There are still dead skin cells on your face even after washing and cleaning it every day. While they may assist in the removal of any superficial buildup on the face, these face washers aren’t very successful in removing deeper dirt from your skin. Exfoliation, a technique that not only removes dead skin, blackheads, and whiteheads but also improves the texture of your skin. To achieve a stunning, radiant new you, make exfoliation an essential component of your skincare routine. Exfoliation can be as simple as using a homemade scrub that you can make with ingredients from your pantry.
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Oatmeal
Oatmeal is a great ingredient to use in a face scrub because it is gentle enough for daily use and helps to remove excess oil and dirt. To make the oatmeal exfoliator:
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon of oatmeal powder
- 1 teaspoon of honey
- ½ lemon
Procedure:
- Mix the oatmeal and honey into a fine paste.
- Add enough water to help you spread it on your face.
- To get rid of any harsh irritation, make sure that the mixture is not too thick or thin.
- When you are done with the scrub, wash your face thoroughly with warm water.
Coffee Grounds
Coffee isn’t just meant for drinking; it can also be used as an exfoliator which helps to keep pores clear and acne at bay because caffeine has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce redness caused by acne. The use of coffee beans for this purpose is traditional in some countries like Brazil where women mix sugar, olive oil, and coffee beans together to make a paste which is then applied to the skin. However, if you’re like most people and don’t have the time or patience to make a homemade scrub, using leftover coffee grounds from your morning brew will work just as well.
Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons of used coffee grounds
- 1 teaspoon of olive oil
- ½ lemon
Procedure:
- Mix the ingredients until you have a paste.
- Apply it on your face and work it in with circular motions.
- After a few minutes, rinse with warm water and pat dry.
You can also make this scrub potent by leaving it on for a few hours before rinsing off. Honey is another great ingredient that works wonders on the skin without being too harsh or irritating as long as you don’t use this scrub more than once a week because using honey daily will lead to pimples that are caused by an overproduction of sebum from the glands due to its high glycemic level.
Chocolate
Yes, you read that right – chocolate – the sweet treat – is an amazing ingredient for a homemade scrub. It’s also great as a daily cleanser and moisturizer because of its high antioxidant levels which mean it will help minimize fine lines and wrinkles on your face. In addition, the caffeine present in cocoa beans acts as a natural exfoliator by stimulating blood flow around your face to keep it glowing at all times.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon of raw cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons of honey
- ½ lemon
Procedure:
- Mix the ingredients until it forms a thick paste.
- Apply the mixture to your face or affected area and make gentle circular motions with your fingertips or a soft brush for at least two minutes.
- Leave it on for 10-15 minutes before rinsing off with warm water.
If you have dry skin, you can apply a light moisturizer after using this scrub.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is not only great for moisturizing your skin, it’s also a popular ingredient in many beauty products. Although aloe vera gel is usually sufficient enough to keep the skin hydrated, you can use this plant as an exfoliator to help remove blackheads and other impurities that are deeply embedded into your pores.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel
- ½ teaspoon of lemon juice
Procedure:
- Apply the mixture on your face and scrub gently for three minutes before rinsing off with warm water.
- Apply any moisturizer after using this scrub to lock in moisture which will help leave your skin feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
Always test any new scrub on a small patch of skin before applying it all over your face to make sure that you’re not allergic to any of the ingredients. If you experience any irritation or redness, stop using the scrub immediately. These are just a few of the many scrubs that you can make at home with natural ingredients. Not only are they safer and cheaper than store-bought scrubs, but they also work just as well, if not better. So go ahead and try one – or all – of these recipes and enjoy healthy, beautiful skin!