Does your skin lack natural lustre and radiance? Stress and exhaustion are easily noticeable on your face with washed out, pallid and dull skin. What’s more, dull skin not only impacts your appearance but also causes acute distress, thereby making you feel self-conscious. A study published in the National Library of Medicine states that ageing, accumulation of dead skin cells, UV damage etc., are some of the dominant factors that lead to dull skin. It is a no-brainer that the appearance of radiant and healthy skin can be obtained with cosmetics like highlighters and illuminators. However, if you wish to attain natural radiance and lit-from-within-skin, then it is essential to understand that it takes a lot more efforts, thorough knowledge and skin pampering.
TOP 7 NATURAL EXFOLIATORS
- Oatmeal
- Sugar
- Curd
- Papaya
- Raw honey
- Coconut oil and sea salt
- Almond and cinnamon
1. Oatmeal
You would be surprised to know that oatmeal not only benefits your health but also your skin. An oatmeal exfoliator is by-far one of the easiest and effective natural remedies. A study published in the National Library of Medicine explains that oatmeal possesses a good dose of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The study further elaborates that oatmeal contains beta-glucan compounds that help to gently exfoliate your skin, thus helping you attain glowing and supple skin.
Ingredients involved
- 2 tablespoons of oats
- 1 tablespoon of coconut oil or jojoba oil
- 1 teaspoon of brown sugar
Directions to use
- Grind the oats in a food processor or a blender to a powder-like consistency.
- Add oats powder in a bowl along with other ingredients.
- Blend the ingredients together until you have a paste-like consistency.
- Apply the scrub gently on your skin in small circular motions.
- Once you have finished applying, rinse it off with normal to cold water.
2. Sugar
If you are someone with sensitive skin and looking for ways to exfoliate your skin without damaging it in the process, then sugar exfoliator is one of the best remedies for you. Sugar contains glycolic help to slough off dead skin cells while preventing any signs of ageing like fine lines, skin sagging etc.
Ingredients involved
- 5 tablespoons of sugar
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
Directions to use
- Mix both the ingredients in a bowl together.
- Gently apply the mixture on your skin in circular motions.
- Let it rest for 5 minutes before rinsing it away with cold water.
3. Curd
Curd is yet another excellent skin care remedy to get back your skin radiance. Studies show that this powerful ingredient is especially suitable for people with dry and flaky skin. It contains a healthy amount of alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) which brightens your skin from within while lending hydration.
Ingredients involved
- 5 tablespoons of curd
- 1 teaspoon of honey (optional)
Directions to use
- Simply mix both the ingredients together in a bowl.
- Apply and massage the paste on your skin for 2-3 minutes.
- Allow it to dry before washing it off with normal water.
4. Papaya
Various research studies citing the use of papaya as a natural exfoliator for dull skin demonstrates that papaya contains an enzyme known as papain. This potent enzyme helps in dissolving any dead skin cells present without irritating or disrupting your new skin cells. Papaya helps in treating skin flaking by lending optimum nourishment and hydration to your skin, thus helping you procure bright and healthy skin. Moreover, it is also believed that the enzyme present in papaya assists in preventing any signs of skin ageing like brown spots, fine lines etc.
Ingredients involved
- 4 teaspoons of blended papaya
- 1 tablespoon of honey
Directions to use
- Blend both the ingredients together in a bowl to a paste-like consistency.
- Gently apply the paste on your skin in a circular motion.
- Allow it to dry before rinsing it away with lukewarm water.
5. Raw honey
Unsurprisingly so, honey is a miracle fix for drab, dull and sleep-deprived skin. Raw honey contains powerful antibacterial and antifungal properties. This helps in curing acne and pimples effectively while preventing the chances of skin inflammation, infections or redness. Moreover, many studies show that honey combined with cinnamon attracts moisture while exfoliating your skin, thereby providing additional nourishment.
Ingredients involved
- 2 tablespoons of honey
- 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder (optional)
Directions to use
- Mix both the ingredients together in a bowl.
- Warm the mixture slightly using a microwave.
- Gently apply the mixture to your skin and leave it on for 5-7 minutes.
- Rinse off the mixture completely using normal water and pat dry your skin.
6. Coconut oil and sea salt
If you like pampering and relaxing your skin, then you are in for a treat. Fortunately for you, sea salt combined with coconut oil delivers a spa-like experience. This dynamic duo helps in warding off any dead skin cells, impurities, dirt etc., present in the surface of your skin without stripping off the natural oils. Moreover, many studies recommend using sea salt, chiefly for overall body exfoliation. This natural scrub uses sea salt as the main exfoliant to eliminate the rough skin and combines coconut oil to nourish any dry or dehydrated patches.
Ingredients involved
- 3 tablespoons of coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon of sea salt
- 1-2 drops of essential oil according to your liking (optional)
Directions to use
- Add coconut oil along with sea salt in a bowl.
- Blend both the ingredients well before gently massaging on your skin.
- You can also add 1-2 drops of any essential oil for additional benefits.
- Let it rest for 20 minutes before rinsing it away with cold water.
- Remember to apply a non-comedogenic moisturizer for extra nourishment.
Precautions
- Avoid rinsing with warm or hot water after using sea salt and coconut exfoliator as it may lead to inflammation, redness and itching etc.
7. Almond and cinnamon
The nutrient-rich almonds not only benefits your memory but also boosts your skin health. Finely ground up almond powder combined with cinnamon powder gently exfoliates and hydrates your skin, therefore providing you with plump and radiant skin. Moreover, many studies demonstrate that this natural remedy helps in preventing various skin woes like premature ageing, acne etc.
Ingredients involved
- 3 tablespoons of finely grounded almond powder
- 1 tablespoon of cinnamon powder
- 1 tablespoon of honey
Directions involved
- Blend all the ingredients together in a bowl to a paste-like consistency.
- Gently apply the paste on your skin and let it dry.
- Rinse away the paste after 10-15 minutes with normal to cold water.
Using these natural exfoliators will assist you in your journey to achieve healthy and radiant skin. Together with nourishing and natural ingredients and in-depth knowledge, you can create effective DIY exfoliators that are quick and easy to make. However, keep in mind that natural ingredients aren’t the best option for everyone, especially for people with sensitive skin or allergy. As a consequence, we would advise you to always conduct a patch test to look for any allergies or skin sensitivities. Be careful of any natural exfoliant that’s not ground well. If an exfoliant like sea salt, oatmeal etc., has sharp and jagged edges then it may scratch or damage your skin. So, always make sure that the granules present in your natural exfoliator are smooth and small enough to apply to your skin without damaging it in the process. We realize that this additional step may seem like a hassle to you but it will undoubtedly help your skin in the long run.
P.S.
Various skin specialists unravel that providing optimum protection to your skin plays an important role in influencing your skin’s health and complexion. The experts further unfold that Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis extracts are some of the key ingredients that help in treating dull skin effectually. These ingenious ingredients improve your skin texture while brightening your skin tone, thereby revitalizing your skin.
