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If you’ve been thinking of treating your skin with some love, sugar scrubs are precisely what you're looking for. The daily grind can often cause us to neglect our skin, and simple baths aren’t enough to make a difference. Exfoliating is the best way to keep the skin clean, remove dead skin cells, and promote healthier skin. And what better way than with sugar scrubs that smell just as sweet as their key ingredient?
Scrubs are a great way to keep your skin supple and moist. Just using them twice a week can produce visible results and, with the most popular sugar scrubs of 2024, your skin will seem brand new. Our guide will help you pick the scrub to match your tastes as we take you through a fruity, sweet, and colorful world of skincare.
Compare the Top Sugar Scrubs of 2024
MAJESTIC PURE Sugar Scrub — Best Overall
The MAJESTIC PURE Sugar Scrub is a great product to have on hand for pampering sessions and self-care. It effectively exfoliates the skin, removing dull, dry cells and leaving behind a radiant glow. This all-natural body scrub is 100% pure and free of toxins, additives, and nasty chemicals. It also contains a mixture of essential oils that help to maintain skin health.
This sugar scrub is great for minimizing the look of stretch marks, cellulite, acne, and varicose veins. Its humectant properties help to reduce the loss of moisture in the skin. The scrub comes in a large tub with a scoop for easy use. This product is of high quality and makes an excellent addition to any self-care routine or aromatherapy experience. For those looking for an effective product to exfoliate their skin and minimize the appearance of skin woes, this sugar scrub is an excellent choice. It is the best overall product on our list because it is suitable for all skin types as it makes use of gentle exfoliants.
Pros
- Gives skin a radiant glow
- Exfoliates skin
- Aromatherapy experience
Cons
- Doesn’t work on acne
Tree Hut Shea Sugar Scrub — Great for Aromatherapy
The Tree Hut Shea Sugar Scrub is one of the top hydrating exfoliants on our list. This sugar scrub comes in six unique aromas, is free from parabens and formaldehyde, and softens the skin, helping you relax with its lingering fragrance. The essential oil and shea butter formula help lock in moisture to keep your skin looking healthy.
Pros
- Comes in various soothing aromas
- Uses natural oils to moisten the skin
- Make from 100% pure shea butter
- Vegan and gluten-free formula
Cons
- Contains plastic microbeads for exfoliation
Queens Botany Brown Sugar Scrub — Top Multi-Purpose
The Queens Botany Brown Sugar Scrub helps detoxify your skin and cleanse it from impurities. This scrub is perfect for reducing acne, cellulite, inflammation, and redness due to the salt present in its formula. The product is cruelty-free, and its aromatic scent helps keep you fresh all day long. It is ideal for all skin types and can be used as a foot scrub when needed.
Pros
- Combats scars, acne, redness, and inflammation
- Good for all skin types and ages
- Can be used as a face, body, and foot scrub
- Hydrates and moistens the skin
Cons
- Significantly hardens during winter
Bella and Bear Goddess Sugar Scrub — Best Formula
The product with the very best formula on our list is the Bella and Bear Goddess Sugar Scrub. It is a 100% vegan, cruelty-free product that utilizes recycled jars and makes use of plant-based glycerin to ensure an environmentally friendly approach. You can benefit from its floral scent all day long, free of parabens. Best of all, this sugar scrub exfoliates your skin to keep it silky and smooth.
Pros
- Skin softeners moisten the skin
- Comes in environmentally friendly jars
- Reduces cellulite and prevents in-grown hairs
Cons
- Smells like body spray instead of flowers
Dove Sugar Scrub For Smooth Skin — Top Moisturizing
If you’re looking for intense moisture, the Dove Sugar Scrub For Smooth Skin is here to save the day. This sugar scrub intensely exfoliates the skin to keep it clean and soft, while the moisturizing elements keep the skin supple and ensure it does not become flaky. It has a natural coconut purée, brown sugar, and vanilla fragrance that soothes your senses all day long, so consider trying this scrub if you don’t like floral scents and want something more tropical.
