Everyone wants to have a beautiful toned body and velvety skin. Cosmetic procedures with a self-made sugar scrub are very effective, have undeniable advantages, but there are contraindications. Sugar scrub is a product containing only natural ingredients for gentle and high-quality cleaning of the face and body from keratinized epidermal cells. The use of home cosmetics gives confidence in the absence of preservatives, dyes and other harmful components in it, saves finances, and is available at any time.
Benefits of a sugar scrub
Modern women, looking after their appearance and health, necessarily study the composition of purchased cosmetics. Now it is very fashionable to strive to use only natural products, without chemicals and preservatives. The “sweet” scrub, made with our own handles, is easy to use, and the result is soft, smooth skin that is pleasant to the touch.
A number of useful properties and benefits of a sugar scrub for face and body:
- Versatility … Good for all skin types equally. By adding the appropriate ingredients, you can create a formula that is most suitable for oily, normal or dry skin.
- Gentle cleansing … Dissolving during the procedure, sugar provides the softest, most delicate peeling.
- Quality care … Fructose in sugar has a wonderful effect on the condition of the skin. After peeling, it becomes velvety and radiant.
- Fat balance is normalized … Continuous use of the product maintains a balance between grease and dryness of the skin, while removing pore impurities and excess fat.
- Protection, nutrition … With regular use of a sugar scrub as a body care product, a thin film forms on the skin that protects it. Elbows and knees get rid of roughness, remain smooth for a long time, do not darken.
- Firming effect … A natural lifting of the skin is performed, it becomes tightened and elastic.
- Combating comedones … Regular removal of dead skin cells from the skin is the elimination and prevention of skin diseases caused by clogged pores with dirt and sebum (blackheads and white bumps). Light exfoliation will cleanse and tighten pores.
- Prevention of skin diseases … Various rashes, acne, acne most often appear as a result of inflammation of the sebaceous glands due to the constant accumulation of impurities on the skin, irregular, careless cleaning.
- Improving skin relief … Makes dermal defects such as cellulite, acne scars, stretch marks less noticeable. The blood flow to problem areas improves, the burning of excess fat is activated.
- Improving blood and lymph circulation … A light scrubbing massage induces blood flow to the skin surface. She looks fresher, her color improves.
- Anti-aging effect … Glycolic acid in cane sugar exfoliates dead cells, leaving new, youthful skin, brightens age spots.
- Moisturizing, restoring water balance … The indicator of tissue hydration increases, their turgor and elasticity increases. The addition of essential oils binds water and keeps it inside cells for a long time. The aging and aging of the skin is slowed down.
- No discomfort when applying … Sugar-based formulations do not cause itching, tingling, irritation of the epidermis. They can be used for minor skin damage (scratches, microcracks, peeling).
- Application safety … Sugar itself as the base of the scrub is absolutely harmless, so it can be used during pregnancy, breastfeeding.
All the beneficial qualities of a home cleanser will only manifest themselves with regular and correct use. Its healing and prophylactic properties can be enhanced with additives in accordance with the skin type and the intended purpose.
Contraindications to the use of sugar scrub
You can cleanse and even out with a sugar scrub the skin of the whole body, face and lips. When composing your own recipes or using the ones below, keep in mind that the popular natural, almost harmless remedy also has its own contraindications.
Cases in which it is undesirable and even dangerous to use a sugar face and body scrub:
- Problem skin during an exacerbation … If you have acne, pimples, then peeling is absolutely contraindicated. It is worth starting treatment, waiting for the inflammatory process to subside, and then starting procedures to eliminate the consequences. Otherwise, the abscesses will open, bacteria will enter them, the foci of inflammation and the rash will spread.
- Deep scratches, burns … The scrub further traumatizes damaged skin. An infection will get into open wounds, an inflammatory process may begin.
- Surface arrangement of capillaries … The thin walls of the capillaries can be damaged during peeling, which will provoke the appearance of spider veins.
- Allergy to related components … Allergy sufferers need to be careful when adding additional components to the scrub. If you have an intolerance to some products (coffee, honey, essential oils), then you need to choose an alternative with a suitable composition.
- Too sensitive skin … Even gentle mechanical action of sugar grains can injure delicate, thin skin. Such skin requires a special approach: use special formulations with oils, perform the procedure as rarely as possible, or abandon it altogether in case of a negative reaction of the epidermis.
