Did you know?
Beneath that rough, flaky and patchy outer layer of your skin lays beautiful smooth skin. However, the chilly weather takes a toll on your skin due to the cold outside and hot, dryness indoors. You have to help it a little by exfoliating regularly to regenerate your skin and stimulate growth of new cells.
What is exfoliation?
Exfoliation is the cosmetic practice of removing dead skin cells from the epidermis, the top layer of the skin. Your skin can shed up to 30,000 to 40,000 dead cells per minute naturally; however, many people need exfoliation products such as scrubs to reduce acne and attain skin softness.
How to prepare the scrub at home?
Other than exfoliating, a good facial scrub can make the face feel clean and renewed alongside preventing breakouts. If you’re ready for a facial, try making a scrub at home. You’ll save money and with a little practice you can swap out ingredients to create a unique scrub that suits your preferences. Here are some easy techniques for preparing homemade scrubs with simple ingredients.
1. Cleansing cream and sugar scrub: Splash water on your face and use a clean cloth to gently scrub. Put about a teaspoon of cleansing cream (this can be whatever you have at hand – just make sure it’s creamy in texture) in your palm. Pour two teaspoons of sugar and a teaspoon of wheat germ over the cleansing cream. Use both hands to mix them, creating a gritty paste. Apply the mixture to your face in a circular motion. Pay close attention to the sides of the nose and any lines or dry spots. And be extra cautious around the eyes. If you get scrub in your eyes, flush it out with water immediately. After some time, gently remove the scrub with water. Finish off by splashing your face with cold water. This closes the pores of your face.
2. Green tea, sugar and honey scrub: Green tea is said to have anti-aging effects when applied to the skin. Along with reducing wrinkles, it also repairs scar tissue. Brew a mug of extra-strength green tea. Pour a tablespoon or two of brewed tea into a bowl and allow it to cool. Add a tablespoon of sugar into the tea. Continue adding the sugar until the mixture is consistent and gritty enough to scrub your skin but also wet enough so that it can be applied to your skin easily. Finally, stir in a tablespoon of honey and ensure that it is mixed in thoroughly. Honey has great moisturizing and antibacterial properties. Apply the scrub to a freshly washed face. Rub and scrub all over your face, focusing on dry spots.
3. Yoghurt Scrub: Yoghurt contains vitamin B6 which helps to stimulate blood flow, and therefore makes your skin feel fresh and renewed. Wash your face with a cleanser first. Take some yoghurt on a bowl and then gently apply it on your skin. Leave it for fifteen minutes or more. Wash your face with cold water and then towel dry it. Be sure to repeat this procedure once a week.
4. Honey and Cinnamon Scrub: Put 1/4th teaspoon of cinnamon, 1/4th teaspoon of turmeric, 1 tablespoon of honey to the bowl and stir the mixture until it forms a thick paste. Apply the paste in a circular motion and wait for thirty minutes. Then rinse off with warm water.
5. Coconut oil, sugar and lemon scrub: Place ½ cup of coconut oil in a bowl. If you don’t have coconut oil, use olive oil, almond oil or even grape-seed oil. Avoid peanut oil, canola oil and vegetable oil since these have a strong smell that may take away from the experience of a relaxing facial. Next, add two tablespoons of sugar in to the bowl and stir the mixture. Continue stirring the sugar into the mixture until it has a gritty, spreadable consistency. Then add a tablespoon lemon juice to the mixture- this will enhance the cleansing properties of the scrub. Apply the scrub to a freshly washed face. Rub and scrub the entire face, concentrating on the spots that are dry. Use a wet cloth or towel to remove the scrub and finally splash cold water over your face. Oil-based scrubs are remarkable for bringing back a soft suppleness to dry skin, as it leaves a thin residue of oil behind.
If you have long hair, then pull all of it away from the face and secure it with a hair band. Use a head band to hold back your hair if necessary before applying the scrub. While physical scrubs are effective, watch out for those containing apricot pits and ground nuts. Although they can make your skin feel smoother instantly, they can also be irritating and can inflame acne-prone skin. Some dermatologists caution against scrubs that use pits or seeds for the exfoliating agent. Instead, they recommend jojoba beads or sugar.