Exfoliation is an essential part of any great skin care routine. Some people exfoliate a few times a week, while others exfoliate daily. How much you exfoliate will depend on your skin type, as people with more sensitive, oily, or dry skin may require more or less exfoliation. The ultimate goal is to enhance the appearance and cleanliness of your skin, which is why natural ingredients are the best.
Skin naturally renews itself about every four weeks. Newer healthy skin cells rise to the surface, but this process slows as you get older. Older skin can have a duller appearance, but so can younger skin if no exfoliation happens. Exfoliation helps to remove dead skin cells, allowing new skin cells to come to the surface. It also works to remove dirt and debris from that live within pores. This helps to to give your skin a more vibrant glow. The following two ingredients are the only ingredients you need to aid with exfoliation.
Baking Soda
The best facial scrub is one that helps to deep clean pores without being too abrasive. Baking soda has multiple purposes, but lately it is receiving a lot of attention for its beauty benefits. It works to exfoliate the skin, offering alkaline properties to help neutralize acids. The skin is covered with an “acid mantle”, a term coined by German physicians in 1928. It’s a thin film on the skin’s surface that consists of lipids from oil glands and amino acids from sweat. It’s a delicate skin barrier that helps to keep moisture in and bacteria out. Regular dry or flaky skin can indicated a damaged acid mantle, or an imbalance in the skin’s pH.
Baking soda works to remove excess oils, dead skin cells, and bacteria from pores. It works to minimize the appearance of blackheads by slightly shrinking the pores. Baking soda also offers astringent-like properties that help to prevent pores from clogging with dirt, which contributes to acne. When using baking soda as a scrub, it’s best to massage it into the skin using gentle, circular motions with your fingertips.
Coconut Oil
Nearly every DIY beauty product involves coconut oil. It works to nourish the hair and skin, but some people have their reservations about regular use. Coconut oil is a natural source of antibacterial properties, but people with sensitive or acne-prone skin may experience breakouts after application. The majority of people, however, believe in coconut oil’s ability to make the skin supple, hydrated, and radiant.
Coconut oil works to exfoliate the outer layer of the skin, removing dead skin cells and enhancing the skin’s overall appearance. In addition to exfoliating the skin, coconut oil helps the skin retain moisture. The medium-chain fatty acids keep the skin looking silky smooth and hydrated. Additionally, one study found that virgin coconut oil was able to suppress inflammatory markers and enhance skin barrier function. More research is necessary as this was an in vitro study.
All Natural Face Wash
Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup baking soda
- 2 tablespoons virgin coconut oil
- 5 drops frankincense essential oil (optional)
- 5 drops tea tree oil (optional)
Instructions:
- Add all of the ingredients to a medium-sized mixing bowl and whisk to combine.
- Transfer the mixture to an airtight container and store until ready to use.
How To Use:
- Scoop one teaspoon out of the container and use your fingertips to gently massage the mixture into your skin in circular motions.
- Let the mixture remain on your face for a minute before rinsing with lukewarm water. Pat dry and continue your beauty routine as normal.
