Exfoliation is essential to anyone’s skincare regimen, yet often the most hyped over-the-counter scrubs are costly and anything but chemical-free. The recipes below are not only all natural; they are cost-effective. Most importantly, they are fun to prepare in your own kitchen and leave you with tingly clean skin as a refreshing result!
Note: The scrubs listed work for all skin types, unless stated otherwise.General Scrub Procedure:
1. Tie hair back.
2. Wash face.
3. To open pores, steam face over hot water or press warm cloth to skin for a few minutes.
4. After preparing scrub, apply it to face (and neck if desired). Avoid eye area.
5. Optional: Use a facial loofah, sponge, or brush to maximize exfoliation.
6. Rinse off with warm water.
Enjoy results!
- Basic Baking Soda Scrub
Perfect for everyday use.
2 to 3 Tbsp. Baking soda
Small amount of water
Mix the ingredients into a paste.
Using a circular motion, apply to face and gently scrub.
- Basic Cornmeal Scrub
Slightly more potent than the baking soda scrub, this works best on a 2 to 3 day interval.
2 to 3 Tbsp. Cornmeal
Small amount of water
Mix and apply in the same manner as baking soda scrub.
- Rose Almond Face Scrub
To brighten and soften skin.
1 tsp rosewater
1/2 tsp almond flour or finely ground almonds.
Mix into paste and apply.
- Oatmeal Scrub
A stimulating, thoroughly cleansing 3-in-1 scrub!
Smooths, tones, and hydrates.
1 Tbsp. ground oatmeal (use steel cut oats, not instant)
1 tsp. lemon juice
2 tsp. yogurt
Combine and apply.
Optional: let your scrub double as a mask! Let it sit a few minutes before scrubbing and rinsing.
- Azuki Bean Scrub
Banish your blackheads. Especially effective for combination and oily skin types.
½ cup dried azuki beans
Grind beans. (Having a small coffee grinder set aside specifically for beauty recipes is a wise idea).
Add a little water to the mixture and apply.
- Milk and Honey Scrub
Maximize or minimize its moisturizing effect at will.
Choose your dairy:
1 tsp Skim Milk (Oily skin)
1 tsp 2% Milk (Normal or combination)
1 tsp Cream (Dry)
1 tsp honey
1 tbsp ground almonds
- Banana Scrub
A very finely textured, delicious-smelling scrub. Can double as a mask.
2 tsp mashed banana
2 tsp rolled oats
1 tsp milk
1 tsp honey
- Honey Sugar Scrub
If you have ever used a body sugar scrub, you know how amazing they are. Work the same magic on your face!
1 tsp. of honey
1/2 tsp. of sugar (either cane or brown — both work well)
Blend in bowl. Apply.
Rinse very thoroughly, as this recipe can be slightly sticky.
Body scrub (which also works wonders for the face):
- Pumpkin, Sugar, and Spice Scrub
1/2 cup cooked or canned pumpkin, pureed
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
Blend in a bowl. Apply mixture to face (and body, if you really want to indulge yourself).
