Radiant Skin, How To Get it With Natural Exfoliants

Natural exfoliants, such as salt, sugar or finely ground grains, remove dead skin cells through abrasion. Note: Salt is too abrasive and drying for facial skin.



Spring is just around the corner, and it’s time to shed dry winter skin along with sweaters and coats. The quickest route to smooth, soft and radiant skin is to add some natural exfoliation to your skin-care routine.

Natural exfoliation is the simple process of removing dead, dry skin cells to reveal the healthy new skin beneath the surface. Exfoliating the skin stimulates circulation, helps unclog pores, smoothes skin texture and improves the ability of the skin to absorb moisture. Because it stimulates cell turnover and collagen production, regular exfoliation can even result in more youthful looking skin. Remember those that have rosacea or hypersensitive skin should not exfoliate at all.

Exfoliate with Natural Skin Scrubs

Based on sugar, salt or finely ground grains, nuts or seeds, exfoliating scrubs remove dead skin cells through abrasion. All of these ingredients are effective as a body scrub, but salt is too abrasive and drying for facial skin. Avoid using scrubs that contain pulverized nutshells or fruit pits, which can have sharp edges, on delicate facial skin as well. Whatever type of scrub you choose, use a light touch to avoid irritating sensitive skin.

Wear Your Fruit: Enzyme Exfoliants

Natural enzymes found in papaya (papain) and pineapple (bromelain) act as exfoliants by dissolving dead cells on the skin’s surface. After just one treatment, your skin will be noticeably softer and smoother. Papaya and pineapple enzyme masks and peels are usually gentle enough for all skin types, but can occasionally irritate sensitive skin. Fruit enzyme exfoliants can be used as part of a weekly facial treatment or daily to help rejuvenate mature skin.

6 Natural Exfoliant Recipes

• Oatmeal Facial Cleanser 

An oatmeal facial cleanser and scrub is an excellent alternative to soap. Oatmeal scrubs provide mild exfoliation and are soothing for dry or irritated skin.

• 1 cup dry rolled oats
• 1 teaspoon skin cream (dry skin)
• 1 teaspoon plain yogurt (oily skin)
• 1 drop rose geranium or lavender essential oil (optional)

1. Grinding dry rolled oats in a blender into a coarse powder and store in a covered container.

2. Mix 1 heaping teaspoon of pulverized oats with 1 teaspoon of skin cream (for dry skin) or 1 teaspoon of plain yogurt (for oily skin).

• Homemade Sea Salt Scrub

This homemade sea salt scrub uses almonds and honey to moisturize while smoothing skin.

• 1/2 cup finely ground almonds
• 1/2 cup sea salt
• 2 tablespoons almond oil
• 2 tablespoons liquid honey
• 5 drops frankincense essential oil
• 5 drops rose essential oil

1. Mix all ingredients together in a small unbreakable container. Wet your body in a warm shower, and apply the scrub to your legs, arms and torso.

2. Massage into your skin with a circular motion, rinse well and pat your skin dry. The oil in this body scrub makes the tub slippery, so use a rubber tub mat to prevent falls.

• Grapefruit Sugar Scrub for Sensitive Skin

This grapefruit sugar scrub is a good body scrub for sensitive skin. Adding almond oil to the sugar scrub leaves behind a fine layer of oil to seal in moisture.

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup almond oil
• 10 drops lavender essential oil
• 10 drops grapefruit essential oil

1. Mix all ingredients together in a small plastic container. Rinse off with a quick warm shower, and then massage the scrub onto your damp skin while standing in the bathtub.

2. Finish by rinsing well with warm water. This scrub makes the tub slippery, so use a rubber mat to avoid falls.

• Papaya Enzyme Facial Mask

Choose less-ripe papayas for this papaya enzyme facial mask because they contain the highest concentration of papain. Adding honey helps to moisturize skin.

• 2 teaspoons (or more) dry rolled oats
• 1/2 cup fresh papaya, peeled and diced
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 2 drops rose geranium essential oil

1. Pulverize dry rolled oats in a coffee grinder into a coarse powder, to make 2 teaspoons of oat flour. Puree papaya in a food processor until smooth.

2. Mix in honey and essential oil, and enough oat flour to make a thick but spreadable mask.

• Citrus Scrub

This citrus scrub contains a variety of alpha hydroxy acid agents: yogurt, lemon and sugar. While bran adds gentle polishing power.

• 1/2 cup RAW sugar
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt
• 1/4 cup wheat bran
• 1 tablespoon RAW honey
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 5 drops orange essential oil

1. Mix all ingredients together in an unbreakable container.

2. Wet your body in a warm shower, and apply the scrub to your legs, arms and torso.

• Rosemary Fruit Face Mask

This fruit face mask has apples, strawberries and yogurt which are rich in natural alpha-hydroxy acids. Lavender and rosemary essential oils also stimulate cell rejuvenation.

• 1/4 cup chopped apple
• 2 strawberries, sliced
• 1 tablespoon plain yogurt
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 2 drops lavender essential oil
• 1 drop rosemary essential oil
• 1 tablespoon oat flour (or more)

1. Puree apple, strawberries, yogurt and honey in a food processor until smooth. Thoroughly mix in essential oils and enough oat flour to make a spreadable mask.

2. Cleanse your face and neck with warm water, and apply the mask to your face and neck. Relax for 15 to 20 minutes, then remove the mask with warm water.

Gentle Food-Based Acid Exfoliants

Alpha-hydroxy acids are gentle acids derived from foods, such as citrus fruits (citric acid), sour milk (lactic acid), grapes (tartaric acid), sugar cane (glycolic acid) and apples (malic acid). Applied to the skin, they loosen the “glue” that binds the surface layer of skin cells together. This stimulates the shedding of old, dead cells and stimulates the formation of new cells. When used consistently, alpha-hydroxy acid treatments improve skin texture and color, reduce fine lines and age spots, and make pores appear smaller. There are so many great  natural exfoliants you can use. Above I list several of my favorites. Tried and true. Bookmark it. I always recommend to do a exfoliant at least once a week.

Enjoy! 

~Tiffany💗