Due to an increase in pollution levels, our bodies are subjected to health threats each day. And perhaps one of the most affected areas is the skin because it is the first to come in direct contact with these damaging agents. Thus, it’s important to do your best and protect it from harm as much as possible and ensure it stays plump, glowing and smooth.
According to an article published by HomeRemedyShop.com, exfoliation the complexion regularly is an effective way to avoid breakouts and stimulate the birth of new cells. For this reason, every single one of us should include this process as a step in their weekly beauty and self-care regimen.
About Facial Scrubs
Scrubbing the complexion in order to remove dead skin cells from the surface is essential for your skin’s health. This ideally biweekly process is a piece of cake as long as you select the right cosmetics for it. Nevertheless, there are some things that you need to consider for your own safety and well-being.
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that you choose an exfoliant in correlation with your skin type. There are five main ones, namely dry, oily, combination, sensitive and normal, and each one has its particular needs. While dry and sensitive skin types will benefit from a milder formula, the oily skin usually responds best to heavier duty products.
At-home exfoliation can be pursued in two ways, depending on the products you choose. The first one is mechanical, an approach based on using microbead scrubs or additional tools such as a brush or a sponge to physically remove dead skin cells from the surface of the epidermis. The second one is chemical exfoliation, which uses various chemicals to dissolve impurities.
However, recent research has shown that various name brand scrubs and related cosmetics products are harmful to the environment. The main culprits are the microbeads contained by most formulas. After you wash the product off your face and it goes down the drain, those tiny spheres end up in the ocean, where they endanger the safety of marine animals.
What is more, most store-bought cosmetics are made from synthesized substances and contain fewer and fewer natural ingredients. While this is not a detriment in itself, there are plenty of organic and beneficial compounds with skincare properties that you can find right at home in your pantry.
Cleansing for Every Skin Type
As it has been established above, the microbeads in most store-bought scrubs damage the aquatic ecosystem. Fortunately, your kitchen cabinet contains some incredibly effective natural alternatives. The most common abrasive elements that can be found in any household are sugar, salt, and baking soda.
Due to their crystalized nature, they work wonders when it comes to mechanically remove dead skin cells from the surface layer of the complexion. Depending on your skin type, you will benefit from at least one of them. Here is how to choose your homemade facial scrub according to skin type, as well as a quick recipe idea to suit each one.
1. Dry Skin
When it comes to dry skin, many people believe that exfoliation is detrimental. There is some truth to this, as the mechanical action of abrasive substances can worsen the pre-existing flakiness and irritation characteristic of this type of complexion. However, this can be easily avoided by incorporating an emollient substance in the scrub.
Perhaps the most widely used homemade facial scrub that people from all over the world recommend for dry skin is the sugar and honey one. To obtain it, simply mix a couple of teaspoons of brown sugar with enough honey to obtain a silky paste. Apply it to the skin and leave it one for a few minutes, then gently rub for a few more.
This recipe works wonders on the lips as well, and it’s totally delicious. If you use this sweet treat on your complexion no more than two times per week, you will definitely start seeing some major improvements in no time at all. Just make sure not to overdo it, because anything more often than that can irritate your already sensitive complexion.
2. Normal Skin
It’s no secret that normal skin types have few special care requirements if any. When you are blessed with a balanced complexion, you just need to ensure that it stays clean and glowing. For this reason, scrubbing is recommended once per week. This will ensure that your already flawless appearance stays that way over time.
If you’re not one to have a sweet tooth, then a salt and oatmeal scrub is a perfect choice. All you need is a tablespoon of oatmeal and a quarter of a teaspoon of salt, as well as a little water to activate the oatmeal and achieve the perfect texture. Afterward, put it on your face and leave it there for at least five minutes, then rub and rinse off.
3. Oily Skin
Oily skin can benefit from the deep cleanse offered by a facial scrub, as this will remove any dead skin cells and dirt that might be clogging the pores. However, exaggerating with this regimen can strip the skin of its natural layer of oil, which leads to excessive secretion. Therefore, you need to use a scrub whose abrasive properties are light, yet thorough.
If your skin is sensitive or acne-prone, then baking soda should be your number one choice when it comes to scrubbing active ingredient. In order to achieve an efficient formula, mix it with some water until it becomes a paste. All you have to do after that is apply it directly to the skin just as you would with any other product of this type.
Conclusion
When it comes to exfoliating your epidermis at home, nothing beats sugar, salt or baking soda. Use them in combination with a few other household ingredients to achieve long-lasting results that will enhance your appearance. After all, when your skin is feeling smooth and looking dewy and healthy, there’s nothing that can put you down.
Updated: 26 April 2019
