way my face looks after manual extractions, especially when they are done by a merciless
aesthetician. They really know how to get to the root of that annoying blackhead!
Imagine if you could get a facial every week, without waiting, commuting, and the steep price?
Sounds good, right? Achieving spa results at home is quite possible, and there are a few benefits, too
—no waiting time and almost no money spent. Granted, there is some elbow grease involved, but this
is easily offset by the fact that you are using completely natural products with zero preservatives, zero
dyes, and only natural fragrances.
Regular exfoliation is your first step toward sparkling skin. Facial scrubs should become an
important part of your facial care routine. Many gentle scrubs can be used as a second-step cleanser
in a double-cleansing routine. If your skin behaves, you don’t need to use the scrub every day, unless
you really want to.
There are two types of exfoliating products available today: abrasive and nonabrasive. Alpha and
beta hydroxy acids exfoliate by dissolving the very top layer of dead skin cells with glycolic acid
from sugarcane, lactic acid from sour milk, tartaric acid from grapes, malic acid from apples, and
pyruvic acid from citrus fruits. Malic and tartaric acids are more commonly used in exfoliating body
products, as they are more potent.
Abrasive exfoliating products remove dead skin cells by physical friction, using synthetic or
natural particles, such as jojoba beads, crushed fruit kernel, seeds, salt, or sugar. Nonabrasive
exfoliating products use alpha and beta hydroxy acids to dissolve the top layer of dead skin cells.
Many exfoliating products combine both principles, offering a double action against dead skin cells,
but such products can be irritating if you have fair, delicate, or easily irritated skin.
A word of caution: if you have inflamed acne lesions, an irritation, or a sunburn on your face or
body, you should never use abrasive scrubs, no matter how natural or gentle they feel. Grain and
beads in the scrub will further damage the fragile skin in the area of inflammation, so the irritation
gets worse and all your efforts to speed up the healing process will go down the drain along with the
scrub. You may use a scrub as part of your daily double-cleansing routine as a second step after
removing makeup with your first wash. You can also use abrasive scrubs in your weekly home spa
regimen before applying a nourishing, whitening, or deep-cleansing mask.
Green Tip
Scrubs are best to use when you have uneven or flaky skin and no visibly inflamed areas.
Rule of green thumb: when buying a new scrub, squeeze a little from the tester tube and rub it into
your hand, applying as much pressure as you usually do when pressing cell phone buttons (very light
but focused). Do you feel the gritty particles? Then the scrub is too harsh for your face. Try finding a
nonabrasive alternative. If none is available, make a new shopping list: you are going to cook a new
scrub at home.
No need to despair, as there are many wonderful and natural exfoliating creams and lotions
available today. Most of them are very gentle, and they can be used daily as cleansers on their own.
Mild abrasive particles are usually buffered with rich oil and beeswax blends so the risk of
scrubbing too hard is minimal.
The best time to apply the scrub is when you have just stepped out of the shower or are taking a
warm bath.
Apply the scrub with small onward and outward movements. Roll and press on your skin, rather
than rub the scrub into it. Avoid the delicate eye area. You can leave the scrub to double its efforts