Pros
- Offers deep exfoliation for clean skin
- Provides instant softness with a moisturizing formula
- Balances the skin’s pH
- Has a lingering, indulgent fragrance
Cons
- Does not have good packaging
Shea Moisture Skin Care Sugar Scrub — Best Gluten-Free Option
People with a gluten allergy know how bad their skin flares, even if they only come in contact with it topically. Thankfully, the Shea Moisture Skincare Sugar Scrub helps keep your skin soft and exfoliated without causing any irritation. Its creamy sugar base moistens the skin while removing dead skin cells. You can easily use this scrub in the shower and use it on the dry areas of your skin for soothing relief.
Pros
- Made from gluten-free coconut oil
- Gentle exfoliant does not harm the skin
- Perfect for use in the shower or bath
- Softens and nourishes the skin
Cons
- Not suited for oily skin
Buying Guide for Finding the Perfect Sugar Scrub
Sugar scrubs are essential products in a good skincare routine. They’re a great way to exfoliate your skin and cleanse it of any dead skin cells, but buying the perfect scrub for your face or body depends on various factors. You’re bound to find the perfect sugar scrub using our comprehensive buying guide.
Benefits of Using a Sugar Scrub
There are many benefits of using a sugar scrub. Some people find the scents relaxing, while others reduce blemishes and imperfections with regular exfoliation. The main benefits are:
- It speeds up cell turnover by encouraging the production of new skin cells.
- Using a sugar scrub helps fight against acne, cellulite, flaky skin, inflammation, and redness.
- It helps your skin appear more youthful and radiant.
- Sugar scrubs boost collagen production in the skin, which helps it stay firm and slows down the process of aging.
- Exfoliating your skin also helps it readily absorb serums and lotions, which help your skin get better nourishment.
Top Things To Consider Before Buying a Sugar Scrub
Since everyone has a different skin type, choosing the proper scrub for yourself can be challenging. You should keep in mind some things when making your next purchase.
Type of sugar scrub
Sugar scrubs are of various types; some are moisturizing, while others lean more towards exfoliation. Some have coffee and ground walnuts added to the formula, while others rely on creamier bases. If you’re someone whose skin turns red quickly, we suggest you get moisturizing sugar scrubs. Certain scrubs are medicated for treating issues like acne, blemishes, saggy skin, and more.
Vegan and eco-friendly
There are many vegan and cruelty-free options on the market if you are conscious of such things. Some products are also locally sourced and even support various charities. Vegan products are not tested on animals and usually are made with quality ingredients.
Type of exfoliants used
Exfoliants come in two main types: chemical and physical. Depending on the kind of present exfoliant in your scrub, you can determine if it'll be a good match for you or not. Coffee, sugar, and walnut shell powder make for good physical exfoliants that use friction to remove dead skin cells. Some chemical exfoliants include AHA and BHA chemicals that help cleanse the skin. The best chemical exfoliants to look for are glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, and fruit enzymes.
Safety regulations
Scrubs need to be safe to use for all users. If you have allergies to gluten, soy, or any ingredients, you should check the list of ingredients before buying. Many people have skin that does not react well to artificial fragrances, parabens, and other components. Good scrubs are hypo-allergenic and paraben-free to ensure they suit every skin type.
Using a Sugar Scrub According to Your Skin Type
Even if you find the perfect scrub for your skin type, you still have to use it properly to avoid over-exfoliation and irritating your skin. The best ways to use sugar scrubs according to your skin type are:
Dry skin
If you have dry skin, you can use a sugar scrub up to two to three times a week as long as you follow it with a deeply moisturizing lotion or serum.
Sensitive skin
Using sugar scrubs for sensitive skin can be tricky. It is advised to use them no more than once a week. Try and identify ingredients that cause your skin to flare and avoid products that have those ingredients.
Oily skin
If you have oily skin, using a sugar scrub three to four times a week is enough. However, try and opt for scrubs that do not have oils in their formula and are not too moisturizing, as this will help control sebum production.
Combination skin
People with combination skin can use sugar scrubs up to four times a week while focusing on areas where the skin is most oily or flaky.
Mature skin
If you have mature skin, you should use a sugar scrub two to three times a week. Make sure your scrub has skin tightening and anti-aging ingredients in it.
