Bran, gramflour and oatmeal are a few of the ingredients that hold the key to a glowing, well scrubbed complexion.
Our grandmothers swore by the exfoliating properties of chokar (wheat husk) mixed in malai that sticks to the bottom of the pan after the milk is heated. The scrub was used for rejuvenating and removing dead skin. Coarse gram flour or besan is yet another effective homemade scrub they used. Traditionally used, a turmeric scrub, over time, is known to remove facial and tender body hair altogether.
What are face scrubs?
Facemasks that have the quality of rubbing or scrubbing the skin are called face scrubs. Scrubs bring the blood to the surface of the skin, remove dead cells, and smooth and clean the skin. Face scrubs also work wonders for spotty skin. The best way to use the face scrub is to spread it over the face with fingertips, wait for it to dry and then remove it by a gentle scrubbing movement. This should be followed by a wash with lukewarm water.
Use one of the following face scrubs suiting to your skin type.
An olive oil scrub for winters
Mash a cup of fresh grapefruit and mix it with one-fourth granulated sugar and six teaspoons of olive oil. Hop into the shower or bathtub and gently massage the mix over rough areas of skin with a loofah sponge or rough washcloth. Rinse with cool water.
A herbal face scrub
Mix three tablespoons of the herbal infusion (your choice of herb – dried chamomile, elderflowers or fennel for normal skin types – with hot water, left to infuse for approximately 20 to 30 minutes then strain, keeping the infused liquid) with two tablespoons of fine oatmeal to make a paste. Let it stand, allowing the oatmeal to soften, for about five minutes. Gently massage the mixture into your face for five minutes. Rinse, pat dry, tone and moisturize.
A wheat germ scrub
Mix a tablespoon each of oatmeal, wheat germ and skimmed milk powders with a teaspoon of sandalwood powder. Fill these ingredients in a muslin bag. Dip the bag in lukewarm water and gently rub it on your face and neck for 15 minutes or more in circular movements. Wash off with tepid water.
An orange peel scrub
Take two tablespoons each of oatmeal and wheat germ powders and mix these with four tablespoons of orange peel powder. Store the mix in an airtight container and use when required.
A blackhead removal scrub
To loosen blackheads, combine equal parts baking soda and water in your hand and rub gently on your skin for two to three minutes. Rinse with warm water.
Scrubs for oily skin
A cornmeal facial scrub (for oily skin)
Place two tablespoons of cornmeal in bowl. Mix a tablespoon of lemon juice with two tablespoons of curd or buttermilk to make a paste. Let the mix sit for five minutes. Gently massage paste into face for five minutes. Avoid the area around the eye. Rinse well with warm water. Pat dry. Tone and moisturize.
A carrot face scrub
Take a tablespoon each of yeast powder/ Brewer’s yeast, lemon juice, carrot juice, olive/ almond oil and mix these with one and half tablespoon of curd. Blend these well together. Apply this on the face for 15 minutes. Then wash off with lukewarm water. If the skin is very oily omit the oil and if dry add more oil to it. Do not use this on the acne prone skin because it may cause an infection.
A turnip face scrub
Boil 50 gms each of carrot and shaljam (turnip) and mash them well. Add 25 ml milk to these and apply on the face. First remove it by scrubbing and then wash off with lukewarm water.
A pea face scrub
Take four to six tablespoons of pea powder with one-fourth tablespoon of lemon juice and two tablespoons of rose water. Soak the pea powder in rose water and lemon juice for half an hour. Then beat it well. When beaten apply this face scrub for 15 minutes. Then wash off with lukewarm water.
Scrubs for normal skin
An orange face scrub (for normal skin)
Mix two tablespoons each of dried orange peel (powder), oatmeal and cold cream to a paste. Apply on the face. When it is slightly dry, remove by scrubbing. Finally wash off with lukewarm water. Remember to rinse your face with cold water at the end.
A barley face scrub (normal to oily skin)
Mix a teaspoon each of barley powder and milk with two teaspoons of lemon juice to form a very smooth paste. Apply this on the face, leave it for 15 minutes and then remove by scrubbing. Wash off with lukewarm water.
Scrubs for dry skin
An oatmeal face scrub
Mix a teaspoon each of oatmeal and almond oil. Apply it on the face for 15 minutes. Then remove it by gentle scrubbing movements. Finally wash it off with lukewarm water. A buttermilk face scrub
Mix three to four teaspoons of buttermilk with two tablespoons of oatmeal and apply it on face. Let it dry and then wash off with lukewarm water after removing it.
An almond face scrub
Beat a tablespoon of almond oil with two tablespoons of nourishing cream to make a paste. Apply this paste liberally on your face using gentle scrubbing movements. Let it dry slightly then wash off with lukewarm water giving your face a final rinse with cold water.
Scrubs for patchy skin
An oatmeal face scrub
Mix together a tablespoon each of milk powder, oatmeal and lemon juice. Apply this scrub on the face. When dry remove it by scrubbing. Then wash off with lukewarm water. Give a cold water rinse too.
A banana face scrub
Beat the yolks of two eggs with a cup of almond or olive oil until thoroughly mixed. Then mash a ripe banana and mix it in the mixture of egg yolk and oil. Smear over the face and neck. Leave it for 30 minutes in which a little lemon juice has been added. Also rinse off with cold water. It is very effective in removing blemishes. A sunflower face scrub
Beat the yolk of an egg. Add a teaspoon each of Brewer’s yeast and sunflower oil in it. Mix well and apply it on the face. When it is dry wash off with lukewarm water. Do not forget to give a cold-water rinse.
