Cosmetic treatments can be expensive – especially those to exfoliate and rejuvenate the skin. Because I’d rather spend my “fun money” on feeding my hair product junkie habit (truth), I save myself some money in the skincare department and exfoliate with my own at-home ingredients. Here is a list of 4 incredibly popular, stunningly easy to use, and amazingly effective facial scrubs you can make in the comfort of your own home. Best of all – you probably have them sitting in your kitchen.
1. Sugar
White table sugar is the most common scrub ingredient, because the size of the granules are ideal for sloughing off skin cells without being too abrasive. Sugar is also the most versatile, because it can be combined with any number of other kitchen ingredients and essential oils to create your own custom mix. Some of the most popular sugar scrub ideas include:
- For Blemishes: Sugar, Honey, Lemon Juice, and Tea Tree Essential Oil
- For Anti-Aging: Sugar, Pure Cocoa Powder, Cocoa Butter (melted), and Sweet Almond Oil
- For Even Skin Tone: Sugar, Papaya, Honey, and Tomato
- Basic Sugar Scrub: Sugar, Coconut Oil
2. Salt
If you have blemish prone or oily skin, salt scrubs are definitely on the menu. Salt is an antibacterial and astringent by nature, which gives it the leg up on pimples and other pesky face blemishes. Additionally, it creates a hypertonic environment on the skin (you know how your lips/mouth feels dry when you eat something too salty?), which in essence dehydrates and kills of acne-causing bacteria. So if you want to give your blemished skin a boost, try creating a salty scrub with any of the following ingredients:
- Aloe Vera (inner fillet juice or gel)
- Apple Cider Vinegar (raw and unfiltered with mother)
- Green Tea
- Papaya
- Lemon Juice (be sure to add an oil, lemon juice is drying)
- Honey
- Plain Greek Yogurt
If you want a mask that packs an even more powerful punch, dissolve some salt in hot water first, then add your other ingredients, and add more salt granules last.
3. Coffee
The coffee scrub is near and dear to my heart. Not only does it always smell great and instantly perk you up, the caffeine content is great for stimulating the skin. It helps with skin regeneration, removes dead skin cells, eases under-eye puffiness, and has anti-aging antioxidant properties. Scrubbing your face one or two times a week with coffee will give you a great pick-me-up in the shower (it is incredibly aromatic), and give you younger looking skin! Bonus: if you use it on your body, it can improve the appearance of cellulite over time. Get forever young skin with these popular scrub recipes:
- Skin Softening Scrub: Coffee Grounds, Olive Oil and Honey
- Super Anti-Aging Scrub: Coffee Grounds, Blueberries (blended/mixed in food processor), and Jojoba Oil
- Mint Mocha Madness: Coffee Grounds, Coconut Oil, Cocoa Butter, Cocoa Powder, Sugar, Peppermint Essential Oil
4. Oatmeal
If you suffer from itchy skin, or have flaking skin conditions such as psoriasis or eczema, an oatmeal scrub may not only help slough of dead skin, but soothe the irritated skin as well. Oatmeal is a gentle exfoliant that can also help absorb impurities and surface dirt from the skin. Try these gentle scrubs to relieve flaking, redness, itchiness, and more. Bonus: they feel really good if you use warm water to soak (or slightly cook) the oats first!
- Basic Scrub: Oatmeal and Warm Water
- Soothing Scrub: Oatmeal, Rosewater, and Cucumber (mashed into a paste)
- Calming Scrub: Oatmeal, Chamomile (loose leaves or brewed tea), and Jojoba Oil
- Hydrating Scrub: Oatmeal, Coconut Milk, and Honey
- Nourishing & Anti-Aging: Oatmeal, Blueberries (blended/mixed in food processor), Olive Oil, and Honey
What are some of your favorite kitchen items to scrub your face with?