DIY Review + Tutorial: Milky Sweet Facial Scrub

I've been doing a lot of research on various homemade facial scrubs for exfoliating purposes. I have tons of websites bookmarked full of various homemade remedies. When it comes to making your own scrubs, you don't have to follow the recipes exactly. Your scrub needs an exfoliant and a hydrator. It is also beneficial to have a soother. My favorite scrubs use sugar, because it is such an easy product to have around. My current favorite facial scrub is actually one that I put together myself. It features sugar, coconut oil, cocoa powder, and cream.

Product Benefits

• Sugar: Sugar contains glycolic acid, an alpha-hydroxy acid that is crucial for maintaining healthy skin. The natural glycolic acid in sugar not only helps condition and moisturize skin, but protect it from toxins. Sugar can act as a natural exfoliator, can help minimize acne, can help restore the skin's natural oils, and will not clog pores. It can be used by all skin types, but if you have sensitive skin you might consider using brown sugar instead, as it will be gentler.
• Coconut Oil: Coconut oil is an amazing moisturizer. It's loaded with Vitamin E and fatty acids (such as lauric acid, myristic acid, capric acid, and more) which are anti-fungal, anti-oxidizing and anti-bacterial. It's a fantastic beauty product. It absorbs into your skin and hair faster than most other oils, making it ideal for hydrating and softening your skin to keep you looking younger.
• Cocoa Powder: Cocoa powder is great for your skin because of the huge collection of antioxidants. These compounds, called flavonoids, work internally and externally to repair skin damage from the sun, smoking, pollution, and stress. They can even help prevent future damage. Flavonoids also help to prevent cancer, heart disease, stroke, high cholesterol, and can lower blood pressure. There is a reason why they say an ounce of dark chocolate a day is good for you! While cocoa powder works better when eaten, it can be used in skin care products as well.
• Cream: Milk and cream have vitamins A, D, and E and are high in protein. When applied topically, it is very hydrating and soothing. Milk is great for soothing itchy dry skin, rashes, sun burns, and can help diminish the appearance of scars and burn marks. Milk is also a great cleanser and removes dirt and excess oil from your skin. Try putting some on a cotton pad and wiping your face clean.

DIY: Milky Sweet Facial Scrub

Gather the following ingredients:

• Milk or cream
• Coconut oil
• Unsweetened powdered cocoa
• Sugar (I used brown sugar)
• A tablespoon
• A microwave safe bowel

Follow these steps.

1. Put 1 tablespoon of the coconut oil into your bowl and microwave it for 30 seconds.
2. Add 1 tablespoon cocoa powder, 4 tablespoons sugar, and 1 tablespoon milk/cream and stir well. The mixture should be creamy, like brownie batter. If it is too thick, add a bit more milk/cream. If it is too runny, add more sugar.
3. Gently wet your face. I usually take the mixture with me to the shower so I can exfoliate my scars and underarms as well. Place some of the mixture on your skin and use your fingertips to massage gently.
4. Massage the mixture onto your skin for about 30 seconds, then rinse off.
5. Finish with a good moisturizer.

My Review

★★★★☆ The mixture is messy, but effective. My skin was effectively exfoliated about the same as commercial scrubs, but I wasn't left with that dry skin feeling. It is a lot harder to wash out if you get it in your eye though. It doesn't sting, it is just annoying so be careful!