Turbinado Sugar
Big Crystals, Beautifully Buffed Skin
What Is Turbinado Sugar?
Turbinado sugar is a minimally processed, golden-brown sugar made from the first pressing of the sugarcane plant (Saccharum officinarum). Unlike fully refined white sugar, turbinado sugar is only lightly processed, allowing it to retain some of the natural molasses from the sugarcane.
To produce turbinado sugar, freshly pressed sugarcane juice is gently boiled once, allowing sugar crystals to form. These crystals are then spun in a centrifuge (called a turbine) to remove excess moisture. This process yields large, crunchy crystals with a light caramel color and a mild, molasses-like aroma. The name "turbinado" comes from the Spanish word "turbina," referring to the spinning process.
Often sold as “raw sugar” or “sugar in the raw,” turbinado sugar undergoes far less processing than white sugar and is valued for both its texture and natural character.
Why We Use Turbinado Sugar
We use turbinado sugar in our body scrubs because its larger, coarse crystals provide a deeper level of exfoliation than finer sugars, while still being gentler on the skin than many other abrasive materials.
Because turbinado sugar crystals are larger and dissolve more slowly when they come into contact with water, they create an extended exfoliating experience.
This slower dissolution allows the scrub to work gradually across the skin’s surface, adding a second “layer” of exfoliation as you massage—polishing away dull, dead skin as the surrounding plant oils soften and protect the skin. The result is skin that feels smoother and more refined, not scraped or overworked.
Turbinado sugar shines in body care. The coarse grains of refined exfoliate dead skin cells without the damage that can result from heavy salts, pulverized nut shells, or fruit pits, which can have sharp edges and can cause microabrasions on the skin's surface.
When blended with nourishing plant oils, butters, and honey, turbinado sugar creates a balanced body scrub: the sugar crystals provide effective exfoliation, while the oils moisturize and condition the skin. This combination allows the scrub to cleanse, polish, and soften the skin in one step.
Exfoliation: Why Sugar Is a Great Exfoliant
Sugar scrubs exfoliate the skin in two complementary ways: physically and chemically.
Physical (Mechanical) Exfoliation
Sugar crystals gently buff away dead skin cells from the surface of the skin when massaged in circular motions. This helps smooth rough texture, brighten dull skin, and encourage healthy skin renewal.
Chemical Exfoliation
Natural sugars contain small amounts of glycolic acid, an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Glycolic acid helps loosen the bonds that hold dead skin cells to the skin’s surface, allowing them to be washed away more easily.
This dual-action exfoliation makes sugar scrubs especially effective yet gentle.
Turbinado vs. Brown Sugar vs. White Sugar
All three sugars come from sugarcane, but their processing, crystal size, and moisture content affect how they exfoliate and dissolve in a scrub.
White Sugar (Granulated)
- Fully refined, with all molasses removed
- Fine, uniform crystals
- Dissolves quickly, providing gentle exfoliation
- Best for sensitive skin or finer exfoliation
Brown Sugar
- Refined white sugar with molasses added back
- Soft, moist, and clumpy
- Smallest crystals and fastest dissolution
- Least abrasive, ideal for sensitive skin or facial scrubs
Turbinado Sugar
- Minimally processed from the first pressing of sugarcane juice
- Large, coarse, crunchy crystals with light molasses content
- Dissolves slowly, providing the most robust exfoliation
- Best suited for rougher areas like legs, elbows, or feet
Why Crystal Size Matters
When it comes to exfoliation, crystal size and dissolution rate matter.
We choose exfoliants for each product based on crystal size and how quickly they dissolve, matching each one to the skin it’s meant to care for.
Larger sugar crystals, like turbinado, provide a more robust exfoliating action and dissolve more slowly, making them ideal for body scrubs. Finer sugars dissolve more quickly and offer gentler exfoliation, making them better suited for more delicate skin.
This is why turbinado sugar is used in our body scrubs only, not facial products—it adds an extra layer of exfoliating power exactly where the skin can benefit from it most.
Our Sugar Choice
We use Fair Trade Certified Organic Turbinado Raw Cane Sugar. It is produced without chemicals, bone char, or animal by-products, making it suitable for vegans and aligned with our commitment to ethical sourcing and ingredient integrity.
👉 For a deeper look at the benefits, types, and science of exfoliation, read our blog The Nitty Gritty of Exfoliation
