If you have noticed your skin appearing dull and lusterless, probably you need to exfoliate it!
I am sure you must have read the word “exfoliation.” You must be aware that it is a part of a regular skin care regimen. However, most women and men tend to give more importance to moisturizing, cleansing the skin, and slathering on the sunscreen.
For some reasons, they ignore the importance of exfoliating the skin and the result is a dull skin that lacks any luster! Here is a brief discussion about why exfoliation should never be ignored.
What is Exfoliation?
Exfoliation is the process of removal of the dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. The need for exfoliation stays true for the people of all ages and genders. However, it may be more important for you if you are above 40s. The reason is as we age, the process of regeneration of the skin slows down.
As a result, the body is unable to shed the old skin cells and regenerate the new ones efficiently. This obviously leads to the old skin cells piling up on your skin, leaving it dull, dry, and rough!
That’s not all…!
The build-up of the dead skin cells can also result in an excess production of oil in the sebaceous glands present in the skin. This can also increase your risk of ugly blemishes and acne.
All these consequences can be easily prevented by exfoliating your skin on a regular basis.
The proper exfoliation can remove the dead cells from the skin surface and prevent them from clogging the pores. It also uncovers the fresh new cells lying beneath thus making you look fresh, attractive, and completely rejuvenated.
You can exfoliate your skin mechanically with the help of abrasive scrubs rubbed on the skin.
It can also be done chemically by using the scrubs containing special forms of acids that remove the dead skin cells without the need for scrubbing.
However, while these techniques can undoubtedly remove the dead skin cells, they can cause harm to your skin over a period of time.
Most of the mechanical and chemical skin exfoliation products contain chemicals that are dangerous for the health of your skin
Hence, it is best to opt for the natural methods to exfoliate the skin.
Common Natural Exfoliators
Nature has hidden within itself a treasure of healing substances that can help to enhance our health and help us defy aging.
You can trust nature for all aspects of your health including your skin. It doesn’t disappoint you if you are desperate to find some natural solutions for exfoliating your skin.
Let me reveal some of the best natural skin exfoliators that will leave your skin spellbound with their magical touch!
1. Honey
Honey possesses natural skin exfoliation properties. It can speed up the regeneration of the new skin cells and support the body’s efforts to remove the dead skin cells.
It also acts as a humectant agent and helps to attract moisture. This property makes honey a great hydrating facial scrub. It can moisturize your skin and make it soft and supple.
To use, squirt a medium-sized dollop and scrub the face gently using it. Wash it off with slightly warm water.
2. Sugar
The roughness and the granular nature of sugar makes it a perfect exfoliator for your skin.
Another benefit of sugar can be attributed to its glycolic acid content. It helps to break down the dead skin cells and reduce the fine lines. A regular use of this natural scrub will help you get rid of the signs of aging.
You can add 2 teaspoonfuls of grapeseed or olive oil to half a cup of sugar and apply this mixture on your face. Then, rub it gently for a minute. Wash it off with plain water.
You will see a remarkable difference in your skin after this natural treatment. It will impart a unique glow to your skin and make it look vibrant and youthful.
3. Salt
Salt, especially the sea salt, is what you will need for a smooth and clear skin. The gentle abrasive properties of sea salt make it an effective natural exfoliant. It is especially suitable for the people having dry skin.
Simply mix together a cup of sea salt and a small amount of glycerin to make a paste. Rub this paste over your skin using a sponge or your hands and then, rinse it off.
4. Baking soda
Baking soda can produce a foaming effect when rubbed on the skin and help to remove the dead skin cells. The rubbing action while applying a paste of baking soda on the skin increases the blood supply in the skin and stimulates the regeneration of the new skin cells.
You can use baking soda to exfoliate your skin almost daily. Just rub a tablespoon of baking soda on your face in a slow, circular motion, and rinse.
5. Oatmeal
Oatmeal is perhaps the gentlest natural exfoliant we can find. I would recommend this exfoliant to the people who have sensitive skin. Oatmeal also absorbs the excess oil from the skin surface and cleanses the face.
Oatmeal works the best when the whole oats are ground in a food processor, and added to water or any other base. You can apply this paste to your face with fingertips.
