Now, there are plenty of market scrubs formulated just for the delicate skin of the face. But get this: Many of these products use ingredients you likely already have at home. Here’s everything you need to know about the venture, plus four DIY face scrub recipes with all glowing reviews. That’s because in addition to buffing the skin smooth, the actual scrubbing itself can stimulate blood circulation in the face (which can give you that lit-from-within sort of glow), mentions Marisa Plescia, research scientist at clean beauty e-tailer NakedPoppy. And while face scrubs can quite literally pave the way for other targeted treatments and serums (“The active ingredients will penetrate more easily,” says Cheung), you don’t want to be using both physical and chemical exfoliation at the same time—that’s way too harsh for the skin barrier to handle. Stick to one type of exfoliation and call it a day. Sounds simple, but the types of both are critical—choose a too-harsh exfoliant, and you can quite literally scratch up your face, even cause microtears in the skin. “Try to avoid exfoliating ingredients that can be jagged, such as shells and fruit pits,” says Plescia. (Think walnut shells or even coarse sea salt.) Rather, snag gentler granules: Plescia is partial to finely granulated white or brown sugar, finely ground oatmeal, or finely ground flours (think chickpea, rice, or almond flour). You have a bit more flexibility in terms of emollients. You can use water, honey, or even yogurt to help liquefy the scrub. Plescia, however, recommends choosing an oil: “Oils moisturize the skin and also allow for the scrub to be more easily rubbed in,” she says. As for which oils to add, well, that’s up to you: Try out different concoctions with olive, jojoba, almond, grapeseed, or even pumpkin seed oil (it’s great for acne-prone individuals), and see how each treats your skin. You might want to be careful of the delicate eye area as well. Even though the granules are gentle, any tugging or scratching around the eyes is a recipe for wrinkles down the road. Also, “Be mindful if you have open wounds, cuts, or sunburn,” says Plescia. Ouch.
