7 Simple Steps to Create Your Own Effective DIY Exfoliator
Assemble Your Ingredients • Find an Appropriate Jar • Prepare Your Pineapple • Oatmeal • Yoghurt • More ...
Exfoliation is an essential part of any modern skincare routine. A good product will soften your skin, gently buff away dead cells, and help eradicate impurities that lead to breakouts. Unfortunately, high-end skincare often comes with a hefty price tag, and many of us spend a fortune on cosmetics to maintain a fresh, dewy glow. If you're looking to cut back on extortionate spending while still achieving professional results, I’ve put together this guide on how to make a great homemade exfoliator. Give it a try; it’s fantastically effective and uses natural ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.
| Ingredient | Key Benefit | Skin Type |
|---|
| Oatmeal | Gentle physical exfoliation | Sensitive / All |
| Pineapple | Natural enzymatic peeling | Dull / Aging |
| Natural Yoghurt | Lactic acid for softening | Dry / Rough |
| Honey | Antibacterial & Healing | Acne-prone / All |
1. Assemble Your Ingredients
There are a variety of things you might use to make your own exfoliator, but the recipe I generally recommend uses oatmeal, pineapple, honey, and natural yoghurt. There is a good reason for each of these ingredients: oatmeal, when wet, acts as a gentle polisher. Pineapple is a natural chemical astringent and contains bromelain, an enzyme that helps to battle free radical damage and dissolve dead skin cells. The lactic acid in natural yoghurt softens the skin, while honey provides powerful antibacterial properties. For more natural beauty hacks, check out our other guides.
2. Find an Appropriate Jar
Before you do anything else, you will need to find the right container in which to store your creation. I love those big, old-fashioned glass jars with locking mechanisms and sealable lids, but it really doesn’t matter what kind you choose. You will be storing the exfoliator in the fridge, after all, so if you wanted it could even go in an old ice-cream tub. Ensuring your container is clean is vital for maintaining skin health.
3. Prepare Your Pineapple
Begin by getting your pineapple ready. You can use tinned if you like, but fresh is always better for maximum nutrient density. Slice off the spines and cut the fruit into small cubes before throwing these into your blender and pulsing until you have a smooth, golden pulp. Pour this into a mixing bowl. You won’t need to use the whole fruit; about a quarter to a half should be plenty. You only really want to make enough for a few days—unfortunately, these fruity concoctions don’t keep much longer than that. You can find high-quality organic pineapples at Whole Foods Market or your local organic grocer.
4. Oatmeal
Throw about a handful of oatmeal into your mixing bowl with your pineapple pulp. Use a wooden spoon to mix it in well and then get on with the rest of your preparations. The oatmeal will soak up the juices from the pineapple and soften as it does, making it the perfect gentle scrub. If you're interested in other uses for oats, Quaker Oats has great resources on the benefits of oats for the body.
5. Yoghurt
Pour a decent quantity of natural yoghurt into your bowl. I often choose a rich Greek or Bulgarian style for its thick consistency, but any plain variation works. Absolutely not important when you’re planning to rub it on your face, the taste is secondary to the skin-loving properties. Basically, you could use any plain variation you like; all yoghurt has lactic acid in it so all of it will do the right job of gently dissolving dead skin. For more on the benefits of lactic acid for skin, health experts have plenty of data.
6. Honey
To the delicious-looking breakfasty mixture, add a generous squirt of honey. If you can get hold of Manuka honey — a particular variation made from the Manuka bush — that’s fantastic; while all honey is known to have antibacterial properties, this is the kind that is the most scientifically backed for skincare.
7. Mix and Refrigerate
Using a wooden spoon, or your clean hands, thoroughly mix the ingredients together. The consistency should be grainy, but not too rough — remember the skin on your face is very delicate. If you find that after a day or so the oatmeal has become too soft, you can always add a fresh handful to the concoction. Scrape everything into your chosen receptacle and refrigerate; try to use it all up relatively quickly.
Why You'll Love This DIY Scrub:
- Cost-Effective: Save money on expensive spa treatments.
- All-Natural: No harsh chemicals or synthetic fragrances.
- Customizable: Adjust the texture to suit your skin's needs.
Facial polishers are important but also irritatingly expensive. Luckily, it’s easy to make your own, all-natural variation using ordinary ingredients you’ll find in your kitchen. This guide to creating a great homemade exfoliator should get you on your way to a fabulously clean complexion. Do you have any DIY beauty tips of your own to add?
Top Photo Credit: thepinkpeppercorn