Exfoliation involves the peeling off of dead skin in flakes or scales, according to Princeton University's "WordNet" database. When the rough, dead cells are removed, the skin becomes soft and smooth. Many commercial products and gadgets work to exfoliate the skin, or you can go to a spa for an exfoliation treatment or body rub. If you wish to save money and time, you can try several home exfoliation treatments.
Sea Salt
Sea salt is the seasoning of choice for many to add flavor to food. Compared to regular table salt, sea salt is minimally processed, so it contains additional trace elements and a different texture, which pleases many health conscious palates. Sea salt also can be beneficial to your skin, according to a report in the February 2005 issue of "International Journal of Dermatology." Researchers at the Department of Dermatology at the University of Kiel, Germany, tested Dead Sea salt on volunteers with a history of dry skin. They found that simply bathing in Dead Sea salt water improved the moisture content and hydration of the skin, and decreased skin roughness, redness and inflammation. Dead Sea salt contains a higher magnesium mineral content than normal sea salt. While straight sea salt still will be effective at exfoliation, you can add some Epsom salt to sea salt for even more benefits. To make a sea salt scrub, mix 1 cup of sea salt, 1 cup of Epsom salt, 4 cups of almond or coconut oil and 20 drops of essential oil (optional) in a glass jar. Mix the contents well. Stand in your bath tub in a few inches of water, place a scoop of the mixture in your palm and rub it all over your body. Rinse well. You can also simply add 1/2 cup of sea salt and 1/2 cup of Epsom salt to your bath. If you do not have Epsom salts for either recipe, just substitute with the regular sea salt, so you would be adding 1 cup of sea salt to your bath.
Sugar Scrub
Sugar scrubs are now offered as a pampering option at world class resorts, such as the Grand Spa at the Dubai Grand Hyatt. When making an exfoliating sugar scrub at home, put 2 tbsp. of sugar in a bowl and add 2 tbsp. of almond or coconut oil. You can leave the mixture plain, or add pureed strawberries, cucumbers or pumpkin, all of which contain compounds that soothe the skin, while the sugar granules exfoliate the dead skin cells. Raw sugar works best for exfoliating the body, as its texture is coarser, but when using a scrub on your face, choose the finer grain of table sugar.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal contains plant compounds called avenanthramides, which give oatmeal skin-soothing properties. Saponins, another compound in oatmeal, provide its cleansing, exfoliating and moisturizing properties, according to the February 2007 issue of the "Journal of Drugs in Dermatology." All of these properties work together to make oatmeal an excellent choice for a homemade exfoliate. Place 1 cup of oatmeal, not instant, in a blender and blend for up to three minutes. Transfer the oatmeal to a glass jar, and add just enough water to make a paste. You can also add 2 to 3 drops of essential oil for fragrance. If you have oily skin, substitute olive, almond or coconut oil for water.
References
- Princeton University: WordNet: Exfoliation
- PubMed: Abstract: International Journal of Dermatology: Bathing in a magnesium-rich Dead Sea salt solution improves skin barrier function, enhances skin hydration, and reduces inflammation in atopic dry skin
- Grand Spa: Grand Hyatt Dubai: Body Treatments
- PubMed: Abstract: Journal of Drugs in Dermatology: Colloidal oatmeal
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