Guide To Natural Facial Scrubs

Harsh weather, air conditioning and other lifestyle factors can all cause our skin to dry out and become tight and flaky. If your skin feels like it's dull, dehydrated and in need of a helping hand, you might need to think about using a facial scrub. Designed to buff away dead skin cells, natural facial scrubs can help to brighten and refresh the face and leave skin looking and feeling healthier. Regular, gentle exfoliation can also help to stimulate healthy skin cell renewal, plump the skin and promote a glowing complexion, making it ideal for sensitive, acne prone and mature skin types needing a boost of energy.

What are facial scrubs?

Facial scrubs contain gently abrasive ingredients that are designed to exfoliate the skin and buff away dry and dead skin cells. Different to body scrubs, facial scrubs are specifically formulated for the delicate skin on the face rather than the tougher skin on the body, often with a finer, less abrasive texture than your typical body scrub. Natural facial scrubs contain gently exfoliating ingredients such as Sugar, Nuts and Clay, which remove dry skin without taking any of the skin's natural oils along with it. Unlike some harsh mainstream scrubs, they don't contain any nasty plastic microbeads. Made from plastic, microbeads can end up polluting our waterways as they do not disintegrate after going down the drain.¹

Benefits of exfoliating

Natural facial scrubs are extremely effective at buffing away dead skin cells, but there are a number of other great reasons to work a scrub into your routine. One of the best things about exfoliating is that it not only removes the dry skin, it actually stimulates cell regeneration and gets the blood flowing to help make your face appear plumper and more youthful. Dry skin can make wrinkles and fine lines look more obvious, so rehydrating and replenishing skin can help reduce the visible signs of ageing. Facial scrubs can also remove any bacteria or grime that your cleanser might have missed, giving you an even deeper cleanse. As tempting as it may be to scrub daily, you should limit using your facial scrub to three times a week or every other day to avoid over-exfoliating your skin.

Best natural facial scrubs

Ethique Gingersnap Face Scrub
If you're new to scrubbing, I'd recommend the Ethique Gingersnap Face Scrub as it's ideal for all skin types and easy to use. In unique blocks, these solid cleansing bars contain Brown Sugar, Cinnamon and Ground Ginger to help remove dry and dead skin cells and reveal soft, rejuvenated skin. This rich blend also contains deeply hydrating Jojoba Oil, Cocoa Butter and Vanilla to restore moisture to the skin. Gluten Free and Vegan, these cubes can be wet with warm water, gently massaged into the face in small circles, then rinsed off.



The Beauty Chef Probiotic Skin Refiner
Ideal for mature and acne prone skin types, The Beauty Chef Probiotic Skin Refiner uses AHAs including Lactic Acid to break down dead skin cells and refine the skin. Collagen boosting and skin plumping, this liquid formula also contains Algae, Lemon Juice, Honey and Agave which may help to not only fade age spots, sun damage and pigmentation, but also plump and brighten the complexion, iron out wrinkles and smooth fine lines. To use, apply to a cotton wool pad and work into the skin. This multi-tasking liquid also acts as a toner, so there's no need to wash it off after use!



Pollen Botanicals Honey & Sugar Exfoliant
If acne and hormonal breakouts are getting you down, I'd recommend the Pollen Botanicals Honey & Sugar Exfoliant. This scrub uses active ingredients including Organic Raw Honey for its soothing and antibacterial properties, Organic Sugar which removes dead skin cells that can block pores and cause breakouts, and Organic Kiwi & Papaya Fruit extracts for their natural fruit acid exfoliation benefits. To use, partially dissolve a small amount of scrub in water, apply to face and massage into skin. Splash with warm water and remove with a moist cloth.



Pai Kukui & Jojoba Bead Skin Brightening Exfoliator
Ideal for sensitive and irritated skin, the Pai Kukui & Jojoba Bead Skin Brightening Exfoliator works to gently remove dry skin without pulling, tugging or damaging the complexion. Rich in Omegas 3 and 6, as well as vitamins A, D and E, this nourishing, Vegan exfoliator has a base of Sunflower, Sweet Almond, Kukui and Avocado Oils to soften and hydrate the skin, while Jojoba Beads roll over the face in gel form to lift dead skin cells and remove surface impurities, then change into a milky liquid to easily wash away after use.



Acure Brightening Facial Scrub
The Acure Brightening Facial Scrub is also great if pigmentation is of concern to you, as the ingredients actually work to brighten your complexion. Acure trial results found that 85% of volunteers saw a reduction in pigmentation after use. With Sea Kelp and Chlorella, this stimulating scrub contains Walnut Shell Flour, Kaolin Clay and Lemon Peel Granules to remove dirt, oil and build-up and smooth the complexion. Vegan and Gluten Free, this formula also contains antioxidant rich Acai, Blackberry, Rosehip and Pomegranate as well as soothing Chamomile which may help encourage healthy skin renewal!

Source: ¹ABC News.