UV damage. After using a scrub, apply adequate sunscreen before heading out.

FAQ

What are the benefits of a sugar scrub?
The benefits of a sugar scrub include removing dead skin, unveiling smoother, glowier skin, and boosting circulation.
How often should you use a sugar scrub?
Use a sugar scrub two times a week for the best results.
Is scrubbing with sugar good for skin?
Scrubbing the skin on your body with sugar can act as an exfoliant, removing dead skin cells, allowing your skin to look and feel soft and glowing. Scrubbing with sugar on the face, however, can cause irritation because the sugar granules are too abrasive.
Do you use a sugar scrub wet or dry?
According to our experts, clean, damp skin is the best canvas for a sugar scrub. If a sugar scrub is too dry or if it's applied on dry skin, it's going to feel rough and may even cause irritation.

Article Sources Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.

Rodan K, Fields K, Majewski G, Falla T. Skincare bootcamp: the evolving role of skincare. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2016;4(12 Suppl Anatomy and Safety in Cosmetic Medicine: Cosmetic Bootcamp):e1152. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000001152
Rodan K, Fields K, Majewski G, Falla T. Skincare bootcamp: the evolving role of skincare. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2016;4(12 Suppl Anatomy and Safety in Cosmetic Medicine: Cosmetic Bootcamp):e1152. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000001152