by Kimberley Heit

Created on: July 23, 2008   Last Updated: December 28, 2008

It is cheap and easy to make your face exfoliant own and you probably already have many of the ingredients on hand. You really only need two ingredients, a base liquid product and some form of gentle abrasive. Exfoliating removes the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin.

WHAT TO MAKE A HOMEMADE EXFOLIANT FROM:

As stated there are only two major ingredients needed to make an exfoliant, however there are several different options when it comes to selecting these ingredients. The following list provides a variety of different options. Experiment with which base and texture is best for your skin type.

BASE IDEAS:

-Olive oil (As long as it's reasonable quality using the olive oil from your kitchen is perfectly fine)

-Your regular liquid face wash

-Grapeseed oil

-Sweet almond oil

-Jojoba

-Yoghurt

ABRASIVE IDEAS:

-Sugar (right from your kitchen is fine)

-Salt (right from your kitchen is fine) -Sand (right from the beach is fine)

-Ground pumice

-Ground walnut shell

-Oats

HOW MUCH OF EACH PRODUCT SHOULD YOU COMBINE?

This really comes down to personal preference and your skin type, so again it is best to experiment and find the right mix for you. Typically though it is recommended that you use 50% liquid base and 50% abrasive. If you prefer a stronger scrub many people recommend 2 parts abrasive product and 1 part liquid base.

EXTRAS:

-Lemon juice-contains natural Alpha Hydroxy acids (AHA's) which assist in ridding the skin of old cells and encourage the growth of collagen. Only include lemon juice as a small percentage of your scrub as it is natural bleach. It is not advisable for sensitive skin and it is recommended you stay out of the sun for a short time after use.

-Milk-also contains AHA's, but is typically milder.

-Essential oils-there are many ways in which essential oils benefit the skin. The can help with the signs of ageing, reduce the risk of scarring and redness and fight infection. Adding a drop or two of essential oil to your scrub could be beneficial. Do some research on essential oils before you start using them. Explore which oils suit what skin types, any known allergic reactions and which oils can cause photosensitization of the skin.

-Bi carbonate soda- adding a little bi carb to your scrub will assist in the removal of dead skin cells.

SOME TIPS:

-Chemical exfoliants can react with your skin causing redness and a rash. Most natural ingredients are gentler and will not harm you unless you are allergic to them.

-The skin on our face is typically much more delicate then

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