Over the past few years, the number of men’s grooming products has grown considerably. From skincare to beard care, brands are coming up with niche products to keep men looking dapper and well-groomed. One of the earlier such products was body scrubs for men. Although exfoliation was not much of a priority in the skin care routine of most men, the sale of body scrubs for men steadily grew, indicating a change in men’s grooming habits. However, the increase in the sale of body scrubs—for men and women, both—also saw an increase in the use of microbeads, which are minuscule plastic beads.

Many skincare and grooming brands are coming up with alternative exfoliators for their scrubs. However, nothing can be better than a natural homemade alternative, right? Here is a list of natural exfoliators and other essential ingredients that can be used to make DIY body scrubs for men.

Brown sugar
For those with dry and flaky skin and also for those with sensitive skin, brown sugar is a must-have ingredient in DIY body scrubs.

Sea salt
DIY body scrubs for men containing sea salts are enriched with essential minerals that rejuvenate and reinvigorate the skin. These minerals promote cell regeneration and new skin cell growth. It also helps in healing the skin. Similar to brown sugar, sea salt is also a good natural exfoliator. However, sea salt granules are harder than brown sugar granules. Sea salt granules are more abrasive and hence can be quite effective in getting rid of dry, calloused skin. Also, those with rougher and uneven skin texture should regularly use sea salt scrubs to remove the uppermost layer of dead skin cells. This revives healthier skin and improves circulation as well. Moreover, sea salt has antiseptic and antibacterial properties that heal the skin and combat inflammatory problems of the skin. It also helps detoxify the skin. However, avoid using scrubs with sea salt if there are cuts or if one experiences irritation on the skin. Also, a scrubbing routine with sea salt should be always followed by the application of a moisturizing cream, body butter, or oil.

Lemon
Loaded with vitamin C, lemons are great for combating skin aging. It lightens sun spots and age spots that helps even out the skin tone. Moreover, lemons have high astringent properties that tighten pores and makes the skin look fresh. Using body scrubs containing lemon removes discoloration from the skin. This is due to the high concentration of vitamin C in lemons. It is especially useful to combat dark areas on the elbows, knees, hands, and feet. You can make a DIY body scrub for men containing lemon and use it at least once a week. Apply it in gentle circular motions and wash it off completely. Ensure that there is no residue left on the skin as it can lead to skin irritation due to the acidic content of lemon. Do not use lemon scrubs on the skin that is bruised or broken as it will sting and irritate the skin.

Various oils
While making DIY body scrubs for men, many like to add oils for moisturizing benefits. Coconut oil, almond oil, and olive oil are commonly used in a number of homemade scrubs. Most of these oils are rich in antioxidants that help in combating signs of aging. Rich in saturated fat, coconut oil helps in deep moisturizing and deep cleansing of the skin. Olive oil and almond oil are rich sources of Vitamin E, which keeps the skin well-hydrated. This is especially useful for those who are prone to dry skin. Body scrubs containing these various oils are quite suitable to use during the dry winter months when the skin tends to lose moisture quickly and become flaky. Body scrubs made with these oils and brown sugar can be effective in getting rid of dead, flaky skin cells and replenish the skin with the required moisture. However, those with oily skin should refrain from using oils in their scrub as it may lead to clogging of the pores and a host of skin problems such as acne.