Exfoliating is a very important part of any skin care regime. Not only does it slough away dead skin cells, but it also unclogs the oil and dirt that lives in your pores and can cause breakouts. Most store-bought exfoliants contain harsh chemicals and dozens of questionable ingredients that have unknown benefits. Instead of shelling out the money for a store-bought exfoliator, try concocting one of these four homemade exfoliators using ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry.

As with any other exfoliating treatments, these should be used two to three times a week, not every day. And keep in mind that when trying a new skin care product (or in this case, recipe), test it out before you go to bed. That way, if you have an adverse reaction, you can give your skin time to recover while you sleep.

Baking sodaBasic baking soda scrub

The range of what baking soda can do just seems to be getting wider and wider. It can freshen the air, remove stains, clean showers and sinks, and trigger explosions in science fair volcanoes. Oh yes, we can use it to bake, too. But there is one more non-food-related use to add to baking soda’s resume: face exfoliant. The grains in baking soda are just the right size to act as a gentle exfoliant, and many claim that it has helped clear up acne. Mix in a teaspoon of baking soda to your facial cleanser to make it an exfoliating cleanser. Or make a paste of just baking soda and water, gently rub it onto your skin and leave it on for 5 to 10 minutes before rinsing off.

SugarNourishing sugar scrub

Granulated sugar is another wonderful, natural exfoliant -- and with all these reports coming out that sugar may be toxic when ingested, I’m thinking we might be better served to use it on the body versus in the body. Mix it with honey, which contains powerful antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, and a little lemon for clarifying purposes, and you have a wonderfully nourishing and effective face scrub. Combine 1 teaspoon sugar with 1/2 teaspoon honey and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and mix well. If the mixture is a little loose, add a bit more sugar.

Coffee groundsInvigorating coffee scrub

Coffee is another fantastic natural exfoliant. It contains caffeic acid, which has anti-inflammatory effects and can boost collagen production. Just as coffee stimulates our body in the morning, it can serve as a skin stimulant as well. To make the scrub, combine 1 tablespoon of ground coffee with 1 tablespoon of water or olive oil. To make this inexpensive face scrub even more economical, save the wet coffee grounds from your brewed morning coffee and use those. If you use olive oil, skip applying a moisturizer afterward, as olive oil will leave your skin super-moisturized. As a side note, since coffee grinds can clog drains, apply the scrub and buff off the grounds over a plugged sink so that you can wipe them out or use a mesh drain strainer to catch them before they go down your pipes.

OatmealSoothing oatmeal scrub

People who use oatmeal as a natural face scrub swear by it, and now I know why. Ground oatmeal not only serves as a wonderful exfoliant, but it also absorbs and removes surface dirt and impurities while leaving your skin nourished and hydrated. It has been known to soothe and heal everything from acne to sunburn to dry, flaky skin. Given its gentle nature, it is also ideal for those with sensitive skin. Combine 1 tablespoon of ground oatmeal with 1/4 teaspoon of salt, which boosts the face treatment's exfoliating properties, and 1 teaspoon of water or olive oil to make it into a paste. Gently rub it onto you skin in circular motions, let sit for five to 10 minutes and rinse.

DISCLOSURE: Please note these statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. I am not a doctor. I am simply sharing my experiences.

Best natural exfoliants and diy facial scrubs. Bonus: You already have everything you need in your kitchen! - thecrunchymoose.com

One of the key steps to having radiant, younger looking skin is to get rid of old, dry, dead skin cells. And the best way to do that, or course, is to exfoliate. Here are the best natural exfoliants and DIY homemade facial scrubs. And the best part is you have almost everything you need in your kitchen!

Why We Need To Exfoliate

New skin cells are created in the skin’s inner layer (dermis). As they form form, the old, dead skin cells are pushed to the outer layer of the skin (epidermis). These dead cells gradually flake off. But some of them hang on for too long, making your complexion look dull & rough and clogs your pores causing acne & other blemishes. Exfoliating the skin removes these dead cells.

It is important not to forget to exfoliate your body. A very effective method is dry body brushing. Dry body brushing not only removes dead skin cells, but increases your blood flow resulting in less cellulite. I use this dry body brush. Read more here.

