Treat Yourself to Your Own
Homemade Exfoliant

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A little oatmeal, a little honey and voila... your own homemade exfoliant. For simple, effective and inexpensive exfoliants look no further than your kitchen cabinets and refrigerator.

Facial exfoliants rely on a combination of coarse ingredients and moist ingredients combined to make a rough paste. It's that simple. Your skin type, dry, oily or sensitive, determines which ingredients are best to use. Although many ingredients can be used by all skin types.

Once you know the basics don't be afraid to experiment with your own creations. A look at the combination of ingredients used in skin care products and you will quickly realize that so many different foods can be used to make your own homemade exfoliant. Chocolate cleansers, pumpkin facials and green tea moisturizers are products turning up for our skin care.

The list below is a good starting point. If possible choose organic ingredients and make sure to wash any produce just like you would if you were going to eat it.

Coarse Ingredients

coffee grounds(used are just fine):
They are antibacterial, exfoliating and stimulating to the skin.

sugar(table sugar or coarse):
Works well with olive oil to provide gentle scrubbing for your homemade exfoliant.

almonds(ground up):
Creates a gentle scrubbing action while providing healthy oils to the skin.

oatmeal(use natural unflavored):
Healing and soothing for the skin especially sensitive skin. Ground up for finer scrub or left as for a little more action.

corn flour or rice powder:
Another good easily available choice especially for oily skin. Helps absorb skin oils.

kosher or sea salt:
An age old exfoliater, use a gentle touch to avoid irritating the skin. Coarse salt and coarse sugar work better when combined with a moist ingredient that is sticky. When combined with just a juice no paste is formed.

Moist Ingredients

lemon, lime or orange juice:
These provide an astringent quality to your homemade exfoliant plus the vitamin C provides a boost. Good for oily skins.

honey:
Healing and soothing along with an ability to help skin retain moisture.

yogurt, milk, sour cream etc.:
Contains lactic acid which help skin slough off dead skin cells.

olive oil:
Soothing, moisturizing. Antioxidants help protect the skin from the effects of aging.

cucumber(peeled, cut up and pureed):
Provides cooling and astringent qualities.

avocado(mashed):
Rich in vitamins and antioxidants. Moisturizing. Good for dry skin.

apple juice:
Contains natural fruit acids which help exfoliate.

Usually a tablespoon or two of coarse ingredients is enough, add in moist ingredients a little at a time to create a paste.

Water can always be added if any mixture is too thick. Apply to both face and neck and if you make a little extra use on the back of your hands.

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Recipes to try:

1.Corn flour scrub. For oily skin

2 tbs.corn flour
apple juice(enough to create a paste)
Mix ingredients and apply to face. Massage gently in a circular motion. Splash with warm water to remove, then cool water to help close pores.

2.Oatmeal facial scrub. Good for sensitive skin.

1/2 cup uncooked oats (for finer scrub you can blend into powder)
1 tbs.honey(if you use ground up oats you may want to adjust honey)

Mix ingredients together to form a paste. Massage into face and neck. Let scrub sit on skin for 10-15 minutes before rinsing.

3.Olive oil and sugar scrub. Great for dry skin.

1 tbs. sugar
few drops olive oil

Blend together both ingredients adding a few drops of oil at a time to form a spreadable paste. Gently massage into skin. Rinse with warm water.

Have you been making your own skin exfoliants? Do you have any favorites? Share your recipes with us. Click on skin exfoliant to easily submit your favorites.

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A few things to keep in mind when using any type of homemade exfoliant:

Exfoliation works better when done on a regular basis. Once a week at a minimum. Gentle exfoliation can be done several times a week.

Use gentle circular motions to avoid scratching or irritating facial skin.

Don't use ingredients that you are allergic to. If in doubt do a patch test.

Avoid eye area when applying.

Exfoliate at night and give your skin a chance to replenish.

Do not use on irritated, inflamed or broken skin.

Have fun, experiment and let those young new skin cells shine through.