Face Scrub for a Clean & Glowing Skin

Exfoliation of the face using a face scrub is an essential part of the skincare routine. Here is all you need to know about face scrubs, exfoliation, its importance and how to go about it.

Why is Exfoliation Necessary for Skin?

The three main steps in any skin care routine are to cleanse, exfoliate and tone. While cleansing the skin does eliminate a majority of the dirt, pollutants and excess sebum, regular and consistent exfoliation of the skin does so much more. Some major benefits of exfoliation are:

• During the exfoliation process, the minute coarse beads of the exfoliant deep clean the skin. This means that all the dead skin cells that are accumulated on the surface of the skin are removed. Thus, the texture of the skin is considerably improved, and skin appears soft, smooth and refreshed.
• The skin contains microscopic pores. These pores, when exposed to dirt and pollution start to expand to accommodate all the dirt that settles on the skin. While exfoliating, all these pollutants are removed. Thus, the pores begin to shrink back to their original size. With time, you will begin to notice that the appearance of pores on the skin is minimized.
• A major reason why people suffer from acne breakouts is excess sebum production. Thus, exfoliation of the skin regulates the sebum production by the sebaceous glands, thus preventing the formation of acne breakouts.
• Regular exfoliation of the skin will make sure that any other skin care products that are applied to it will penetrate the layers of the skin as the pores are unclogged and healthy, giving better results.

How to Make Face Scrub at Home?

A face scrub can be made at home using simple ingredients that are easily available. Some homemade face scrubs are:

1) Sugar Face Scrub

This exfoliating face scrub takes no time at all to make, and helps eliminate dead skin cell accumulation in a jiffy.

Ingredients

• 1 tsp. sugar
• A few drops of water
• 1-2 drops of essential oil of your choice.

Method

1. Combine all the ingredients in a bowl.
2. Using the tips of your fingers, scrub the mask on your face, staying away from the eye region.
3. Rinse it off after a few minutes and moisturize after.

2) Coconut Oil Face Scrub

This is the best face scrub for dry skin as it helps treat flaky patches on the skin. Coconut oil contains nutrients that nourish dry skin, giving the skin a boost of hydration.

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp. coconut oil
• 2 tbsp. sugar

Method

1. Combine both the ingredients in a bowl into a coarse paste.
2. Massage this onto your skin for about a minute in gentle circular motions and rinse with lukewarm water.

3) Chocolate Face Scrub

Chocolate is a great ingredient for the skin as it prevents collagen breakdown. This, in turn, prevents the formation of wrinkles and fine lines. It also protects the sun from UV damage.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 tbsp. cocoa powder
• 3 tbsp. olive oil
• 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract

Method

1. Mix all the ingredients together into a coarse mixture.
2. Lather the mixture onto your clean face, rubbing it in for a minute or two.
3. Allow it to sit on your skin for 5 minutes before you wash it off.

4) Lemon Face Scrub

This natural face scrub contains lemon as the key ingredient. Lemon, in conjunction with honey, acts as a brightening agent while the olive oil moisturizes the skin.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 fresh lemon
• 1 tbsp. organic honey
• 1 tbsp. olive oil

Method

1. Combine all the ingredients in a bowl.
2. Apply this coarse mixture on your face, massaging it in gently.
3. Rinse after a minute or two.

5) Oatmeal Face Scrub

This is one of the best scrubs for acne prone skin as oatmeal prevents breakouts, fades blemishes while also moisturizing the skin.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup of uncooked oats
• 2 tbsp. honey
• 1 tsp. nutmeg

Method

1. Combine all the ingredients together into a mixture.
2. Apply this mixture onto the face and massage in circular motions.
3. Rinse with lukewarm water.

5 Best Face Scrubs for all Types of Skin

If you are someone who finds DIYs time-consuming and problematic, you can always opt for a natural scrub that is commercially available. However, it is important to keep in mind that the scrub that you pick works best for your skin type, in the sense that it does not dry your skin out too much nor makes your skin greasy and oily. The scrub should also be free of chemicals such as sulphates, parabens, and phthalates which can degrade the quality of your skin over time. Here are some of the best natural face scrubs available in the market today.

1) Himalaya Herbals Tan Removal Orange Face Scrub

This natural scrub contains ingredients such as orange peel extracts, oatmeal, and papain. While oatmeal effectively removes tan from the skin, the orange peel extracts present helps gently exfoliate the skin and smoothens its texture. This mask also moisturizes the skin and gives it a healthy boost of hydration from within. One major pro of this mask is that it can be used for all skin types. For best results, use this scrub at least once or twice a week.

2) Biotique Bio Papaya Revitalizing Tan-Removal Scrub

The main hero ingredient of this scrub is papaya. Papaya is known for its exfoliating properties and thus helps to exfoliate the dead skin cells off and unclog the pores of the skin. Papaya also contains numerous nutrients that provide the skin with the nourishment that it needs. This scrub, on the whole refreshes the skin, brightens skin tone and adds a healthy much-coveted glow to the skin. It is ideal for all skin types.

3) VLCC Indian Berberry Face Scrub

This face scrub is a budget-friendly option made from Ayurvedic ingredients such as Berberry. Berberry is an ingredient that has anti-bacterial properties and thus helps prevent the formation of acne. It also lightens the skin tone. Apart from Berberry, other ingredients in this scrub include papaya and neem extracts. Papaya adds a healthy glow to the skin while neem extracts purify the skin.

4) Plum Grape Seed & Sea Buckthorn Mild Foam Scrub

This divine smelling face scrub contains exotic ingredients such as Grape Seed and Sea Buckthorn which help restore damaged and dull skin. It also helps regenerate dead skin cells and prevents the first signs of aging. Apart from those ingredients, the scrub is also rich in antioxidants and Vitamins which improves the texture of the skin. This scrub suits all skin types.

5) O3+ Volcano Scrub

The scrub is loaded with active ingredients that help deep cleanse the skin of excess oil, whiteheads, blackheads, and dirt. Major ingredients of this scrub are activated charcoal and volcanic ash which improves the texture of the skin as well. However, this natural scrub is best suited for those with oily skin.

Hence, you never need to skip out on exfoliating your skin. Do it at least once a week and you will be pleasantly surprised with the positive results that you will start to notice.

Also read: Top 9 Natural Face Masks for Flawless Skin