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The Do's And Don'ts Of At-home Sugaring, According To Experts

Coffee or tea? Pancakes or waffles? Waxing or shaving? It's one of those endlessly debatable topics with no unifying answer. But, for those who partake in hair removal, may we present you with a third option: sugaring. Unlike waxing and shaving, sugaring is less painful, has lasting results and can curb the skin from developing ingrown hairs, according to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Erum Ilyas.

I spoke with two board-certified dermatologists and an aesthetician to find the best at-home sugaring kits on the market and learn more about how the practice affects body hair over time. 

SKIP AHEAD What is sugaring?How I picked the best at-home sugaring kitsThe best at-home sugar kits of 2024

According to Ilyas, there are two categories of hair removal: epilation, which removes hair from the root rather than the surface of the skin, and depilation, which removes hair only above the skin, leaving behind the root and follicle. Sugaring is considered the former.

Epilation is an especially great option for many people since it can lead to longer-lasting effects than shaving, according to Lindsay Holdorf, Dermstore's in-house esthetician. 

Sugaring is the process of applying a paste, typically made of sugar, water and lemon, to any part of the body in the same direction as its hair growth that you or an aesthetician subsequently rips off with a flicking motion. Sugaring paste sticks to your dead skin and hair at the follicle. When you rip the paste from your skin, it removes the entire hair — follicle and all. The paste becomes malleable — and therefore rippable — through body heat. Some paste requires you to heat it to a warm temperature in a microwave, but typically it can also be just slightly warmer than room temperature. Once you've ripped off your sugar concoction, you can wash off any remnants of the paste with warm water and a washcloth. Since this paste is made with only three ingredients, it also tends to be better for sensitive skin, according to Holdorf.

Interested in sugaring? Several salons offer sugaring — many of our editors love Sugared and Bronzed. You can also try at-home sugaring products, but we recommend that you proceed carefully and cautiously. The last thing you want to do is inadvertently hurt yourself.

When making this list, experts recommended I look at three key factors:

Ingredients: Sugaring paste is typically only made with water, sugar and some sort of acid (lemon being the most common), according to Holdorf. When looking for at-home sugaring kits, I looked for formulas with no more than three to four ingredients. 

Price: Salon prices, on average, can range from $20 to $100, in my experience. The kits I compiled below range from $20 to $44 — all of which you can reuse at least once.

Ease of use: Sugaring is generally a user-friendly epilation method. Most of the kits on this list come with tools to help beginners and a few of the brands even have storage bags that can be useful for travel.

The below products all have 3.8-star average rating and above on Amazon or Ulta. Before using one, each set should be patch-tested and applied in accordance with its directions. 

Best overall: Sugardoh Mini Doh

$20.00

Sugardoh

$20.00

Ulta

$12.00

$20.00

Urban Outfitters

4.1 stars on Ulta from 207 reviews

When learning sugaring techniques, you want to practice getting the paste in an isolated area. Otherwise, you'll be ripping off too much hair at once. Sugardoh Mini Doh is a great choice for sugaring beginners — the consistency is firm, making skin application smooth and precise, according to the brand. Like all sugaring paste, the mixture also comes off your skin with warm water so you don't need to worry if you make a mistake while using it. It's made from natural sugar, purified water and organic citric acid and you can use it for about three leg sugaring sessions.

Best budget: Sugaring NYC Hair Removal Kit 

3.8 stars on Amazon from 962 reviews

According to the brand, the paste in this kit is made from sucrose, water and citric acid. The kit includes the paste (which you can wash off), gloves, and a spatula to help you spread the sugar — everything you need except the hair. If you need extra guidance, the brand has online tutorials to walk you through the removal process.