If you do not have the above contraindications, feel free to start the fight for the beauty of your face and body using simple, affordable, inexpensive sugar scrubs. Important! It is worth remembering that scrubbing is a mechanical process of treating the skin, be sure to use a moisturizer after the procedure is completed, avoid exposure to the sun. It is advisable to cleanse in the evening before going to bed after water, pore-enlarging procedures, and apply sunscreen on your face during the day.
Composition and components of sugar scrub
The uniqueness of the "sweet" scrub is that the sugar contains simple, but extremely necessary and useful substances for the skin, acting quickly and efficiently.
Sugar belongs to a large group of carbohydrates. When exposed to water in an acidic environment, it breaks down into two elementary sugars: glucose (grape sugar) and fructose (fruit sugar). Their glued molecules form sucrose (disaccharide). Sugar is a set of sucrose molecules bound together in a lump.
Monosaccharides and disaccharides help maintain water balance, support skin nutrition. The content of macronutrients (calcium, sodium, potassium) and trace elements (iron) is very low.
The rejuvenating, moisturizing, mattifying effect of sugar is explained by its chemical composition:
- Glycolic acid … Retains water in the cells of the epidermis, promotes the formation of collagen and elastin, perfectly processes the skin at the cell level, increases its protective functions. It is a premium anti-aging and exfoliating agent.
- Rhamnose monosaccharide … Regenerates collagen fibers, as a result of which wrinkles are straightened, contours are tightened.
- Tenzin … Normalizes the function of the glands of external secretion, which makes the pores shrink, the appearance of acne is prevented.
- Monosaccharide dihydroxyacetone … Promotes a healthy complexion and body, leaving them slightly tanned.
Any type of sweet product is suitable for making a scrub: white, brown (cane), maple, malt sugar, but we give the palm to brown. Cane sugar contains molasses, which makes it smell great, and glycolic acid.
Sugar face scrub recipes
Due to its structure, sugar itself is the best natural scrub. Small abrasive particles make it an excellent base, and additional components, selected in accordance with the wishes of the creator, give a wide field of activity for experiment.
Sugar and honey face scrub
Sugar and honey scrub masks are good for all skin types, but are especially beneficial for mature and aging skin. From tired and pale, she will turn into radiant, renewed and fit. There is nothing easier than making a facial scrub at home with just two ingredients - sugar and honey. To enhance the effect, use the following products:
- With oatmeal … Add a spoonful of high-quality honey to two tablespoons of pre-cooked and slightly cooled oatmeal in milk. Add a spoonful of granulated sugar to the resulting mass. Do not hesitate to apply to cleansed and moisturized face skin, gently massaging for 5 minutes. Leave the scrub mask to work for another 15 minutes, then remove with cool water.
- With yolk … Combine a teaspoon of honey and raw yolk, stir thoroughly, add a tablespoon of sugar. The mask is applied in the same way as the previous one, on a clean, damp face with light massage movements. Wash it off after a quarter of an hour.
- With vegetable oil … Mix half a teaspoon of honey with a tablespoon of any vegetable oil. Add a spoonful of fine granulated sugar, immediately spread on moisturized face skin, gently massaging with your fingertips. Wash off with warm water without soap. This scrub can be applied to lips too. They will become moist, tender and juicy. The product is suitable for dry skin.
Important! Make sure you are not allergic to honey before using the scrub. To do this, first check the product on the wrist or the inner surface of the elbow.
Coffee and sugar face scrub
The cleansing and toning properties of sugar can be enhanced with ground coffee. After applying the composition, the skin acquires a pink fresh color due to increased blood microcirculation and the tonic effect of natural coffee.
Prepare one of the following coffee-based products for your skin type:
- For dry skin … Mix equal parts natural freshly ground coffee with sugar. Just a teaspoon of bulk products is enough. Add one of the emollients to them: sour cream, butter or yolk in a volume equal to one tablespoon.
- For oily skin … To a teaspoon of a mixture of sugar and coffee, add a tablespoon of an ingredient that removes the greasy shine of the skin and tightens the pores: the protein of a raw egg, any fermented milk product, calendula oil (St. John's wort, grape seed).
- For normal skin … Refresh your skin with a coffee-nut sugar scrub. Finely ground dry ingredients can be prepared in advance and stored in a glass jar with a well-closing lid. When using, add any liquid ingredient: oils, honey, dairy products or cleanser.
Important! The main thing is that the sugar and coffee in the scrub are well ground, do this with a mill or coffee grinder.
