The process of natural exfoliation is defined by Associated Skin Care Professionals as removing dead skin cells to make way for new, healthy skin that lies beneath. Exfoliation is also beneficial in that the pressure that's applied with the exfoliating products stimulates circulation, unclogs pores and improves circulation. Most exfoliating is done using products such as loofah sponges or natural bristled bath brushes, but you probably have other products at home that can aid in exfoliating your skin.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal delivers several benefits to the skin when used topically. These benefits are due to plant compounds in oatmeal, primarily avenanthramides, that are responsible for oatmeal's anti-itch, skin-soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, and saponins, which give oatmeal its skin-cleansing, moisturizing and buffing abilities, according to the February 2007 issue of the "Journal of Drugs in Dermatology." The texture of oatmeal is ideal for buffing the skin as well. It's the buffing ability that makes oatmeal an excellent exfoliant. To use oatmeal as an exfoliant, put 1 cup rolled oats in a blender and put them on the "Blend" setting for three minutes. Move the ground oatmeal to a bowl, then add some water and a few drops of your favorite essential oil until it becomes a paste. Use it on your skin as you would any other cleansing scrub. If your skin is particularly dry, add a few drops of olive oil and a little less water.
Sugar
Sugar is so effective that many spas offer sugar scrubs as part of their pampering routines. The Grand Spa at the Grand Hyatt in Dubai offers several different sugar scrubs to their guests, from sugar and strawberries to sugar and chocolate. There are also many sugar scrubs on the market, but you can make one at home with the sugar that in your kitchen. Raw sugar is preferred, as the texture is coarser, but table sugar does the trick. To make a home sugar scrub that you would pay big money for at the spa, put eight strawberries and 2 tbsp. olive oil in a blender. Mix for one minute. Pour this into a bowl and add 2 tbsp. sugar. Stir together well, and rub this as a paste all over your body. You can also get creative and use ingredients other than strawberries. Try coffee grounds, cucumbers or pumpkin puree, which all contain compounds that are soothing to the skin. If you don't have sugar, you can substitute sea salt.
Coffee Grounds
Your skin will feel silky and smooth when you use coffee grounds as an exfoliant. Coffee grounds are coarse, which naturally helps with exfoliation. They contain caffeic acid, which the Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology (December 2008 issue) reports has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects on the skin, and stimulates collagen production. Collagen is the foundation of youthful, healthy skin. To make a homemade coffee ground exfoliant, mix 1 cup warm coffee grounds with 1/2 cup sugar or sea salt, then add 2 tbsp. olive oil. Rub the mixture all over your skin, especially rough areas such as elbows and feet. If you do this in the shower, put a mesh sink strainer in the drain. Otherwise, the coffee grounds could clog the drain. You can also rub this on your skin outside of the shower, standing on newspapers. Remove as many grounds from your skin as possible before getting into the shower to rinse it off.
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