Natural Exfoliation

Regular exfoliation can help keep your skin looking healthy by stimulating collagen production, removing dead skin cells, and improving the effectiveness of skincare products by allowing your skin to absorb more. It can also prevent your pores from becoming clogged, further helping to reduce the frequency and intensity of breakouts.

To get the most out of exfoliating, it's important to understand your skin type, as some products help certain skin types more than others.

Make sure not to over-exfoliate. You should only be exfoliating once or twice a week as a general rule of thumb.

What's the difference between natural and chemical exfoliants?

Natural exfoliants use textured objects to remove dead skin cells, whereas chemical exfoliants use acid to dissolve them. While both have their pros and cons, natural exfoliants are typically gentler than chemical exfoliants because they don't contain harsh ingredients. Natural exfoliants are also generally considered safe for most skin types and are more cost effective.

In today's blog, I'll be covering natural exfoliants that you can incorporate into your skincare routine to help you achieve and maintain glowing skin (without breaking the bank).

For Dry Skin:

Salt

Salt can help to eliminate rough, dry patches of skin. It's important to be gentle when you exfoliate with salt because it tends to be more abrasive than other ingredients, and it can leave your skin red or tender if you're not careful.

Do not use salt if you have acne-prone or sensitive skin as it can lead to more inflammation or redness.

Mix together 1 tbsp. of salt with 1 tbsp. of your preferred carrier oil (almond, jojoba, avocado, coconut, olive). Massage gently in a circular motion, let sit for 10 minutes, then rinse.

Coffee Grounds

Coffee grounds work great to help exfoliate, hydrate, and soften your skin which makes it perfect for those with dry skin. Similar to salt, coffee grounds can be harsh on the skin so do not use if you have sensitive skin.

Not only does coffee work as an exfoliator, but it has also been known to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, reduce inflammation, and repair skin damage.

For a moisturizing coffee scrub, try mixing 1/4 tsp. of coffee grounds with 1 tbsp. of yogurt. Gently massage into your face, and let it sit for about 5 minutes. Rinse with water.

For Oily Skin:

Honey

Honey works to prevent signs of premature aging, reduce bacterial infections, and hydrate your skin.

Oily skin can be caused by a variety of different factors. Sometimes oily skin can occur because your skin is overcompensating for the lack of moisture, resulting in excess sebum production. Honey can help by correcting the pH balance in your skin and regulating overactive sebaceous glands without over-drying your skin.

Mix together 2 tsp. of raw honey with 2 tsp. of ground almonds to form a paste. Massage gently, and rinse. If you are allergic to nuts, try substituting with sugar instead.

Papaya

Papaya can offer your skin many different benefits. It contains Vitamins A and C which work great to help combat oily skin, reduce inflammation, and unclog pores. It also contains papain which helps to eliminate dead skin cells and promote elasticity.

A simple papaya scrub consists of just the papaya itself. Simply puree it, and apply it to your face and neck. Gently massage into your skin, let sit for about 15 minutes, then rinse.

For Combination Skin:

Lemon Juice

Lemon juice has been known to effectively remove dead skin cells, alleviate dry skin conditions, and shrink pores, making it the perfect exfoliant for combination skin.

Lemons are also a powerful antioxidant that can help boost collagen production, prevent free radical damage, and help brighten your skin tone.

Mix together 1 tbsp. of lemon juice with 1 tbsp. of sugar to create a mildly abrasive lemon face scrub. Gently massage into your skin, let sit for 2-5 minutes, then rinse.

For Sensitive Skin:

Sugar

Sugar is less abrasive than salt which is why it works better if you have sensitive skin. Sugar scrubs are generally more mild but still work effectively to remove dead skin cells.

Sugar also works to unclog your pores, prevent premature aging, and moisturize your skin to give you a healthy, glowing complexion.

Mix together 1 tbsp. of raw sugar with 1 tbsp. of your preferred carrier oil (almond, jojoba, avocado, coconut, olive). Gently massage, let sit for 10 minutes, then rinse.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal is known for being gentle and non-irritating on the skin as well as having anti-inflammatory properties, making it perfect for sensitive skin.

It works great on dry, itchy skin too, helping to relieve symptoms of eczema and rashes.

Mix together 1 tbsp. of ground oats with 1 tbsp. of your preferred carrier oil (almond, jojoba, avocado, coconut, olive). Massage gently, let sit for 5 minutes, then rinse.

Turmeric

Turmeric is also great for dry, itchy, or sensitive skin. It contains anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties to help reduce redness, combat free radical damage, and kill bacteria.

It also works to soothe your skin and give it a healthy glow.

Mix together 1 tsp. of turmeric with about 1/2 cup of your preferred carrier oil (almond, jojoba, avocado, coconut, olive), water, or yogurt. Gently massage, let sit for 10 minutes, then rinse.

**Do not apply any of these ingredients to your skin if you are allergic to them, as they may cause adverse reactions.

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Let us know what topics you're interested in, and we'll do our best to include them in future blogs! Email us at info@nocheskincare.com