 

Top 5 Best Natural Exfoliants

Baking Soda

Baking soda is my personal favorite. I exfoliate my face with baking soda daily. I keep a container in my shower and rub about a tablespoon of it on my face in a circular motion, rinse, then wash my face with this liquid natural soap. Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is the main ingredient in many expensive exfoliation products. Be sure to use a natural baking soda like this one. Find out more about the quality of your baking soda here. I also use baking soda in my toothpastedeodorant, and no poo haircare.

Sugar

Sugar is a natural source of glycolic acid. Glycolic acid boosts new cell production and breaks down the protein that keeps the dead cells hanging onto your skin. Pure can sugar crystals work best, like this one. Mix the sugar crystals with your favorite massage oil (olivejojobagrapeseedalmond, etc.) to make a paste. Scrub on your face in a circular motion, rinse, wash as usual.

Sea Salt

Sea salt is full of trace minerals that rejuvenate your skin, stimulate cell growth, and help your skin retail moisture. A sea salt scrub is great for dry skin. Mix with lavender essential oil and/or your favorite massage oil (olivejojobagrapeseedalmond, etc.) to make a paste. Scrub on your face in a circular motion, rinse, wash as usual.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal is a very gentle exfoliant, so it’s perfect for sensitive skin. It is a natural anti-inflammatory and is very moisturizing. Mix finely ground oatmeal with honey and/or kefir (you can also use yogurt or buttermilk). Scrub on your face in a circular motion, let sit for 15-30 minutes, rinse, wash as usual.

Kefir

Kefir is like yogurt, but with a lot more beneficial bacteria (about 40 times more). Find out more about kefir here (and how to make it). You can use yogurt and still see benefits, but you will see better results using kefir. Kefir is a natural source of lactic acid that hydrates and soothes your skin. Apply to your face and let sit for 15-30 minutes, rinse, wash as usual. Your skin will be so soft and smoothe for several days.

Honey

Raw honey is anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal. It kills skin infections, including acne. Honey reduces inflammation and hydrates. Honey can be mixed with any of the other exfoliants mentioned here to boost the antioxidant and anti-bacterial benefits. Holistic Health Herbalist swears by honey and uses it in her daily routine to get rid of acne.

Yes, we know there are a ton of face scrubs out there, but it’s hard to find exactly the right one to fit your skin type. Which means that making a custom one to fit your skin’s needs is the way to go. Plus, you’ll already have half of the ingredients in your kitchen. It’s a win-win situation!

We’ll walk you through the basic ingredients, and what they do. Then we’ve come up with five of our favorite versions that we’ll show you how to make step-by-step. Let’s get started!

 

Homemade Face Scrubs

First, you’ll need to choose your exfoliant. It comes down to sugar or salt, but as you know there are several varieties of each. We recommend four different types: plain white sugar, brown sugar, iodized table salt, and black lava sea salt. Sugar is less abrasive than salt because it dissolves more easily. Brown sugar is the best for sensitive skin, because it’s the softest. Salt exfoliates well and can help remove impurities and dead skin. And the black lava sea salt also removes dead skin along with helping increase cell activity.

 

Homemade Face Scrubs

The next ingredient you select is your oil. We chose five different oils that are great for your skin—olive oil, safflower oil, almond oil, avocado oil, and extra virgin coconut oil (our favorite!). To start off, all of these oils, except the avocado oil, are naturally antibacterial, which will help prevent any problems. Olive oil is good for really dry skin, and it won’t clog your pores. Safflower oil is a fatty oil that can help calm irritated skin and prevent clogged pores. Almond oil is fantastic because it can reduce the effects of UVB rays, and it can help improve skin tone. Avocado oil is actually extracted from the pulp of the fruit—not the seed—so it’s incredibly rich and will help your skin retain moisture. Finally, extra virgin coconut oil is packed with antioxidants and free radicals which help prevent aging. It’s one of our favorite multitaskers.

 

Homemade Face Scrubs

While you could make a scrub with just an exfoliant and an oil, we recommend adding in one of these five fruits and vegetables. They each have properties that will help your skin even more. Be forewarned that adding in a fresh fruit will reduce the shelf life of your scrub, and you’ll want to keep it in the refrigerator—not your shower. Keep that in mind before whipping up a big batch. Kiwis can help brighten your complexion, and the seeds in the fruit pulp can act as mini exfoliants on their own. Strawberries are best for evening and brightening your skin tone, and they are packed with vitamin C. Pineapple is best for acne prone skin; it has an enzyme that helps dissolve dead skin cells. Tomato contains lycopene which can help protect skin from UV rays. And finally cucumber can help reduce puffiness by reducing water retention.

