Buzz
Lemons are just one example of natural exfoliants you can easily find at your nearby supermarket. Explore more images of unique skincare components.
AP Photo/Larry CroweAchieving radiant skin often involves removing dead cells that accumulate on the epidermis, the outermost layer. While our skin naturally sheds these cells over time, some may linger, leading to a dull, uneven complexion and clogged pores. Using an exfoliant can help eliminate this buildup, promoting smoother skin, unclogged pores, and improved blood flow for a youthful glow. Additionally, exfoliation enhances the effectiveness of moisturizers and other skincare products.
For exfoliation, you have multiple options: visit a dermatologist or spa for professional treatments, invest in high-end skincare products, or opt for affordable, natural exfoliants found at supermarkets, health stores, or online. Many of these natural ingredients are also used in expensive, branded exfoliants.
This article explores 10 natural exfoliating treatments you can make at home, endorsed by beauty experts and dermatologists. We begin with one of the most timeless beauty remedies: honey.
10: Honey
Honey isn’t just a natural sweetener for your tea—it’s also a fantastic addition to your skincare regimen. Raw honey acts as a powerful antiseptic, offering anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal properties that help prevent skin infections and combat acne. Rich in antioxidants, it aids in skin repair and protection while reducing inflammation. Honey also accelerates natural exfoliation and acts as a humectant, drawing moisture to the skin, making it ideal for hydrating facial scrubs.
9: Yogurt
Instead of eating yogurt, consider using it as a gentle exfoliating treatment for your face. It’s a soothing option for skincare.
©iStockphoto/ThinkstockYogurt isn’t just a healthy snack—it’s also a fantastic skincare ingredient. Packed with lactic acid, a mild alpha hydroxy acid, it’s safe for all skin types and can be used on both the face and body.
Yogurt, like milk, offers hydration and exfoliation while smoothing and calming the skin. Its lactic acid can also help balance skin tone. Apply plain yogurt to your face or body, leave it on for 20 minutes, then rinse off.
8: Baking Soda
You likely have baking soda in your kitchen for baking or odor control, but it’s also a versatile skincare ingredient. This non-abrasive powder is a key component in many professional microdermabrasion treatments. Simply mix a teaspoon (or less for sensitive skin) with your daily cleanser for a spa-like exfoliation experience.
Regular exfoliation can minimize blemishes, but if you have acne, avoid scrubbing during breakouts. Micro-tears from exfoliation may allow bacteria to spread, worsening the condition.
7: Ground Fruit Seeds and Nuts
Ground fruit seeds, like raspberry or blackberry, and nuts, such as almonds, are common in exfoliating products. Unlike honey or yogurt, which dissolve proteins binding dead skin cells, these ingredients physically remove dead cells through gentle circular motions.
When using scrubs with friction-based exfoliants, avoid products containing sharp-edged ingredients like crushed stone-fruit pits (e.g., peach or apricot) or nut shells (e.g., walnut). These can create microtears in the skin, leading to blemishes and an uneven skin tone due to their jagged edges.
Exfoliation not only removes dead skin cells for a radiant glow but also helps prevent and treat ingrown hairs, ensuring smoother skin post-shave.
6: Sugar
Just half a cup of sugar might be the key to restoring your skin’s natural radiance.
©Hemera/ThinkstockWhile a sugary diet might contribute to premature aging, applying sugar directly to your skin offers benefits for all skin types.
Derived from sugar cane, sugar contains glycolic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid that helps dissolve the proteins binding dead skin cells. It also promotes new cell growth, leaving skin smooth and soft. Combine half a cup of sugar (white or brown) with olive oil, grapeseed oil, or jojoba oil to create a paste. Gently massage it onto your skin in circular motions and rinse thoroughly—it’s safe for both face and body.
