Exfoliating scrubs have big benefits for your skin. By rubbing away the surface layer of dead skin cells, exfoliating scrubs help keep your pores clear while revealing fresh skin below, preventing breakouts and reducing fine lines, age spots and other signs you're getting older. Chemical exfoliators with alpha hydroxy acids or glycolic acid are one option, but if your skin is fairly healthy you can whip up an old-fashioned granular exfoliating facial scrub at home.
Step 1
Grind oatmeal in a coffee grinder or use a mortar and pestle to crush it into a grainy powder.
Step 2
Use your hands to combine oatmeal, lavender, powdered milk and cornmeal in a medium-sized bowl or other container.
Step 3
Drizzle in sweet almond oil a little at a time, stirring constantly, until the mixture forms a thick paste.
Step 4
Scoop the mixture with your fingers, and use upward circular motions to massage it onto your face, avoiding your eye area.
Step 5
Rinse the mixture from your skin completely with cool water. Gently pat your skin dry.
Tips and Warnings
- Store your face scrub in a sealed jar for up to two weeks. If you don't have dried lavender, you can leave it out or add 10 drops of lavender essential oil after you've mixed in the sweet almond oil. You can also substitute dried chamomile, thyme or rose petals for the lavender. Substitute olive oil or jojoba oil for the almond oil if you like.
- Don't exfoliate more than twice a week, or you could end up with irritated skin. If you experience redness, irritation, itching or other symptoms after using this scrub, discontinue use and seek medical help immediately. You may be having an allergic reaction to one of the ingredients.
Things You'll Need
- 1 cup oatmeal, uncooked
- Coffee grinder or mortar and pestle
- 1/2 cup dried lavender
- 1/2 cup powdered milk
- 1 heaping tsp. cornmeal
- Bowl
- Spoon
- Sweet almond oil
References
- "Natural Beauty at Home: More Than 250 Easy to Use Recipes for Body, Bath and Hair" (revised edition); Janice Cox; 2002
- Campaign for Safe Cosmetics: DIY Recipes
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