An overview of some of the best natural exfoliating ingredients
Learning how to naturally cleanse and rejuvenate is considered as one of the best ways of keeping the skin looking natural and new. New skin cells are normally created within the skin's inner layer also known as the dermis. As new skin is formed, the older dead skin cells are pushed towards the outer layer of the skin: the epidermis. These dead skin cells eventually slough off with time but some might hang on for much longer giving the skin a dry, dull and often rough look. They can also clog the skin pores causing the formation of acne and other kinds of skin blemishes
Using natural exfoliating agents as opposed to chemical based agents is highly recommended when it comes to scrubbing dead skin cells away. According to skin expert Dr Jane A Allen in an article written for the Los Angeles Times, chemical exfoliation products containing high concentrations of certain compounds can be detrimental to the overall appearance of an individual’s skin and in some instances brings about long term effects not easily reversed. As such, natural, gently abrasive products are highly recommended
The following is an overview of some of the best natural exfoliating ingredients
Sea salt
For hundreds of years, people living close to the dead sea have been soaking their body’s in the extremely salty waters of the dead sea in the hope of having various types of medical conditions cured. While this water does not provide a miraculous cure for various maladies, it does provide an excellent alternative when it comes to skin exfoliation.
According to the America Academy of Dermatology, sea salt is rich in trace minerals that not only help to rejuvenate the skin, but also promote cell growth and helps the skin to retain moisture. The abrasive nature of the sea salt also makes excellent for the removal of dead skin. However, sea salt cannot be used on its own for exfoliating, it has to be mixed with an essential oil such as jojoba or olive oil to create a paste which can then be used for scrubbing
Oatmeal
Oatmeal is another viable natural product when it comes natural ingredients for removing build-up and dead cells. As you may already know, oatmeal is considered as one of the best foods for lowering blood cholesterol but it also has certain properties that make it one of the best ingredients for skin renewal. According to Mayo clinic, oatmeal is not only cheap and easily available but also has anti-inflammatory properties and doubles up as a natural moisturizer. When ground to powder form, it becomes a gentle scrubbing ingredient as it does not injure or tear sensitive skin
During topical application, oatmeal is ground in a blender and then mixed with some yoghurt to create a smooth paste that can be gently massaged onto the affected area
Honey
Honey is another remarkable ingredient that is considered as one of the best natural ingredients to exfoliate. According to Dr Julia Tzu, a clinical assistant professor of dermatology from the New York University, raw honey not only has anti-bacterial properties but also has anti-fungal and anti-viral properties. Research has also shown that raw honey has hydrating and anti-inflammatory properties. As such, raw honey most often used to compliment other natural ingredients so as to bring out more toned and tighter skin.
Sugar
Sugary diets are considered as the main culprit for bad skin but when sugar is applied to the skin, it is an entirely different story. As we all know, sugar is made from sugarcane. Sugarcane is a natural source of Glycolic acid which is an alphy hydroxyl acid that has the capacity to break down the protein structure that keep dead cells hanging onto healthy skin cells. Glycolic acid also boosts growth of new cells and in doing so, helps to rejuvenate the skin resulting in younger smoother and softer skin
Lemon juice
Lemon juice extracted from lemons is also considered as one of the best ingredients when it comes to natural facial treatents. Like sugar, lemon juice contains alpha hydroxyl acid, an acid that breaks down the glue like protein that attaches dead skin to healthy skin.
According to Sophie Uliano, a skin specialist and skin-care advisor to the world famous actor Julia Roberts, the Alpha hydroxyl acid or AHA is not harmful to the skin in anyway. However, when administered to the skin in large doses or high concentrations, it makes the skin more sensitive to the sun’s rays and may bring about a detrimental effect on the overall condition of the skin. In an attempt to create skin treatments that bring about quicker results, some manufacturers tend to pack the exfoliant with high concentrations of AHA. But this is usually their undoing as the side effects of high concentration of AHA usually give products bad user reviews
Papaya
Papaya contains an enzyme known as papain. This enzyme dissolves the dead skin layer without damaging the younger underlying skin cells. The enzyme papain is also believed to have the capacity to heal blemished skin and also reduce the appearance of lines and age spots. According to Maya clinic, the enzyme papain is most potent in young papayas and as such, young papayas are highly recommended as a regenerative face mask.
Nuts and fruit seeds
Unlike yoghurt and honey which remove dead skin by breaking down protein that attaches dead skin to younger underlying skin, nuts and fruit seeds use abrasion to detach the dead skin. Fruits seeds such as those of raspberries and blackberries and nuts such as almond nuts feature prominently in the list of natural abrasive ingredients. When incorporated in a cleanser and the mixture then gently massaged onto the skin, the dead skin layer is removed exposing the underlying fresh skin
Yoghurt
According to the America Academy of Dermatology, yoghurt contains lactic acid which also falls under the group of alpha hydroxy acid: a compound that removes dead skin by breaking down protein that attaches dead skin to younger underlying skin. Yoghurt also has hydrating properties that help to keep the skin well hydrated and by doing so, evens out the skin tone
You don't have to use all the ingredients at once. If fact, we recommend picking 2-3 ingredients to find the perfect treatment for your skin. Now that you know how to exfoliate naturally, it's time to ditch the expensive, chemical-filled products and bring out the natural beauty of your skin!
