7 DIY Exfoliator Recipes to Keep Your Skin Soft and Smooth

Is your skin constantly dulled or boring? Or maybe it’s always dry and flaking off. Exfoliation is a great way to keep your skin bright, soft, and smooth. Especially in colder weather, your skin can get really flaky and dry so exfoliation can help to rejuvenate your skin and keep it brightened.

There are many gentle exfoliators on the market, but even if you add exfoliation into your daily skin routine, the products themselves can get expensive. That’s why we have 7 of the best DIY exfoliator recipes to keep your skin happy and healthy.

1. Coffee and Yoghurt Face Exfoliator

This DIY exfoliator is great to stimulate your skin and improve any blood circulation issues because of the caffeine in the coffee. The addition of the yogurt helps with adding antioxidants to the skin and protecting it against UV damage (which may also cause your skin to peel). This exfoliator should be used twice a week.

Ingredients:

• 3 teaspoons of freshly ground coffee
• ½ cup of yogurt (You can substitute this for whole milk if you have very dry skin)
• 1 teaspoon of honey

Method of Preparation:

1. Blend the coffee and yogurt/whole milk in a blender until combined
2. Let the mix sit on the counter for 5 minutes to thicken
3. After the 5 minutes, mix in the yogurt until completely combined
4. Apply the DIY exfoliator on your face, scrubbing in upwards circular motions for 8-10 minutes to get the full effect
5. Rinse off with cold water

2. Lemon, Honey, and Sugar Face Scrub

The mixture of lemon and honey is what makes this DIY exfoliator special. The lemon has many natural exfoliants that can specifically help to combat stubborn blackheads, discolouration, and other acne.

The addition of honey adds in an antioxidant factor and also helps to heal inflamed skin (like old acne spots!). This scrub should be used twice a week.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sugar
• ½ cup olive oil
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 lemon (juiced)

Method of Preparation:

1. Mix the sugar, olive oil, and honey until fully combined
2. Stir in the lemon juice, and quickly mix for 5 minutes
3. Apply on your face and rub in circular motions for 5 minutes
4. Rinse off with cold water

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3. Honey and Cinnamon Face Scrub

This DIY exfoliator is guaranteed to both clear your skin and add a little glow to keep your skin bright and healthy. This scrub is especially good for inflamed skin as both honey and cinnamon are anti-bacterial and will help to reduce breakouts and soothe ones that have already popped up. This scrub should be used once a week.

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons of honey
• 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon
• Your regular cleanser and moisturizer

Method of Preparation:

1. Mix the honey and cinnamon until it forms a smooth paste
2. Apply evenly all over your face, and then gently scrub in circular motions for 8 minutes
3. Rinse off with cold water
4. At the end of the day, or a few hours later when the effects of the scrub have set in, wash your face with your regular cleanser to make sure that none of the cinnamon stays on overnight
5. Use your usual moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated

Cinnamon might feel Stingy. So, we would suggest people with sensitive skin avoid this recipe. 

4. Oatmeal and Milk Face Scrub

Another DIY exfoliator uses oatmeal to exfoliate your skin as gently as possible. Oatmeal helps to get rid of any excess sebum in your skin as well as extra oil, and it clears your pores! This scrub should be used three times a week.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon of whole milk
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 2 tablespoons of oatmeal (dry)
• 5 drops of rose water

Method of Preparation:

1. Mix the whole milk and olive oil in a bowl
2. Add the oatmeal, mix, and leave out on the counter until the oats have softened
3. Add the rose water and mix well until all combined
4. Apply onto your face and gently massage in circular motions for 3 minutes
5. Rinse off with cold water

5. Baking Soda Face Scrub

This DIY exfoliator employs baking soda’s fine texture to work as a microdermabrasion substitution. The baking soda will also help to absorb extra oil and get rid of excess sebum. This scrub should be used once a week.

Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon of baking soda
• Your regular cleanser

Method of Preparation:

1. In a bowl, mix a pump of your regular cleanser and the baking soda
2. Apply onto your face and scrub in circular motions for 5 minutes
3. Rinse off with cold water

6. Sugar and Aloe Vera Face Scrub

Sugar is a great ingredient in any DIY exfoliator if it is fine grit. The less fine the sugar is, the more likely it is that you may cause little micro-cuts in your skin. This scrub should be used once a week.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel
• 1 teaspoon of fine sugar

Method of Preparation:

1. Mix the aloe vera and sugar in a bowl
2. Apply the scrub to your face and gently massage in circular motions for 2 minutes
3. Leave it on your skin for 3 more minutes to soak in
4. Rinse off with cold water

7. Flax Seed Face Scrub

This DIY exfoliator contains flax seeds, a popular anti-inflammatory that works both inside and outside of your body. It will also help to reduce any fine lines and keep your skin moisturized and hydrated. This mask should be used twice a week.

Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon of ground flax seeds
• 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel, honey, or jojoba oil

Method of Preparation:

1. Combine the flaxseed and your chosen carrier ingredient in a bowl
2. Mix vigorously until the ingredients are crushed together
3. Apply to your face in circular motions and massage for 5 minutes
4. Rinse off with warm water

Any of these scrubs could be used in addition to your daily skincare routine once, twice, or even three times a week. Just find one that you think fits your skincare needs and roll with it.