 

Homemade Face Scrubs

To store your face scrub, either thoroughly clean out an old scrub container or buy a plastic container that has a lid insert like these. Believe us, it will help you keep your scrub fresh.

 

Homemade Face Scrubs

Now let’s make our masks!

 

Homemade Face Scrubs

Ingredients & Tools:
– sugar or salt of your choice
– oil of your choice
– fruit or vegetable of your choice
– muddler
– air-tight containers

Instructions:
1. Choose your container, and measure your exfoliant so that the container is 3/4 full.
2. Measure out your oil. You’ll want a 2-to-1 ratio. So, twice as much salt or sugar as oil.
3. Combine oil and salt or sugar in a bowl, and stir until just combined.
4. Add in the fruit or vegetable chopped as finely as you can get it, and muddle the mixture together until just combined. You don’t want to mix it too much or the granules will start to dissolve.
5. Decant into your storage container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

 

Homemade Face Scrubs

 

Homemade Face Scrubs

This scrub combines salt, tomato, and olive oil, and will help retain your skin’s elasticity.

 

Homemade Face Scrubs

Instead of slicing the tomatoes, we decided to scoop out the flesh and muddle it in. Also, it’s okay that this will separate a bit when you store it. Just give it a quick mix before you use it. And remember, keep it in the fridge!

 

Homemade Face Scrubs

 

Homemade Face Scrubs

Mix together sugar, safflower oil, and kiwi to get this brightening scrub.

 

Homemade Face Scrubs

Once again, scoop out the flesh of the kiwi. Avoid the core, if possible. Isn’t the color of this one beautiful?

 

Homemade Face Scrubs

 

Homemade Face Scrubs

Almond oil, strawberries, and sugar make this one of the best versions for evening out your complexion.

 

Homemade Face Scrubs

The strawberries smash up quite well, and make another beautiful scrub. It also smelled so good we were tempted to taste it!

 

Homemade Face Scrubs

 

Homemade Face Scrubs

We recommend this one, which combines brown sugar, avocado oil, and cucumber for sensitive skin. It’s incredibly restorative.

 

Homemade Face Scrubs

If your cucumber isn’t very ripe, you can also run it through your juicer and use the pulp in the scrub instead of mashing it into the brown sugar.

Homemade Face Scrubs

 

Homemade Face Scrubs

This scrub is the most serious of the bunch. The combination of the jagged black lava sea salt and the pineapple enzymes will really clarify your skin. Luckily the coconut oil is very soothing.

 

Homemade Face Scrubs

Because the pineapple is a tougher fruit, we muddled it first, and then added in the salt and coconut oil. It makes it easier to mix.

 

Homemade Face Scrubs

 

Homemade Face Scrubs

Have you ever tried making a homemade face scrub? Tell us what “recipe” you used in the comments!

Facial Scrub for Dry Skin

It is April in New Mexico, and we have had a dry year, a windy spring so far, and very little rain to accompany it. Unfortunately for me, that means allergies and excruciatingly dry skin. While I am constantly looking for a good facial scrub for dry skin, I am running large humidifiers in my house all day, and washing my face using the Oil Cleansing Method has helped quite a bit, but my skin is still DRY.

I have made a ton of homemade facial scrub recipes over the past few years, but I wanted to create a facial scrub for dry skin, specifically. I grabbed a few of my favorite, deep moisturizing pantry ingredients, and thought you guys might want to see what I came up with. I figure there may be others out there with unkindly dry weather that may be suffering along with me.

Facial Scrub for Dry Skin

    • 1/4 cup uncooked oats
    • 1/8 cup honey
    • 1/8 cup olive oil

In a food processor, pulse oats until they are broken down a bit, but not yet powdered. The oats are going to gently exfoliate the skin, removing dead and dry skin. Transfer oats to a small and clean bowl, and add in honey and olive oil. Mix together with a spoon or fork.

