Salt Scrub vs Sugar Scrub: Which Is Better for Skin?

Do you want glowing, youthful, clear skin? Everyone sheds skin, develops callouses, and has skin blemishes. Exfoliating with a salt scrub vs sugar scrub is a popular way to remove dead skin cells and improve skin texture. Many people wonder about the difference between salt scrub and sugar scrub and which option is best for their skincare routine.

Understanding the benefits of each helps you choose the right scrub depending on your skin type and exfoliation needs. You can make your bath time feel like a spa by adding a body scrub to your routine. Your skin will feel smoother and cleaner. Salt and sugar homemade body scrubs are popularly used, but which is better?

Here, we will explore salt scrub vs sugar scrub and answer the common question: which is better sugar scrub or salt scrub based on skin type, exfoliation needs, and facial use.

Which Is Better, a Salt or Sugar Scrub?

Salt and sugar scrubs both work through physical exfoliation, but their texture, intensity, and ideal uses differ. Understanding the difference between sugar scrub and salt scrub for skin helps you choose the right exfoliant for your body and face.

A salt scrub is typically coarser and provides deeper exfoliation, making it ideal for thicker skin areas like the feet, elbows, and knees. In contrast, a sugar scrub has finer granules, making it a gentler option for sensitive skin and delicate areas such as the face.

If you are deciding between a salt scrub vs sugar scrub for sensitive skin, sugar scrubs are usually the better choice due to their mild exfoliating properties. For more intense exfoliation and detox benefits, salt scrubs may be more effective.

Salt and sugar scrubs are very similar in texture and their results. Let's look into the differences. Sugar and Salt scrubs are formulated with simple ingredients.

Sugar Scrub Benefits

The Pros: Sugar is less abrasive on the skin and is ideal for applying to more sensitive areas like the face. Sugars like organic cane sugar also contain nutrients such as iron, calcium, potassium, and magnesium, which are also beneficial for replenishing your skin.

Many people prefer sugar scrubs because they offer gentle exfoliation while helping the skin feel soft and smooth. Compared to salt scrubs, sugar scrubs are often recommended for facial exfoliation and sensitive skin. This is why many skincare experts believe sugar scrub may be the better option when comparing sugar scrub vs salt scrub.

Unrefined sugars are more abrasive than typical table sugars, so avoiding unrefined sugars on your face or other sensitive areas is recommended. One key benefit of sugar scrubs over salt scrubs is that sugar is less abrasive than salt scrubs.

Salt scrubs have been shown to cause microscope cuts in the skin, whereas sugar does not. That's why salt scrubs tend to sting when applied to freshly shaved legs or sunburnt skin. Sugar scrubs are great for removing dead skin from sunburns where peeling skin is occurring.

The Cons: Sugar Scrubs do not provide other benefits beyond exfoliation.

Sugar scrubs are only useful as an exfoliant for removing dead skin cells and helping new skin growth. However, a sugar scrub is the best product for the job if you want to exfoliate the skin to reveal new glowing skin.

Salt Scrub vs Sugar Scrub for Face

When comparing salt scrub vs sugar scrub for face, sugar scrubs are generally the safer choice. Sugar granules are finer and dissolve more easily, making them ideal for delicate facial skin. Salt scrubs can be too abrasive for the face and may cause irritation or micro-tears, especially for sensitive skin types. For facial exfoliation, a gentle sugar scrub is usually the better option. 

Salt Scrub Benefits

The Pros: Salt scrubs not only exfoliate the skin but also have detoxing benefits.

Salt works the way as sugar scrubs, in the sense that when applied topically, the scrub physically buffs away dead skin cells that have built up upon the skin.

However, salt scrubs have the additional bonus of pulling toxins out of the skin to help ease inflammation. When comparing a salt scrub vs sugar scrub for body, salt scrubs are often preferred for deep exfoliation and muscle relaxation. Ingredients like Himalayan salt and Epsom salts help improve blood flow and support detoxifying benefits, making salt scrubs ideal for thicker skin areas.

That's one of the reasons products like salt scrubs are so popular among athletes and hard-working individuals who want the exfoliating and detoxifying benefits to relieve sore and inflamed muscles.

Salt scrubs are preferred for areas of the body where the skin layer is thicker such as the hands, feet, and elbows.

The Cons: Salt scrubs, as discussed above, can irritate delicate skin and cause microscope cuts.

Which Is Better?

Many people ask, which is better sugar scrub or salt scrub? The answer depends on your skin type and exfoliation goals. For sensitive or delicate skin, sugar scrubs are often preferred because they are gentler, while salt scrubs provide deeper exfoliation for thicker skin areas. If you’re wondering is sugar scrub better than salt scrub, sugar scrubs are typically better for everyday use and facial skin, while salt scrubs work best for the body. When it comes down to it, they are both ideal in different situations. Salt scrubs for thicker areas tend to dry out fast or often have dead skin. Salt also allows for detoxing to occur.

