With the transition from warmer to cooler months, it’s a great time to re-evaluate our skincare routine and add some exfoliation to prevent dry, chapped skin. As temperatures fluctuate, the result is often stressed, dry skin that peels, cracks, and is painfully tight. And, considering that many exfoliating products on the market are made with fragrances, dyes, chemicals, and other not-so-good for you ingredients, natural is the obvious route to take when it comes to our skin. It is our largest organ, after all.
Face and Body Scrubs:
Coconut Oil and Lemon Juice Scrub
Baking soda and lemon juice are both great exfoliators, while the coconut oil helps keep your skin full of moisture and prevents redness during exfoliation. Try this method twice per week for clean, exfoliated skin.
- 3 tbsp coconut oil (softened, not melted)
- 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp baking soda
Blend all ingredients until smooth. Store in an air-tight container away from sunlight.
With clean hands, apply and leave on for one minute before gently washing off with a warm cloth.
Honey, Lemon Juice, and Oats Scrub
Oats contain antioxidants that battle redness and irritation. Combine them with honey and lemon juice for a natural exfoliant. Use this twice a week on nonconsecutive days.
- 3 tbsp raw honey
- 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp oats (rolled or steel cut)
Mix all ingredients.
Once applied, leave on for up to two minutes before gently removing the mixture with a warm cloth.
Olive Oil, Apple Cider Vinegar, and Sugar Scrub
Olive oil is excellent for the skin due to its high-fat content. Sugar helps exfoliate skin while apple cider vinegar targets oiliness and blackheads, which build up from dead skin cells. You can use this gentle combo several times per week.
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp raw apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp organic sugar
Blend all ingredients until smooth.
Apply to a clean face. Leave on for one to two minutes before gently removing with a warm cloth.
Lip Scrubs:
While using a good lip balm throughout the day can help, sometimes it’s best to exfoliate your lips and start fresh. Try one of these natural lip scrubs below two to three times a week and follow with a creamy lip balm. If covered and appropriately stored, scrubs will stay good for a couple of months, so keep one on hand this fall to stay smooth. *Note – it doesn’t take much to exfoliate your lips, so apply and rinse gently.
Cinnamon Lip Scrub
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- ½ tbsp olive oil
- ½ tbsp raw honey
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon powder
Mix the ingredients in a small bowl. Transfer to a small covered jar or container in a cool, dry spot.
Spread on lips with fingertips and gently scrub off dry, dead skin. Remove with warm water and a washcloth.
Pumpkin Spice Lip Scrub
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
Mix the ingredients in a small bowl. Transfer to a small covered jar or container in a cool, dry spot. Apply to lips and gently scrub.
Pineapple Lip Scrub
- 1½ cup cane sugar
- ½ cup of coconut oil
- ¼ – ½ a pineapple (½ cup of puree)
Grab your pineapple and puree it in a blender for roughly 40 seconds, pushing down the extra chunks. Blend in your coconut oil (melted, so it is easier to blend).
Pour the mixture into a bowl and add 1½ cups of cane sugar. Gently scrub, then rinse.
Vanilla and Honey Lip Scrub
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- A small amount of raw honey (one bottle squeeze)
- One drop vanilla extract In a bowl
Combine the sugar and honey, then your vanilla. Store in a covered container for later use. Apply gently, and rinse with a warm washcloth.