How to remove dead skin using natural exfoliants? Getting rid of layers of dead skin cell that build up on the upper epidermis, a process known as exfoliation is one of the most important regimens for your skin. As the skin sheds dead cells, there are always leftovers, and those dead cells make the complexion look dull and rough, and can interfere with oil secretion from the pores, which results in blemishes.
Benefits Of Exfoliation
- Clears away the dead cell debris and allows a fresh layer of skin to shine through
- Clean pores
- Improves blood circulation
- Allows other treatments and moisturizer to absorb better
- Results in a healthy, much more youthful glow
Professional exfoliation treatments cost at least $100 or more. The designer products in stores are also expensive and have chemicals in them that you do not necessarily need or want. Homemade exfoliants work great and some of the ingredients used in them are the same ones used in the expensive commercial products.
Keep in mind that you can use these on your face and on your body for better skin health and appearance.
Lemon Juice Removes Dead Skin: Lemons contain alpha hydroxy acid that works to remove the protein glue that causes dead
skin cells to stick to your epidermis. Sophie Uliano, skincare advisor to actress Julia Roberts recommends this homemade exfoliant.
How To:
- Mix ¼ cup each of apple, lemon, and grape juices and cane sugar in a glass jar. Make sure the sugar dissolves completely.
- Apple to the face with a cotton ball
- Leave it on for 10 minutes
- Rinse with warn water and pat dace dry with a towel
Baking Soda Recipe: Baking soda or sodium bicarbonate is the main ingredient in many commercial exfoliant products.
Use A Natural Baking Soda. Baking Soda brands like Bob’s Red Mill or Frontier do differ from your Arm And Hammer varieties, which is why the cost so much more. Natural baking soda products are mined directly from the ground in their natural sodium bicarbonate state and include no chemical reactions, and nothing added, just pure sodium bicarbonate made naturally by the earth. Conversely, Arm & Hammer baking soda does use a chemical reaction process in its production, specifically the mining of trona ore that is then heated and turned into soda ash, which is then treated with carbon dioxide to make the baking soda. The natural products are best for skin exfoliation, and while they cost more, they will last for months.
How To:
Simply rub it on your face in a circular motion while in the shower, and then rinse with a gentle natural soap.
Ground Coffee Skin Toner: Ground coffee is a wonderful all natural exfoliant that also makes for a great skin toner.
How To:
- Mix 2 cups of coarsely ground coffee beans with 1 cup of sea salt and 2/3 tablespoons of massage oil
- Place a hot cloth on the face or take a hot shower to open the pores and moisten the skin
- Rub the mixture into your face in slow circular motions
- Rinse and pat dry with a towel
- Moisturize
Cane Sugar Promotes New Skin Cells: Finally sugar becomes useful! Sugar contains glycolic acid,
which promotes new cell production and breaks down proteins that prevent shedding on dead skin cells on the skin.
Surely, you have seen the many sugar scrub products at the beauty stores and now you can make your own! Note: Use only pure cane sugar crystals to make this homemade exfoliant.
How To:
- Mix sugar crystals with a good carrier massage oil, such as, jojoba, almond, or olive oil, which
will create a paste. - Apply to the face and body (if you wish) in a slow circular motion
- Rinse with warm water
- Moisturize
Sea Salt Retains Moisture: Sea salt has many healing properties, and it is great for the skin because it contains trace minerals that
rejuvenate, promote cell growth and helps the skin to retain moisture, making this homemade option ideal for dry skin.
How To:
- Mix sea salt with a carrier oil, such as jojoba or olive oil to make a paste
- Apply to face in a circular motion
- Rinse with warm water, and pat dry with a towel
- Add a drop or two of lavender essential oil for a wonderful scent
- Moisturize
Honey can be added to any of the above exfoliant recipes for an added boost of skin nourishing goodness. Raw honey contains anti-inflammatory,
antioxidant and anti-bacterial benefits for the skin. It’s loaded with antioxidants to protect and nourish the skin promoting it to repair itself. Honey works in speeding up the exfoliation process and since it is also a humectant, it will add moisture to dry skin.
Very Mild Exfoliants: These non-abrasive options loosen dead skin cells naturally and are ideal for facial skin.
- Coconut Milk Powder
- Fresh berry puree (mash up berries and go)
- Whole Milk Powder
- Buttermilk Powder
- Yogurt Powder
Non Abrasive Mild Exfoliants: Great for the face and sensitive skin types.
- Almond Flour
- Milk powder
- Fruit powder
- Whole oatmeal
- White Kaolin Clay
- Rose Clay
- Fruit Seed Powders
- Coral Calcium Powder
Body Scrub Exfoliants: These are too harsh for the face, but make great body scrubs to exfoliate the skin and produce a natural fresh
glow and intense softness.
- Bolivian Pink Salt
- Shredded coconut
- Himalayan Pink Salt
- Brown Sugar
- Rice Bran Powder
- Rosehip Seed Powder
- Poppy Seeds
Foot Exfoliants And Scrub: These are extra strength ingredients too rough for the face and even the body, but make great foot
scrubs.
- Pumice Powder
- White Sand
- Volcanic Sand
- Dead Sea Salt
