Exfoliation Helps Your Skin To Look Youthful And Radiant
Is your skin starting to lose that fresh, youthful look?
Is it beginning to look lackluster and dull? Does your skin look flaky and are you breaking out more? Is your skin starting to look old (gasp!)
If you have answered yes to any of the above questions, don’t despair. You can get your fresh, youthful look back again. How? By exfoliating!
What is exfoliation and why is it critical in helping your skin to be beautiful and healthy?
And, let’s answer the questions – “How do I exfoliate my skin, and why should I exfoliate my skin?”
What is Exfoliation?
Exfoliation is the process whereby old, dead cells from the skin is removed to reveal the younger, fresher skin underneath.
Why is Exfoliation Important?
Sloughing off these dead cells removes dirt that clogs pores, even skin tone, and help prevent acne and other skin eruptions.
As you age, your cell turnover rate slows down, so they slough off slowly, too. The result is dull, rough, older looking skin. Ever wonder why a child’s skin is so smooth, rosy and healthy? It’s because their skin cells turn over quickly, revealing fresh skin constantly. So as you get older, you need to “help” the process along. That’s where exfoliation comes in.
What Skin Conditions Does Exfoliation Help?
- Hyperpigmentation
- Rough skin surface
- Clogged pores
- Blemished skin
- Dry skin
- Skin marks from acne
What are the Benefits of Exfoliation?
- Skin instantly appear smoother
- even-toned skin
- dryness is reduced
- reduction in clogged pores, breakouts and brown spots
- increased collagen production
- reduction in acne scars
- fine lines appear less noticeable
Natural Ingredients Like Honey And Oranges Are Great For Exfoliation
What Exfoliation Technique Will You Use?
You can either exfoliate with scrubs (oatmeal or other “grainy” products) or chemicals such as acids (alpha hydroxy acids, salicylic acids). You can even use an exfoliating tool such as a sponge, loofah, scrubbing gloves or a pumice stone. Be sure to use the proper tool on your face – a pumice stone is obviously too harsh, and should only be used on heels and elbows, for instance.
If you decide to use an acid, all you do is apply the exfoliant and leave it on the skin for a few minutes. It will dissolve the dry skin cells. These can include ingredients such as Glycolic Acid, Alpha Hydroxy Acid, and enzymes such as Papaya and pineapple.
If you choose a manual or “physical” exfoliant, be prepared to do the work. You are literally removing the dead cells with an abrasive, such as oatmeal, salt, sugar or coffee grounds. Be careful of certain ground seeds and kernels, they can scratch your skin. You can even find many soaps that allow you to both cleanse and exfoliate your skin at the same time. These soaps contain the abrasive to help remove the dead cells.
But, please respect exfoliation. Know what you are doing and do not get overzealous about using it because if you use it too much it can cause irritation and dryness.
Okay, let’s have some fun. Let’s create our own exfoliating facial scrub. It’s really easy! Your skin will look better instantly. All you have to remember is to pick a “grainy” item and a “wet” item in order to make a natural exfoliator for skin. Mix them together and you have a simple, safe, inexpensive exfoliator.
The first thing we must decide is what ingredients we’ll use. Below are some of the “grainy” ingredients you can incorporate in your own scrub. Use about a tablespoon.
- sugar
- coffee grounds
- almonds (ground up)
- oatmeal(unflavored)
- corn meal
- sea salt
- baking soda
Now, you’ll need to pick out a “wet” ingredient. Add this to the “grainy” ingredient a little at a time to create a paste. You can always use a little water if your mixture gets too thick.
- citrus juices (lime, lemon, etc.)
- apple juice
- honey
- olive oil
- dairy (milk, yogurt, sour cream)
- coconut oil
- cucumber (pureed)
- avocado (mashed)
- banana (mashed)
Lemon And Sugar Are Excellent Exfoliators
How about we use sugar from the “grainy” section and “lemon juice” from the “wet” section. Let’s call our facial scrub “Lovely Lemonade Facial”. Here’s what you do:
Cut the lemon in half and squeeze about a tablespoon, add about a tablespoon of sugar and apply to your clean face in circular motions. Continue to work the scrub onto the face until the sugar starts to dissolve. Once the sugar dissolves, rinse your face with plenty of cool water. Your skin may appear a bit red or pink right after this treatment. Not to worry – your skin will turn to its normal color soon. Your skin has been stimulated and you now have better blood circulation to your skin’s surface.
If you have open wounds, the lemon juice will sting, so be careful.
This scrub is excellent because the lemon juice contains lots of vitamin C. Lemons also tighten pores and evens out the skin tone, while the sugar removes dead skin cells and cleans pores effectively. Plus lemon juice is known to help with hyperpigmentation and skin discoloration.
