Sweet, sweet sugar scrubs

They’re sweet, they’re fruity and they’re fun — but you can’t eat them.

Why?

Because the sweet sugary substance we’re here to talk about is not a dessert you eat, but rather a treat for your skin.

VALLEY’s taking a deep dive into all things sugar scrubs: what they are, their potential benefits and how to use them. Whether you’re a self-proclaimed beauty guru or a curious reader (we see you!) get ready to hop in the shower and into the world of sugar scrubs.

What Are Sugar Scrubs?

According to L’Oréal Paris, sugar scrubs are skin care products “formulated with sugar granules, which are used to help physically exfoliate that dead skin cell buildup.” A recent trend, they’re also being used and promoted by influencers and celebs. 

However, sugar scrubs should be treated as an occasional refreshment for your skin, meaning that you should only use them a few times per week. This is because too much can lead to dry and irritated skin — the opposite of what we want.

Since these products are made of sugar granules, your skin should look (and feel) soft and smooth after use. So for your next everything shower, grab a sugar scrub to incorporate some self-care into your routine and rejuvenate that post-winter dry skin.  

What Are The Benefits?

Body scrubs are more than just magic skin-smoothers. Healthline explains their additional benefits, which include leaving your skin more even, allowing your skin to absorb moisture better, preventing ingrown hair and unclogging pores. Who knew our love for sugar scrubs went deeper than the surface? (That pun was absolutely intended.)

L’Oréal Paris describes other benefits, such as removing other types of buildup and brightening your skin. They also explain how sugar scrubs are a gentler type of exfoliation, since the sugar granules melt onto your skin. This makes them the perfect product for our sensitive skin babes out there.

How Do You Use Them?

Using a sugar scrub is simple. The Body Shop describes a few easy steps for application:

First, prep your skin. This means getting your skin wet in the shower or bathtub for a little while so your pores will open up. This will allow your skin to receive the full benefits of the scrub. 

Next, apply a generous amount of your sugar scrub. Use circular motions as you massage and work the scrub into your skin, making sure to leave it on for a bit so the exfoliating particles have time to do their thing.

Now, it’s time to wash off the scrub with warm water. Repeat the massaging motions as you rinse away all of the remaining particles, and voilà! Your skin will feel rejuvenated, and you have just taken some time for some self-care. A two-in-one, if you will. (That’s the last soap pun, we promise.) 

A small addition to your skincare routine, sugar scrubs can help you achieve soft and glowy skin that feels healthy and looks incredible. Your skin will be perfect just in time for summer.

VALLEY’s Recs

Don’t worry, we wouldn’t dedicate an article to sugar scrubs without giving our recommendations.

VALLEY loves to hop on all the trends, so our first honorable mention is Tree Hut. Some of our tried-and-true scents are Tropic Glow, Lychee Kiss and Coco Colada, but they have many more fun options to choose from. 

Another incredible brand is DAISE, and you can often find their products at Target and Ulta. Transport yourself to a tropical bliss with scents like pineapple, pomegranate, melon and more. 

And if you don’t currently own a sugar scrub, our last recommendation is to go out and buy one, because you deserve to treat yourself and feel amazing. 

What’s your go-to sugar scrub? Let us know your favorites on Instagram, @VALLEYmag!

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