This Is the Right Way to Use a Sugar Scrub, According to Dermatologists

Sugar scrubs are one of the most luxe ways to exfoliate. From the sweet scents to the unmistakable texture, despite their ubiquity, these treatments have an undeniable way of making your bathroom feel like a spa.

But despite how common they are, chances are you are probably using these scrubs all wrong. Ahead, board-certified dermatologists Dendy Engelman, MD, and Karan Lal, MD; celebrity aesthetician Joshua Ross; and SpaRitual founder Shel Pink weigh in on the right way to use a sugar scrub and debunk common myths surrounding the beloved body product.

How Do Sugar Scrubs Work?

"A sugar scrub works by physically and manually exfoliating the skin," says Ross. When it comes to exfoliating, there are two ways to get the job done: Chemical and physical. Chemical exfoliators contain ingredients such as glycolic, lactic, or salicylic acid to clear out pores and give you a smoother complexion.

Physical or mechanical exfoliators—like sugar scrubs—are made from tiny granules that do the heavy lifting, buffing away dead skin and encouraging cell turnover (hopefully) without leaving your skin raw or red. "Sugar acts like a mechanical exfoliant, gently wiping away dead skin cells on the top of your skin," Lal explains. "Plus, the sugar dissolves as you use it, so it's safer than using other mechanical beads."

Are Sugar Scrubs Safe For Your Face?

In short, sugar scrubs are not safe for your face. While Ross tells us that face and body sugar scrubs will differ in the number and grit of the particles—"A body scrub will have larger particles, and a face scrub will have smaller ones," he says—even tiny granules may damage sensitive facial tissue. "They can cause irritation and small scratches on the skin," Ross explains. "There isn't a sugar scrub I would recommend for the face. I think people are better off with a washcloth or a mild chemical exfoliation."

Are Sugar Scrubs Safe For Your Lips?

Lips, however, can really benefit from the delights a sugar scrub can offer. "For all our lips do for us, we don't give them enough credit or care. In fact, our lips are primed to be dry and chapped because they have a lower density of oil glands and are in daily contact with saliva that contains alpha-amylase (a digestive enzyme that can break down skin)," Engelman explains. Plus, because lips are always exposed, they "take a beating from the sun, the cold weather, wind, and heat," she adds.

To heal and soften lips, try exfoliating with a sugar scrub once a week—but be gentle, warns Engelman. "If your lips are feeling raw, you should stop immediately, as you are over-exfoliating," she cautions. She loves iS Clinical's Lip Duo ($90): "The lip polish contains antioxidants of vitamins C and E blended with botanical butters, so it exfoliates and hydrates lips simultaneously," she says.

When using a lip scrub, avoid lip products with chemical plumping agents, which may be irritating. Instead, Engelman recommends looking for ingredients like "hyaluronic acid, madecassoside, and peptides" to boost hydration and stimulate collagen for a more natural plumping effect. And finally, wear a lip protectant with SPF. "Look for balms or formulations containing petroleum or beeswax to seal in moisture," Engelman advises.

Are Sugar Scrubs Safe For Your Body?

Exfoliating the body with a sugar scrub is not only safe but encouraged. Pink explains that exfoliating your body helps break down and remove dead skin cells from the top layer of your skin, revealing healthy skin and texture beneath. Hydrating and moisturizing healthy cells (versus dead cells) may even translate to smoother skin; Pink notes a sugar scrub is ideal for "stimulating and increasing blood circulation" for a healthy glow. Both chemical and physical exfoliation help increase cellular turnover and keep skin fresh and supple.

How to Use a Sugar Scrub On Your Body

1. Prep the skin: Before using a sugar scrub, wash your skin with a body wash. Clean, damp skin is ripe for exfoliation. Pink even recommends exfoliating with a sugar scrub after you bathe, on towel-dried skin, for best results.
2. Massage in the scrub: Using your hands, massage the scrub into your skin in a circular motion. "Self-massage techniques have the added benefits of helping to improve circulation, tone skin, and reduce stress and anxiety," Pink says.
3. Focus on specific areas: Use a quarter-sized amount of sugar scrub—or, if you have sensitive skin, try a body polish, which has finer granules and is gentler. Target thicker skin like the knees, heels, and elbows, as these areas tend to dry out faster.
4. Repeat a few times a week: Lal believes you should exfoliate once or twice a week, and Pink agrees. "We recommend exfoliating your body one to two times per week for sensitive skin, two to three times per week for normal skin, and three to four times per week for oily skin," she says.
5. Protect Your Skin: Post-exfoliation, your skin is more susceptible to burning and UV damage. After using a scrub, apply adequate sunscreen before heading out.