Spot the difference between salt and sugar scrub to exfoliate right

When it comes to skincare, exfoliation is an extremely beneficial technique to enhance radiance and help clear up your skin of any blemishes or scars. When exfoliating physically, sugar and/or salt are used as exfoliating ingredients, that helps to keep the dead skin cells away, clean the clogged pores of oil and dirt, and add glow to your skin.

What is scrubbing?

This method involves using an abrasive ingredient on the skin, such as sugar or salt. As per research published in the journal Functional Plant Science and Biotechnology, exfoliation produces soft, supple, re-energized skin and prevents premature skin ageing.

These ingredients help buff the skin and maybe harsh and coarse. So, while they can help with cleaning the skin pores, they could also contribute to micro-tears in the skin. Therefore, you should be mindful of your skin’s threshold to absorb the damage that may be caused by using these exfoliators.

How is a sugar scrub different from a salt scrub?

1. Size of the particles

Salt as a scrubbing ingredient boasts a large particle size and has sharp edges. Whereas, sugar particles are relatively smaller in size and have smooth round edges. So, sugar particles are more suited for sensitive skin, as they are less abrasive than salt.

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2. Properties and effect

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Sugar helps retain moisture of the skin as it prevents it from drying. It helps in hydrating your skin by drawing moisture from the natural environment to your skin cells. sugar is a good source of glycolic acid, which breaks the bonds between the outer layer of skin cells (dead skin cells included), creating a peeling effect that can make the skin appear smoother and even.

Due to the large particle size of salt and its abrasive nature, it can be used to remove the tough dead skin cells from dehydrated areas of the body. It also has trace minerals that work as natural purifiers and removes the toxins from the skin, thereby reducing inflammation.

Still confused?

When making a decision between the two ingredients, remember to assess the needs of your skin. For a gentler exfoliating effect, sugar is a good option, while salt can provide an additional detoxifying effect. Before making a decision, you should also consider consulting a dermatologist for the right approach as per your skin type.