Sugar scrub with natural antiseptics
Sugar is a gentle abrasive substance, in combination with additional ingredients, it works wonders, helping to get rid of some dermis imperfections. The following components of a sugar scrub are effective for treating problem skin:
- Tea tree essential oils … An excellent antiseptic. This feature makes it a good sugar companion. It is suitable for acne prone skin, in the absence of open wounds. Gentle application is recommended, without traumatizing inflammation.
- Herbs (calendula, celandine) … Steamed in boiling water in combination with sugar, herbs become an excellent means of exfoliating unclean skin.
- Salt … The combination of the two polar components in the scrub creates an antibacterial agent. The binder can be regular facial cleanser or shaving cream.
Do not overuse exfoliation. You should not rush and, in order to achieve a quick result, apply the scrub too often, especially in winter - the skin will not have time to renew itself and will become unprotected. Enough once a week.
Sugar Body Scrub Recipes
Not only the face, but also the body needs daily care. Sugar scrub contributes to the constant renewal of the epithelium. Regular removal of the stratum corneum from the skin surface is the surest way to enhance regeneration.
Coffee sugar body scrub
Coffee invigorates, tones up, has an aroma preferred by most women. It is simple to prepare a scrub, the main thing is not to use it before bed, so as not to provoke insomnia.
Coffee Sugar Body Scrub Recipes:
- With butter … The simplest body scrub can be made by mixing equal parts sugar, finely ground coffee and butter. Any preferred oil will do - almond, olive, coconut, grape seed, jojoba (mineral and baby oils tend to clog pores). This composition is indicated for normal or dry skin. It nourishes, moisturizes and softens the skin.
- With honey and vitamin E … Combine dry ingredients: brown and white sugar, taking each? teacup, 3 tablespoons of finely ground coffee. Add 5 spoonfuls of any two vegetable oils. Ideal: jojoba and almond, but simple ones are also suitable: soy, sunflower or corn. Into the resulting gruel, add 2 tablespoons of good honey and 1 tablespoon of vitamin E. The scrub gently cleanses and nourishes dry skin of the body, makes knees and elbows tender.
- With sour cream … Combine 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon of freshly ground coffee or 2 tablespoons of drunken grounds and 2 tablespoons of sour cream. The fat content of sour cream is determined by the type of skin: for dry - the highest percentage, for oily - minimal or completely fat-free. This product gently cleanses the skin and improves its color.
Sugar scrub with vegetables, berries and fruits
You can diversify the scrub with various fruit or vegetable additives in summer and winter. The bright sun is beneficial and at the same time detrimental to the delicate skin of the body. Frost dries up and causes peeling. Fruit acid cleans pores well, refreshes and invigorates. Get the effect of dry cleaning, and the costs are incomparably lower.
We offer several recipes for scrubs based on fruits, berries and vegetables:
- With tomato … Wonderful summer remedy thanks to the alpha hydroxy acids in tomatoes. Refreshes the dermis, destroys the "glue" that holds dead cells together, freeing up space for new ones. Chop a tomato, add a quarter cup of sugar, after 1-2 minutes, mix with two tablespoons of low-fat sour cream or natural yogurt. Massage your face with a scrub, rinse off after 10 minutes.
- With potatoes … Squeeze the juice from one raw potato, previously peeled and finely grated. Mash brown sugar (3-4 tablespoons) with one yolk, add potato juice. After peeling, do not rinse for 5-7 minutes.
- With orange … Prepare products:? part of a cup of sugar, two tablespoons of sour cream suitable for your skin type, peel and chop one medium-sized orange. First whisk the orange and sour cream in a blender or by hand, and then add the sugar. The mask is applied to the face and body for 7 minutes, then rubbed in with massage movements, removed with warm water.
- With cranberries … Grind 2 tablespoons of oatmeal and mix with a quarter cup of any fine sugar. Mash half a cup of cranberries (can be defrosted) and combine with? cups of any vegetable oil. Use a blender to obtain a paste-like structure. Apply along the massage lines of the face and body in gentle circular motions.
- With lemon … Mix half a cup of cane sugar with the same amount of fine salt (ideally sea salt). Add a tablespoon each of the following ingredients: natural honey, coconut oil (olive), freshly squeezed lemon juice. Mix ingredients until smooth. If you are allergic to honey, replace it with sour cream or milk (? Cups). Apply immediately.
