wHAT iS aN eXFOLIANT?
What is an exfoliant? It is an additive that adds texture and sloughs away dead skin cells making the skin brighter,smoother and healthier. They are an important part of good skin care whether buffing away dead skin from your face or your body. They come in many forms and range from very gentle for facial products to rough for products requiring the ability to really scrub.
The face is very delicate and needs a very mild exfoliant to prevent damage to the skin tissue. The body can take on a medium exfoliant, while the rougher surface of feet can handle a strong exfoliant. Additionally, natural exfoliants not only add sloughing ability, they also have vital nutrients for healthy skin. Below you will find a list of natural additives by the level of their exfoliating properties.
Strong Exfoliants - Should be used on tough areas, like the feet. They are too rough for most areas of the body, and are far too rough for the face.
Bora Bora White Sand
Dead Sea Mud Grains
Dead Sea Salt
Pumice Powder
Tahitian Black Sand (Volcanic)
Walnut Shell Powder
Medium Exfoliants - Good exfoliation ability, but mild enough to be used on your body. Do not use these ingredients on your face or other very delicate areas. Salts and powders listed can be fine or coarse. Recommended for body scrubs.
Black Raspberry Fruit Seeds
Blackberry Fruit Seeds
Blueberry Fruit Seeds
Bolivian Pink Salt
Brown Sugar
Coffee Grounds
Corn Meal
Cranberry Fruit Seeds
Dead Sea Salt
Demerara Sugar
Dutch Blue Poppy Seeds
Eucalyptus Leaves
Himalayan Pink Salt
Jojoba Beads
Kelp
Kiwi Fruit Seeds
Lemon Peel Powder
Loofah (some of these can be harsh)
Oatmeal
Orange Peel Powder
Patchouli Bark
Peppermint Leaves
Raspberry Fruit Seeds
Rice Bran Powder
Rosehip Seed Powder
Sandalwood Powder
Sea Salt
Shredded Coconut
Spearmint Leaves
Strawberry Fruit Seeds
Tapioca Pearls
Turbinado Sugar
Walnut Shell Powder
Mild Exfoliants - Have a gentle scrubbing ability. Recommended for facial products, such as scrubs. Any flours or powders listed in this category should be fine grain only.
Adzuki Bean Powder
Almond Flour
Bamboo Powder
Bentonite Clay
Blueberry Fruit Fiber
Calendula Flower Petals
Chamomile Flowers
Chickpea Flour
Coral Calcium Powder
Cranberry Fruit Fiber
French Green Clay
Grape Seed Powder
Jojoba Wax Beads
Kaolin Clay
Kiwi Fruit Fiber
Lavender Buds
Oat Flour
Pink Clay
Pumpkin Puree
Raspberry Seed Powder
Red Moroccan
Rhassoul Clay
Rice Bran Powder
Rice Flour
Rose Clay
Rose Hips
Rose Petals
Tea Leaves
Vanilla Bean Specks
White Kaolin Clay
Very Mild Exfoliants
-Contain lactic acids or fruit acids to loosen dead skin cells, for the gentlest possible exfoliation. Recommended for facial products, such as masks.
Buttermilk Powder
Coconut Milk Powder
Fresh Berry Puree
Goat Milk Powder
Whole Milk Powder
Yogurt Powder
- Danielle Lasit