From head to toe, body exfoliation offers multiple benefits. And different types of scrubs are available to pull off this errand. However, every scrub out there on the drug store might not be best suited for you. For instance, sugar and salt scrubs are a cherry on the top for body exfoliatin, but they suffice differently. So, picking between salt scrub vs sugar scrub can be handy for you and your skin.
Salt scrubs perform more abrasive actions because their granules have sharper edges. However, sugar scrubs are more gentle to the skin since their smidges are round and least mordant.
If you are a skincare aficionado, you must be mindful of the benefits, exfoliation proffers. It increases cell turnover, has anti-aging effects, and unclogs the pores. After undergoing an exfoliation, your skin will be plain sailing, and all of the skincare products like serums, moisturizers, and SPF will be better absorbed.
In this article, I will be putting forward the distinct features of both types of skin exfoliators that will help you choose between sugar scrubs vs salt scrubs.
What is the Difference Between Sugar and Salt Scrubs?
Salt scrubs are made up of pure salt crystals obtained from the Mediterranean sea, Himalayan mountains, and the Dead sea. Their sharp edges granules are best for sloughing off the dead skin from the rough areas of the body.
In addition to exfoliation, salt scrubs offer some therapeutic benefits as well. They contain trace minerals like magnesium, copper, iron, and calcium, which cash in your skin in multiple ways.
Contrarily, sugar scrubs are formulated with rounded sugar crumbs. Therefore, they are good to be used on the more sensitive skin like on the face, arms, and chest area. They provide you with smooth and glowing skin through gentle exfoliation.
Furthermore, both sugar scrub and salt scrub may contain some other beneficial components as well. Because when produced at industrial levels, cosmetic companies add axillary vitamins and minerals to come up with extra benefits.
How to Choose Between Salt scrub vs Sugar Scrub
It is crucial to comprehend that different parts of your body have varying skin sensitivity. The most sensitive skin parts are of your face and scalp.
Conversely, the skin around joints and on feet is rough and comparatively less sensitive. So, you can choose between salt scrub vs. sugar scrub according to the intended area of their use.
Also Read: Best Anti-Aging Facials to Achieve Ultimate Youthful Skin
Salt Scrub for Rough Areas of the Body
As I have explained before that salt scrubs have grittier granules. Therefore, they can be harsh to your skin and can cause breakouts.
So, a salt scrub is effective in steamrolling the rough areas around your elbows, knees, and feet. Also, It can be used on legs and arms as long as you rub them lightly. However, I will not suggest salt scrubs for these body parts.
The only case you can apply salt scrub on your sensitive body parts is to remove stretch marks because it increases blood circulation and induces collagen production.
I have been asked many times if we can use salt scrubs on our faces. My answer is no! They can cause micro-tears on your face that will cause scarring all over the face. There are scrubs solely intended for face in the market.
Use Sugar Scrubs on Sensitive Body Parts Other Than The Face
While sugar scrubs are less abrasive than salt scrubs, their unrefined version can be scratchier. Employ sugar scrubs on every part of the body except the face.
They contain glycolic acid (weaker) that helps in removing the dead skin cells and keeping skin moist. Exfoliating your body with sugar scrubs will create an appearance more glowing and smoother.
Do not confuse the honey sugar scrubs used for exfoliating lips and face with common sugar scrubs.
How Often Can You Scrub Your Body?
The exfoliation procedure is something recommended by experts when you are eyeing youthful skin. However, using the scrub on your skin more than once or twice a week can be damaging. But, In some cases, it depends on task requirements like removing stretch marks necessitate two to three times exfoliation of the intended areas.
Benefits of Salt and Sugar Scrubs
Sugar scrubs serve the purpose of manual exfoliation that includes the following benefits for your skin:
- Sugar scrub gently removes dead cells that piled up on the skin to make it look dull
- It removes the ingrown hair
- It promotes clearer, smooth, and soft skin
- Before hair removal application of it helps in doing the job easily
- Moisturizers and serums are efficiently absorbed after exfoliation
- Dead skin removal aids in getting rid of hyperpigmentation
Along with all the above-mentioned benefits of sugar scrub, salt scrub offers some extra advantages. Due to the minerals present in it, salt scrub
- Reduces inflammation
- Increases blood circulation
- Enhances cell turnover
- Replenishes the fresh skin by reducing stretch marks
- Carries some antibacterial properties as well
How to Make DIY Sugar and Salt Scrubs For The Body?
As we have put forward earlier, sugar scrubs are a better option as an exfoliating agent than salt scrub for your sensitive body parts like arms, thighs, buttocks, stomach, and chest.
So, if you are running low on budget or are unsure whether to use commercially available products or not, we have contrived some of the best DIY sugar scrubs recipes for you. Their ingredients are completely organic, and often, they steal a march on cosmetic store products.
1. Brown Sugar Scrub Recipe
This recipe will take 5 minutes of your time and will yield an 8 oz. exfoliating sugar scrub. You should have the following tools and ingredients for it:
Tools
- A medium-sized jar with a lid
- Measuring cup or digital scale
- Medium-sized 2 bowls
- Spoon
Ingredients
- 7 oz. organic brown sugar
- Half of the standard size lemon
- 1 oz. organic olive oil
Preparation Steps
- Weigh the organic brown sugar and olive oil into separate bowls and cut the lemon in half
- Combine olive oil and brown sugar and partially stir with the spoon
- Squeeze the half lemon into partially mixed brown sugar and olive and stir until they blend completely. Look out for lemon seeds before mixing and take them out.
- Clean your skin in the shower and then apply an adequate amount of scrub to the wet skin in a circular motion.
2. Vanilla Latte Sugar Scrub
Coffee and vanilla embody vitamins and minerals that have multiple benefits for your skin. They have anti-aging and inflammation effects and help reduce acne, fine lines, and cellulite.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup Brown Organic Sugar
- 3 tbsp Coconut Oil
- 2 tbsp Coffee Grounds
- 2 tbsp Honey
- Half tbsp Vanilla Extract
Preparation Steps
- Take a small size bowl and add 1/4 cup of brown sugar to it
- Add 2 tbsp coffee grounds and partially mix them with a spoon
- Add coconut oil, honey, and vanilla extract one after another, and then mix all ingredient well until mixed perfectly
- Your Vanilla Latte Sugar Scrub is ready, store it into the clean jar with a lid
3. Organic DIY Salt Scrub For Body
The following recipe of the salt scrub is intended to be used on rough body parts like knee joints, ankles, feet, and elbow joints. As we have mentioned before, one should restrain from employing salt scrubs on sensitive areas of the body.
Ingredients
- 7 oz. good quality salt (Himalayan or Meditteranean)
- Avocado Oil 2 oz.
- 2 tbsp Purple Brazilian Clay
- Orange peel powder 1 tbsp
- Sea Clay 1 tbsp
- Lavender Essential Oil 1 oz.
Preparation Steps
- Add salt to a medium-sized bowl and then append avocado oil into it. Mix them partially
- Add purple Brazilian clay, orange peel powder, sea clay, and lavender oil in succession
- Stir all of the ingredients well to make a perfect mixture. After agitating, your salt scrub will be ready for use
Wrapping Up
When it comes to body exfoliation one has to choose between salt scrub vs sugar scrub. Both are great choices with distinct profound benefits. Pertaining to body parts like arms, thighs, buttocks, chest, abdomen, and legs, sugar scrubs bring about more gains without causing any damage. Contrariwise, salt scrubs take a leap for rough body areas.
