Question #033b4
1 Answer
Sugar has three major properties that make it ideal for use in topical cosmetics.
Explanation:
First sugar acts as a humectant, that is it draws water from the air and draws it into the skin. This in turn rehydrates and helps your skin better retain moisture.
Second, sugar contains an alpha hyrdroxy acid (AHA), called glycolic acid. AHA's such as glycolic acid help remove the dead (keratinized) cells in your skin's outermost layer (called the stratum corneum) and increases cellular turnover leaving younger cells and a clearer complexion.
Third sugar's physical properties, namely the fact that it's a small, rough crystal make it a great exfoliant which helps remove dead skin cells from the top layer of the skin. Larger crystals such as table salt can actually damage the skin by cutting too deep into the skin (epidermis) resulting in micro-tears in the living, healthy skin below (think large grain sandpaper versus small grain sandpaper).
