Exfoliation is an essential part of any beauty routine. It removes dead cells and all kinds of dirt from the surface layer of the epidermis. To do it naturally at home, we list 8 tried-and-tested recipes.

It's a gesture that could be described as essential. It's even the number one practice we're taught when we finally reach the age where beauty routine becomes part of our daily routine. Exfoliation consists in gently exfoliating the skin of the body and face. This mechanical step removes dead skin cells as well as the dirt that has accumulated over time. It's a necessary step to enable the epidermis to renew itself, and keep the complexion fresh, radiant and soft.

These days, there are all kinds of exfoliating products. Professional aestheticians even use peels, which chemically "burn" the superficial layer of the epidermis to bring about total rebirth and refine skin texture. This procedure is best performed by a professional. Scrubs are more traditional, simpler and more practical to do yourself.

The principle?

The scrub is made up of a granular agent (salt, coffee grounds, sugar, etc.) which scrapes the surface layer of the skin and extracts impurities! This treatment is ideally performed once or twice a week to keep your complexion and skin looking its best. The circular movements are especially gentle, to avoid aggressing the skin. Each skin type has its own exfoliant, so to be sure of your diagnosis, it's best to consult a professional, especially if you have sensitive or problematic skin.

Why opt for a homemade scrub?

Homemade scrubs are above all economical. But above all, you know what goes into it. The good news is that you can easily make your own with whatever you have in your cupboard!

Be careful with essential oils on the face: it's best to avoid adding any to your preparation if you have the slightest doubt.

Les gommages maison pour le visage

To restore radiance, smooth skin and a refined texture, nothing beats a facial scrub! Used once or twice a week, depending on the texture and type of scrub, it's an essential step in your beauty routine. Vegetable oil, coffee grounds... there's a scrub for every skin type.

Please note: when applying a facial scrub, avoid the eye contour area, as this is a very fragile zone. To make sure you don't leave it to one side, and to take full care of your eyes, you can apply an anti-dark circle and puffiness serum and an eyelash serum.

Almond scrub:

Almond is known for its nourishing effects on the skin. It is suitable for combination to dry skin.

• Almond powder - 1 teaspoon
• cold-pressed sweet almond oil - 1 teaspoon
• Hydrolat - of your choice

Mix almond powder and sweet almond oil in a container. Apply to damp facial skin and massage in circular motions to activate the exfoliating effect. Leave the almond oil soup on for a few minutes to take advantage of the nutrients and benefits it provides. Rinse with clean water and finish with a few drops of hydrolat to firm and refresh the skin.

Coffee grounds scrub:

Un basique qu'il n'est plus nécessaire de présenter ! Le café active la circulation sanguine et offre un vrai coup de fouet au teint, effet belle peau assuré. Ce gommage convient aux peaux grasses et ternes.

• Coffee grounds - the bottom of a cup is enough
• Honey - one teaspoon
• Hydrolat - of your choice

Mix coffee grounds and honey in a container. Apply the mixture to the face. Leave on for a few minutes (coffee grounds can be slightly tingling after a while), then massage in circular motions to activate the scrub. Rinse with clean water and finish with a touch of hydrolat to firm the skin and refresh the complexion.

Oatmeal scrub:

Le flocon d'avoine agit comme un doux exfoliant (très bon pour les peaux sensibles) et a le don d'absorber l'excès de sébum. Il convent très bien aux peaux mixtes.

• Oat flakes - 1 tablespoon
• Honey - 1 teaspoon
• Yogurt - 1 teaspoon
• Hydrolat - of your choice

Mix everything together in a container until smooth, then apply with the fingertips to the whole face. As with all previous scrubs, leave on to allow the skin to benefit from the active ingredients of the scrub. Activate the scrub with gentle, circular movements to promote cell renewal. Rinse with clear water and finish with the hydrosol of your choice. 

Avocado scrub:

Avocado nourishes mature, tired skin and helps fight the signs of aging! It also protects against external aggressors such as cold or wind. It is particularly suitable for dry skin.

• Avocado - 2 teaspoons avocado purée
• Sugar - 1 teaspoon
• Rose hydrosol - one dose

Mix all the ingredients (this time, add the hydrolat to the preparation, as the rose will accentuate the anti-aging effect of the avocado). Gently massage the scrub over your face (the fine-grain sugar helps exfoliate sensitive skin). Rinse with clear water! You can add a dose of liquid honey for extra softness.

Aloe vera scrub:

aloe vera has no equal when it comes to moisturizing, purifying and healing the skin. It's our ultimate beauty ally! Suitable for all skin types.

• Aloe vera - 1 tablespoon gel (best if you can scrape it off the plant after cutting a leaf).
• Sugar - 2 teaspoons
• Lemon juice - 1 teaspoon
• Hydrolat - the one of your choice

Mix to a gelatinous paste, ready to be applied to the skin. Massage in circular motions to activate the exfoliating effect and allow the skin to benefit from the active ingredients (notably the balancing action of lemon juice). Rinse with clean water and finish with the hydrolat.

Homemade body scrubs

To get rid of the dead skin and pollution residues that accumulate on body skin, nothing beats a good scrub. It can be applied with fingertips or hands, or with a glove for even greater effectiveness. 

Argan oil scrub:

Argan oil nourishes the skin, leaving a hydroprotective film that retains water for optimal hydration. It's the ideal ingredient for a body scrub.

• Cold-pressed argan oil - two tablespoons
• Sugar - 3 tablespoons
• Honey - 1 teaspoon.

In a container, mix all ingredients to form a paste. Using a body glove, delicately apply the scrub to the entire body, massaging gently in a circular motion (as for the face) to activate the scrub's effect. Scrubbing is also effective for reducing cellulite! Rinse with lukewarm water and finish with a vegetable oil such as coconut oil or a dry oil.

Papaya scrub:

Paye fights the effects of time (thanks to its antioxidant action), regulates sebum and purifies the skin! As a body scrub, it leaves skin feeling invigorated and healthy.

• Papaya - blend half
• Semoule - 3 cuillères à soupe
• Honey - 1 teaspoon

Mix everything together in a container! Then apply the mixture to all the areas you wish to exfoliate, using your fingers or body glove. Semolina replaces sugar here, as it exfoliates gently (being less abrasive than sugar), making it suitable for sensitive and problem skin. Rinse with lukewarm water and finish with a vegetable oil such as coconut oil or a dry oil.

Baking soda scrub:

Baking soda is a bit of a jack-of-all-trades! It's just as practical for everyday household use as it is for hygiene. As a scrub, it's ideal for areas with thicker skin (feet, thighs, elbows or knees).

• Baking soda - 2 tablespoons
• Olive oil - 2 tablespoons
• Honey - 1 tablespoon

Mix together and apply to affected areas with a glove or fingers. The bicarbonate will exfoliate deeply, the olive oil will nourish and the honey will soothe! A winning combo for a perfect body. Rinse with lukewarm water and finish with a vegetable oil such as coconut oil or a dry oil.

How to perfect your scrub?

After a homemade body scrub or homemade face scrub, the skin needs to be comforted. We then apply a rich moisturizing cream or a gentle oil to the body, pressing well to ensure the cream penetrates deeply and nourishes the skin as much as possible. On the face, we apply our usual routine: face serum is the order of the day, followed by our usual moisturizing cream! For even greater effectiveness, and to allow the active ingredients to activate, consider facial yoga. It's even better to do your facial gymnastics while applying your skincare products!