- With sea buckthorn … A wonderful scrub with the aroma of sea buckthorn and vanilla for delicate, satin skin has the following composition: the right amount of cane sugar (usually 1-2 glasses), 5-6 tablespoons of olive oil, 3 tablespoons of crushed sea buckthorn, a teaspoon of vanillin. Mix everything. Massage the steamed body with intense movements with a scrub. Leave it to act on nutrients for 10-15 minutes, then rinse with warm water.
- With banana … Use a ripe banana, three tablespoons of sugar, and a few drops of your favorite essential oil to make an incredibly effective DIY sugar body scrub. Bananas contain a significant amount of vitamins (A, C, E), trace elements and iron, have a suitable structure and are practically non-allergic. The scrub soothes, nourishes, moisturizes, and gently exfoliates the skin.
Sugar body scrub for cellulite with oils
The owners of the "orange peel" must fight the main enemy in all directions at once: engage in special exercises, follow a diet and do not forget about cosmetics for cleansing the skin. The inclusion of natural scrubs in the body care system will bring you closer to ideal faster.
Here is a list of the most effective recipes for a successful fight against cellulite:
- With essential oils … Combine the required amount of sugar with olive oil and add a little orange or grapefruit oil. Whisk the paste. Rub the composition into the skin with vigorous massage movements. If you want to get rid of stretch marks along the way, lemon balm oil will help you.
- With spices … The warming anti-cellulite scrub improves blood flow to the surface of the skin, accelerating, it causes smoothing of problem areas. To prepare the product, you will need the following loose "seasonings": cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger (2 tablespoons each). Mix in a glass of each type of sugar - brown and white, a mixture of spices and? cups of butter (almond or any other vegetable), then beat the mass with a whisk or mixer. Add 40 drops of cardamom oil while stirring continuously. Such a composition can be stored for future use in a tightly closed jar. It is perfect for the cold autumn season.
- Scrub "Lakshmi" … Mix half a glass of sugar and salt with olive oil, adding it gradually, stirring continuously until a paste forms. Prepare a mixture of essential oils in advance to enhance the effect: lavender, juniper, geranium, eucalyptus, lime, orange. Grind the spices in a coffee grinder: cardamom and cloves in 4 pieces, turmeric - 1/3 spoon, anise seed, a little ginger and coriander, a little cinnamon. Warm up in a water bath? cups of honey, add spices, sugar-oil mixture, a spoonful of ghee into it. After 5 minutes of massage, do not rinse the composition for 20 minutes, then remove with warm water without soap using corn or oatmeal.
How to make a sugar cocoa body scrub
Coffee and cocoa improve metabolism, remove excess fluid from the body. Here are the recipes for effective scrubs based on them:
- With sour cream … Take a spoonful of cocoa, add two tablespoons of sugar and the same amount of sour cream. Mix immediately and exfoliate the body immediately, following the bloodstream (from the limbs up the body to the heart).
- With grape seeds … The popular, long-standing scrub for cellulite removal consists of grape seeds (2 tablespoons), sugar (1 spoon), sea salt (1 spoon) and cocoa (1 spoon). You can combine sugar with crushed seeds and coffee (you can replace it with salt), adding any cosmetic or vegetable oil (5 drops), sour cream, cream or honey (3-4 tablespoons) as a binder.
- With cinnamon and honey … Cinnamon provides the composition with antioxidants and tannins, honey - increases perspiration. Combine a glass of sugar with a spoonful of thin honey, add half a glass of cocoa, a spoonful of cinnamon. Mix everything, adding olive oil, until you get a gruel (about 2 tablespoons). The last binding piece is 1-2 tablespoons of liquid soap, without a strong fragrance, which does not dry the skin. Place the resulting scrub in a preservation jar. It looks indistinguishable from an expensive chocolate remedy.
Improvise by combining sugar scrub fillings. For a comfortable exfoliation, apply the paste with a special massage glove on your hand. Steam your skin in a hot shower before proceeding. Afterwards, lubricate with moisturizing or nourishing cream.
If the prepared amount of scrub is not enough, then the next time proportionally increase the mass of each of its ingredients. Perform procedures with an anti-cellulite composition 2 times a week, and in winter - 1 time.
Important! The scrubs are applied to cleansed, damp skin immediately after preparation to avoid dissolving the sugar grains. Prepare a sugar body scrub just before applying. How to make a sugar scrub - watch the video:
Follow the recipes given, add your own ingredients to the sugar scrub, do not be afraid to experiment - and in a short time you will be rewarded with radiant, smooth, tender skin like a baby's.
