By The Green Parent
22nd May 2019
Most shop-bought exfoliants contain harsh chemicals and dozens of questionable ingredients that have unknown effects. Instead of shelling out the money for one of these, try making one using ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry. Buffing the skin regularly also has the added health benefits of aiding blood circulation and lymph system drainage. So if you don’t already scrub regularly, then now’s the time to start.
BASIC BAKING SODA SCRUB
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 five to 10 minutes before rinsing off.
NOURISHING SUGAR SCRUB
Granulated sugar is another natural exfoliant - and research shows that we’re much better off using it on the body rather than 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.
INVIGORATING COFFEE SCRUB
Coffee contains caffeic acid, which has anti-inflammatory effects and can boost collagen production. 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. This also works well on the body, leaving silky smooth skin all over!
SOOTHING OATMEAL SCRUB
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 your skin in circular motions, let sit for five to 10 minutes and then rinse.
