Like the rest of your amazing body, your skin is constantly rejuvenating itself. Did you know that you lose about 50,000 skin cells every day? While some of these expired cells fall away on their own, others need a little help by manual exfoliation.
Do you want the secret to radiant skin with minimal blemishes? It’s just as important what you remove from your skin as what you put on it. When you exfoliate your body, you start with a clean slate.
Since recorded history, renowned beauties learned how to pamper their skin to look their best. From Ancient Egypt, Rome, the Victorian era, and now, skincare experts recommend that women exfoliate.
We, humans, shed our depleted skin cells by tiny flakes at a time, rather than a solid layer. Many of these cells are rubbed off by your clothes, your hands, or on your bed covers at night. The natural process of exfoliating makes room for new cells that are replenished daily.
Benefits of Exfoliating
The benefits of regular manual exfoliation are vast, such as unclogging your pores to keep blemishes at bay. If you want the appearance of smooth, youthful skin, then it can stimulate collagen production. Gentle exfoliant action may improve your circulation and promote cell regeneration, which can help with the signs of aging.
When you keep your skin adequately exfoliated, moisturizes, toners, and other products you use can penetrate deeper and work better. You’ll probably notice a more even tone and softer texture to your complexion. As you scrub and clean your pores, acne may be minimalized.
How Often You Should Exfoliate Your Skin
Because it can take up to thirty days for your skin to completely rejuvenate, it doesn’t need to be exfoliated every day. Most women can perform this self-care two or four times per month to see noticeably healthy skin. If you do it too often, you can damage newly formed cells and cause overexposure to environmental toxins.
Exfoliating Your Entire Body
Your face isn’t the only part of you that needs to be exfoliated. When you bathe or shower, extend your exfoliant regimen to your whole body. You may find that gently scrubbing with a luffa sponge, and the natural exfoliant of your choice will revive and brighten you from head to toe.
Dry Brushing
For centuries, different cultures have promoted dry brushing for healthy skin all over. All you need is a soft body brush that you can find inexpensively online. Most experts recommend that you dry brush your face and body before showering in the mornings.
For your body, begin with your shoulders and gently brush toward your heart. Go from your hands, up to your arms, torso, then up the feet and legs. After you have brushed the front, do the same to the back of your body.
Use a separate, smaller brush for your face. Starting from your forehead, work in soft strokes toward your nose. Work up the same way from each cheek, your chin, and neck. After a refreshing dry brushing, moisturize your face and entire body for a lovely glow.
Learn the benefits of dry brushing.
Six Ways to Exfoliate at Home
You don’t need to pay a fortune for expensive beauty products to exfoliate your skin effectively. There are quick, natural ways to add to your daily regimen. Try these six simple ways to exfoliate your skin for a lovely glow.
1. Oatmeal Isn’t Just for Breakfast Anymore
Most people enjoy oatmeal for breakfast. Oats are warm, filling, and loaded with vitamins and fiber. You can also glean benefits from this nutritious grain by using it as a face scrub.
The same fiber and heart-healthy fat you get from eating oatmeal can also nourish your skin. Consider using organic grain with no additives or flavors. If you have rolled oats, then you can blend it into soft powdered oatmeal in your food processor.
The next time you want to exfoliate your skin, mix about one-fourth cup of plain oatmeal with enough purified water to make a paste. Gently scrub your face with the oatmeal paste and let it dry for about five minutes, then wash it away with fresh water.
2. Sugar in the Morning, Sugar in the Evening
Sugar is something that should be used as an occasional treat rather than part of your daily consumption. However, sugar isn’t always bad for you. Did you know that it makes an excellent scrub for your skin?
Sugar has natural alpha-hydroxy acids that can improve the texture of your skin. Mix it with olive oil, which is loaded with nourishing antioxidants, and it makes the perfect moisturizer. You can use either white or brown sugar.
Do you want to tone your complexion and tighten your pores? Instead of using olive oil, mix the sugar with freshly squeezed lemon juice. The citric acid in the lemon juice has natural astringent properties and is a better choice if you have oily skin.
Granulated sugar is a mild abrasive, which makes it an ideal exfoliant. To make a homemade sugar scrub, mix about a half-cup of sugar with olive oil until it forms a paste. Apply it to your face or body in small, circular motions and let it dry between 5-10 minutes, then rinse with cool water.
3. Yogurt is Parfait for Your Skin
Many people enjoy parfaits as they are so versatile. Do you like tasty yogurt parfaits for breakfast or a low-calorie treat? How about saving some creamy yogurt for your skin?
The lactic acid in dairy products, like yogurt, can also act as an exfoliant. Have you ever wondered why iconic beauties like Queen Cleopatra insisted on bathing in milk? Even before scientific evidence existed, these ladies instinctively knew what extended their youthful appearance.
Hydrate and enrich your skin with a delightful yogurt mask. Massage a cup of plain yogurt into your skin and body, allow it to sit for about 10 minutes, then rinse with cool water and finish your regimen.
4. Try This Honey of an Exfoliant
Not only can we thank the humble honeybees for pollinating the plants of the world, but they share their delicious honey. Perhaps you enjoy a sweet dribble of honey on your toast in the morning or your tea.
Honey is one of the earliest recorded substance valued for food and medicine. For centuries, honey was recommended for everything from anemia, indigestion, to eczema. Modern science has discovered antibacterial and antifungal properties in this golden elixir.
Save a little from your honeypot to use as an effective skin exfoliant. Create a soothing mask by rubbing a light layer of honey on your face in a circular motion. After you allow the mask to dry for 5-10 minutes, use a soft washcloth and cool water, gently rinse the mask away for a glowing complexion.
5. Salt of the Earth
As with sugar, everyone who is trying to lead a healthier lifestyle is reducing their salt consumption. Although too much sodium can cause water retention and lead to high blood pressure, our bodies still need this precious mineral to function.
Salt is a treasure trove of vital minerals that are good for your skin. Not only is it an exfoliant, but its minerals can also moisturize. You can boost salt’s benefits by mixing it with your choices of emollient, like coconut or olive oil.
Salt scrubs have been a popular skin exfoliant for generations. Before you try it, remember that salt can be more abrasive than sugar. Use the finest texture you can find, like fine sea salt, and discontinue if it irritates your skin.
Make a salty mask by mixing a quarter cup of fine sea salt with enough coconut or olive oil to make a paste. Gently massage into your skin and let it dry as a mask for 5-10 minutes. Gently splash your face with cool water to remove the mask.
6. A Cup of Joe for Your Skin
Do you struggle to get going without your cup of coffee in the morning? Not only do you enjoy the warm, steaming brew, but your body craves the kick of caffeine to wake you up. Whether it’s a latte, cappuccino, espresso, or a plain cup of java, America loves coffee.
You may be surprised to find that coffee can also be a great way to exfoliate your skin. Did you know that a common ingredient found in expensive skin hydration and plumping products is caffeine? Get the same benefits for mere pennies with a coffee scrub.
In a small bowl, mix a fourth of a cup of finely ground coffee with enough olive oil to make a thick paste. You could also use coconut oil or another favorite emollient. Rub the paste on your face, and let it sit for about 10 minutes before you rinse.
Read why you should avoid the temptation to pop pimples.
Final Thoughts: Your Skin Will Thank You When You Take the Time to Exfoliate
Our society commends the virtues of being comfortable in your skin. When you nourish and exfoliate your body from head to toe, it will reward you by framing you in beauty and health. Natural remedies can be an inexpensive way to realize your goals.
