Homemade Lemon Scrub

Part of the reason our skin begins to lose its brightness as we age is our skin cells regenerate at a slower rate than they once did. Because our skin cells are regenerating at a slower rate, the dead skin cells that remain longer aid in the dulling/darkening of our complexion. One way to help speed this process along is to slough off dead skin cells. Recently, I've incorporated a lemon scrub facial into my beauty regimen. 

Lemon juice contains natural antibacterial properties that help dry out acne. The lemon juice also acts as a mild peel due to its acidic nature (this will help reveal a brighter, smoother, more youthful complexion)and may even aid in the reduction of age spots and acne scars. The granulated sugar acts as a natural exfoliant, sloughing off dead skin cells. 

Here is an easy recipe to follow for a natural, homemade exfoliant.

Ingredients

1. Lemon
2. Granulated Sugar
3. Cotton pads (you can find these in the beauty section of any grocery store)

Instructions:

1. Make sure your skin is clean and clear of any makeup before applying the lemon scrub.
2. Wet your face with warm water
3. Cut lemon and squeeze drops of lemon juice onto cotton pad*
4. Pour small amounts of granulated sugar onto (now) saturated cotton pad
5. Rub cotton pad in circular motions all over face for two minutes*
6. Rinse face to clear away all trails of lemon scrub
7. Pat dry
8. Smile at your beautiful skin!

*I would start off with putting just a couple of drops of lemon juice on the cotton pad (maybe even do a test area on a small, less sensitive area of your face) until you know how much lemon juice your skin can handle. Remember, while lemons have so many wonderful, natural chemical properties that help improve our complexion, they are acidic, so start small and work up to more drops until you reach a point that you are seeing positive results with your skin without your skin being irritated. ( I went crazy with the lemon juice the first time I did it and my skin was a little red and irritated. I scaled way back the second time and my complexion was not irritated and was markedly improved in appearance!) 

*You may want to start off with a smaller amount of time of rubbing the scrub on your face until you know your skin's tolerance level.

I hope you enjoy pampering yourself at home!

Cheers,
Samara