There are many great cosmetics on the market, and most of the main lines actually perform as advertised. However, some of the most used ingredients in conventional products are actually bad for your skin in the long run. As more and more people learn the dangers of such things as parabens, emulsifiers, and artificial colors and fragrances, 'clean' (chemical free) cleansers and moisturizers are gaining in popularity. Here are some reasons why using a natural face scrub just makes sense.
It's best to know what ingredients you want to avoid before choosing a scrub. If you know what to look for, you can read the label and make sure they are not in the list of ingredients. Chemicals such as emulsifying wax, polysorbate, stearate, steareth, cetearyl, and ceteareth are emulsifiers, included to keep the contents of a lotion from separating. These chemicals leave a residue on your face that can lead to clogged pores and breakouts.
Parabens were used for years without attracting attention, but they have lost favor in recent years. Experts say that they can disrupt the normal balance of hormones in your body. The ingredients methylparaben, ethylparaben, butylparaben, and propylparaben are on the avoid list. Many products, even conventional ones, are now advertised to be 'paraben free'.
There are many more chemicals on the 'avoid' list. Even some natural ingredients can have less than desirable effects. Ground walnut shells or apricot seeds are supposed to be good scrubs, but experts say that they are too harsh, with sharp edges that can cut your skin. These cuts may be microscopic but they harbor bacteria. Your clean, scrubbed face may still break out because of this infection.
To get away from all of the label reading and research you need to do, you can try making your own facial scrubs. If you have a gentle soap or cleansing lotion you like, try adding coffee grounds to it. You can use fresh or used grounds. The scrubbing action is gentle and leaves your face wonderfully smooth. The antioxidants in coffee are good for your skin, too.
A spoonful of honey mixed with half a spoonful of regular sugar can be rubbed onto wet skin for a great facial. Some swear by a paste of baking soda and water; this raises the pH of your skin and makes it inhospitable to bacteria. A little cornmeal and water paste works well, as does a mixture of steel-cut oats with water and a little lemon juice. With any of these scrubs, use a circular motion to loosen dead skin cells and help unclog pores.
As you can see, there are many possibilities. If a substance is coarse and doesn't dissolve completely in water, it will work as a scrub. Of course, you want to make sure it is gentle, non-drying, and pleasant to use. Sometimes you can use the same mixture as a mask. Just smooth it over wet skin, allow to dry, then add more water and use a circular motion to loosen the mask and cleanse the skin.
The internet is full of great DIY facial scrubs. All you need to do is find one that appeals to you and try it. You may find that it is just what you want or you may need to try a few different ones to get what suits your skin best. Remember to be gentle and to moisturize after a cleansing to protect your very clean skin.
It's best to know what ingredients you want to avoid before choosing a scrub. If you know what to look for, you can read the label and make sure they are not in the list of ingredients. Chemicals such as emulsifying wax, polysorbate, stearate, steareth, cetearyl, and ceteareth are emulsifiers, included to keep the contents of a lotion from separating. These chemicals leave a residue on your face that can lead to clogged pores and breakouts.
Parabens were used for years without attracting attention, but they have lost favor in recent years. Experts say that they can disrupt the normal balance of hormones in your body. The ingredients methylparaben, ethylparaben, butylparaben, and propylparaben are on the avoid list. Many products, even conventional ones, are now advertised to be 'paraben free'.
There are many more chemicals on the 'avoid' list. Even some natural ingredients can have less than desirable effects. Ground walnut shells or apricot seeds are supposed to be good scrubs, but experts say that they are too harsh, with sharp edges that can cut your skin. These cuts may be microscopic but they harbor bacteria. Your clean, scrubbed face may still break out because of this infection.
To get away from all of the label reading and research you need to do, you can try making your own facial scrubs. If you have a gentle soap or cleansing lotion you like, try adding coffee grounds to it. You can use fresh or used grounds. The scrubbing action is gentle and leaves your face wonderfully smooth. The antioxidants in coffee are good for your skin, too.
A spoonful of honey mixed with half a spoonful of regular sugar can be rubbed onto wet skin for a great facial. Some swear by a paste of baking soda and water; this raises the pH of your skin and makes it inhospitable to bacteria. A little cornmeal and water paste works well, as does a mixture of steel-cut oats with water and a little lemon juice. With any of these scrubs, use a circular motion to loosen dead skin cells and help unclog pores.
As you can see, there are many possibilities. If a substance is coarse and doesn't dissolve completely in water, it will work as a scrub. Of course, you want to make sure it is gentle, non-drying, and pleasant to use. Sometimes you can use the same mixture as a mask. Just smooth it over wet skin, allow to dry, then add more water and use a circular motion to loosen the mask and cleanse the skin.
The internet is full of great DIY facial scrubs. All you need to do is find one that appeals to you and try it. You may find that it is just what you want or you may need to try a few different ones to get what suits your skin best. Remember to be gentle and to moisturize after a cleansing to protect your very clean skin.
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