Most of us desire to have soft skin. It’s what we strive for when we purchase any moisturizer or skin treatment. Sometimes though, the secret to having smooth, soft skin lies in the removal of dead superficial cells that accumulate and are in need of exfoliation (removal).
Exfoliation can be done in one of two ways, either chemically or manually. Scrubs are what you’d opt for when choosing the manual route. You can either purchase an already-made scrub, or you can make your own, using fresh all-natural ingredients. This of course will be a great choice for you and our environment because it will be completely biodegradable!
Scrubs have been used for centuries to make the skin clean, soft and vibrant. Scrubs are usually used in the shower or bath. You’ll find that by making scrubs a regular part of your weekly beauty routine, your skin will look and feel better than ever. Since the skin on your face is not as thick as the skin on your body, you’ll want to have two separate scrubs on hand, one for each area. Your facial skin is more delicate, so be especially gentle during the scrubbing process. Always start by cleansing the skin with your favorite cleanser. Massage the scrub in circular motions, avoiding the delicate eye area. Whether it’s your face or body, let the scrub do the work, do not use force. There is only so much dead skin to be removed. Scrubbing too vigorously can actually damage your skin.
When finished, rinse away the scrub with warm water, preferably with a wash cloth. When finished pat dry with a nice fluffy towel and add a moisturizer to the face, and a lotion to the body if necessary. Your skin will be extremely soft to the touch!
Making Your Own Scrub
Making your own scrub can be fun and rewarding because you’ll have the ability to customize it to meet your needs. There are 2 important parts of the scrub, the actual exfoliating ingredients, and the substance that they sit in. When choosing which ingredients to use for the scrubbing action, consider where you will be using it. For your facial skin, choose abrasives that will be gentle like Corn meal or Almond meal. You’ll also want to choose ingredients that will not clog facial pores, such as Jojoba oil or water. For body skin, you can use more abrasive ingredients, like sugar or salt. Good choices for oils will be Almond oil or Avocado oil. Other than the 2 main components, you may also add ingredients that will appeal to the senses, like mashed fruits, essential oils or any number of botanicals. Keep in mind that by adding ingredients with different properties, you’ll be making your scrub even more multi-functional.
Here are a couple of lovely, uplifting scrubs to try:
Almond/Peppermint Facial Scrub
Ingredients –
• 4 T Almond meal
• 2 T Jojoba oil
• 4 T Honey
• 5 drops of Peppermint essential oil
Directions –
Pour the Almond Meal and Jojoba oil into a 4 oz jar. Stir well. Then mix in the Honey and the Peppermint essential oil. Mix thoroughly. This recipe will make enough scrub for a few treatments if protected from air and heat.
To Use –
Apply a small amount of the scrub to various areas of the face and massage gently. Add a small amount of water to facilitate the gentle massage action. Remove with a warm washcloth. Remove any excess scrub with a hydrosol or freshener on a cotton ball. Then moisturize as usual.
Sweet Orange Body Scrub
Ingredients –
• 1 T Dead Sea salt
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 Tablespoon Organic Oat bran
• 3 teaspoon Olive or Almond Oil
• 7 drops Sweet Orange essential oil or about 1 T of actual Orange juice
Directions –
Blend ingredients together in a bowl for a single treatment.
To Use –
Using your fingers, apply a small dab to one area at a time and rub around the area briefly. Once you have the entire body covered, then add a small amount of water to your hands and continue to scrub the entire body until smooth, adding a small amount of water into your hand as you go to help ease the scrubbing action. Remove with a warm washcloth. Cleanse with soap and water if necessary. Moisturize if necessary.
Happy scrubbing!
Sharon is an author & licensed esthetician living in Pennsylvania. She has merged her love of natural beauty and wellness into a web enterprise, inspiring others to go the all-natural way whenever possible.
Sharon is an author & licensed esthetician living in Pennsylvania. She has merged her love of natural beauty and wellness into a web enterprise, inspiring others to go the all-natural way whenever possible.
