Shopping for a natural facial scrub can be confusing because there are many different products on the market. Popular natural ingredients used in these cleansers include sugar, oatmeal, baking soda, and salt. Typically, a natural facial scrub exfoliates dead skin cells and helps give skin a fresher appearance. It can also aid the absorption of moisturizers and beauty lotions. A consumer should be aware of her skin type and what she wants her scrub to accomplish before purchasing one.
Scrubs are usually formulated to suit different skin types, such as oily, sensitive, acne prone, dry, or combination. There are products that only exfoliate and some that offer aromatherapy, moisturizing, anti-aging, and anti-acne benefits. The labels on most facial cleansers usually list any active ingredients used, as well as what these ingredients can do for the consumer's skin. When shopping for natural facial scrubs, it may be important to check the ingredients to be sure the best product is selected.
Apricot scrubs are generally the most common type of facial scrub because these have been sold for a long time. In recent years, these have become less popular because they can contain large particles that can not only irritate sensitive skin, but also cause microscopic skin abrasions. Such scrubs work well for some people, however, and are available in all-natural formulations. If a consumer has skin that is extremely oily and not sensitive, this scrub may be a good choice. People with any skin sensitivity should avoid products that contain harsh ingredients, like apricot scrubs.
Sugar scrubs are typically gentle and effective. These often contain various fruit oils or herbal essential oils. Ground oatmeal scrubs tend to be very good for people who have very sensitive skin.
Salt can also produce a mild natural facial scrub, but salt crystals can vary widely in coarseness. If possible, consumers should check to see what type of salt granule is used. Some with large, coarse crystals — as opposed to fine or small crystals — can be very irritating to someone who has sensitive skin.
People can easily make a natural facial scrub at home using ingredients like sugar, salt, baking soda, and oats. A homemade salt scrub is usually just a combination of salt, olive oil, lemon juice and honey. Sugar scrubs are made in a similar fashion. These can be used on the body as well as the face. There are many different recipes available on websites devoted to this topic.
If someone is prone to acne, she may wish to look for natural facial scrubs that contain tea tree or lavender oils. Both have antiseptic and antibiotic properties and can help clear skin breakouts. Baking soda mixed with a small amount of water to form a paste can also be effective at exfoliating dead skin cells and helping to eliminate acne.
Choosing the best natural facial scrub ultimately depends on what the customer wants the product to accomplish. Some of the best basic scrubs can be made by combining an exfoliant, like finely ground salt or sugar, with a lubricant and skin softener, such as olive oil. Other ingredients may be added to further enhance the cleanser as the user desires.