Co-authored by Ella Mariano
How sugar is made
Many may think that all sugar is organic and vegan. This is not so. Some sugars go through a bleaching process using bone char. Bone char is granular material produced by charring animal bones. This process is much like filtering water using charcoal. Filtering sugar through bone char removes the molasses from cane sugar. Molasses is what gives sugar its natural brown color. Because of this, many sugars are neither organic or vegan.
Sugars labeled with a USDA Organic badge on them are both organic and vegan.
Cane sugar has been around for over 2,000 years. It can be used in many things including sugar scrubs.
It first starts out as sugar cane a tropical grass that can get up to 20 feet high. When it is time to harvest the sugar cane, they cut the tops of the plant and leave the bottom of it, so it can grow again.
The sugar cane is then transported to the mill where it is washed and cut into shreds. Next a big roller crushes the sugar cane, then it goes into the separator which separates the fibers and the juice.
The juice then goes into the evaporator which heats up the juice and turns it into a syrup. It then thickens by boiling off the water once the syrup is cool then it is ready to be crystallized.
To get crystals from the syrup they put some sugar crystals into the syrup. Just a sprinkle is enough to start the process then it is moved into the centrifuges where all the extra water is squeezed out leaving dry sugar crystals.
Now the crystals are purified, decolorized, recrystallized, and dried in a granulator. Next they are sized by going through a few screens to remove any impurity's and the end result is pure cane sugar.
Benefits of sugar scrubs
By exfoliating you are removing all of the dead skin cells on your body which helps clean out your pores and prevents those stubborn white heads and black heads. That's not the only thing that it can help with; it also helps with aging skin. The reasons why it helps is because sugar is a humectant. A humectant is draws moisture from its surroundings and by doing this, helps your skin stay hydrated. Also, it does not allow any toxins to attack your skin which slow down the aging process. Sugar scrubs can also boost circulation and lymphatic drainage, free ingrown hairs, brighten dull skin, and make your skin more radiant.
Types of sugar scrubs
There are three types of sugars that can be used in sugar scrubs: turbinado sugar, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. There are also many different types of essential oils that can be used, for example there is peppermint which helps with exhaustion. The aroma of peppermint has been known to help people to wake up. Or you could use an orange sugar scrub which is known to brighten skin, shrink pores, treat mild acne, and dark spots. There is also a eucalyptus sugar scrub. Eucalyptus is an anti-inflammatory and pain reliever for reddened skin and sore muscles.
How to use a sugar scrub and when not to use a sugar scrub
1. Wet your skin. Soak in the tub or stand under the shower for 5 to 10 minutes before you begin scrubbing.
2. Gently rub the sugar scrub onto your skin in a circular motion using your hands
3. Before rinsing let the sugar scrub sit on your skin for a couple of minutes then rinse it off with warm water. (You do not have to use any soap after the scrub)
4. Dry off
5. Once you are dry apply lotion to moisturize your skin. (Make sure you do this directly after drying off
6. Repeat two to three times a week. (For very sensitive skin once a week)
(Do not use a sugar scrub after getting a sunburn, surgery, using a skin lightener, before or after a chemical body peel, or a bug bite)
Frequently asked questions
1. How many times a week can I use a sugar scrub? For very sensitive skin once a week, if you do not have sensitive skin then two to three times a week.
2. Can I use sugar scrubs on my face? Yes you can. But I would recommend a brown sugar or fine granular sugar scrub. It would be a lot gentler on your face than a regular large granular sugar scrub.
3. Do you use the sugar scrub on wet or dry skin? It is better if you use a sugar scrub when your skin is wet after soaking your skin in warm to hot water for several minutes then rub it into your skin in a circular motion with your hand.
4. Can I use a sugar scrub after I shave my skin? Yes you could, but your skin would be more sensitive and using a sugar scrub after shaving could irritate your skin.
5. Can coffee sugar scrubs really help with cellulite? Yes it can, if you use it regularly. Many people have noticed a difference after using a coffee sugar scrub.
6. Do you need a loofah or a cloth to apply the body scrub? No you do not. In fact, you could just use your hands.
7. Can the body scrub clog my drain? No it can not. By the time it hits the shower floor or sink drain it already has melted away.
8. Are sugar scrubs bad for your skin? No they are not, in fact they are really good for your skin because they help remove dead skin and clean out pores.
9. Can sugar scrubs be used daily? Yes they can, but I would not recommend it because it could create small cuts in your skin. Instead, I would recommend using it 2 to 3 times a week (For very sensitive skin once a week)
10. Should you moisturize after using a sugar scrub? It is totally up to you whether you want to or not, but I would definitely recommend it, because using a sugar scrub alone won't keep your skin looking healthy.