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Having oily skin has its beauty advantages as well as some pitfalls. Contrary to popular belief, it isn’t all bad. With oily skin – your skin is less prone to wrinkling. Yes, you may have enlarged pores, a shiny, thick complexion, pimples, rashes, greasy skin, struggles with acne breakouts, and troubles managing it (1).
However, with the proper care, you can swing on the “no wrinkles” and embrace the beauty of your skin. This beauty swing requires extra care, and one recommended process is the use of face scrubs – a process known as exfoliation. When done correctly, exfoliation results in smooth, firm, and radiant skin, less prone to acne breakouts. In your kitchen, you probably have all you need to make your first face scrub today. We would explore them in this article. But first, let’s go through the basics to understand this principle of exfoliation.
Also Read – Red Lentil Face Packs and Body Scrubs
What does Face scrub mean?
There are two primary forms of exfoliation – mechanical and chemical exfoliation. The Face scrub is used for mechanical exfoliation. Exfoliation means removing dirt, extra oil, and old dead skin cells on the skin surface. The result of this process is immediate – giving you glowing, healthy skin.
The exfoliating scrub has a gritty texture and is applied directly to the skin in a gentle, circular motion. After a proper massage into the skin, it is washed off with clean water.
Benefits of using a Face scrub?
Improved blood circulation – The gentle circular massaging motion improves blood flow.
It reduces excess oil and may improve the look of large pores (2).
Unclogged pores – Regular use of facial scrubs cleanse the pores of sebum.
Brighter skin – It gives more radiant skin.
It improves skin absorption/penetration ability, hence improving the effectiveness of skincare products.
Home ingredients For Face Scrub for oily skin
Homemade facial scrubs are quick and easy to make. Although scrubs usually have a gritty texture, the facial skin is sensitive; hence the ingredients for face scrub should have finer, smaller granules.
Oatmeal – Oats are grains from the cereal plant Avena Sativa (3). They contain a natural cleansing compound called Saponin, which has intense exfoliating properties. Oatmeal may reduce inflammation, soak up excess oil, act as an antioxidant, and balance facial bacteria. For use in a face scrub, the oatmeal has to be finely grounded.
Honey – Honey is sweet to taste and sticky to touch. It can balance the bacteria on the skin and speeds up skin healing processes. In addition, honey is a natural humectant – humectants extract moisture from the skin without replacing it, which means it keeps the skin moist but not oily.
Lemon juice Lemon contains vitamin C, and it is considered an excellent antioxidant, and the acid content may help gently absorb the oil on the skin. Lemon also has anti-inflammatory properties.
Sugar – The sugar content absorbs all extra oil and positively lubricates the skin.
Cucumber – Cucumber has a cooling and astringent property; it also shrinks open pores.
Tomatoes – We have tomatoes on this list for their salicylic acid content. The acid may help unclog pores and absorb excess skin oils.
Apple – Contains natural fruit acids and enzymes with exfoliating properties.
Banana – This serves as a base for mixing and moisturizing. Bananas contain silica, a mineral element that may help boost collagen production in your skin. They also contain Vitamin C, potassium, and traces of vitamin A.
Egg white – Egg white has excellent skin benefits and tightens pores.
Yogurt – This serves as a base for mixing and moisturizing. It also controls sebum production. You can replace yogurt with rose water in case of sensitive skin.
Aloe vera – Aloe vera is soothing. This serves as a carrier oil for mixing and moisturizing.
You may also consider Almond, Strawberry, and Olive oil as your go-to ingredients for face scrubs.
Kitchen Essentials for making your Facial scrub
1. Fine grinder – The face is sensitive, and every ingredient for facial scrub should be ground into fine, tiny granules.
2. Mixer and Mixing bowl. To be used in mixing all ingredients for the scrub.
3. A well-sealed bowl, airtight container. This may be used to store remnant scrub for subsequent use.
4. A microwave. For heating certain ingredients, such as honey.
9 Simple Homemade Face Scrub Recipes for Acne and Oily Skin
With the above-listed ingredients and kitchen items, you can easily make your facial scrub and get relief from the troubles of oily skin in a jiffy. Here are some recipes to try.
1. Banana oatmeal scrub:
Ingredient
Organic plain yogurt
Finely ground oatmeal
Ripe banana
Directions
Grind the oatmeal into a fine-textured powder.
Mash the banana to smoothness.
Pour both ingredients into a mixing bowl.
Add yogurt, and Stir ingredients into a mix.
Apply to the skin in gentle, circular motions for 30 to 60 seconds.
Massage into the skin and let it sit for 9 to 10 minutes to dry.
Rinse using lukewarm water.
Pat dry your face with a soft towel.
Scoop the leftover scrub mixture into an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator.
Also, Read – 12 Best Face Washes In India To Get A Clean And Bright Skin
2. Oatmeal, honey, and yogurt scrub:
Ingredients
Raw Honey
Plain Yoghurt
Finely ground oats
Directions
Grind the oatmeal into a fine powder.
Warm the honey for a few seconds in a microwave, so it’s easier to mix.
Pour all three ingredients into a mixing bowl.
Stir ingredients into a smooth batter.
Apply to the face and neck in gentle circular motions for 7 to 10 minutes.
Massage your face until the batter dries up.
Rinse using cold, clean water.
Pat dry your face with a soft towel.
Scoop the leftover scrub mixture into an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator.
3. Olive oil, lemon juice, and honey scrub:
Ingredients
Olive oil
Lemon juice
Raw Honey
Directions
Warm the honey for a few seconds in a microwave, so it’s easier to mix.
Stir ingredients into a delicate batter.
Apply to the skin in gentle circular motions for 4 to 5 minutes.
