Exfoliating Cleansing Grains Recipe
There are two ways to exfoliate the delicate skin of the face. With chemical exfoliators, like papaya enzymes or with physical exfoliators like cleansing grains and poppy seeds. Please consider not using sugar or salt on your face (see below). I know sugar scrubs are easy to make and I see a lot of people using them on their face, but there are better options. Like the Rose Glow Cleansing Grains or the recipe below.
Both chemical and physical exfoliators have their time and place. I personally use both in my skincare routine and I use each one in different areas on my skin. I don’t use physical exfoliation on my rosacea spots but I do use it on my forehead and the sides of my face and love it.
Some experts say that chemical exfoliation is the way to go because it does not scratch or harm the skin’s mantle. And some folks say that physical exfoliation is better because some skin is so sensitive that it reacts to even the gentlest of chemical exfoliants.
Don’t let the word chemical scare you off, in natural skincare enzymes like that from papaya or pumpkin can be used to eat away at the dead skin without disturbing the rest of the skin layers. They work best over time. But some skin types and situations do better with a manual or physical exfoliation.
When using physical exfoliation, it's important to keep a couple things in mind. Smaller is better. Large and coarse grains like sugar and salt will tear at the delicate skin of the face. You may not see this right after using them, but over time they wear away at the skin mantle leading to other skin issues. So using finely ground grains, herbs and clays is important.
The other thing to remember when using a physical exfoliant or a cleansing grain is to use them gently. You are not scrubbing dinner off of the cooking pan, be gentle with your sweet cheeks. Use light pressure and gentle circular motions. Don’t pull, press, or rub. Rinse gently with a washcloth or just water splashed on your face.
Another great thing about the cleansing grains recipe below is that it can also double as a face mask. Just mix with a little honey, or yogurt or even just water and you’ve got a cleansing and calming mask ready to use.
Measure out the ingredients and place in a blender or food processor. A coffee grinder dedicated to grinding herbs and powders also works. Blend until everything is finely powdered. You should only feel the slightest graininess when rubbed between your fingers.
If you’d like to add essentials, add them at the end of mixing and give it all a good whirl in the blender to mix in the oils into the clay and powders. Twenty drops of essential oils will be enough to give a light, refreshing scent.
Lavender and tea tree essential oil would be good for balancing skin.
Orange essential would be good for cleansing and brightness, also super cheerful
Geranium and frankincense would be good additions for supporting healthy skin aging (I don’t like the words anti-aging lol).
This recipe makes about 1 1/2 cups of cleansing grains. Store in a clean jar with a tight fitting lid. Keep water out of your jar (to prevent yucky things from growing) and your cleansing grains will last a long time.
Enjoy!!
