Seasons change, so does our skin. As we head out of mid-January, and into the next winter month, there are many things that can play a role in the appearance of our complexions during this time of year. The air is harsher and drier, we may be wearing heavier makeup products than we do in the summer, and getting less vitamin D can even have an impact, whether you realize it or not! (Here's a great article by Natasha Rae that talks more it!)
So if you're skin has been feeling off lately, just know that you're not alone! We're all prone to and dealing with more dryness, dullness, and breakouts during the colder months. And trust me, I know; it can be so frustrating and really bring down your confidence waking up to not-so-great skin. But here's what we have to remember; 1) No human on this planet has perfect skin 24/7, 2) winter doesn't last forever, there are warmer days ahead, and 3) in the meantime, we can always treat our skin a little extra TLC so that we can look, and more importantly, feel our best selves!
Needless to say, I've been on the hunt for some skincare pick-me-ups to get me through those winter days where I just need a little extra boost. And as a lover of natural skincare, I thought I'd throw together my own scrub with some ingredients I had on hand. The result? An easy all-natural 3 ingredient scrub that's basically the whole package! Read on to get all the details + to read about the skin-loving ingredients that you're face will thank you for!
What You'll Need:
- 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons of sugar
- 1/4-1/3 cup of coconut oil (use less if you prefer a drier texture!)
- 1 teaspoon of *Desert Essence brand Kinder To Skin tea tree oil
- 1 air-tight container for storage
Feel free to play around with the amounts and ratios, but regardless, these ingredients come together to make an amazing team. They exfoliate, moisturize, remove makeup, and treat to prevent future breakouts all at once.
The sugar is a natural exfoliant. I used to be skeptical and always thought that sugar was too abrasive for the face, but after trying this sugar scrub from Befine last year, it totally changed my mind. As long as you're massaging gently, sugar can be an amazing gentle, yet super efficient exfoliator. It will rid you of any dead skin and dullness you may be noticing and leave you with a smooth, revived texture.
The coconut oil is a natural moisturizer and great makeup remover as well! Seriously, if you're ever out of makeup wipes, try a little bit of coconut oil instead. It can melt down a face of makeup fairly quickly and gently! But coconut oil works well in here because it's naturally antibacterial and will leave your skin hydrated even after washing it off - just go to sleep while the excess soaks in! The harsh, cold air during this time of year can make even oily skin dry out causing the production of excess oils, leading to breakouts. Keeping your skin hydrated will maintain that healthy balance.
Lastly, tea tree oil is the essential oil for problem skin. It's most commonly used as a spot treatment for acne due to its antiseptic properties. For that reason, I find it works well in the scrub as a natural fighter and preventer against future breakouts. However, *I used a diluted formula from Desert Essence in this scrub because it's gentler and was created for sensitive skin. So feel free to add more or less depending on what kind you use, but keep in mind that a full strength formula can be drying.
Optionals, aka, things that make a good thing even better:
- Try using a facial steamer for a few minutes beforehand to open your pores, and use a cool steam following the scrub to close them. (Here's the link to my favorite, affordable pick!)
- If you don't have a steamer, a warm washcloth applied over the face works too, as well as a cool one to follow!
So if winter skin has you down, then take a night-in for yourself, make this scrub, and remind yourself that there are surely warmer days ahead! Sometimes you just need a pick-me-up!