Rinse using lukewarm water.
Pat dry your face with a soft towel.
Scoop the leftover scrub mixture into an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator.
4.Sugar, honey, and cucumber scrub:
Ingredients
Sugar
Raw Honey
Cucumber
Directions
Grind the sugar in a fine grinder into a fine powder.
Mash the cucumber with a fork to smoothness.
Warm the honey for a few seconds in a microwave, so it’s easier to mix.
Pour equal quantities of sugar and honey into a mixing bowl.
Stir ingredients into a mix, add your mashed cucumber to mix.
Apply to the skin in gentle circular motions for 5 to 6 minutes.
Rinse using lukewarm water.
Pat dry your face with a soft towel.
Scoop the leftover scrub mixture into an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator.
5. Almond, sugar, and cucumber scrub:
Ingredients
Almonds
Sugar
Cucumber
Directions
Grind the sugar in a grinder into a fine powder.
Grind the cucumber and almonds together in a mixer to make a paste.
Add the ground sugar granules to the mixture and stir into a smooth batter
Apply to the skin in gentle circular motions for 5 to 6 minutes.
Rinse using lukewarm water.
Pat dry your face with a soft towel.
You can use this scrub daily.
Also Read – Experts Say These Are the Best Face Washes for Oily & Acne Prone Skin
6. Strawberry, Egg white, and olive oil scrub:
Ingredients
Strawberries
Egg white, uncooked
Pure Olive oil
Directions
Extract the egg white into the mixing bowl.
Beat for 3 to 4 minutes until it becomes creamy.
Blend strawberries in a mixer and add their extracts to the egg white
Stir the mixture continuously to get a smooth batter.
Add a few drops of olive oil
Stir completely into a fine blend
Apply the scrub mixture to the skin in gentle circular motions for 5 to 6 minutes.
Rinse using clean water
Pat dry your face with a soft towel.
7. Tomatoes and Sugar scrub
Ingredients
Tomato pulp
Sugar
Directions
Mash tomato into a pulp
Grind sugar into a fine blend
Mix the mashed tomato pulp and sugar into a smooth batter
Apply on the skin in a gentle, circular motion
Massage into face until the batter dries up, leave on for 5 to 6 minutes
Rinse with warm water
8. Apple, jojoba oil, and honey scrub
Ingredients
An apple
Raw honey
Jojoba oil
Directions
Peel apple skin and pit.
Puree the apple flesh in a food processor until it becomes smooth.
Warm the honey for a few seconds in a microwave, so it’s easier to mix.
Mix all ingredients in a bowl.
Apply in circular motions to your face for 30 to 60 seconds.
Massage into your skin and allow the scrub to sit on your skin for 5 to 6 minutes for further moisturizing benefits.
Rinse out the scrub with lukewarm water.
9. Honey, oats, and jojoba oil scrub
Ingredients
Finely ground oats
Raw honey
Jojoba oil
Directions
Grind oats in a grinder into a fine-textured powder.
Warm the honey for a few seconds in the microwave, so it’s easier to mix.
Mix all ingredients in proportional quantity in a bowl.
Apply to the skin in a gentle circular motion for about 60 seconds.
Massage into skin and let it dry for 6 to 7 minutes.
Rinse the scrub with clean, lukewarm water.
Scoop the remainder of the scrub in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator.
Also Read – 10 Tulsi Face Packs To Get Acne, Blemish-Free, and Clear Skin
Ingredients to avoid in a face scrub for oily skin
While gritty scrubs are great for the body, milder exfoliates are preferred for facial skin. Some ingredients to be avoided in facial scrubs include Sea salt, Coffee grounds, Nutshells, and Large granules of sugar. These ingredients have an abrasive texture. Even when intended for gentle circular massage into the facial skin, they may result in breaks, redness, itchiness, and scratches on the skin surface, which leaves the skin irritated.
Safety tips
Although these are natural ingredients, you may react to one or two of the ingredients used. Or, you may react to the resulting mixture of two ingredients. Therefore a small patch test is highly recommended. However, you may wait as long as 24 hours for any visible sign of a reaction.
Also, it is best to avoid exfoliating if you have chapped, reddened, broken, or sunburned skin.
Possible side effects
Avoid oats if you experience irritation or redness after using them.
Gluten-sensitive persons should also use oats with caution.
You may have a reaction to honey used in your scrub if you have a known allergy to pollen.
Lemon contains natural fruit acids that may sting or irritate your skin.
You may react to yogurt if you have an allergy to milky products.
Summary
Facial scrubs are a good way to manage acne-prone skin and enjoy the beauty of oily skin. The use of face scrub is a process of mechanical exfoliation. It is a good way of removing dead skin cells from the surface of your skin. When done correctly, face scrubs result in smooth, finer, and softer skin. Skin exfoliating may also prevent clogged pores, boost blood circulation, and improve collagen production. You can make your facial scrub at home using basic ingredients – you don’t require many. If you react to certain ingredients or aren’t sure what ingredient is suitable for your skin, talk to your dermatologist first to get the all-clear before use.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
How many times should you exfoliate your oily skin in a week?
You can exfoliate up to three times a week.
Is Oily skin bad?
No, oily skin is not bad. Although you can have clogged pores and acne breakouts, there are benefits. The oil preserves the skin, and there are fewer wrinkles.
Does exfoliating with face scrubs make acne worse?
Regular exfoliation unclogs pores of dead cells and sebum, thus reducing breakouts.
References
- “What is your skin type?” – webmd.com
- “Tips for treating acne and oily skin” – verywellhealth.com
- “Can Oat Straw Extract Improve Your Health?” – healthline.com