Sugar scrubs can be applied to more sensitive areas like the face and legs. Sugar scrubs tend to be universal because they can be applied to all body areas needing exfoliation.

Salt Scrub:

• Best for deep exfoliation
• Ideal for body and thick skin areas
• Contains minerals like Himalayan salt and Epsom salts
• May be too harsh for sensitive skin

Sugar Scrub:

• Best for gentle exfoliation
• Ideal for face and sensitive skin
• Helps remove dead skin cells without irritation
• Often recommended for regular skincare routines

 

Benefits of Exfoliating Your Body With a CBD Sugar Scrub

Exfoliating your body with CBD sugar scrub is one of the best ways to care for your skin.

It may be beneficial to help reduce pore size, remove the build-up of dead skin cells, prevent pore blockage, hydrate skin, and reduce the appearance of acne and wrinkles.

Exfoliated skin can absorb serums, moisturizers, and sunscreen more readily because it is not covered in dirt and dead skin.

After exfoliating with a CBD Sugar Scrub, your skin may appear brighter, smoother, and healthier. Exfoliating helps stimulate more blood flow, which generates new skin cells.

An ideal time to exfoliate may be right before you shave. This cleans the skin, helps loosen ingrown hairs, and lifts the hair cuticle for a cleaner, closer shave.

Homemade Body Scrub: Salt vs Sugar Recipes

A homemade body scrub is a simple way to exfoliate using natural ingredients like coconut oil, essential oils, sugar, or salt. DIY scrubs allow you to customize exfoliation based on your skin type and skincare routine while supporting effective physical exfoliation.

Homemade Sugar Scrub Recipe

Sugar scrubs are ideal for gentle exfoliation and sensitive skin. Fine sugar granules help remove dead skin cells without irritation, making them suitable for the face and delicate areas.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup brown sugar or cane sugar
• ½ cup coconut oil
• 5–10 drops essential oils (optional)

Directions:

Mix ingredients and apply to damp skin in circular motions. Rinse with warm water. This scrub helps improve skin texture and leaves skin feeling soft and hydrated.

Homemade Salt Scrub Recipe

Salt scrubs provide deeper exfoliation and are best for thicker skin areas like hands, feet, and elbows. Himalayan salt or Epsom salts can help stimulate blood flow and support detoxifying benefits.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Himalayan salt or Epsom salts
• ½ cup coconut oil
• 5–10 drops essential oils (optional)

Directions:

Combine ingredients and massage onto damp skin using gentle circular motions. Rinse with warm water and pat dry.

Salt vs Sugar: Which Should You Use?

When choosing between salt vs sugar scrub, consider your skin type and exfoliation goals. Sugar scrubs are better for sensitive skin and facial use, while salt scrubs offer stronger exfoliation for the body. Regular use of a homemade body scrub can help improve skin appearance and enhance your skincare routine.

How To Properly Use a Sugar Scrub in 5 Steps

1. You first want to rinse the area with warm water to soften the skin and open the pores.

2. You can apply the sugar scrub using the tips of your fingers or a washcloth. Whatever your preference. Rub the CBD sugar scrub gently in a circular motion.

You never want to push too hard because you can cause scratches on your skin. Scrub until the area is clean or for 20-60 seconds.

If you have a trouble area, It's best to rub gently but for a longer amount of time vs. vigorously scrubbing hard. Be gentle on your skin and avoid using the scrub on your face.

3. Rinse with warm water while gently rubbing off the scrub's remaining oils and sugar granules.

4. Pat your skin dry using a clean towel. Be careful not to rub. Your skin may be especially sensitive after using a body scrub.

5. Afterward, apply a soothing body butter. Body butter like Zatural's hempy hand and body butter are ideal.

After you use a scrub for a few weeks, you may notice how often your skin needs to be exfoliated by watching for signs of irritation. General instructions usually encourage only using an exfoliating scrub 1-3 times a week. 

Sum It Up!

When comparing which scrub is better for exfoliation, salt or sugar, the answer depends on your skin type and skincare goals. The answer is sugar scrub. Although Salt scrubs and Sugar scrubs are both popularly used, sugar scrub may be best for use on your body because it has a finer grain and is more gentle for sensitive skin.

Exfoliating with a sugar scrub may result in healthier, hydrated, youthful-looking skin. CBD may be an effective additional ingredient to help reduce or prevent irritation on the skin. You should stop or reduce the use of a sugar scrub if it causes any irritation.

Where Can I Find a CBD Sugar Scrub?

Zatural offers one of the best high-quality Exfoliating Sugar Scrubs on the market. This Sugar Scrub is made with five natural ingredients to help nourish and replenish dry skin while exfoliating. It is essential for your skincare routine and is safe for all skin types.

Backed by a 30-day guarantee, we promise this will be one of your favorite products, hands down.

For educational purposes only FDA DISCLAIMER

*FDA DISCLAIMER -These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.