5: Oatmeal
Oatmeal isn’t just a heart-healthy food—it’s also an affordable, natural exfoliant with anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties [source: Mayo Clinic]. Its gentle texture makes it ideal for sensitive skin [source: Kerr]. Jennifer Frederick, spa director at Ritual Salon and Spa in Las Vegas, suggests a hydrating honey oatmeal facial: Blend one cup of oatmeal into a fine powder, mix with one cup of plain yogurt or buttermilk, and add two tablespoons of honey. Apply the paste to your face, leave it on for 15 minutes, then rinse with warm water. This DIY treatment can save you $95 to $110 compared to a spa visit.
Over-exfoliation can lead to dry, red, and irritated skin. For most people, exfoliating once a week is sufficient to maintain soft, smooth skin. However, finding the right frequency may require some experimentation based on your skin type.
4: Lemon Juice
While lemons are known for their tartness, lemon juice is rich in alpha hydroxy acid, which helps dissolve the proteins that bind dead skin cells to the epidermis [sources: Baran, Berthold-Bond]. Commercial exfoliants often contain high concentrations of AHA, which can increase sun sensitivity, according to skincare expert Sophie Uliano. In a 2008 Good Housekeeping interview, Uliano recommended a DIY citrus exfoliating mask: Mix one-quarter-cup each of lemon juice, apple juice, grape juice, and cane sugar in a glass jar until the sugar dissolves. Apply the mixture to your face with a cotton ball, leave it on for 10 minutes, then rinse.
Alpha hydroxy acids, derived from fruits and other foods, are common in skincare products and chemical peels but can cause irritation, such as redness, burning, itching, and flaking. Always use them in low doses and under the guidance of a dermatologist.
3: Papaya
Papaya contains papain, an enzyme that gently removes dead skin cells without damaging the live cells underneath, similar to the prescription drug Retin-A but without side effects like flaking or irritation. Papain is also believed to heal the skin and reduce age spots and fine lines. For the best results, use green papayas, as they contain the highest concentration of papain. Annie Berthold-Bond, author of "Better Basics for the Home," suggests mashing green papaya to create a rejuvenating facial mask.
Fruit acids, such as those found in pineapple, pumpkin, and pomegranate, are excellent natural exfoliators. These fruits contain enzymes like papain and bromelain, which help loosen and remove dead skin cells, offering similar benefits to alpha hydroxy acids.
2: Ground Coffee
Coffee isn’t just a morning pick-me-up—it’s also an effective exfoliant when applied to the skin. Ground coffee beans can help tone the skin. Jennifer Frederick, spa director at Ritual Salon and Spa in Las Vegas, suggests a DIY body scrub: Mix two cups of coarse coffee grounds with a cup of sea salt and two-to-three tablespoons of massage oil. After a hot shower, gently massage the mixture onto your skin in circular motions, rinse, pat dry, and apply lotion. This treatment can save you $80 to $95 compared to a spa visit.
For soft, smooth feet, try this strawberry foot scrub recipe from Mary Liz-Shaw of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Lightly mash eight ripe strawberries, mix with two tablespoons of olive oil and three tablespoons of kosher or coarse sea salt. Avoid over-blending to prevent a runny consistency. Gently rub the mixture over your feet, then rinse [source: Shaw].
1: Sea Salt
For centuries, people have turned to the Dead Sea’s salty waters for their healing properties. While not a miracle cure, sea salt is effective in treating skin conditions like psoriasis and serves as a gentle exfoliant, especially for those with dry skin. Create a paste by mixing a cup of sea salt with glycerin (available at drugstores). After a hot shower, apply the paste to your body using your hands or a sponge, then rinse [source: Readers Digest]. This at-home treatment is far more affordable than a trip to the Dead Sea.
Some modern exfoliating scrubs contain polyethylene micro-spheres or beads—tiny plastic particles that polish the skin. While beneficial for your skin, these microplastics harm aquatic life by passing through wastewater systems and polluting rivers and oceans. Opting for natural exfoliants like sea salt is a more eco-friendly choice [source: Cooke].
