Your face is the most integral part of your identity – people recognise you by your face, and the expressions that come on your face, let other people know what is going on in your mind. This is why you need to make sure that your face is always taken good care of. Your face too, like other parts of your body, has an epidermis and dermis. When your skin starts to look tired, you know that dead skin has started accumulating, and this is when you start thinking about doing something for your skin.

Exfoliation is the easiest method of giving your skin a new breath of life, and it is perhaps the most cost effective method too. When the dead skin is scrubbed away, there is the foundation for new skin to grow. It is when the dead skin starts to flake or linger on, that your skin starts to look really tired and you lose out on your real complexion. Your skin will start to look rough, and your pores will get clogged, laying the path for skin problems, such as acne.

What does exfoliation do?

When you exfoliate your skin, you use a gentle abrasive on your face and neck. The scrubbing movement will scrape away all the dead skin, and when you wash your face, all the dead skin will also get washed away, giving you a refreshed look.
How often should you exfoliate?
The frequency of exfoliation depends on the skin type-

  • Oily skin – twice a week
  • Dry skin –twice a week
  • Normal skin – twice to thrice a week
  • Combination skin – twice a week
  • Sensitive skin – only once a week

Which are the most commonly used natural exfoliants?

    Sugar – A natural source of glycolic acid, sugar can actually help accelerate the production of new skin cells. In addition, it breaks down the protein that is present in the dead skin, allowing it to be washed off. Ideally, you should use pure cane sugar, but you could also do with regular granulated sugar. Combine the sugar with your favourite oil, which could range from olive, coconut, almond or jojoba and create a paste. Apply the paste in a circular motion all over your face and neck and then wash away with warm water.

    Sea salt – There are innumerable minerals in sea salt and most of these are truly beneficial for the skin. These minerals will not only stimulate the growth of new skin cells, but also rejuvenate the skin, making it look and feel fresh. In addition, sea salt can also help moisturise the skin, which is why it is a great choice for people with dry skin. Mix sea salt with any good essential oil, such as lavender, almond, olive or grapeseed and apply the paste on your face. Wash away after scrubbing gently for a few minutes.

    Oatmeal – This is perhaps the most gentle of all natural exfoliants, which is why it is perfect for skin that is extremely sensitive. Using oatmeal also means that there will be no inflammation and your skin will feel supple and moisturised. Grind some oatmeal and then mix the same with either honey or yogurt. Scrub it over your skin for a few minutes and then allow it to settle for a few minutes. Wash off with warm water.

    Honey – Natural or raw honey is great for skin, because it is anti-viral, anti-bacterial and even anti-fungal. If you are lucky enough to find pure honey, treasure it, because it can help get rid of acne, reduce inflammation and hydrate the skin from within. You can combine honey with any other exfoliants, such as oatmeal, sea salt or sugar and use it on your face.

    Baking soda – With baking soda, you will not need anything else. Simply mix baking soda with some water and apply it all over your face or even your body. Rub in gentle circular motions and then wash off with normal water.

    How to prepare homemade exfoliants?

    You can create a range of exfoliants at home quite easily, and you will need are ingredients that are normally available at home. Let’s look at some of the easiest methods to create exfoliants:

    • Take equal quantities of oats and sugar and grind them both to a reasonably fine powder. Slice a tomato and dip the slice in the oats and sugar powder. Use these tomato slices to scrub your skin in circular motions. Once your entire face and neck have been scrubbed clean, use some more slices of tomato and cover your face with them. The natural bleaching elements in tomatoes will make your skin look fairer and the oatmeal will moisturise and soothe your skin.
    • The next time you eat an orange, don’t throw away the skin; leave it to dry and then use these peels for your skin exfoliation. Powder some orange peel and mix with equal quantities of oats and enough honey to create the paste. If the paste is too thick, dilute it with a little water. Apply it on the face and scrub in an upward gentle motion. Allow the mix to stay on your face for a while, before washing it off.
    • Combine a small cup of mashed papaya with two spoonful of curd from which the water has been drained out. Add three drops of lemon juice and a large spoon of honey. Massage this all over your neck and face in gentle circular motion and leave it for a few minutes. Once the mix starts to dry, you can wash it off with cold water.

    Try these natural exfoliants on a regular basis, and you will start to see a glow on your face that will win you compliments galore!


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