Best bulk purchase: Luxury Pro Sugaring Paste 

$40.32

Amazon

$39.99

$44.84

Sugaring Factory

3.9 stars on Amazon from 2,278 reviews

The Luxury Pro sugaring paste has four consistencies: super soft, soft, medium, and hard. The consistencies determine how malleable the paste is (i.E., how precise the application will be). A super soft paste is extremely malleable and thus might be harder for a beginner to control. According to Luxury Pro, the 43-ounce jar of sugaring paste should last several hair removal sessions, depending on where you apply it. It has a 3.9-star average from 2,278 reviews on Amazon. 

How does sugaring affect your body hair over time?

Sugaring can make your hair grow back thinner over time, largely because it pulls the hair out by its root, which over time leads to a weaker hair follicle, says Holdor. She also notes the weaker hair follicles tend to produce thinner hair and can help prevent ingrown hairs. By pulling the hair from the root, you restart its lifecycle. This means it will take longer for the hair to thicken; the thinner the hair, the less likely it is to get trapped in the follicle, according to Ilyas.

Is sugaring safe to do at home?

Our experts agree that at-home sugaring is safe if you follow your kit's directions closely. Compared to waxing, sugaring lowers the risk of an unintentional burn and you can easily wash the paste off with warm water. Always ensure you patch test your skin first to check for irritation, allergies or reactions.

How to prep your skin for sugaring

Although sugaring paste is a natural exfoliant (due to its glycolic acid), exfoliating your target area before use is always a good idea. According to Ilyas, using a glycerin-based moisturizer before will also help the skin hydrate and act as a protective layer.

How to care for your skin after sugaring

Post-sugaring is when the skin is most sensitive and dry because you pulled off a layer of dead skin full of hydrating natural oils, says Ilyas. To rehydrate it, Ilyas recommends using fragrance-free products, such as vitamin E oil and Aquaphor.

What's the difference between sugaring and waxing?

According to Holder, there are three main differences between sugaring and waxing:

How it adheres to the skin: When you apply wax to the skin it adheres to the first layer of skin and removes it, which typically causes skin irritation after waxing. On the other hand, sugaring only sticks to dead skin and your hair follicle, making it less likely for you to experience redness and irritation. This is one of the reasons Holdor recommends sugaring for people with sensitive skin.

Chemical makeup: Sugar paste should only have three ingredients: sugar, lemon and water; wax is typically made from rosin and beeswax. While there is nothing unsafe about wax, it's a man-made chemical that can irritate the skin, says Holdor.

Technique: The sugaring application process is mostly tool-free. Many beginners use a spatula-like device to apply the paste onto the skin, following the direction of the hair growth. However, the more comfortable you become with the process, the less necessary it becomes. Wax, on the other hand, requires wood sticks for application and cloth strips for removal.

Heat: Sugaring requires very little heat; it typically should be warm but d never hot, like wax. This lack of heat makes it unlikely that your skin will get burned during the process, which is painful and can take years or months to heal.

Who should avoid sugaring?

"Sugaring is great for most skin types," says Dr. Annie Chiu, a board-certified cosmetic and general dermatologist. However, it may not be ideal for those using medications or skin care products with retinol, according to Chiu. That's because retinol can loosen the skin, making it easier for things like wax and sugar paste to take off a layer of healthy skin, leading to discoloration, infection and more, says Ilyas. If you want to try sugaring but are currently using retinol, it's best to consult a dermatologist before and stop all use of retinoids at least a week before you do any kind of hair removal, she says.

At NBC Select, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.

Dr. Erum Ilyas, is a board-certified dermatologist focusing on adult and pediatric medical dermatology, cosmetic dermatology, and skin cancer treatment. 

Dr. Annie Chiu is a board-certified cosmetic and general dermatologist and founder of The Derm Institute in Redondo Beach, California. 

Lindsay Holdorf is Dermstore's in-house esthetician. 

Alexa Casanueva is an NBC Page with an interest in skincare and wellness. For this piece, she interviewed three skin care experts to discuss the safety and benefits of at-home sugaring. 

Catch up on NBC Select's in-depth coverage of personal finance, tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok to stay up to date.

