4 Eco-friendly Exfoliators for your Skin Type

Some of us have combination skin, where certain areas are oily and others are dry. And since our skin is constantly battling these two factors, it can lead to a lot of problems. It becomes harder to combat the dryness in winter and the oiliness in summer. This is why you should add an effective method of fighting your skin’s problems as often as possible – so that they don’t become permanent. Fortunately, you no longer need to rely on heavy-duty products with harsh chemicals that strip your skin of its natural oils and cause further problems. Instead, you can use natural alternatives that will renew your complexion without harming it in any way. Let’s take a look at some of the best natural exfoliators for oily skin:

## Lemon Juice

This is probably the most popular natural method of exfoliating your skin. We are sure you have seen people using lemon juice to polish their skin, but what you may not know is that it can also help with oily skin. If you have oily skin, you may be surprised to know that lemons are actually rich in vitamin C and other antioxidants. What makes it such an excellent exfoliator for oily skin is that it helps sweep away excess oil, but doesn’t extract the natural oils from your skin.

You can use lemon juice to exfoliate your skin in two simple ways:

– Mix lemon juice with water and use a scrubbing sponge to literally scrub the surface of your skin. Make sure to go beyond your face and scrub down your neck and upper chest too. The reason for this is that your chest is usually the most oily part of your body, and scrubbing with lemon will help to scrub away the excess oil.

– Place a slice of lemon on a plate and dip a cotton ball in the juice. Apply the slice of lemon on your face and using circular motions, scrub the skin.

# Honey

While lemons are excellent at removing excess oil, honey is equally effective in removing dead skin cells. It is also antimicrobial, which means that it fights the growth of harmful bacteria (such as Propionibacterium acnes – P. acnes for short). These bacteria are the usual culprits behind blackheads, whiteheads and pimples.

There are many benefits of using honey for exfoliating your skin. Here are some of them:

– Honey helps to reduce the signs of aging. Exfoliating your skin with honey regularly helps to remove the buildup of dead skin cells and reveal a fresher, younger-looking complexion.

– It is antiseptic. Honey is a natural antiseptic, which means that it kills the bacteria on your skin. This helps to reduce the chances of developing acne, because the bacteria on your skin is the reason behind acne.

– It is hydrating. Honey is a natural moisturizer, which means that it keeps your skin hydrated.

– It is antiviral. Honey is an excellent anti-inflammatory agent, which means that it can help to reduce the redness and irritation caused by breakouts.

– It is antimicrobial. Dead skin cells on your skin are caused by bacteria, and honey fights the growth of these bacteria.

## Apple Cider Vinegar

We don’t know about you, but we have been hearing about the benefits of apple cider vinegar for ages. It is a natural acid that is formed when apple cider is fermented – and this is what makes it such an effective exfoliator. ACV helps to remove the excess oil from your skin and the dead skin cells, making your complexion brighter and younger-looking. It is best used after you have cleansed your skin, and has a strong smell – as you don’t want it to overpower your perfume!

The best way to use apple cider vinegar is to mix ¼ tsp of ACV with a glass of water. Dip a cotton ball in this solution and massage it onto your face. Let it sit for a few seconds, then rinse it off. You can do this twice a week – once in the morning and once at night.

## Baking Soda

Baking soda is a toothpaste-worthy product that has been used for years for many things – from cleaning the dishes to whitening the toilet. However, it can also be used as an effective natural exfoliator for oily skin. It is a gentle scrub that is also pH-balanced, which means that it won’t over-drying your skin. It can be used any time of the day, and you can also mix it with water to make a paste if you feel like it’s too dry to massage onto your face.

Baking soda is best used after you have cleansed your skin. You can apply it as a face scrub – simply mix it with water to form a paste. You can also use it as a face mask – just apply it and leave it on for 5 minutes.

## Sumac

Sumac is a Middle Eastern ingredient that is used in many Middle Eastern dishes – and now it is making its way into your skincare routine too! It is a potent antioxidant that can be used as a natural face scrub. It has antibacterial properties, which means that it fights off the bacteria that are responsible for acne.

Sumac is best used as a face scrub – you can simply mix it with water to make a paste, and apply it on your face while it is slightly damp. You can do this twice a week – once in the morning and once at night before going to bed.

## Parsley Greens

Are you surprised to learn that parsley greens can be used as a natural skin scrub? It is a common herb that is used in many skincare products and it is now being appreciated for its exfoliating properties. It is a gentle scrub that can be used to remove the dull and dead skin cells from your face.

Parsley can be used as a face scrub anytime of the day, and there are many people who prefer to use it in the morning, when their skin is still damp from their face was washed. It can be used a few times a week – once in the morning and once at night.

There are many more effective natural exfoliators for oily skin, but these are a few of the best you can try. Make sure that you clean your face thoroughly before you start using these, and don’t forget to moisturize too!