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10 amazing natural ways to exfoliate your skin

Baking soda is quite probably one of the most versatile products that you have in your kitchen.

 

As we get older, our skin becomes not as efficient as it used to be at shedding the dead skin cells, so exfoliating becomes more and more important, the older you get. Exfoliating your skin regularly, should be an important part of your beauty regime. It lifts off the old, dead skin cells, and reveals the newer, fresher looking skin underneath. It also helps to keep your skin clean and your pores clear, and that will help stop breakouts and other skin problems. You can buy exfoliating creams and they work very well, but they also cost quite a lot and you can never be entirely sure what ingredients they contain. On the other hand, there are plenty of natural alternatives that you can use. Here are just ten of the wonderful natural ways that you use to exfoliate your skin.

1. Dry brushing

You don’t need any exfoliating creams or scrubs at all to do gentle, light exfoliation of your skin; all you really need is a good, natural bristle brush. Simply gently brush your skin, starting at your feet, and work your way upwards, toward the heart. You can exfoliate your entire body in this way in about four, or five minutes. Once you have finished brushing, cleanse your skin and moisturise.

2. Citrus fruits

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Citrus fruits contain alpha hydroxy acids (AHA’s), which are excellent natural exfoliators. You don’t even have to scrub with citrus fruits to remove dead skin; they work just like a natural chemical peel. To create a homemade citrus cleanser, mix some citrus fruit juice with yoghurt or milk. It’s particularly good if you have any dark spots on your skin, because it will lengthen them for you.

3. Baking soda

Baking soda is quite probably one of the most versatile products that you have in your kitchen. As well as your being able to use it as deodoriser, a dry shampoo and a skin lightener, it also works great as an exfoliating ingredient too. Try using baking soda mixed with some natural honey (and a little water if necessary), and then use that as an exfoliating cream. The antimicrobial properties of the honey will help to fight breakouts as well.

4. Just use a dry towel

This is another really simple method of exfoliating that requires no creams, scrubs, or lotions. The next time you have a shower, dry yourself with a towel as usual, but keep one towel in reserve and keep it dry. When your skin is dry, just rub yourself down again with the dry towel and it will remove the dead skin cells from your skin.

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5. Oatmeal

If your skin is a bit sensitive, some of the natural ingredients listed here might be a bit too harsh. If that is the case, try using oatmeal as a physical exfoliator, it’s not nearly as abrasive as some ingredients.

6.  Milk

The lactic acid in milk acts as a chemical exfoliator and it will remove dead skin cells without any scribing or rubbing at all. You can use milk just as it comes, and just rub it into your skin, or, if you have particularly dry skin, you could add some egg whites to it. Alternatively, you can just add a few cups of whole milk to your bath.

7. Sugar

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You can easily make an exfoliating scrub with a mixture of oil and sugar. Just mix some sugar granules into some olive oil, jojoba oil, or coconut oil, and rub into your skin with gentle, circular motions. It’s better if you use cloth to do this, so that you don’t irritate the palms of your hands, and you can only spend about a minute on each part of your body, so that you don’t make your skin sore.

8. Salt

Salt is another kitchen ingredient that you can use for exfoliation and, because its grains are fine, it is slightly less harsh on the skin than sugar is. You can add salt to your favourite oils, or you can simply add it to some of your moisturising lotions.

9. Apples

Apples work in a similar way to citrus fruits and they can remove dead skin cells without any need for scrubbing. Apples contain alpha hydroxy acids, so if you make a facemask of pulped apples, it will gently lift the dead skin from your face.

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10. Coffee

Coffee grounds also make a good ingredient for your homemade face or body scrubs and it’s also said to be good for removing cellulite and reducing the appearance of stretch marks. You can either rub coffee grounds into your skin on their own, or you can add them to some olive oil to get a moisturising treatment as well. Coffee also contains antioxidants, so it will fight oxidative stress and help to hold back the signs of ageing too.

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