Sugar Sugar!

May 18, 2017
2 min read

How can something considered so bad by mere mention of its word actually be quite good for you? For years sugar has been exposed as the evil culprit leading to hormone imbalance, energy drainage, heart disease, tooth and gum decay, inflammation AND it is a cancer feeder!

But if you do some investigating, sugar also has tremendous benefits on your skin. It is a key ingredient in sugar scrubs, a natural exfoliant, that helps remove dead skin cells and rejuvenates the skin by cleaning the pores. Sugar scrubs are also much gentler than salt scrubs which have a drying effect on the skin. Sugar granules are smaller and rounder and less likely to cut the skin while exfoliating.

Sugar contains two components: glycolic acid and hydroxy acid. You usually hear these terms associated with anti-aging skincare and part of facial peels. These components or elements help maintain the skin's oil balance. The reason sugar has an anti-aging effect on your skin is because it cleans without stripping the protective layer which keeps toxins from attacking your skin cells. This slows down the aging process.

Here are a few easy recipes for fabulous sugar scrubs you can do at home. I use these essential oils in my recipes. Please note that sugar scrubs should not be used on your face unless you are using very fine granules such as packed soft brown sugar. Also, if you use your sugar scrub while showering exfoliating your legs and feet be very careful as the oils will make the floor slippery. I exfoliate my legs every morning while showering and they feel amazing!

Brown Sugar Scrub

1 cup brown sugar

.5 cups olive oil

Cinnamon

Ylang Ylang essential oil

Grapefruit essential oil

Lemon & Honey Scrub

1 cup cane sugar

.5 cups grapeseed oil

Lemon juice

Honey

Lime & Peppermint Scrub