Exfoliation is essential to keep the skin healthy, as it ensures an even distribution of nutrients and moisture on your skin.

Even though the skin is constantly regenerating, we should not neglect the exfoliation process. Exfoliation helps remove dead cells and form a new layer on your skin. It promotes cell turnover, which ultimately makes your skin tone look even and glowing.

Do you like to keep your skin away from chemicals and cosmetics? Are you avoiding the exfoliation step just because you want to go all-natural?

If you are avoiding exfoliation because of harsh and harmful ingredients present in scrubs sold in the market, fortunately, there are ways to gently and naturally exfoliate your skin at home.

By choosing natural products for exfoliation, you would be protecting your skin from side effects and damage caused by the chemicals present in other products.

Here are 10 natural products that you can find in your kitchen to exfoliate your skin.

How to Exfoliate Your Skin Naturally?

1. Walnut Powder

Walnut contains high amounts of antioxidants, nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that deeply penetrate the skin and help remove dead skin cells. It is one of the most potent natural exfoliators for the skin because it helps prevent wrinkles and other signs of aging.

Make a Scrub Using Walnut

• Take four tablespoons of finely ground walnut shells, two tablespoons cornmeal, five drops of sweet orange essential oil, three drops of lavender essential oil.
• Mix all the ingredients in a cup.
• To use this exfoliating scrub, wet your face and neck with warm water. Massage some of the mixtures into your skin using circular movements.
• Rinse well with warm water afterward. Repeat this process twice weekly to keep your skin soft, smooth, and fresh all winter long.

2. Oatmeal

Oatmeal is used in many body scrubs because it gently removes dead cells from the skin without irritating it. It also contains beta-glucan, which has anti-inflammatory properties that soothe inflamed areas on the skin.

Moreover, it has zinc oxide, which is effective for removing dead skin cells that cause dullness, uneven skin tone, and blemishes.

Make a Scrub Using Oatmeal

• Mix two tablespoons of regular rolled oats with one tablespoon of honey and one teaspoon of almond oil.
• The oatmeal will help slough off dead skin cells while the oil and honey moisturize your face.

3. Honey

Honey is another effective ingredient to exfoliate your skin naturally. It has antibacterial properties which help fight bacterias that may be causing breakouts on your skin. The honey also helps moisturize your skin at the same time and leaves it smooth and supple.

Make a Scrub Using Honey

• Add equal parts honey and brown sugar. Combine them in a small bowl until you have a good paste consistency.
• Massage this scrub gently to your face in circular motions, especially on areas where you might have breakouts or blemishes.
• You can also add essential oils to this mix if you like. Lavender oil will calm your skin and leave it smelling great. Add rosemary oil if you have oily or acne-prone skin; peppermint oil will help open up pores and clear out blackheads.

4. Papaya

Papaya is one of the best natural ingredients that you can use to exfoliate your skin. Papaya contains enzymes that will break down dead skin cells, leaving your skin feeling smooth and soft.

Make a Scrub Using Papaya

• Papaya scrub is easy to make, and you won’t need expensive ingredients. All you need is one ripe papaya, sugar, and honey.
• Blend the ingredients until they form a thick paste that looks like toothpaste. If the mixture is too runny, add more sugar. If it’s too thick, add more honey.
• Apply the scrub gently on your skin. Rinse your face after 10 minutes using warm water.
• With this scrub, you can get rid of dead skin cells and make your skin soft like a baby’s.

5. Sugar

Glycolic acid in sugar is a natural chemical exfoliant. It works on your outermost layer of skin and helps separate dead cells from new cells. It’s one of the easiest ways to exfoliate your skin at home.

Make a Scrub Using Sugar

• Combine sugar with coconut oil or olive oil.
• Massage your face with this sugar oil mixture.
• Rinse your face with warm water after 8 to 10 minutes.
• Repeat this procedure three to four times per week to achieve the best results.

6. Baking Soda

Baking soda has cleansing properties and can remove the dirt and oils from your face without being too harsh on sensitive skin types.

Make a Scrub Using Baking Soda

• Mix one teaspoon of baking soda with water to form a consistent paste.
• Spread this paste onto your face for about five minutes.
• Rinse while gently scrubbing your face.

7. Salt

Salt scrubs are great for smoothing rough patches of dry skin on your elbows and knees. They make them smooth and even-toned.

Make a Scrub Using Salt

• To make the scrub, mix one tablespoon of salt with two tablespoons of oil (olive or coconut).
• Gently rub this mixture onto your face for five minutes.
• Rinse your face with warm water.
• Pat dry and apply moisturizer.

8. Grounded Coffee

The caffeine in coffee helps tighten your pores, making it ideal for people with oily skin.

Make a Scrub Using Coffee Grounds

• Grind some coffee beans to form a fine powder.
• Mix the grounded coffee with sugar or honey.
• Apply the mixture to your face, gently rubbing in circular motions.
• Later, rinse the face with warm water and pat dry gently.

9. Orange Peels

Orange peels are great for gently polishing your skin, especially in areas where you have blackheads or whiteheads. When you use it regularly, it exfoliates dead skin cells revealing new ones. It gives your skin a fresh and young look.

Make a Scrub Using Orange Peel Powder

• Mix orange peel powder with water, honey, or yogurt.
• Apply it as a mask to the affected area for about 10 minutes.
• Rinse with warm water while gently scrubbing your skin.

You can also add some sugar or sea salt to make this scrub more effective at removing dead cells from your face or body.

10. Turmeric

Along with being a versatile spice, turmeric is a great exfoliator too. Curcumin in turmeric reduces inflammation and fights bacteria when used as an exfoliant.

Make a Scrub Using Turmeric

• Mix turmeric with oil and yogurt to form a paste.
• Apply it in a circular motion and leave for 10 minutes.
• Rinse with water. It is the best exfoliant for sensitive skin.

Exfoliating your skin is one of the easiest and most efficient ways to give your skin a healthy and refreshing look. However, to do this successfully, you should avoid artificial chemicals from cosmetics and focus more on natural exfoliating agents.

These natural DIY scrubs are some pretty great options for getting a smooth and radiant look. Choose the one or two which are suitable for your needs.

Read: How Often Should You Exfoliate Your Face? 7 Expert Tips