∴ Why should you avoid store-bought exfoliants?

There are many products that you can buy to exfoliate your skin, but the problem with most of them is that they contain microbeads. Microbeads aren’t only rough on skin, but also terrible for the environment. The small plastic beads in these products aren’t filtered out by water treatment plants and are being washed right back into our water supply, often with harmful results for marine life.

In USA for instance, the state of Illinois recently banned the use of microbeads. The plastic waste caused by the microbeads, which are not filtered out during sewage treatment, are damaging water ecosystems.
In EU, the European commission has recently lunched the debate to closely monitor its long term impact. If you would like to read more about the project, you can read further update on the following link ⇒ EU.

The good news is, the best exfoliators are all-natural, so you don’t need to buy any harmful, expensive products. With ingredients that you already have on hand, you can have your face shining and refreshed in no time. List compiled by DIYNatural.

∴ All-Natural Exfoliants

⇔ Sugar

Sugar grains are naturally small and rough, which make them perfect for sloughing skin cells from your face. When added to an oil, such as grapeseed or olive oil, sugar is a fantastic exfoliant.

Another benefit to sugar?

It’s full of glycolic acid, which helps to naturally break down dead skin cells and decrease fine lines.

Hmm I am guessing your next question: How does it work?

Basically, glycolic acid contains small molecules that are able to penetrate into the skin. And, once it penetrates under the surface it loosens up the glue-like substance that holds the skin cells together and allows the skin to shed off the old dead cells. Once the skin has rid itself of the old cells it appears brighter and leaves your skin with a more, healthy glow.

Simple 😉

⇔ Oatmeal

Oats is actually my favourite breakfast, no matter where I am or how I feel. It does the job and I looove trying new refreshing recipes. Oatmeal is one of the gentlest exfoliants you can find. If you have sensitive skin, it’s a great place to start for exfoliation.

Oatmeal works best when whole oats are ground up in a food processor, then added to water or another base and applied to the face with your fingertips. Another benefit to oatmeal is that it absorbs oil, so you will be cleansing as you exfoliate.

⇔ Baking Soda

I often use baking soda in my DIY skincare routine. And since all you really have to do is make a paste out of baking soda and water, it’s quite possibly the simplest and least expensive exfoliant on this list. Baking soda is one of my favorite exfoliants; my face always feels so much fresher after I’ve rinsed all the baking soda off, and it’s very gentle, too.

⇔ Sea Salt

Sea salt (not table salt!) makes a great exfoliant, too. The granules are large and coarse, and don’t dissolve easily. This makes it fantastic for use on the rougher parts of your body, like elbows and feet. Another nice thing about sea salt is that it isn’t at all sticky. To use, simply mix with a small amount of oil and rub into your skin.

The week end is coming soon, if you feel like pampering yourself with a refreshing and calming bath, read that:

Saturday Relaxation with Ginger and Dead Sea Salt.

⇔ Coffee

Caffeine is known to decrease puffiness around the eyes.

Exfoliating and decreasing puffiness at the same time? Sounds good to me! You can use either fresh coffee grounds or those you’ve already brewed (which makes more sense to me – recycling is always a good thing!), add them to a small amount of the oil of your choice, and apply to your skin.

Note: The only downside I see to using coffee as an exfoliant is that coffee grounds are inherently messy, so be prepared for a bit of cleanup.

⇔ Almonds

It probably sounds strange to think of rubbing almonds all over your face, but when they’re ground up very finely, almonds make for a great exfoliant. Almond powder is a chemical-free, nutrient-rich method to exfoliate your skin.

When added to a small amount of water, almond powder will exfoliate the skin without leaving behind any residue. Other powders hold similar health attributes for your skin such as Cinnamon, rice or green tea (matcha) powder.

Did you check out my article about Almond Milk?

Now you know…

Using an exfoliant a few times a week is one of the best ways to keep your skin healthy and young-looking. Make sure you use them gently – exfoliating shouldn’t hurt! Scrubbing your face too hard or too often can result in irritated skin, and redness is definitely not the look you’re going for with this.

If you think it’s going to be difficult to incorporate natural exfoliation into your routine, take heart. Seriously, if I can learn to do it, you can learn to do it.

Once you get used to having such bright skin, you’ll never want to go back.

Happy Skin Everyone,

Next post next Monday on something called…Emu Oil I recently discovered and loved 😉

Amanda

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