Maintaining a proper skincare routine is essential to maintaining an age-defying appearance and glow. While this begins with the face, it extends across every inch of the body. Hydration with an optimal mix of vitamins and nutrients is one aspect of actively replenishing the skin. Another aspect is exfoliation, which promotes skin cell turnover by removing dull, dead cells.
In the latter realm, there are two options: chemical exfoliants cleaning out the pores by applying ingredients such as lactic, glycolic, or salicylic acid. By contrast, physical (or manual) exfoliators work through the use of minute granules that buff away dead skin while preserving the skin underneath. Sugar scrubs are particularly useful, as the sugar dissolves as the product is applied, which makes it safer and more gentle.
That said, sugar scrubs are unsafe for sensitive skin, which is sensitive to even smaller particles and thus responds better to mild chemical exfoliation or a simple textured washcloth. They are appropriate for lips, which possess oil glands at a low density and interact with the digestive enzyme alpha-amylase contained in saliva. With sun and cold weather exposure, another issue is that lips are primed to get chapped and dry and respond well to the renewal aspect of exfoliation. Be sure to use an exfoliant gently, no more than once a week, on the lips and stop with any sensation of having raw skin.
Sugar scrubs are safe for the body and should be applied two or three times a week after washing or a bath on towel-dried skin. Self-massage techniques work best when directed at a specific body area in a circular motion. Target heels, knees, and elbows are particularly vulnerable to drying out, so use a quality product such as Skin and Senses’ Clarity Exfoliate + Moisturize Sugar Scrub.
