8 Ways to Exfoliate Your Skin Naturally

Honey

Honey isn't just healthy for you, it's also great for your skin. It has antimicrobial properties that promote healing and humectant properties that promote hydration. It even has medicinal applications, with small amounts of gluconic acid and other alpha-hydroxy acids. Honey has been used for centuries to help treat disorders such as psoriasis and dermatitis.

To exfoliate with honey, squirt a dime-sized dollop into your hands and apply it to your face with your fingers using a circular motion. Rinse with water.

Honey can be used on its own or as an ingredient in DIY facial scrubs. You can also mix in a little bit of baking soda for slightly more abrasion. Raw, organic honey is best.

Yogurt

Yogurt contains lactic acid, an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps dissolve and remove dead skin cells and stimulate new growth. Exfoliating with lactic acid can give you a more even complexion.

Yogurt's pH is around 4.5, which is low enough for it to work as an exfoliant. But as "SELF" explains, it only has around 0.9% available acid after fermentation, which is quite a bit less than conventional over-the-counter exfoliants that have 5–10% AHAs. Buttermilk, by comparison, has 3–4% lactic acid, but is messier to apply. Yogurt is therefore a very gentle and subtle exfoliant, but it can still work.

To exfoliate with yogurt, apply one tablespoon of plain yogurt to your face with your fingers using a circular motion or with a brush using short strokes. Let it sit for 20 minutes and rinse with water.

The potential benefits of using fermented dairy products topically are still being studied, but some research suggests the probiotics found in yogurt interact with your skin barrier to fight infection and reduce inflammation.

Sugar

The glycolic acid found in sugar cane is a natural chemical exfoliant that can help separate dead cells from new cells in the outermost layer of your skin. When applied gently, this can help safely and effectively remove dead skin. Please note that sugar scrubs are recommended for the body, not the face, as the crystals tend to be quite large and can cause harm if rubbed aggressively into sensitive skin.

To exfoliate with sugar:

1. Combine one tablespoon of raw sugar and one tablespoon of your favorite natural oil (i.e. coconut, olive, jojoba, almond) to form a thick paste; adjust amounts as needed to achieve this consistency.
2. Apply to the skin with your fingers using a circular motion or with a brush using short strokes.
3. Let sit for 10 minutes.
4. Rinse with water.

Sugar scrubs are great exfoliants for those with dry skin.

Lemon Juice

As a source of citric acid, another alpha-hydroxy acid, lemon juice, is also a natural chemical exfoliant. In addition to helping you shed dead skin cells, lemon juice may plump and brighten your skin.

To exfoliate with lemon juice:

1. Combine one tablespoon of lemon juice and one tablespoon of cane sugar to create a mildly abrasive paste.
2. Apply gently to your face or body with your fingers using a circular motion or with a brush using short strokes.
3. Let sit for between two and five minutes.
4. Rinse with water.

Perform a patch test on a small portion of your face before exfoliating with lemon juice. People with sensitive skin or abrasions may experience burning and irritation. Sugar can also be overly abrasive for faces, so blend it more finely or restrict it to body use only.

Papaya

The enzyme papain is what makes papaya an effective exfoliant. Papain dissolves the keratin in dead skin cells to smooth your face. Papaya can help promote blood circulation and elasticity.

To exfoliate your face at home with papaya:

1. Mash fresh papaya into a smooth paste.
2. Apply to your face with your fingers using a circular motion or with a brush using short strokes.
3. Let sit for 15 minutes.
4. Rinse with water.

Papaya is an ideal exfoliant for combination or oily skin because these skin types tend to overproduce sebum, resulting in clogged pores. The papain in papaya can help cleanse pores and prevent acne formation or infection. Papain is most potent in young fruit, so use green papayas if possible.

Coffee

Ground coffee is an excellent manual exfoliant that can help scrub away dead cells and debris when massaged into the skin. On top of that, caffeine has been shown to plump skin and fight signs of aging such as wrinkles and dark spots.

To exfoliate with coffee:

1. Combine one-quarter teaspoon of used coffee grounds with one tablespoon of your favorite natural oil to form a thick paste (adjust amounts as needed to achieve this consistency).
2. Apply to your face with your fingers using a circular motion.
3. Let it sit for five minutes.
4. Rinse with water.

Some physical exfoliants are too rough and can damage your skin. The St. Ives Apricot Scrub, for example, contains hard walnut shell pieces that cause micro-abrasions for many users. Finely ground coffee, combined with a carrier oil such as coconut oil to help soothe and hydrate your skin as you exfoliate, makes a much gentler scrub. You can also use coffee grounds as a stimulating mask, rinsing off for a tingly, exfoliated effect.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal is a common ingredient in skincare products. Known for its therapeutic anti-inflammatory properties, oatmeal is gentle and non-irritating for most. It may also help protect the skin against harmful UV rays.

To exfoliate your face at home with oatmeal:

1. Combine one tablespoon of finely ground oats with one tablespoon of your favorite natural oil or honey (the oats need something smooth to bind to).
2. Apply to your face with your fingers using a circular motion.
3. Let it sit for five minutes.
4. Rinse with water.

Oatmeal is an ideal ingredient in exfoliating scrubs for people with dry or sensitive skin. Be sure to use organic oats that have not been treated with pesticides or chemicals.

Turmeric

More than just a versatile spice, turmeric is a capable exfoliant. Turmeric contains curcumin, the compound that gives it its yellow color and many of its health benefits. Turmeric is used medicinally to treat skin conditions throughout South Asia and has been shown to reduce inflammation and fight infection when used as an exfoliant.

To exfoliate with turmeric:

1. Combine one teaspoon of ground turmeric with yogurt, natural oil, or water to form a paste (the amount needed will vary). You can also add some chickpea flour for added abrasion if you wish.
2. Apply to your face with your fingers using a circular motion or with a brush using short strokes.
3. Let sit for 10 minutes.
4. Rinse with water.

Turmeric is a good exfoliant for all skin types, especially sensitive skin. Look for Kasturi turmeric (Curcuma aromatica) in Indian grocery stores, as this variety is non-staining.