Exfoliation is a critical part of any routine leading to healthy trouble free skin. It removes flaky, dry, dead skin which enables other skin treatments to penetrate and be more effective. Often, chemicals added to commercial products are too harsh for sensitive skin. There are plenty of natural alternatives that can be added to commercial cleansing treatments, or used to make your own preparations.

Wheat Germ

Wheat germ makes an excellent exfoliate. It is high in protein and vitamins B and E, making wheat germ a nourishing, soothing free radical fighter. The texture is very gentle and light, making it an excellent choice for those who have sensitive skin or painful skin eruptions.

Sugar

Sugar has always been a popular method for stimulating the skin while gently cleansing it. Adding 2 tablespoons of your favorite oil like lavender, apricot, or olive to ½ cup of sugar and the juice of ½ a lemon is a powerful exfoliation combination. It can be used on the hands or feet to moisturize and revitalize the skin while sloughing off all of the dead cells. Sugar contains Glycolic Acid, a Alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that help remove dead skin cells by eating away at the paste that holds them to the surface of the skin.

Sea Salt

Sea salt is a time honored ingredient in some of the best scrubs and body washes. It removes dry skin effectively, and leaves the skin smooth, soft, and incredibly conditioned. Adding ¼ cup of oil to 2 cups of sea salt produces a fantastic polish for the skin.

You can find more detailed sea salt exfoliation remedies in the article Simple Sea Salt Treatments.

Citrus Fruits

Tomatoes, Lemons, Grapefruits, Oranges, and Limes can all work to your skin’s advantage because of the citric acid present naturally in citrus fruits. Instead of relying on commercial preparations, you can use nature’s highly potent chemicals. For an easy treatment, mix the juice of a citrus fruit with a few tablespoons of honey. Leave on the face for 15 minutes, and rinse with warm water

Grape Seeds

There are many reasons why grape seeds are a favorite among exfoliates. It is known to heal skin irritations when crushed. Grape seeds also contain many vitamins beneficial to the skin, like vitamins A, C, and E. The antioxidants they carry protect the skin from free radicals. They are very good at removing hard, dry, rough, scaly skin deposits on the soles of the foot.

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