Clean skin thoroughly. Add a thick layer of the facial scrub, and gently massage into face for 60 seconds. Leave on skin for an extra 5 – 10 minutes, for extra moisture, then rinse with cold water. Pat skin dry, removing any remaining scrub.

facial scrub for dry skin from homemade for elle

Apply another layer of olive oil or coconut oil as a moisturizer, if necessary.

Here are some other facial scrub recipes, if you have oily, combination, or dry skin… there is something for everyone!

Facial Scrub for Dry Skin

It is April in New Mexico, and we have had a dry year, a windy spring so far, and very little rain to accompany it. Unfortunately for me, that means allergies and excruciatingly dry skin. While I am constantly looking for a good facial scrub for dry skin, I am running large humidifiers in my house all day, and washing my face using the Oil Cleansing Method has helped quite a bit, but my skin is still DRY.

I have made a ton of homemade facial scrub recipes over the past few years, but I wanted to create a facial scrub for dry skin, specifically. I grabbed a few of my favorite, deep moisturizing pantry ingredients, and thought you guys might want to see what I came up with. I figure there may be others out there with unkindly dry weather that may be suffering along with me.

Facial Scrub for Dry Skin

    • 1/4 cup uncooked oats
    • 1/8 cup honey
    • 1/8 cup olive oil

In a food processor, pulse oats until they are broken down a bit, but not yet powdered. The oats are going to gently exfoliate the skin, removing dead and dry skin. Transfer oats to a small and clean bowl, and add in honey and olive oil. Mix together with a spoon or fork.

Clean skin thoroughly. Add a thick layer of the facial scrub, and gently massage into face for 60 seconds. Leave on skin for an extra 5 – 10 minutes, for extra moisture, then rinse with cold water. Pat skin dry, removing any remaining scrub.

facial scrub for dry skin from homemade for elle

Apply another layer of olive oil or coconut oil as a moisturizer, if necessary.

Here are some other facial scrub recipes, if you have oily, combination, or dry skin… there is something for everyone!

DIY Homemade Sugar Scrub

Here’s a great natural way to pamper your skin- a homemade sugar scrub. The combination of oil and sugar in this recipe exfoliates your skin, seals in moisture, reduces clogged pores, removes fine lines, and leaves your skin smooth and soft.

Regular exfoliation allows face masks and other nourishing creams to penetrate deeper into the skin. White sugar, in particular, is excellent for exfoliating delicate skin as it helps remove dead skin cells gently. Plus, being a humectant, it adsorbs moisture from the air to hydrate your skin.

An exfoliating scrub should also include a moisturizing ingredient to prevent skin irritation and dryness. Extra-virgin olive oil is used in this recipe.

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In addition to moisturizing, it helps fade blemishes and improves skin texture. The antioxidants in this oil provide anti-aging benefits. Moreover, it is good for all skin types, including acne-prone skin.

Essential oils add a nice, soothing fragrance that promotes rejuvenation. Orange essential oil, for example, has a fresh citrus smell that calms your mind and relieves stress. In addition, it soothes dry, irritated, acne-prone skin; increases blood flow; and promotes collagen production for skin repair.

How to Prepare Your Homemade Sugar Scrub

1

Things You Will Need:

• Granulated sugar
• Extra-virgin olive oil
• An essential oil of your choice
• A mixing bowl
• A spoon
• A glass container

Steps

  1. Put one cup of sugar in a bowl and add one-third cup of olive oil and 10 drops of an essential oil of your choice (we have used orange essential oil here).

    Step1

  2. Mix the ingredients thoroughly.

    Step2

  3. Store your homemade sugar scrub in a glass jar.

    Step3


How to Use

You can use this scrub on your face as well as your hands, elbows, knees, feet and other parts of the body. Apply it once or twice a week.

  • Slather your homemade sugar scrub on your skin.
  • Massage the scrub over the skin, avoiding any cuts or areas with broken skin.
  • Remove the mixture using a wet washcloth.
  • Wash your skin with water.
  • Follow with a moisturizer.

Tips

  • If you do not have an essential oil, you can use lemon juice (half a lemon should be enough) and lemon zest in this recipe. It is excellent for your skin because it is loaded with vitamin C and antioxidants.
  • You may replace the olive oil with coconut oil, canola oil, or almond oil.
  • Store the recipe in a wide-mouthed container. Make sure you wash and dry the container beforehand.
  • If you are preparing a natural scrub for your body, you may use sea salt instead of sugar.