Alexa Casanueva

Alexa Casanueva is a NBC Page on assignment with Select on NBC News.

Common Food Additives

Additive Description Used in: Purpose Side effects Algin A compound extracted from algae Puddings, milkshakes, ice cream Make foods creamier and thicker, extend shelf life None Aspartame Chemical compound made of methanol, aspartic acid and phenylalanine Beverages, puddings, yogurt, chewing gum, and sold as Nutrasweet, Spoonful and Equal Low-calorie sweetener Some people are allergic to aspartame. Migraine headaches a common reaction in these people Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) A phenolic chemical compound Foods high in fats and oils such as butter; also meats, cereals, baked goods, beer, snack foods, dehydrated potatoes, chewing gum Preservative, keeps food from going rancid; also as defoaming agent for yeast Inconclusive; in large doses may cause tumors in lab animals Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) A phenolic chemical compound Cereals, shortening, foods high in fats and oils Preservative, keeps food from changing flavor, odor, color Inconclusive, in large doses may cause tumors in lab animals Calcium Carbonate Compound containing the nutrient calcium Some bakery products, frozen desserts, and flour Emulsifier, bleaching agent, dietary supplement No negative effects as a food additive * Carrageenan Compound extracted from Irish Moss, a type of seaweed Puddings, milkshakes, ice cream Make foods jell, stabilize foods to keep color and flavor even None Additive Description Used in: Purpose Side effects Citric Acid An acid which occurs naturally in fruits such as lemons and limes Canned fruit juices, cheese, margarine, salad dressings Flavoring and neutralizing agent (keeps food at proper acidity) None Erythorbic acid Acidic substance, also known as iso-ascorbic acid Soft drinks, juice, wine Preservative, maintains color and flavor None Folic Acid B-complex vitamin Breakfast cereals, enriched breads, flour, corn meal, rice, noodles, macaroni and other grain products Dietary supplement, helps prevent heart disease None Fumaric Acid Chemical produced when humans digest carbohydrates; also synthetically manufactured Fruit jellies and preserves Controls acidity/alkalinity in foods, also dietary supplement None Glycerin A syrupy type of alcohol derived from sugar Food flavorings Maintaining desired food consistency None Guar Gum Substance made from seeds of the guar plant, a legume grown in India Cheese, including processed cheese, ice cream, jelly and preserves, and dressings Stabilizer None Additive Description Used in: Purpose Side effects Iron A metal necessary in the diet Breakfast cereals, enriched breads Dietary supplement None as a food additive * Lactic Acid A bitter-tasting substance obtained from sour milk Bakery products, cheese, frozen desserts, fruit butters, jellies and preserves Neutralizing agent, flavoring None Lecithin An emulsifying agent found naturally in milk and some vegetables Cacao bean products such as cocoa butter and chocolate, bakery products, margarine and cheese products Keeps food products from separating None Methylcellulose A number of gummy substances, produced through reaction between cellulose and methyls Fruit butters, jellies Keeps food products from separating None Mono- and Diglycerides Emulsifying agents, may be derived from soybean fat Shortening, margarine, cacao products, bakery products Keeps food products from separating None Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) A salt of the amino acid glutamic acid Canned vegetables, canned tuna, dressings, many frozen foods Flavor enhancer Generally recognized as safe; however, those on low-sodium diets should avoid it. Negative side effects also appear in some people when eaten in large amounts, and in some asthmatics. Additive Description Used in: Purpose Side effects Pectin A water-soluble substance present in various ripe fruits and vegetables Canned fruit, fruit butters, jellies and preserves Making foods jell, also to keep foods from separating None Phosphoric Acid A substance created by exposing phosphorous to oxygen Acidified skim milk, cheese Acidifying agent, emulsifier None Potassium Bisulfite Type of sulfite Wine, dried apples, dehydrated potatoes Preventing fruit discoloration, inhibiting bacterial growth in wine Some humans allergic to sulfites; in