A natural exfoliant can be used to remove the top layer of dead skin, resulting in a healthier and more youthful looking appearance. Some natural exfoliants, like salt and oatmeal, remove dead skin by physically sloughing it off. Other natural exfoliants, like lemon juice and papaya, work by chemically removing dead skin.
The very top layer of a person's skin is mostly made up of dead skin cells. If these skin cells accumulate, they can cause a person's skin to look dull or rough. Exfoliating is a safe method to remove these skin cells.
Some types of natural exfoliants contain rough surfaces that slough off dead skin cells. Salt, particularly coarse sea salt, is one of the most popular types of natural exfoliant. The sharp grains of salt can often easily remove dead skin cells. Salt is sometimes mixed with oil, glycerin, or liquid soap to make a simple homemade exfoliant.
Sugar can also be used as a natural exfoliant. It is typically a little gentler than salt, and it can be used to exfoliate sensitive skin, including the skin on the face. A number of types of sugar can be used as exfoliants, including white sugar, brown sugar, and raw sugar.
Oatmeal is another very popular natural exfoliant. People with sensitive skin will usually benefit from oatmeal as an exfoliant. This type of natural exfoliant can also add moisture to very dry skin, especially when it is mixed with honey.
Instead of throwing them away, some people prefer to use old coffee grounds as a natural exfoliant. Since coffee grounds are somewhat rough, they can easily remove dead skin cells. Coffee can also tone the skin somewhat, making it firmer.
Some natural exfoliants work by chemically loosening the dried skin cells from the healthy layer of skin. One example of this type of exfoliant is lemon juice. Like some commercial exfoliants, this natural exfoliant contains alpha-hydroxy acids, which are very effective at removing dead skin.
Papaya can also be used as an exfoliant. The flesh of the papaya contains an enzyme known as papain that is a very effective natural exfoliant. To use papaya as an exfoliant, the flesh can be pureed and applied to the face.
Since a commercial exfoliant will often contain harsh ingredients. These ingredients can cause a number of side effects, including redness and peeling. Many experts recommend using a natural exfoliant to remove these dead skin cells. Natural exfoliants are typically less likely to irritate the skin, and they are also usually more economical.