Gentle exfoliation of the face is an excellent way to get rid of dead skin cells to provide a youthful glow. This is exactly what this exfoliant will do for you. This cleansing process helps reduce the buildup of bacteria, which can penetrate the skin’s pores. When this happens, it can cause the skin to become unhealthy and even break out, creating unwanted inflammation.
Exfoliation is beneficial, but only if you use the right ingredients for facial exfoliation. Making your own facial exfoliant is just as easy and much better for your skin than what you find in stores. If you want to avoid unwanted chemicals, make your own exfoliant with sugar and natural ingredients like coconut oil, honey, and essential orange oil.
DIY Sugar Exfoliant
You probably have everything you need to make this exfoliant, but if not, the ingredients are easy to find and will give you that soft, supple, and glowing skin you have always wanted.
Let’s get started! I recommend preparing this homemade exfoliant right in the jar you intend to store it in, but you can also make it in a small bowl and transfer it to a tightly sealed jar if you prefer.
INGREDIENTS
2 tablespoons coconut oil
1 tablespoon organic raw honey
4 tablespoons organic brown sugar
6 drops of essential orange oil
6 drops of tea tree essential oil
In a small jar, add the coconut oil and honey, using a small wooden spoon to mix. Coconut oil has amazing antifungal and antimicrobial properties that help keep the skin fresh and free from bacteria, in addition to hydrating the skin.
Raw honey is an amazing skin healer. It also helps keep the complexion soft and supple, as it helps retain moisture, which is essential for healthy skin!
Next, add the sugar! Add the sugar and mix well. While a high sugar intake is not a good idea, using it to help remove dead skin cells is. I recommend brown sugar, as it is softer, making it a better choice for the face. Choose organic if possible, as it is less coarse than regular brown sugar. A coarser brown sugar, like natural brown sugar, works well for a DIY body exfoliant but may be too harsh for the face.
But what makes sugar good for the skin? It is a natural humectant. This means it helps hydrate the skin.
Sugar is also a natural source of glycolic acid, which is commonly used to treat dry, sun-damaged, and aging skin. You may have seen the ingredient alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). This ingredient helps the skin by encouraging cell turnover and generating fresher, younger-looking skin.
Next, let’s add the essential oils. Essential orange oil is a natural antiseptic and anti-inflammatory, making it a perfect addition to this sugar exfoliant recipe. It can also help those with acne-prone skin and encourage the absorption of vitamin C and collagen production—both excellent for reducing the effects of aging.
Now add the tea tree oil. Tea tree oil is a favorite for helping the skin stay healthy and free from acne. Its antibacterial properties, known as terpenes, are very healing and gentle. Mix all these ingredients together and get ready to cleanse your skin!
How to Exfoliate Your Face
Start with clean skin. Rinse your skin with water to remove surface oils and dirt. After cleansing your skin, gently pat it dry, leaving a bit of moisture on the skin. Use a spoon or a small spatula to scoop out a small amount of the facial exfoliant—never use your fingers to avoid introducing bacteria into the container.
It is recommended to do the exfoliation over the sink or in the shower to minimize any mess. Just gently rub the sugar exfoliant over your face and neck, using the remaining product on your hands to soften them. Avoid getting too close to your eyes.
Once you have covered your face and neck, let it sit for a few minutes. Then rinse gently with warm water. Pat your skin dry. Apply a little coconut oil.
Do this once or twice a week for soft, supple, and glowing skin!