6. Coffee
If you love the refreshing aroma of coffee, it’s time to start using it as an exfoliant. It is one of the most favorite beverages of the people across the world.
It can stimulate your nerves and help you stay alert and focus better. However, not many people are aware that this stimulant can also work wonders for your skin.
Caffeine present in coffee can perk up the functions of the skin. It can stimulate the production of new cells, and reduce the dark circles and puffiness around the eyes. Thus, it provides a double advantage of reducing puffiness as well as exfoliating at the same time!
You can use the fresh coffee grounds or the already brewed ones. Add it to a small amount of any oil of your choice as a base to form a taste. Apply this paste to your skin and rub gently in circular motions. Wash it off with water.
7. Lemon
Lemon juice contains vitamin C, which acts as powerful antioxidant and protects your skin against the damaging effects of free radicals, toxins in the environment, chemical in cosmetics and much more.
Lemon juice also offers a natural source of alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that can remove the dead skin cells and allow the newly regenerated skin cells to take their place. This will make your skin appear naturally radiant.
To use, 3 to 4 teaspoonfuls each of lemon juice, grape juice, apple juice, and cane sugar. Apply this mixture to your face using a clean cotton pad, and allow it to stay for about 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing off.
Best DIY Face Scrub Recipes You can Try at Home for a Beautiful Skin
Luckily, most of the natural ingredients that work as exfoliants, including honey, oatmeal, salt and sugar can be found in our kitchen. So, doesn’t it make sense to spend a few minutes and prepare your own recipe for a natural exfoliation of the skin than relying on the chemical based products available in the market?
Of course, it does!
Let us have a look at some of the most effective and easy to prepare DIY recipes for natural exfoliators.
Face Scrubs #1: Sugar Face Scrub
If you are looking for an instant glow on your face; then, this one’s for you! Sugar is amazing for your skin. The small particles of sugar will help dislodge the dead skin cells and slough them off from your skin along with the dried sebum, accumulated impurities, dirt, and pollutants.
After using this scrub, you’ll be astonished to find a remarkable difference in the health and appearance of your skin. It will become soft and radiant and feel soft and supple.
The beauty of this recipe is it suits all skin types. Whether you have an oily skin or a dry one, you can use this face scrub. It ensures the oil production in the sebaceous glands is neither too high nor too low thus maintaining the hydration and moisturization of the skin.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon of sugar preferably organic white sugar
- 3 drops of Lavender oil
- 1 teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil
Directions for use:
Add all the ingredients in a small bowl and mix them together using a wooden popsicle stick. Make sure you use a disposable stick for stirring, and not a cutlery item
Apply this sugar face scrub on your skin and massage gently for one or two minutes. Allow to stay for a few minutes and rinse it off
Pat dry your skin using a clean towel and behold the radiance and smoothness of your face!
Note:
This Sugar Face Scrub is absolutely easy to prepare and use. You can also make a larger quantity and store it for future use for almost 3 months. You can switch the olive oil for coconut oil, or rosehip oil.
You may add herbal powders of turmeric, or cinnamon for better results.
Face Scrubs #2: Strawberry Face Scrub
This one’s especially for you if you have a very dry skin. Coconut oil is my favorite ingredient when it comes to keeping the skin well moisturized. Use this face scrub regularly to enjoy a healthy and natural glow on your face.
Strawberries are one of the cutest fruits. I love these tiny, red, heart-shaped berries not just for their taste but also for their unique appearance.
Now, you can alter your face to look as cute and attractive as these strawberries by using it to prepare your own face scrub.
Strawberries act as antioxidants and provide protection to the skin against free radicals, and environmental toxins and pollutants. It can also stimulate the regeneration of the skin cells.
Ingredients:
- 6 to 8 fresh strawberries
- 1/4th cup of sugar
- 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
Directions for use:
Add sugar and coconut oil in a small bowl and mix together. Make sure both the ingredients are well combined
Cut the strawberries into tiny pieces and place them in the sugar mixture
Smash the strawberries using a spoon and mix them all together
Store this mixture in an air-tight container for future use as and when needed
When ready to use, dampen your face slightly using a wet towel. Apply a small amount of your DIY Strawberry face scrub on the face and allow to sit for a few minutes
Then, rinse it off with warm water. Pat dry, and apply a mild moisturizer
Tip:
Use this scrub twice a week. During winter, use it more often as the skin tends to get drier in this season.
