Desi Nuskhe: 10 DIY Face & Body Scrubs To Gently Exfoliate Your Skin & Treat Hyperpigmentation

An integral part of a good skincare routine of cleansing, exfoliating, toning, and moisturising, body and face scrubs help slough off dead skin, improve the rate of cell renewal, reduce ingrown hair, and can help treat problems like hyperpigmentation and discolouration.

But, the thing is that body scrubs can be great when mild, and corrosive when they have ingredients that cause micro-tears in the skin. That’s why, we rely on DIY homemade scrubs that are suitable for sensitive skin and err on the side of caution.

The Use Of Exfoliation For Hyperpigmentation

Hyperpigmentation is a common, usually harmless condition in which patches of skin become darker in colour than the normal surrounding skin. This darkening occurs when an excess of melanin, the brown pigment that produces normal skin colour, forms deposits in the skin. Hyperpigmentation can be caused by a variety of factors such as sun damage, ageing, or scarring.

Traditionally, exfoliation is used to remove dead or hardened skin cells that can clog pores and diminish your skin’s bright appearance. These DIY body and face scrub recipes are just what you need to exfoliate the right way.

10 DIY Body & Face Scrubs Made With Kitchen Ingredients

1. Goodness Of Haldi & Besan Exfoliator

Here’s a simple yet effective solution to reduce hyperpigmentation caused by suntan and sunspots. A blend of two powerful ingredients, this exfoliator is one of the best home remedies. Gram flour (besan) is an effective exfoliating agent. Turmeric (haldi) is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and helps reduce skin pigmentation. 

You Will Need: 

• 1 teaspoon turmeric (haldi)
• 1 cup of gram flour (besan)
• Warm milk or water

Method:

1. Take turmeric (haldi) and gram flour (besan) in a bowl.
2. Add in some water/milk and mix well to form a thick, coarse paste.
3. Apply the paste on your body or face and let it dry.
4. Then, scrub it with your fingertips in a circular motion.
5. Rinse it with lukewarm water.

2. Go Vegan With This Coffee & Coconut Scrub

The combination of ingredients used below is a no-brainer exfoliant as well as moisturiser, and an excellent way of getting rid of dead skin. Some experts say that caffeine dilates blood vessels and reduces the appearance of skin dimples. It helps get rid of cellulite, inflammation and uneven skin tone. This can be enjoyed once a week. 

You Will Need:

• 1 cup of coffee powder
• 1 cup of coconut oil

Method:

1. Apply all over your body and scrub gently. 
2. Wash off with warm water once done.

3. No More Oil Buildup With Oatmeal

Our skin naturally produces oils that help keep it moisturised. But an oversecretion of oil can lead to clogged pores that cause dark spots, acne and blemishes. A great exfoliator, oatmeal absorbs excess oil and is a natural scrub for oily skin.

You Will Need:

• ½ cup of ground oats
• 1 teaspoon of honey
• Warm water

Method:

1. Mix the oats with hot water to make a thick paste.
2. For moisture, you can add a teaspoon of honey to the paste.
3. Massage the mix to your body or face, and let it dry out completely.
4. Gently scrub it with your fingertips in a circular motion.
5. Rinse it off with warm water and pat dry. 

4. Brighten Underarms, Knees & Elbows With An Orange Peels Scrub

The skin around the underarms, knees and elbows is stretched a lot and is sensitive. Thus it is prone to hyperpigmentation. Orange peels are popularly used to brighten these areas as they are rich in skin-brightening and exfoliating properties. 

You Will Need:

• 1 cup of sun-dried orange peels or orange peel powder
• 2 tablespoons rosewater (gulab jal)
• 2 tablespoons milk

Method:

1. Grind the dried orange peels into a coarse powder.
2. Mix the peel powder with some rosewater (gulab jal) and milk to form a thick paste. 
3. Gently scrub the desired area with the paste and leave it to dry for 15-20 minutes.
4. Wash it off thoroughly and pat dry. 

5. Diminish Pigmentation With A Dahi Exfoliator

Dahi has lactic acid which helps in sloughing the dead cells from the skin and to diminish the pigmentation spots. When mixed with besan, this exfoliating pack will give you cleaner and more radiant skin. 