Using natural exfoliating agents as opposed to chemical based agents is highly recommended when it comes to scrubbing dead skin cells away. According to skin expert Dr Jane A Allen in an article written for the Los Angeles Times, chemical exfoliation products containing high concentrations of certain compounds can be detrimental to the overall appearance of an individual’s skin and in some instances brings about long term effects not easily reversed. As such, natural, gently abrasive products are highly recommended
The following is an overview of some of the best natural exfoliating ingredients
Sea salt
For hundreds of years, people living close to the dead sea have been soaking their body’s in the extremely salty waters of the dead sea in the hope of having various types of medical conditions cured. While this water does not provide a miraculous cure for various maladies, it does provide an excellent alternative when it comes to skin exfoliation.
According to the America Academy of Dermatology, sea salt is rich in trace minerals that not only help to rejuvenate the skin, but also promote cell growth and helps the skin to retain moisture. The abrasive nature of the sea salt also makes excellent for the removal of dead skin. However, sea salt cannot be used on its own for exfoliating, it has to be mixed with an essential oil such as jojoba or olive oil to create a paste which can then be used for scrubbing
Oatmeal
Oatmeal is another viable natural product when it comes natural ingredients for removing build-up and dead cells. As you may already know, oatmeal is considered as one of the best foods for lowering blood cholesterol but it also has certain properties that make it one of the best ingredients for skin renewal. According to Mayo clinic, oatmeal is not only cheap and easily available but also has anti-inflammatory properties and doubles up as a natural moisturizer. When ground to powder form, it becomes a gentle scrubbing ingredient as it does not injure or tear sensitive skin
During topical application, oatmeal is ground in a blender and then mixed with some yoghurt to create a smooth paste that can be gently massaged onto the affected area
Honey
Honey is another remarkable ingredient that is considered as one of the best natural ingredients to exfoliate. According to Dr Julia Tzu, a clinical assistant professor of dermatology from the New York University, raw honey not only has anti-bacterial properties but also has anti-fungal and anti-viral properties. Research has also shown that raw honey has hydrating and anti-inflammatory properties. As such, raw honey most often used to compliment other natural ingredients so as to bring out more toned and tighter skin.
Sugar
Sugary diets are considered as the main culprit for bad skin but when sugar is applied to the skin, it is an entirely different story. As we all know, sugar is made from sugarcane. Sugarcane is a natural source of Glycolic acid which is an alphy hydroxyl acid that has the capacity to break down the protein structure that keep dead cells hanging onto healthy skin cells. Glycolic acid also boosts growth of new cells and in doing so, helps to rejuvenate the skin resulting in younger smoother and softer skin
Lemon juice
Lemon juice extracted from lemons is also considered as one of the best ingredients when it comes to natural facial treatents. Like sugar, lemon juice contains alpha hydroxyl acid, an acid that breaks down the glue like protein that attaches dead skin to healthy skin.
According to Sophie Uliano, a skin specialist and skin-care advisor to the world famous actor Julia Roberts, the Alpha hydroxyl acid or AHA is not harmful to the skin in anyway. However, when administered to the skin in large doses or high concentrations, it makes the skin more sensitive to the sun’s rays and may bring about a detrimental effect on the overall condition of the skin. In an attempt to create skin treatments that bring about quicker results, some manufacturers tend to pack the exfoliant with high concentrations of AHA. But this is usually their undoing as the side effects of high concentration of AHA usually give products bad user reviews
Papaya
Papaya contains an enzyme known as papain. This enzyme dissolves the dead skin layer without damaging the younger underlying skin cells. The enzyme papain is also believed to have the capacity to heal blemished skin and also reduce the appearance of lines and age spots. According to Maya clinic, the enzyme papain is most potent in young papayas and as such, young papayas are highly recommended as a regenerative face mask.
Nuts and fruit seeds
Unlike yoghurt and honey which remove dead skin by breaking down protein that attaches dead skin to younger underlying skin, nuts and fruit seeds use abrasion to detach the dead skin. Fruits seeds such as those of raspberries and blackberries and nuts such as almond nuts feature prominently in the list of natural abrasive ingredients. When incorporated in a cleanser and the mixture then gently massaged onto the skin, the dead skin layer is removed exposing the underlying fresh skin
Yoghurt
According to the America Academy of Dermatology, yoghurt contains lactic acid which also falls under the group of alpha hydroxy acid: a compound that removes dead skin by breaking down protein that attaches dead skin to younger underlying skin. Yoghurt also has hydrating properties that help to keep the skin well hydrated and by doing so, evens out the skin tone
You don't have to use all the ingredients at once. If fact, we recommend picking 2-3 ingredients to find the perfect treatment for your skin. Now that you know how to exfoliate naturally, it's time to ditch the expensive, chemical-filled products and bring out the natural beauty of your skin!