Though we all love the joys of wintertime, it’s no secret that it can be absolutely brutal on the skin! From dry, flaky patches to those head-scratching cold weather sunburns, frigid conditions call for some heavy-duty DIY skincare solutions. That’s why we’re going to share with you a recipe for the best DIY facial scrub out there. And get this, it only calls for two super common ingredients!

Before we dive right into this marvelous beauty hack, let’s first talk about how exfoliators work to repair your trouble skin. Even those beauty experts out there best listen up—if you aren’t treating your skin properly, you may be doing more harm than good!

 

It’s all about the timing!

Believe it or not, applying skin scrubs in the A.M. is more beneficial to you than using them at night.

Dermatologist Karyn Grossman, MD tells Refinery29 that, “In general, patients should focus on protection in the morning and correction in the evening.” She adds that she finds many of her patients tend to use irritating products at night, like acne or wrinkle creams.

So, don’t bother your skin even more than you are! Just remember, scrubs are for the morning and creams are for the night.

And, sure, this may tack an extra few minutes onto your wake-up routine, but at least you can show off your brighter, smoother skin in time for that important morning meeting!

 

Store-bought scrubs can be harmful!

It may be disappointing to know that, not unlike many mass-produced items out there, your favorite exfoliator could be chock-full of dangerous chemicals.

Sujatha Jahagirdar with Environment California tells The Hearty Soul that the ingredients to look out for in facial cleansers and scrubs are phthalates, a common component of plastic which has been shown to be hazardous.

“The concerns that are focused around this particular chemical have arisen from a series of tests and studies that have been released recently that point to significant potential health concerns,” explains Jahagirdar.

Scary, right? What’s even more disconcerting is the fact that phthalates are not always included on the labels of cosmetic products, which is why we think it’s best to ditch those expensive and potentially unsafe exfoliators in favor of making your own.

So, here’s how to do it! YouTuber CornerLot Life has a brilliant video on the easiest way to make your new favorite facial scrub.

To get started on crafting your very own coconut oil and baking soda exfoliator, gather together these common household materials:

• ½ cup of coconut oil (we prefer the extra virgin organic variety!)
• ¼ cup of baking soda
• Large mixing bowl
• Small beauty jar
• Mixing tool of your choice

Simply combine both the coconut oil and the baking soda in the large bowl, then just get to mixing until you end up with a fine solution.

Now, this is about as simple of a hack as skincare recipes comes, but you should be certain that you focus on getting the right consistency.

To catch some great tips on how to properly blend your new exfoliator, be sure to watch CornerLot Life’s video below. Happy scrubbing!

What do you think of this nourishing DIY facial scrub? Have you used either coconut oil or baking soda on your face before? If so, were you impressed by the results? Tell us all about your thoughts and experiences in the comments section below!