U.S., FDA prohibits their use on raw fruits and vegetables Potassium Metabisulfite Type of sulfite Wine, dried apples, dehydrated potatoes Preventing fruit discoloration, inhibiting bacterial growth in wine Some humans allergic to sulfites; in U.S., FDA prohibits their use on raw fruits and vegetables Potassium Nitrite One of a number of nitrites used with salt to prevent food from spoiling Cured red meat and poultry products Preservative None known Propionic Acid A type of bacteria found naturally in the production of cheese; also made synthetically Cheese, bread Mold inhibitor, preservative None Additive Description Used in: Purpose Side effects Saccharin Non-nutritive water-soluble sugar substitute Fruit juice drinks, carbonated beverages, canned fruits, fruit butters, jellies, preservatives, and in sugar substitutes for cooking, table use Sweetener Known to cause cancer in laboratory animals Sodium Aluminosilicate A naturally-occurring mineral Dried whole eggs and egg yolks, grated cheeses Keeps food from caking and clumping up None Sodium Benzoate A granular salt Soft drinks, packaged beverages, fruit preserves and jellies, concentrated orange juice, margarine, fast-food burgers Preservative None Sodium Bicarbonate A crystalline salt; also known as baking soda Baked goods, canned vegetables, cereal flours Leavening agent, also maintains acid balance in canned products Significant source of sodium; those on low-sodium diets should avoid consuming large quantities Sodium Bisulfite Type of sulfite Bottled lemon juice, wine, dried apples, dehydrated potatoes Preventing fruit discoloration, inhibiting bacterial growth in wine Some humans allergic to sulfites; in U.S., FDA prohibits their use on raw fruits and vegetables Sodium Metabisulfite Type of sulfite Wine, dried apples, dehydrated potatoes Preventing fruit discoloration, inhibiting bacterial growth in wine Some humans allergic to sulfites; in U.S., FDA prohibits their use on raw fruits and vegetables Additive Description Used in: Purpose Side effects Sodium Nitrite A salt, also used in the manufacture of dyes Smoked or cured fish, including salmon, and in meat-curing preparations Preservative (prevents botulism), color fixative Can combine with chemicals in stomach to form nitrosamine, a highly carcinogenic substance Sodium Sulfite Type of sulfite Wine, dried apples, dehydrated potatoes Preventing fruit discoloration Some humans allergic to sulfites; in U.S., FDA prohibits their use on raw fruits and vegetables Sulfur Dioxide Type of sulfite Wine, dried apples, dehydrated potatoes Preventing fruit discoloration, inhibiting bacterial growth in wine and on grapes Some humans allergic to sulfites; in U.S., FDA prohibits its use on raw fruits and vegetables Vitamin A (incl. Beta-carotene) A fat-soluble vitamin. The human body converts beta-carotene into Vitamin A in the liver Milk and cream, margarine, cheeses and cheese products Dietary supplement None as an additive * Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) Vitamin found in legumes and other sources, helps the body convert carbohydrates into energy Macaroni products, cereal flours Dietary supplement None Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) Vitamin found in yogurt, wheat germ and other sources Cereal flours, bakery products Dietary supplement None Additive Description Used in: Purpose Side effects Vitamin B3 (Niacin) Vitamin found in abundance in liver, chicken, tuna, whole-grain cereals Cereal flours, enriched bread, macaroni and noodle products Dietary supplement None Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) Water-soluble vitamin Cereal flours, jellies and preserves, canned mushrooms and artichokes Preservative, dietary supplement None Vitamin D A fat-soluble vitamin humans can produce naturally through exposure to direct sunlight Milk, macaroni products, cereal products Nutritional purposes, prevents rickets None as an additive * Yeast Single-celled organisms used to make wines ferment and bread rise Bakery products, macaroni and noodle products, enriched corn meal Dietary supplement, rising agent None

Items marked with * indicate that individually, the substance can be toxic in large doses. However, it would be difficult to consume harmful doses of these products in foods in which they are used as additives.

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