Did you know that it is possible to achieve great exfoliation and glowing skin using natural ingredients to exfoliate your skin from your kitchen? The results are more ecological, cleaner, and more economical. The following is a list of common household natural ingredients that serve as excellent scrubs to exfoliate your skin. Take a look around your kitchen to find some of these natural ingredients to exfoliate your skin and easily customize your own exfoliator.

Papaya

Papaya is rich in the enzyme papain. Papain is an excellent exfoliant that dissolves dead skin cells. It can also heal the skin and lighten fine lines and age spots.

How to do it:

Choose unripe papaya as papain is strongest in young fruit. Puree the fruit and make a fine, smooth paste. Apply to face and neck and leave on for about 15 minutes. Then rinse clean.

Yogurt

Yogurt is a great exfoliant.  It contains lactic acid which has the same alpha-hydroxy found in high-end skincare treatments. Yogurt helps to soothe irritated skin, soften skin texture, and even out skin tone.

How to do it:

Apply enough plain yogurt to cover your face and neck. Leave on for 20 minutes and then rinse with clear water.

Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is another excellent source of natural alpha hydroxy acid, which helps slough off dead skin cells.

How to do it:

Mix 1/4 cup each lemon juice, grape juice, apple juice, and sugar until all the sugar is dissolved. Then apply the paste all over your face with a cotton pad. Leave on for about 10 minutes and rinse clean.

Sugar

Sugar cane is rich in glycolic acid,  another alpha hydroxy acid that helps stimulate the production of new skin cells. It also softens and smoothes the skin.

How to do it:

Make a paste with 1/2 cup white or brown sugar and enough olive oil or grapeseed oil to create a paste. Wear the mixture on your entire face and neck and massage gently with your fingers in circular movements.

Honey

Honey accelerates the natural peeling process. It has skin hydrating properties that help attract moisture, making it a great exfoliating face scrub.

How to do it:

Place a large spoonful of honey in your clean hands. Gently massage the honey on your face in circular motions and rinse with lukewarm water.

Check out our blog –  What are the health benefits of honey? – The Ayurved Co

How Often Should You Exfoliate Skin?

The jury is still out on this question. While exfoliation is an important step in your skincare regimen, the frequency with which you should exfoliate depends fully on your skin. 

Rather than using chemicals or plastic microbeads, this all-natural face scrub contains natural exfoliants like sugar and lemon juice, making it safe for frequent use.

Over-exfoliation with harsh facial scrubs only removes the skin’s protective barrier. When you remove this protective barrier, your skin is exposed to all environmental toxins, including the sun, the factor that damages skin the most. Therefore, it is always advisable to use products that promote natural cell renewal and also help to keep the skin healthy and hydrated. 

Another great way to get the benefits of exfoliation every day without damaging your skin is to use a gentle, natural cleanser with exfoliants. Remember to always follow up with body moisturizer or body oil and use sunscreen, since fresh, new skin cells you reveal during exfoliation can be more sensitive to harmful UV rays.