The Amazing Beauty Benefits Of Sugar

By Tara Hari

When consumed as part of a regular diet, sugar is one food item to be avoided. A high-sugar diet is a definite trigger for weight gain. Also, consumption of sugar is bad for the skin as it causes breakouts and wrinkles. But that does not mean one must avoid sugar altogether. The beauty benefits of sugar when used externally are numerous. Sugar can be used as a scrub, to prevent acne, to keep your lips smooth and supple, to make your lipstick last longer and to give you a glowing complexion that will turn heads wherever you go. No wonder sugar was called 'white-gold' in the past. Let us examine the various beauty benefits of sugar in detail.

The Amazing Beauty Benefits Of Sugar

Prevents Ageing

Sugar as part of your regular diet has been proven to cause wrinkles. But when used as an exfoliant, sugar removes wrinkles and fine lines that appear on your face. Sugar and lemon scrubs also prevent age-spots, giving your skin an even texture and glow. The signs of aging can be hidden by using sugar regularly, as it will give you younger-looking skin. Sugar is also used to combat tanning, as it also reduces dark spots and blemishes caused by prolonged exposure to the sun.

Hydrate Skin

The thickness of the dead cells on the surface of the face is reduced by frequent use of sugar and the balance of skin's oils are restored. Therefore, your face remains moisturised longer and is protected from various toxins. Sugar prevents the skin from forming dry flakes by keeping it moisturised. When infused with natural oils like olive oil, almond oil and jojoba oil, it hydrates the skin and gives it a dewy appearance.

Excellent Cleanser

A major beauty benefit of sugar is that it contains glycolic acid, which causes the removal of dead cells and dirt on the surface of the skin. It cleanses your pores deeply and prevents acne, which is caused by unclogged pores. Add a tablespoon of sugar to a few drops of honey and almond oil to make a gentle cleanser which absorbs dirt and oil from pores.

Exfoliates Skin

The outermost layers of your face are covered with dead cells which the skin sheds every 15-30 days. The glycolic acid in sugar is effective in scraping away this layer of dead cells and promotes the regeneration of new skin cells. Exfoliating using sugar prevents the skin from being dry and keeps it smooth and silky to touch. A gentle and hydrating sugar scrub can be made by mixing one tablespoon of sugar with one tablespoon of sesame oil and one teaspoon of eucalyptus oil.

Lip Care

Many women suffer from dry, chapped lips. Keeping the lips soft and moisturised is another beauty benefit of sugar. Make a paste of olive oil and castor sugar and scrub your lips with this to get rid of the dull, dry flakes that form on the surface. Your lips will look smooth, even-toned and beautiful. Exfoliation with sugar makes it easier to apply lipsticks and lip gloss, and these products will even stay on for longer!

Therefore, we can see the beauty benefits of sugar are plenty and easily achieved. Sugar is an excellent cleanser, as it cleanses your pores deeply. It rejuvenates tired skin and given it a healthy glow, and makes the skin soft, smooth and silky to touch. The glycolic acid in sugar prevents pimples and exfoliates the skin, keeping it younger looking and protected from tanning. Sugar heals blemishes and balances the natural oils in the body, to give the skin an even-toned and hydrated appearance.

Story first published: Thursday, May 16, 2013, 18:20 [IST]
Read more about: skin care beauty