Exfolating on a tight budget

Skin care on a budget

 We have a young German woman that has moved in with us to study English for 3 months, she is travelling on a shoe string and asked if I knew of anywhere that sold facial exfoliant cheaper to accommodate her tight budget, this opened a whole can of worms and I decided to show you how to make an exfoliant on next to no budget :)  Good Luck  Hils x

Are you looking for an affordable way to improve the condition of your skin? You don't have to spend a fortune on spa visits or expensive beauty products to enjoy the benefits of exfoliation. If you're on a mission to beautify on a budget, consider making your own scrubs with low-cost ingredients that are likely already in your pantry. Here are some simple instructions for creating home exfoliation remedies that can be quite effective.

Ingredients for Home Remedies to Exfoliate Skin

Some of the best exfoliates are found right in your pantry. Salt, sugar, and oatmeal all have granules, making them ideal for dead skin removal. Before you make your exfoliate, check all ingredients to make sure there are no sharp pieces. The goal is to gently abrade the skin, not to scratch it. Overly aggressive exfoliating with large or sharp grains can lead to skin irritation.


Home Remedies to Exfoliate Skin

Facial Scrub Recipes

Basic Oatmeal Facial Scrub

Sometimes you want a long, drawn-out pampering session; other days, you want to cut the frills and just see results. A basic oatmeal scrub is perfect for your no-frills days.

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons ground oatmeal
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• Water

Instructions

1. Combine oatmeal and baking soda.
2. Stir until well mixed.
3. Add water, mere drops at a time, stirring until a paste forms.
4. Apply to face, gently rubbing in a circular motion.
5. Rinse well.
6. Pat dry.

Sweet Oatmeal Facial Scrub

If you are looking for the exfoliation of oatmeal, but you also want to be pampered, try this spa-style recipe. Remember, when you are planning to exfoliate your face, you must take extra care to avoid scratching or irritating that delicate skin.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons finely ground oatmeal
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1/2 cup vegetable or almond oil (almond is best)
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients.
2. Mix well.
3. Apply to wet face, rubbing gently.
4. Rinse well.
5. Pat dry.

Body Scrub Recipes

Sugar Spa Body Scrub

For a pleasing all-over body scrub, try sugar. The fine grain makes for a gentle, yet effective, exfoliation.

Ingredients

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup oil (almond is best, but any vegetable oil may be used)
• Fragrance, if desired

Instructions

1. Mix the sugar and oil until well blended.
2. Add 10 to 15 drops of essential oil for fragrance, if desired.
3. Apply the mix to wet skin with hands, washcloth, loofah, sponge or bath glove, gently rubbing in a circular manner.
4. Rinse well.

Salt Body Scrub

Like the sugar scrub above, this salt scrub is appropriate for the body, but should not be used on the face.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (sea salt is best)
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil (preferably almond)
• Fragrance, if desired

Instructions

1. Mix the salt and vegetable oil until well blended.
2. Stir in 10 to 15 drops of essential oil if fragrance is desired.
3. Apply the mix to wet skin with hands, washcloth, loofah, sponge or bath glove, gently rubbing in a circular manner.
4. Rinse well.

Baking Soda Scrub

Baking soda is a mild abrasive that can be used to exfoliate. This is also a very affordable item, perfect for budget beauty lovers.

Ingredients

• Baking soda
• Water
• Essential oil if desired

Instructions

1. Combine a few a small amount (1-3 teaspoons for the face and 1-3 tablespoons for the body) with just enough water to make the mixture easy to apply to the skin.
2. Add a drop or two of essential oil if desired.
3. Apply the scrub with a wash cloth, gently massaging the skin as you scrub.
4. Rinse completely.

Hair and makeup by Hil Cook

Results.... beautiful clear soft skin, a perfect slick finish to apply your primer and foundation to