Exfoliation is a vital part of any skin care routine and should not be skipped at any cost. It is essentially the process of removing dead skin cells off the face, which if pile up, cause pores to be blocked and cause more oil generation; resulting in blemishes and acne. The build-up of dead skin cells makes a face look dull, which none of us wants. As we grow older, the skin regeneration cycle also slows down, making it even more necessary to clean the pores for new cells to grow frequently. Hence, exfoliation is extremely necessary. Also, the gentle rubbing and massaging that comes with it helps in blood circulation on the surface of the skin, which is again essential for a healthy, clean skin.
In a world full of branded cosmetics which are mostly chemical, you can make the most effective face scrubs from the things that are available in your kitchen! They’re not just easy on your pocket but are a 100% effective as well. Here are some of the best homemade recipes that we’ve compiled for your convenience:
* Baking Soda
This one has to be the easiest of them all. All you have to do is mix 2-3 tablespoons of baking soda in a small amount of water to get a thick paste.
The application part is not a rocket science at all. Apply the paste to the face in a circular motion and scrub gently. This mixture is very gentle and can be used daily.
* Honey Orange ScrubPowder dried orange peel, and mix two tbsp of it with an equal amount of granulated oats. Add a tbsp of honey and mix a little water (if required) to get a thick paste.
Apply the paste in a mild upward motion, and in small circular strokes. Do this after cleaning your skin. Let the paste sit for a few minutes. Rinse away with warm water. Follow up by pat drying, toning and moisturizing. It is advisable to use this scrub twice weekly if you have oily skin.
* Tomato and Ground Oats ScrubMix well a handful of ground oats and brown sugar. Use two thick slices of tomato and dip them in the oats-sugar mix. Gently scrub it on the face and the neck in circular motion. After rinsing this off, you could let a few slices of tomato sit on your skin for a few minutes. Tomatoes act as bleaching agents and help you fight pigmentation as well, while oats help soothe the skin.
* Simple Sugar Face ScrubAll you need for this one is a teaspoon of sugar (both brown sugar and organic cane sugar will do). Add one or two drops of water. Optionally, you could also add two drops of lemon juice, orange juice, lavender or other suitable essential oils.
Clean your face, and gently apply the scrub with your fingertips. Rinse away with cold water and pat dry. Follow it up with a moisturizer (if need be).
* Chocolate and Sugar Face ScrubThis sounds like the gourmet of homemade scrubs. This delicious mix helps to exfoliate and keep the skin soft. You’ll need a half cup (~ 170g) of brown sugar, ⅛ cup olive oil (~43g), one-fourth tsp of vanilla extract, and 1 tbsp of cocoa powder. Mix all of these.
Rub gently on clean face for about a minute. For best results, let it sit for 10 minutes, and then wash your face with warm water.
* Honey and Blueberry ScrubHoney is the base for many scrubs, thanks to its cleansing and soothing properties. In this scrub, take 2 tbsp of honey, 1 tbsp of sugar and half cup of fresh blueberries (Yum!). Use a blender to mix these until you get a smooth paste.
You shouldn’t be a miser when it comes to applying this paste; the more, the better. Let it sit for 15 minutes. Wash your face with warm water. Rinse clean.
* Banana ScrubAdd ground sugar to two mashed, ripe bananas. A tbsp of honey is advisable for moisturizing. Mix into a mildly fragrant pulp. Gently massage on the face for five minutes and rinse off with cold water.
* Cocoa and Coffee Facial ScrubThis delicious mix of two caffeinated ingredients makes your skin lively. Mix equal parts of coffee and cocoa (4 tbsp each), then add olive oil and honey. Make a smooth paste. If you have oily skin, adding a little lemon juice to this mix proves to be one of the best scrubs for oily skin there is. Adding yogurt helps dry skin.
Apply the paste to face and neck and allow it to sit for a few minutes. If your skin is sensitive, do not rub this mixture as coffee grains might scratch your skin. Wet a piece of cloth and pat on the skin to loosen the mask. Rinse clean with cold water.
* Pumpkin, Sugar and Spice Scrub
Blend half cup of pureed pumpkin, half cup brown sugar and one-fourth teaspoon of ground cinnamon. This paste can be applied to the face as well as the body. Let it sit for a few minutes and wash off with cold water.