Why should you exfoliate?
Exfoliating is an important part in caring for your skin. Our bodies create new cells on the skin’s inner layer called the dermis, and as they form, we naturally shed the old, dead cells that are pushed to the outer layer called the epidermis. But sometimes they can remain for too long, making your skin look dull and causing impurities. Exfoliating once or twice a week (I like to in the shower because it’s quick and convenient) can assist the natural shedding process in removing dead cells, rejuvenating, smoothing softening and toning your skin. It helps removes debris and dirt that can clog your pores and cause acne, blemishes or even ingrown hairs. Any and all skin types can exfoliate with the right (natural) ingredients! Sensitive, oily or dry!
Why natural ingredients?
Simple! Using natural ingredients on your skin is a much better alternative to using products that contain harsh and harmful chemicals that can irritate and even worsen your skin. Bonus points when the ingredients are organic and/or vegan (thus being cruelty free as well!) This way, it’s better for you, your skin, your body, the environment…and your wallet, since you probably have a lot of this stuff in your house already!
Here are some good, natural ingredients for your skin!
Good things for your skin!
Honey -
- Antiseptic: Anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal.
- Helps reduce skin infections and fight acne.
- Full of antioxidants.
- Helps you skin protect and repair iteself.
- Reduces inflammation.
- Speeds up natural exfoliantion process.
- Humectant properties so it attracts moisture to your skin and helps hydrate it.
Yogurt -
- Contains lactic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid, but is mild enough to use on any skin type.
- The acid can help even out skin tone.
- Hydrates and exfoliates.
- Skin smoothing and soothing properties.
Apply to skin, let sit for 20 minutes, rinse.
Sugar -
- Good for all skin types.
- Natural source of glycolic acid, another alpha hydroxy acid, that is good at breaking down the protein holding dead skin cells to the epidermis.
- Boosts new skin cell production.
- Smooths and softens skin.
Mix 1 teaspoon of sugar with ½ teaspoon honey. In circular motions, gently massage into your skin and then rinse well.
Mix about one half cup of sugar, white or brown, with enough oil (olive, grapeseed, sunflower, coconut, jojoba – whatever you prefer or have on hand!). Again, in circular motions, rub onto skin and rinse. Works for your body as well :)
Oatmeal -
- Gentle exfoliant (perfect for sensitive skin when ground up! but can also be used whole)
- Anti-inflammatory properties.
- Natural moisturizer, hydrates skin.
- Absorbs and removes surface dirt and impurities.
- Soothes and heals acne, sunburns, dry skins and more.
Grind one cup of oatmeal in a blender, food processor or by hand with a mortar and pestle (or some other way, just grind it up somehow) and mix together with one cup of plain yogurt and two tablespoons of honey. Stir until it becomes a smooth paste and apply to face. Leave it for 15 minutes and then rinse with warm water.
Mix 1 tablespoon of ground oatmeal with ¼ teaspoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of oil. Rub onto face and then rinse.
Papaya-
- Contains the enzyme ‘papain’ that dissolves old dead cells, but doesn’t harm younger, new ones.
- It’s believed that this enzyme can heal heal the skin, causing lines and age spots to vanish.
- It’s most potent in young, green fruit.
- Keeps your skin hydrated.
Mash one and use it as a facial mask!
Ground Coffee -
- Just as it perks you up, it serves as a skin stimulant.
- Potent exfoliant.
- Helps tone the skin.
- Contains caffeic acid which has anti-inflammatory properties and can boost collagen production.
- Good fresh or used!
Stir together two cups ground coffee with one cup sea salt and two to three tables spoons of oil. Wet your face with warm water (not hot!) to open your pores and then, in circular motions, rub onto skin and then rinse!
Sea Salt -
- One of the best and most powerful exfoliants, especially for dry skin.
- Full of trace minerals that rejuvenate your skin, stimulate cell growth and help moisturize.
- Natural detoxifies your skin.
Mix with oil, rub onto wet skin in circular motions and rinse. This works well all over your body!
If you don’t have oil, you can just use water. Oil just doubles as a moisturizer (and each oil has it’s own beneficial properties). If you make a big enough batch of a scrub, you may want to store it in a glass container in the fridge! Of course these can be doubled or made smaller, just keep the proportions relatively the same :)
I am no expert, this is just information I have gathered over time of learning about natural alternatives. If you have a serious skin issue, seek medical attention please.
