12 homemade scrubs for your face

Have you been toying with the idea of making your own homemade face exfoliator?

Exfoliators, whether shop-bought or homemade, are good for scrubbing away dead skin cells and unclogging pores to reveal smoother and more radiant skin.

Although there are several exfoliating products available to buy, it’s surprisingly easy to make your own homemade exfoliator with ingredients you might already have in your kitchen cupboard.

What is exfoliating?

When you exfoliate, you remove dead skin cells from the top layer of your skin, which may sound a bit gross, but happens to be really good for skin.

Over time, dead skin cells, dirt and bacteria build up on our skin, regardless of how often we wash clean our face . And this build-up can block our pores, leading to breakouts and other skin issues.

Why is exfoliating your skin important?

Getting into the habit of exfoliating, which is done either by using an exfoliating scrub product or chemical exfoliation product, can keep any build-up in check and also help reveal glowing skin. What’s more, exfoliation is a crucial step in most facials, mainly because it helps pores absorb products better.

The older we get, the more important it is for us to exfoliate our skin. Why? Because as we age, the rate at which our skin cells regenerate naturally slows down. And this means old skin cells hanging around on our skin for longer. This can make skin dull, rough and dry and potentially lead to excess oil production and clogged pores that can cause blemishes.¹

Summary

• When you exfoliate, you remove dead skin cells from the top layer of your skin
• Exfoliating can prevent dead skin, dirt and bacteria from building up and causing breakouts
• It can also help your skin to absorb facial products better too

12 of the best homemade exfoliating scrubs for your face

Ingredients

• 150g coarse or fine sea salt
• 150ml olive oil
• 5 to 7 drops of the essential oil of your choice

Directions

1. Pour the salt into an empty jar or container.
2. Top up with the olive oil and mix well with a wooden stick or spoon.
3. Next, mix in the drops of essential oil until well combined. Feel free to use your favourite essential oil or experiment with your own blend. Lavender and chamomile are often used for their soothing and relaxing aromas while lemon and peppermint are energising.
4. Your scrub is now ready to be used or put away until your next shower.

How to use

Take a small amount of the mixture in your hands and gently rub it into your skin in a circular motion. Continue for up to two minutes and rinse off with warm water. After showering, pat your skin dry and apply a moisturiser or body lotion for super-soft skin.

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Ingredients

• 3tbsp raw organic honey
• 1tbsp freshly ground cinnamon powder

Directions

1. Mix the honey with the cinnamon powder.
2. Stir the mixture together well until you have a paste that’s nice and smooth.

How to use

Using a brush, apply the paste evenly over your face. Scrub gently in circular motions and wash off with cold water after 7 to 8 minutes. After a few hours, wash your face with a regular cleanser and moisturise your skin.

Ingredients

• 3tsp freshly-ground coffee
• ½ cup full fat milk
• 1tsp honey

Directions

1. Stir the coffee and milk together by hand.
2. Transfer the mixture to a blender until it’s smooth and creamy.
3. Leave it on one side until it thickens.
4. Once it’s thicker, add the honey and mix well.

How to use

Apply the mixture to your face by gently scrubbing in an upward circular movement for around 8 to 10 minutes. Wash off with cold water. Use twice a week for the best results.

Ingredients

• 2tbsp brown sugar
• 1/2tbsp olive oil
• 1/2tbsp raw honey
• 1/2tsp ground cinnamon

Directions

1. Combine all of the ingredients well in a mixing bowl.

To use

Apply to your lips with your fingertips and gently slough off dry, dead skin cells by scrubbing in circular motions. Use a gentle technique and don’t over-exfoliate – this will avoid small tears from potentially being created in the skin. Rinse with warm water and follow with lip balm. Use this scrub once or twice a week.

Ingredients

• 2tbsp finely ground rolled oats (organic if possible)
• 1tbsp organic plain Greek yogurt
• 1tbsp jojoba or coconut oil

Directions

1. Using a coffee grinder or food processor, grind the oats into a fine powder.
2. Mix all ingredients together in a mixing bowl.

To use

Apply to cleansed skin in gentle circles for about 30 to 60 seconds. Rinse the scrub from your skin with lukewarm water. Spoon any remaining mixture into an airtight container and store in the fridge for another time.

Ingredients

• 1 ripe banana
• 2tbsp finely ground oatmeal
• 1tbsp organic plain Greek yogurt

Directions

1. Mash up the banana with a fork until it’s smooth, but not runny
2. Grind oats in a food processor to a fine powder.
3. Mix all of the ingredients together a bowl until fully combined.

To use

Apply the scrub to your skin in circular motions for 30 to 60 seconds, then wash off with warm water. Keep any leftover scrub in the fridge for another time.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 tbsp aloe vera gel
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Directions and use

1. Mix all the ingredients together well.
2. Massage into skin for gentle exfoliation. 

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Ingredients

• 5 almonds
• 1tbsp yogurt
• 1tbsp green tea

Directions

1. Put the almonds into a coffee grinder and grind them down so they’re extremely fine.
2. Mix your almonds with the yogurt and green tea to form a paste. 

How to use

Slowly smoothe the mixture onto your skin. 

Ingredients

• 1 kiwi
• 2tbsp yogurt
• 2tsp olive oil

Directions and use

1. Remove the skin of your kiwi and mash up the fruit on the inside.
2. Combine the mashed kiwi with the yogurt and olive oil in a bowl.
3. Rub the formula in gentle circles around your face and rinse.

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup flax/flaxseeds
• 1 spoonful glycerin (or shea butter, jojoba oil, cocoa butter or avocado oil)
• 1tbsp white clay
• 1tsp sugar
• A splash of lemon juice

Directions and use

1. Put the flax and a spoonful of glycerin in a bowl and then grind until smooth.
2. Add the white clay, lemon juice and sugar.
3. Mix all your ingredients together and then gently swipe them onto your face.

Ingredients

• ½ cup uncooked oats
• Water

Directions and use

1. In a blender, pulse the dry oats until finely ground.
2. Place a pinch of the ground oats into the palm of your hand and add water until a paste forms.
3. Gently massage the mixture into your face and neck.

Tip: You may also want to try using milk or yogurt instead of water. They both contain lactic acid that works as a natural chemical exfoliant. Alternatively, add apple cider vinegar, which contains malic acid, to help make skin look that little bit brighter.

Ingredients

• 1tsp baking soda
• Your liquid skin cleanser

Directions and use

1. Add the baking soda into a few drops of your regular cleanser, and transform your cleanser into a gentle exfoliator.
2. Apply using gentle circular motions and rinse off with warm water.

Takeaway

Has this list of homemade face exfoliators made you realise most of the products that are sitting in your kitchen cupboard can actually be put to good use for your skin?

Most of them can be whipped up in a matter of minutes too, and if you get into the habit of applying these homemade exfoliators regularly, then you should soon start to see the results – brighter, clearer and more moisturised skin!

Last updated: 27 May 2021