DIY Exfoliant

Exfoliation is an essential part of a skincare routine. Proper exfoliation is key to removing the barrier of dead skin cells that collect over our skins over time. This clogs pores and prevents moisturizers and other skincare products from reaching deep into the skin, hence reducing their efficacy. Exfoliation helps get rid of this layer and uncover fresh cells below, thus revealing healthier, fresher, and smoother skin.

While there are lots of face and body scrubs available in the market, I prefer making my own with simple ingredients that are easily available at home. It is a very quick and easy DIY, free of chemicals, and costs a lot less than store-bought scrubs. There are many variations of sugar scrubs a simple google search will reveal. The variation I am sharing with you is a result of trying those out and improvising accordingly.

What we’ll need

• 1 and a half cup Granulated Brown Sugar
• Half cup Natural Oil (coconut/almond/olive/jojoba, or any other you like)
• The juice of half a lemon (optional)

Mix all the ingredients together and store in an airtight container in your shower area. Do not use this more than two-three times a week, face or body.

Benefits

Sugar is a natural humectant, ie. it hydrates and moisturizes the skin by attracting moisture from the environment. It’s small particles/granules make it an excellent topical exfoliator. This is why you will find it in a lot of cosmetic scrubs. While white sugar can be used, I prefer brown sugar as I find it is gentler, especially for the face.

Natural oils make excellent moisturizers. Every natural oil has unique properties of its own. You can read about some of them here. In general, however, natural oils are hydrating and many contain anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. I prefer coconut oil because I find that it is absorbed into the skin easily. Always buy Unrefined Virgin Coconut Oil- that’s the good stuff.

Lemons have many benefits for the skin, a major one being helping even out skin tone by reducing the appearance of spots and blemishes. However, since it is added to this scrub in very little quantity, its primary objective here is to provide that nice and refreshing citrusy smell. Citrus can increase the skin’s sensitivity to the sun though, so be careful.

I am no beauty or skincare expert, so please don’t just take my word for it and do a patch test before you use this on a regular basis. Everyone’s skin is different and reacts differently. Although the ingredients used in this scrub are generally safe, yet I urge you to be careful. It never hurts.