DIY: Clarifying Face Exfoliant

I found this really great DIY on the Body Unburdened website and since I have been blogging about baking soda, I thought why not share this too! So here goes!

This is by far [my] favorite all-natural beauty DIY, and I use it about twice a week. It helps to both brighten and clarify my complexion. Unfortunately, I have always had troubled skin (from my teens now through my early twenties), but this scrub has helped me tremendously from two angles: 1/ it helps to treat current breakouts and 2/ also fade dark spots from previous blemishes.

What you will need

  • Baking soda
  • Fresh lemon juice
  • Tea tree oil

Yep, that’s it! Easy-peasy as always.

How it works


Baking soda
is an amazing exfoliant. Amazing. Should I say it a third time? Amazing! Since it is very fine-grained, it is not as abrasive as other natural exfoliants such as crushed nut shell or sugar. It really is more of a polish, helping remove dead skin cells and create a perfectly smooth complexion without causing much irritation. Exfoliation helps to clear blocked pores and is vital to treat and prevent acne.

Lemon juice applied topically has multiple benefits. The antibacterial properties of lemon juice make it a great natural treatment for acne, helping blemishes heal while preventing future breakouts. The citric acid contained in lemon juice also helps exfoliate skin. And since lemon juice is loaded with vitamin C, a potent antioxidant, it has been proven to fade dark spots and even skin tone. Vitamin C applied topically has also been clinically proven to regenerate collagen and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Last but not least, lemon juice helps balance skin’s pH; unbalanced pH has been attributed to acne.

Tea tree oil has powerful antibacterial properties and helps fight acne-causing bacteria on the skin.

How to make it

I mix a tablespoon of lemon juice with two tablespoons of baking soda, and add three or so drops of tea tree oil. As lemon juice is very acidic, it can be irritating. If you have dry or sensitive skin, you might want to dilute the juice with water in a 1:1 ratio.

Simply mix the ingredients into a smooth paste, and apply to your face with your fingertips, gently massaging it into your skin in circles. Wash off with warm water and pat dry.


Over-exfoliating can irritate skin and actually promote acne. It is commonly recommended to exfoliate just once a week if you have normal or dry skin, and twice a week if you have oily skin.

Have you tried this? Tell us what you think!


Comments

  1. This a pretty cool idea... honestly i'm a little worried about it possibly irritating my skin. Is there something that can be substituted for the tea tree oil?? GREAT POST as usual!! :)

    Have a fantastic SUNDAY!!!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Chari T! If you have sensitive skin then you can try the sugar and lemon scrub found in this blog post - http://colormebeautiful365.blogspot.com/2013/04/lemon-sugar-facial-scrub-for-acne-scars.html I really love the sugar scrub and it has not irritated my skin at all. You can even use just sugar and olive oil! You can always skip the tea tree oil or replace it with another essential oil.

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  2. Also, umpasturized - also called raw - honey is antibacterial and probiotic. Sugar and honey makes a great scrub if you need something gentler than tea tree.

    Rmemeber, unpasturized/raw honey -- processed honey won't have the orobiotics left for the surface of your skin. Easy to get at farmers markets -- local butchers in my town, Hamilton Ontario -- and online.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Veronica, 3 or so drops of tea tree oil can hardly be considered ungentle. I would have thought you would finger the baking soda! :D
      I do have a sugar and honey scrub on the site as well.
      Thanks for sharing that bit of info x

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