You Will Need:

• 2 tablespoons of curd (dahi)
• 4 tablespoons gram flour (besan)
• A few drops of rosewater (gulab jal)

Method:

1. All the ingredients well to form a coarse paste.
2. Apply the mixture all over your face or body.
3. Let it sit for 20 minutes.
4. Use gentle circular motions to scrub off the mixture
5. For best results, use this remedy 3 to 4 times a week. 

6. Clear Dark Spots With A Sugar Scrub

Scrubs play an important role in exfoliating your skin by removing dead skin cells. This simple kitchen ingredient mixed with olive oil removes all the toxins and gives your skin a natural glow.

You Will Need:

• ½ cup of sugar
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Any essential oil

Method:

1. Mix the sugar with olive oil.
2. Add an essential oil like lavender to add a natural fragrance.
3. Gently rub your body with the scrub and wash it off. You can also use this mix as a lip scrub.
4. Do not forget to use a mild moisturiser to seal the benefits of a freshly exfoliated face, or a lip balm to hydrate your pout.

7. Blemish-Free Skin With Sea Salt Scrub

Sea salt helps reduce the appearance of dark spots and blemishes on the skin. This body scrub is made with tea tree and peppermint which makes it really energising and refreshing. Tea tree oil is known for its various properties such as antibacterial, antiseptic, balsamic and fungicide. Peppermint oil when applied to the skin causes surface warmth which helps to soothe pain, making it a cold-season favourite.

You Will Need: 

• 1 cup of sea salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 
• 2-3 drops of tea tree oil
• 2-3 drops of peppermint oil

Method:

1. Put the sea salt in a glass bowl.
2. Add the olive oil, tea tree oil and peppermint oil. Stir it well.
3. Scrub the mixture on your body.
4. Leave the scrub on for 10 minutes.
5. Rinse and pat dry.

8. Rejuvenated Skin With Green Tea Exfoliant

Packed with polyphenols (a type of antioxidant), green tea is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. It also contains EGCG, another type of antioxidant that helps combat the signs of ageing. Green tea also stimulates skin cell rejuvenation. Made with green tea and olive oil, this simple homemade scrub can be prepared in just two minutes!

You Will Need:

• 1 tablespoon dried green tea leaves
• 1 cup of brown sugar (or regular sugar)
• ½ cup of olive oil
• 2 tablespoons honey
• Essential oil of your choice (optional)

Method:

1. Combine all the ingredients well.
2. Apply all over your body.
3. Gently massage in circular motions.
4. Wash off with warm water.

9. Remove Dark Spots With Rice Powder Scrub

Ideal for treating any type of darkened patches, this exfoliator has the goodness of three great ingredients. The rice powder works as an effective skin exfoliator, the apple cider vinegar helps in controlling the melanin and the milk cream (malai) performs the task of nourishing the skin.

You Will Need:

• 1 cup of rice powder
• 2-3 tablespoons milk cream (malai)
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

Method:

1. Combine all three ingredients well to form a coarse paste.
2. Apply on your body and gently scrub using circular motions.
3. Do this for 8-10 minutes.
4. Wash off with lukewarm water.

10. Get Rid Of Discolouration With Masoor Dal Exfoliator

Masoor dal works as a highly effective scrub when added to milk. This scrub ensures the removal of dark spots and discolouration. Milk offers skin-brightening effects while nourishing the skin.

You Will Need:

• 5 tablespoons red lentils (masoor dal)
• 1 cup of milk

Method:

1. Soak the masoor dal in the milk for a minimum of 2 hours.
2. Then, grind them together to form a coarse paste.
3. Apply this over the affected area.
4. Using circular motions, gently exfoliate the skin.
5. Rinse with warm water.

It’s easy to get rid of hyperpigmentation, dark spots and blemishes caused by external factors. These homemade body and face scrubs will not only make your skin clear but also nourish it, giving you a natural glow. And the best part is that all these ingredients are easily available in your kitchen, helping you avoid spending a huge amount on store-bought products. Scrub away!