Photography by Donovan Roberts Witmer
We all love that time of the year when the leaves begin to change and we can break out our scarves and boots. Although fall is a beautiful time of year, temperature and seasonal changes tend to interfere with our beauty routines. Because of wind and chilly temperatures, our skin can dry out, causing an array of problems from annoying lines and wrinkles to painful cracking. Why not treat yourself to an at-home spa day with these simple, homemade and inexpensive scrubs using some of our favorite fall scents and beauty beneficial ingredients?
Harvest Spice Facial Scrub
Ingredients: ½ tablespoon nutmeg Juice of ¼ lemon ½ tablespoon cinnamon 2 tablespoons honey
Directions:
Mix all ingredients together and gently apply the mixture to damp face. Leave on skin for 30 minutes, then gently rinse with warm water and a washcloth. Don’t fret if your face feels somewhat tingly; this is normal.
Note: this scrub can stain fabric, so use a dark-colored washcloth.
Nutmeg: Nutmeg can have anti-inflammatory effects, reducing redness and puffiness.
Lemon Juice: Lemon juice has natural bleaching properties that can diminish scars and age spots. It also contains alpha hydroxy acid, which exfoliates by removing dead skin cells.
Cinnamon: Cinnamon stimulates the skin and increases collagen production, which can help plump fine lines. In a scrub, it acts as an exfoliator to de-clog pores. Additionally, cinnamon has antiseptic properties that kill bacteria that can generate on your face.
Golden Pumpkin Body Scrub
Ingredients: ¼ cup honey 16 ounces pumpkin puree 1 cup baking soda
Directions:
Mix all ingredients together until blended well. While in the shower, apply the mixture to your skin with a cloth to gently exfoliate your skin. Rinse and enjoy the sweet smell of this body scrub and your freshly exfoliated skin.
Honey: Honey is a natural humectant with antimicrobial properties.
Pumpkin: Pumpkin is rich in antioxidants like Vitamin A, which softens skin, and Vitamin C, which can help renew damaged, wind-burned skin. The high amount of enzymes in pumpkin help to dissolve dry skin that is common in the fall and winter.
Baking Soda: Baking soda is an exfoliant that removes dead skin and is great for areas like your elbows or hands that tend to become rough during colder fall months.
Perky Pedi Foot Scrub
Ingredients: 1 cup coconut oil ½ cup ground coffee ½ cup sugar
Directions:
Mix all ingredients together and apply to feet. Massage the mixture into your skin, allowing the coffee grains to exfoliate the areas that need it most.
Coconut Oil: Coconut oil moisturizes skin while reducing dead cells that make skin appear rough and flaky. It is also comprised of 50 percent fatty acids, which help to kill off bacteria, viruses and fungi.
Coffee: Rough coffee grains can be used as a powerful exfoliator. Also, coffee contains antioxidants that reduce inflammation and help repair cell damage. Sugar: Sugar is a natural humectant that draws moisture to your skin, which can help to hydrate it.
By Ana Guenther and Brianna Burkhart