Also, honey is excellent for any skin condition. You may use honey in any of your scrubs and exfoliators for an added boost of vitamins, minerals, and moisturization. It helps to soothe and calm the skin. Honey is excellent to use after an exfoliating treatment, too!
If you don’t have the time to make your own exfoliator, you can simply buy one. But, be careful. Make sure that your exfoliator does not contain harmful chemicals. You don’t want to feed your skin products that are loaded with inferior or chemicals that do more harm than good.
So, you now have the answer to the question – Why should I exfoliate my skin and how do I make my skin look younger? Why not try the Lovely Lemonade Facial Scrub today or even make up your own? Not only will you have fun, but your skin will look better day by day.
What is your favorite exfoliator?
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THIS WORKED SOO WELL IM GLAND I CAN USE THIS NOW
Yay!! So happy you can use this Jay.
Pls, can I use orange instead of lemon?
Hi Comfort: Yes, you can use a lime, orange or grapefruit – any citrus fruit will work. Hope you like it! 🙂
hi! um, so I make that honey and sugar mix for exfoliating, uh, then I’ll just apply it about once-twice a week, right? um, do I have to leave on my face for like 2 minutes, or I just apply it then wash off instantly? thanks! great site, anyway 😀
Dear Khris: You can leave it on for a minute or two or you can wash off right away. Either way, your skin will look and feel wonderful!
hi,am dark and my skin looks old and dry this days what should I do
Dear Praise: I really can’t give you specific recommendations because I don’t know age or why your skin is dry and old looking. But, what I can tell you is that our skin just reflects what is going on inside of us and how we take care of the largest organ of our body. If you haven’t already, start eating more whole fruits and veggies, and try to use skincare that is as natural as possible. The article should give you other tips as well. For lightening skin, hydrogen peroxide (3%) diluted a little on a cotton pad used once a day after cleansing has helped many people to lighten their skin. Hope this helps and thanks for stopping by.
hydrogen peroxide,where do i get that??
You can purchase it at a pharmacy or online. Make sure you are using the 3% kind. The food grade hydrogen peroxide doesn’t contain stabilizers but it is very, very strong. Avoid the eye area if you are going to use it. Also don’t put it on your eyebrows. It brightens beautifully, even the hair, so avoid those areas. Do your research.
Thanks for the write up Bev, pls recently I tried a lightening product on just a part of my face and 2 weeks later its all white and rest of my face dark, will the lemon-sugar paste work fast or should I get an exfoliator cream? And how long does the lemon-Sugar paste. CompletelyWork? 2 weeks? 1 month? I have oily skin. I Am a student that’s why I need a fast solution, Thank you. Pls any advice would be very helpful
Hi Jeremiah: Since you have used a product to lighten your skin, I don’t know if the lemon-sugar scrub will make your skin the same color all over. You may have to allow the product to fade away. Those types of products can be very harsh on the skin, but it should face with time. I don’t know how long. But you can certainly use natural products on your face to keep it healthy while you wait for your skin to get back to its natural color.
“Bee” Happy,
Bev
Morning, please can honey exfoliating cure an eneven skin.
Thanks in anticipation.
Hi Seun: Honey can help with uneven skin. If you want to exfoliate your skin, mix honey with a bit of sugar or salt and make a paste and apply to your wet face. Rinse and you should see visible results!
Great site and so many useful tips!!
Can we use this scrub everyday? I have many dark spots and un even skin tone. Can you suggest me some home remedy to get even skin tone.
Thanks!
Hello Manju: I would not suggest using an exfoliator every day. Depending on your skin, once a week or twice a week should be okay. Using one of the natural exfoliators at least once a week should help with your skin tone. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
This website is great-you gave me a lot of inexpensive ways to take care of my face–I’m going to try them all (I’m 62, but I don’t feel that old; I need all the help I can get to fight off father time). I can’t believe this wasn’t a sales pitch, or a free offer that charges a big S & H fee, or a book you have to purchase, or you need a credit card before you can read it. Thanks again to someone that thinks people are more important than making a buck. I did write down those products you advertised (tiny advertising, I love it, instead of smothering you with flashing pictures of someone’s sparetire, etc) Keep up the great website!!
Hi Marilyn: Thanks so much for your wonderful compliments. Yes, you can use items right in your kitchen that are just as effective as store bought cosmetics. I personally love the baking soda and coconut oil exfoliator that I whip up in less than a minute. It really helps with keeping your skin clear, glowing and smooth 🙂
Keep coming back for more useful recipes, and thanks for stopping by 🙂
“Bee” Happy,
Bev
I tried the lemon and sugar exfoliation – wonderful!!! I have had a patch of scaly skin between my eyebrows for years, and I’ve tried to scrub it off to no avail. After exfoliating, it’s gone! Thanks!
Dear Emily: That’s fantastic!! I love using lemons – I love the citrus aroma. Glad it worked for you 🙂
“Bee” Happy,
Bev