How To Make A DIY Face Scrub: 4 Recipes That Will Give You A Serious Glow

Now, there are plenty of market scrubs formulated just for the delicate skin of the face. But get this: Many of these products use ingredients you likely already have at home. Here's everything you need to know about the venture, plus four DIY face scrub recipes with all glowing reviews. 

And while face scrubs can quite literally pave the way for other targeted treatments and serums ("The active ingredients will penetrate more easily," says Cheung), you don't want to be using both physical and chemical exfoliation at the same time—that's way too harsh for the skin barrier to handle. Stick to one type of exfoliation and call it a day.  

You have a bit more flexibility in terms of emollients. You can use water, honey, or even yogurt to help liquefy the scrub. Plescia, however, recommends choosing an oil: "Oils moisturize the skin and also allow for the scrub to be more easily rubbed in," she says. As for which oils to add, well, that's up to you: Try out different concoctions with olive, jojoba, almond, grapeseed, or even pumpkin seed oil (it's great for acne-prone individuals), and see how each treats your skin. 

After you gather all the (gentle) ingredients for a face scrub, there are plenty of ways to customize your exfoliating experience. The choice is yours: 

This face mask uses two star DIY ingredients: oatmeal and honey. Oats (specifically of the colloidal variety) have anti-inflammatory properties1 that are naturally soothing on the skin. And according to Plescia, "Raw honey is extremely beneficial to the skin and can be hydrating, anti-inflammatory, and even antibacterial." We couldn't agree more.

Mix all the ingredients together, adding 1 tablespoon of oil at a time as you combine. "The overall consistency of the face scrub should be almost paste-like," Plescia explains. Scrub gently in circular motions for about a minute. Rinse with lukewarm water, and carry on with your routine. 

Rosehip seed powder falls under the category of ground flours—it's quite soft and fine, which makes for a great physical exfoliant. (Feel free to sub in another finely ground flour, though, if you can't find the rosehip.) Plus, it's rich in brightening vitamin C2, as well as vitamin A via carotenoids. Of course, make sure your rosehip powder (and all your ingredients, for that matter) is organic and high-quality—you don't want to be scrubbing any iffy ingredients on your skin. Here's a recipe from product formulator Jana Blankenship, founder of the natural beauty brand Captain Blankenship:  

Mix all the ingredients together until it forms a paste (you may need to add more honey for the formula to liquefy). Scrub gently in circular motions for about a minute, and rinse with lukewarm water.  

This scrub effectively removes dead skin cells while still remaining gentle on dry skin. Rose, in particular, has been shown to reduce redness3 on the skin, which can help keep your complexion looking calmed and smooth as you scrub.

Combine the ingredients until it forms a paste. Scrub gently in circular motions for about a minute, and rinse with lukewarm water before moving on with your skin care routine. 

This confection is loaded with anti-inflammatory actives. First, the active ingredient in turmeric—curcumin—has long been hailed for managing inflammation4. Cinnamon can also help calm inflammation, and research has even shown that cinnamon can be an effective topical treatment for mild-to-moderate acne. (Just be sure to do a patch test beforehand, as some people can be triggered by a compound in cinnamon called cinnamaldehyde5).  

Combine the ingredients until it forms a paste (feel free to add more water, says Blankenship, until it reaches a thick yet spreadable consistency). Scrub gently in circular motions for about a minute, and rinse with lukewarm water.

You might want to be careful of the delicate eye area as well. Even though the granules are gentle, any tugging or scratching around the eyes is a recipe for wrinkles down the road. Also, "Be mindful if you have open wounds, cuts, or sunburn," says Plescia. Ouch. 

With the right ingredients, face scrubs can be a stellar addition to your skin care routine. Better yet, they're incredibly easy to DIY. If you're looking for an immediate glow, a good scrub-down may be just what you need.