The DIY face scrubs you need to try at home to fight oily skin woes
Has the summer left your skin feeling sticky or more prone to acne? You only need to look towards the everyday superstars of your kitchen for help

From A-listers to everyday people, DIY face scrubs are clocking in major face time in skincare routines around the world. And it isn’t hard to see why; the sales pitch for these humble at-home facial saviours is surprisingly simple—tighter, brighter skin using ingredients you likely already own. If the fiendish heat and humidity of summer are causing your skin to take on a greasy sheen each time you step out, look to these minimalist DIY face scrubs to feed your visage all the TLC it needs.
The DIY face scrubs for oily skin to add to your weekend skincare routine
Oatmeal and honey
Whether consumed or applied topically, oatmeal leaves behind a host of benefits in its wake, from your breakfast plate to your skincare routine. As a natural absorbent, it gently nudges out dirt and bacteria clogged in the pores, while the antibacterial properties of raw honey wash away any residual dead skin cells. Mix one tablespoon of oatmeal with one teaspoon of honey, and massage the mixture in concentric circles on your face. Wash off with cold water after two minutes, and gently pat your skin dry.
Brown sugar and lemon
The staple brown sugar in your pantry serves as a natural exfoliator that slices through dead skin cells and bacterial build-up, while lemon comes with a host of antibacterial benefits that help clear the skin. Take one tablespoon of granulated brown sugar and add in the juice of one lemon. Rub this mixture gently over your skin to extract excess sebum, and gently wash off with cold water after five minutes.
Honey, lemon and baking soda
If you’re looking to level up your DIY game, invite more power players into the ring: lemon’s astringent properties slice through the grime clogging up your pores, and honey serves as a natural humectant that retains essential moisture in the skin. Add baking soda to the mix for a natural cleanser that prevents acne by neutralising excessive sebum production. Combine one spoonful of each, and massage the mixture lightly over your face. Wash off with cold water and repeat twice a week for a supple, shine-free visage.
Mashed cucumber
A slice of cucumber over the eyes may serve as the go-to shorthand for the makeover montage of every rom-com ever, but this vegetable also works as a standalone saviour for tightening pores by removing sebum and bacteria. The Vitamin C present further helps maintain the oil balance of the skin. Get started by taking one ripe cucumber and mashing it into a pulp in the blender. Apply the textured paste on your face and scrub off after five minutes.
Orange peel and yoghurt
Citrus fruits are another rich source of Vitamin C, and are best accompanied in your skincare regimen by yoghurt. The probiotics present in the latter directly target acne-causing bacteria and reduce the oil formed by the sebaceous glands present in the skin. Take equal parts of macerated orange peel and yoghurt and mix well together. Apply on the face while standing over a sink to minimise mess, and wash off with lukewarm water for soft, glowing skin.
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