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While consuming sugar is bad for your waistline, the granulated form of sugar has some uses topically. Sugar is a sweet, grainy ingredient extracted from sugar cane or sugar beets. The main use for sugar in topical skincare products is as an exfoliant in sugar scrubs.
Sugar scrubs are great for exfoliating and getting rid of dead skin. Exfoliation is a great habit to address acne, blackheads, whiteheads, clogged pores. The large granules of sugar physically scrub out dead skin cells. This leaves the skin feeling and looking smoother. Sugar is relatively inexpensive and easily available, so many people will use sugar in DIY exfoliants.
Sugar scrubs can be a little harsh, so it’s better to use a gentler method of exfoliation. Using something coarse like sugar can cause mini tears to form on the skin surface, through which bacteria can enter and cause issues such as acne. In addition, using a sugar scrub too often can irritate your skin. If you’re looking for a gentler exfoliant for your skin, try our skin quiz.
Pigmentation is simply skin’s coloration, determined by the amount of melanin produced by the skin cells. This umbrella term can include a wide variety of skin pigmentation disorders that can affect small or large areas of the skin. It includes genetic conditions, as well as environmental ones, such as sunspots or liver spots. Hyperpigmentation, for example, refers to a darkening of the skin, such as with age spots and sunspots.
To prevent discoloration from damaging UV, it’s best to moisturize daily and wear sunscreen. Additionally, antioxidants protect the skin from free radicals that damage cells and speed up aging. Ingredients and nutrients like acai oil, alpha-lipoic acid, jojoba oil, green tea extract, retinol/vitamin A, coenzyme Q10, caffeine, alpha-hydroxy acid and salicylic acid are all beneficial for preventing and reducing the appearance of hyperpigmentation. Vitamin C is also a good brightening agent for hyperpigmentation. Hydrolyzed collagen also enhances the appearance of dull or damaged skin by reducing flaking and restoring the overall vitality of the skin.
Sugar may be effective for pigmentation, but there are many other factors that may affect whether this ingredient would work on your skin or if there are better ingredients that may work for you. Take this skin quiz to find the best ingredients for your skin and build your skincare routine.
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