Caring for the skin on your body is just as important as the skin on your face. If you’re always looking for the best ways to care for your skin and make it look as radiant and youthful as possible, you’ve likely heard of or tried a salt scrub or a sugar scrub.
Both types of exfoliants can be a great way to visibly brighten your complexion when combined with other high-quality body and face skincare products and a balanced skincare routine. Let’s learn the difference between these scrubs and how you can benefit from them.
What are Sugar Scrubs?
Sugar scrubs are any physical exfoliators that utilize sugar crystals in their formulas to buff dry skin that is making skin look dull and feel rough. Sugar scrubs are well-known for being gentle on skin, with smaller particles that are softer and dissolve easily in water. This makes sugar scrubs particularly helpful for people with sensitive skin.
What are Salt Scrubs?
Salt scrubs are exfoliating scrubs made with salt and tend to feel more abrasive. Salt scrubs can be used to exfoliate rougher areas, making them perfect to use before self-tanner applications or during a pedicure.
Whether you are using a salt scrub or sugar scrub, it is important not to rub too harshly when using these products, as overuse could lead to inflammation.
Benefits of Physical Exfoliation
Exfoliation uses small particles or textured tools to manually remove dead skin cells from the surface of your skin. While this may sound simple, it plays a crucial role in determining how your skin looks, feels, and how well your other products work.
Easier Product Absorption
The skin’s natural exfoliation process is known as desquamation. As skin cells travel through the skin layers, they become flatter and then eventually die and slough off. This skin renewal process takes about 28 days to cycle through, but as we age, that process slows down significantly. A combination of skin cell buildup and lack of moisture can leave skin looking dull and feeling rough.
Think of the outer layers of skin as brick and mortar. They are necessary to keep all the good stuff inside and the bad stuff, like pathogens, out. Dead skin cells are an important part of the skin barrier, but it is possible to have too much of a good thing. An overproduction of skin cells that the body is unable to slough off fast enough is called retention hyperkeratosis. Retention hyperkeratosis can lead to skin conditions like keratosis pilaris, acne, and ingrown hairs. Dry skin is characterized as lacking oils and moisture, resulting in dry scaly patches. Physical exfoliation helps to slough this buildup.
Physical exfoliation can be a good alternative to alpha hydroxy and beta hydroxy acids for individuals who are sensitive to chemical exfoliation. Chemical exfoliation works by dissolving the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. They can exfoliate deeper than physical exfoliators since they travel further through the epidermis; whereas physical exfoliators work on the surface. Physical exfoliators also do not make the skin more photosensitive, like chemical exfoliators, so you can use them year-round. Physical exfoliators can help prepare the skin for waxing when used a day or two before your appointment. Then use the scrub a couple times a week to keep ingrown hairs at bay between services. Exfoliating thicker-skinned areas like elbows, knees, and ankles before a spray tan will also help the tanner go on more evenly.
In addition to exfoliating the surface layer of dry dull skin, exfoliation makes it easier for your skin to absorb additional skincare products, such as body lotions. So, while it can help improve skin’s appearance, exfoliation’s most significant benefit might be how it enhances the effectiveness of other steps in your skincare routine.
Reduces The Appearance of Breakouts
As previously mentioned, excess dead skin cells increase the likelihood of breakouts and blackheads. Dead skin cell buildup in the follicle can trap dirt, oil, and bacteria, which may lead to acne lesions. Exfoliation is a necessary step to reduce the appearance of excess oil, dirt, and impurities for a clearer-looking complexion.
The Difference Between Sugar and Salt Scrubs
Both sugar and salt scrubs can be helpful when used regularly, but not everyone should use salt scrubs due to their higher degree of abrasiveness. Sugar scrubs are highly effective at physical exfoliation and can be mixed with other emollients and oils to help skin feel more moisturized. Salt scrubs offer a more robust exfoliation experience and are better for people with thicker and rougher skin.
Our Favorite Salt and Sugar Scrubs
Epicuren Discovery is proud to offer two excellent exfoliation scrubs that complement our other moisturizer formulas for daily skin care. Our body scrubs include the Mint Renewal White Sand Body Polish and the Cinnamon Vanilla Brown Sugar Polish. The mint scrub offers a refreshing, cooling sensation, while the cinnamon vanilla blend creates a warm, comforting aroma. Both provide a relaxing, spa-like experience as they visibly smooth and soften the skin.
Mint Renewal White Sand Body Polish
Invigorate your skin with the many benefits of a sugar-salt blend. Our sustainable blend of volcanic rock and Bora Bora sand creates a luxurious experience with the revitalizing aromas of mint and rosemary. The Mint Renewal White Sand Body Polish blends the moisturizing ingredients of Coconut Oil, Jojoba Seed Oil, and Shea Butter, which are known for their hydrating and conditioning properties. The result is a softer feeling and more luminous-looking skin.
Cinnamon Vanilla Brown Sugar Polish
Engage all your senses with this natural blend of coconut oil and brown sugar scented with vanilla and cinnamon. The Cinnamon Vanilla Brown Sugar Polish leaves skin looking radiant and smelling good enough to eat! Use this on your lips for a gentle exfoliation before applying lip balm before bed.. This product is also formulated with sugar and honey, which help support exfoliation and hydration of the skin.
High Quality Skincare Products From Epicuren Discovery
If you want to get the highest quality skincare products for your daily routine to help your skin look and feel its best, Epicuren Discovery is here to help. With cruelty-free formulas, it’s easier than ever to take your skincare to the next level. Take our Skin Quiz today to find out what products work best with your skin type and skin concerns.
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