Homemade Exfoliating Face Scrub
Dead skin, dirt and oil can all clog pores, causing acne and a dull complexion. By exfoliating your face on a weekly basis, you slough away dead skin cells, dirt and oil to reveal healthier skin underneath, notes SheKnows.com. While you'll find a bevy of exfoliating scrubs and products at the drugstore, you don't need to purchase pricey exfoliants. You likely have the ingredients necessary for an effective facial scrub in your pantry and refrigerator.
Step 1
Mix together 2 tsp. of oats with 1 tsp. of baking soda, and enough water to create a paste. Baking soda is an effective exfoliating medium because it's gentle enough for sensitive skin even though it contains saponins, which help to dissolve dirt and oil, notes Sara Wells of OurBestBites.com. The baking soda is abrasive enough to help slough away dead skin cells.
Step 2
Wet your face with warm water. Applying this scrub after a shower ensures that the dead skin on your face has been softened, making for easier scrubbing and removal. Massage the mixture in circular motions on your face for 30 seconds to one minute, focusing on areas where dry, dead skin is common, like around the nose and mouth. You can even use the mixture to exfoliate your lips.
Step 3
Rinse the mixture from your face with warm water and a washcloth. Pat your face dry gently, and follow up with an oil-free, light moisturizer to help hydrate your skin.
Step 4
Discard any remaining mixture and mix a new batch each time that you exfoliate. If you'd like to make enough for your entire body, mix 1/2 cup oats with a 1/4 cup baking soda and apply the exfoliant to your body in the shower, which can help smooth areas like your back, elbows and knees.
Step 5
Exfoliate your skin as often as you need to, Atlanta dermatologist Darren Casey tells "Cosmopolitan" magazine. As long as you use ingredients that aren't irritating, like oatmeal, you can exfoliate on a daily basis. Once or twice a week may still be sufficient to keep your complexion bright and skin problems at bay.
Things You'll Need
Oatmeal
Baking soda
Washcloth