Face Scrubs #3: Rosemary Honey Face Scrub
Honey is gentle and soothing for your skin. It acts as a regenerative agent and supports the ability of your skin to produce new, healthy cells. It can also prevent the signs of aging like wrinkles and fine lines. Rosemary absorbs the dirt and impurities from your skin and cleanses the face.
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons of honey
- One cup of organic cane sugar
- 2 teaspoonfuls of dried rosemary
- 1/4th cup of olive oil
- 15 drops of lavender essential oil
- 15 drops of lemon essential oil
Directions for use:
Mix honey, dried rosemary, olive oil, and sugar
Add the essential oils and stir to combine
Apply this mixture on the face and rub it in gentle circular motions
Leave it for about 10 minutes and wash it off with plain water
Note:
If your skin is very dry, you can add 2 teaspoonfuls of coconut oil to the mixture.
Face Scrub #4: Oatmeal Lavender Facial Scrub
This recipe is especially meant for the people who have dry and sensitive skin. The gentle, soothing effect of Levander will heal the damaged skin cells and rejuvenate the skin completely.
It will also calm the irritated nerves and reduce those lines of frowning on your face. Oatmeal will help to slough off the dead skin cells and allow the new skin cells to take their place.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon lavender flowers
- Half a cup of rolled oats
- 1 tablespoon of baking soda
- 7 drops lavender essential oil
- 2 tablespoons of sea salt
Directions for use:
Place the lavender essential oil, lavender flowers, and rolled oats into a coffee grinder. Pulse the ingredients until ground to form a powder
Transfer the contents to a bowl and add sea salt and baking soda
Store it in a glass jar for future use
To use, add 2 teaspoons of this scrub in 2 tablespoons of milk, and gently scrub it on your face with fingers
Tips:
You can add aloe vera gel or honey for an added soothing and calming effect.
Face scrub #5: Coffee Face Scrub
Coffee Face Scrub offers a great way to cleanse your skin and remove the dead skin cells. It can also reduce blackheads and whiteheads and make the skin clean and clear.
This recipe is perfect for those having an oily skin. It regulates the oil or sebum production in the glands beneath the skin and also reduces the problems associated with the excessive oiliness such as acne.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- One or two tablespoons coffee grinds
Directions for use:
Mix all the ingredients and apply it to the face
Scrub your skin gently for one or two minutes
Wash it off with plain water
Tips:
You may add a small amount of coconut oil to the mixture to moisturize the skin.
Natural Body Scrubs You can Use for a Healthy and Clean Skin
Your face is the mirror of your mental and physical health. It is the face of a person that allows him or her to make the first good impression. That is why; we tend to attach a lot of importance to looking beautiful and attractive by taking more care of just the face.
However, you must not forget that the skin of the rest of the body too holds equal importance as they form a part of your overall personality and health. You have to scrub the skin of your body on a regular basis to remove the dead skin cells accumulated on it just like you do it for your face. Here are a few natural body scrub recipes that will exfoliate and cleanse your skin.
Body scrub #1: Sandal Season Foot Scrub
If dry skin and cracked heels are the major problems for you, try this body and foot scrub recipe. Winter is the season of cracks and more cracks!
I have spent several years trying to bear the sight of dry and cracked heals. But not anymore!
I have found a perfect recipe for my cracked heels and that’s Sandal Season Foot Scrub. This foot scrub removes the dead and dry skin cells from the foot and leaves them as smooth and healthy as they are in spring!
Ingredients:
- Half a cup of avocado oil
- 5 to 6 drops of lemon essential oil
- One or two tablespoons of lemon juice
- 1 cup of cane sugar
Directions for use:
Add all of the ingredients in a small bowl and stir well until they are combined to form a coarse-textured powder
Add more sugar if you find the powder not as course as is needed for the desired scrubbing effect
Store the mixture in a clean, airtight jar
To use, apply it on the soles of the feet, around the ankles, and even between the toes and gently rub to slough off the dead cells
Rinse your feet with plain water
Tips:
Use this body scrub recipe at least twice a week. Avoid if there is bleeding from the cracks.
Body scrub #2: Coffee Body Scrub Recipe
Your neck, armpits, and groin regions need scrubbing more often than the other parts of the body, excluding, of course, your face.
The refreshing effect of Coffee offers a perfect way to stimulate the skin cells in these regions to regenerate. It is suitable for all skin types, especially those having oily skin.
It will reduce the oil production in the skin of the armpits, neck, and groins and help you feel and smell fresh throughout the day.
Ingredients:
- Half a cup of whole brown sugar
- Half a cup of coconut oil
- Half a cup of liquid castile soap
- 2 tablespoons of ground coffee
Directions for use:
Put the coconut oil in the fridge for at least half an hour or till it is no longer in a liquid or free flowing form. For best effects, it should be cold and in the solid form
Mix sugar and coconut oil in a blender and blend well. But, do not blend for too long as it will melt the coconut oil and break the sugar into finer particles
Pour the mixture of coconut oil and sugar in an aluminum bowl. Place this bowl in another larger bowl that’s filled with icy cold water
Whip the scrub using an electric mixer until it turns fluffy and creamy
Add the liquid soap and coffee and combine well
Store the scrub in an air-tight container and keep it in a refrigerator
To use, apply it on the armpits, groins, and neck region and rub gently. Then, wash it off with plain water
Tips:
Apply this body scrub when it is still cold. For better results, use it twice a week before the morning shower. Make sure you use the mixture within 1 month. Any leftover scrub must be discarded after this period.
Body scrub #3: Coconut Sea Salt Rose Scrub
This one’s especially for those having a dry and sensitive skin. I have derived great results with this recipe each time I used it when my skin became too dry or excessively cracked up.
You can also apply it after you have spent the whole day out in the sun to remove the dead, damaged, and sun-burnt skin cells.
Ingredients:
- Half a cup of coconut oil
- Half a cup of sea salt
- 6 to 8 drops of rose essential oil
- Half a cup of dried and crushed rose petals
Directions for use:
Mix all the ingredients and apply all over the skin
Wash it off with lukewarm water
Tips:
This recipe is suitable for those who have an excessively oily skin. The sea salt removes the excess oil or sebum that can clog the skin pores and allows your skin to breathe well. Coconut oil ensures the skin is not left too dry. This body scrub reduces the oiliness of the skin without robbing off its natural hydration. You can use it over the parts of the body that are prone to excessive sweating such as the back, and the armpits.
Important Facts and Points to Remember while Exfoliating Your Skin
- Exfoliating can not just help you to get rid of the dead skin cells but also leaves it even-toned with a smoother and softer texture.
- Exfoliation is best done in the morning before the shower as the dampness of the skin allows for an easier removal of the dirt, dead skin cells, and toxic build-up
- Try to exfoliate your skin twice a week. Do it just once a week if you have very dry or sensitive skin
- If you notice redness and sensitivity on your face after exfoliating, consider minimizing the frequency
- Examine the skin before scrubbing and take note of the rough and dry patches
- Exfoliate your face in gentle and circular motions. Make sure your face is clean before you begin for a thorough exfoliative effect. Remove all the make-up with wet wipes before scrubbing the face
- When using a natural face scrub, start with the nose, move to the forehead and then, scrub the rest of the face. Be careful while scrubbing the areas near your ears, mouth, and the eyes
- Never over-exfoliate your skin as it can strip the skin of its nutrients, moisture, and elasticity
- After scrubbing, rinse your skin using a washcloth dipped in warm water to remove the excess oil and dirt
- Take a hot shower after using a body scrub to let the sloughed dead skin cells to flow off from the body. The warm water also opens up the skin pores, and allows the skin to breathe well
Conclusion
A man or a woman; a young person or an older person; summer or winter; dry or oily skin! None of these are excluded from the need for exfoliation.
You have to scrub your skin on a regular basis to remove the dead cells accumulated on its surface irrespective of your age, gender, skin types, and season.
Keep in mind the points discussed above and use the appropriate natural face scrub and body scrub recipes to keep your skin healthy, glowing, and youthful.