Nimi Notes: Homemade : Lemon and sugar exfoliator

Two very simple ingredients can be used together to form an exfoliator for the skin, and can be used on the face and body. The best thing about this exfoliator is that the ingredients can be found in your kitchen, making it a beauty "must-try" that is simple to make, is completely inexpensive and that is very effective!

Exfoliating the skin is important for removing dead or dry skin and revitalising the skins surface. On the body exfoliating is also important for reducing ingrown hair formation where you would normally remove hair. Exfoliating (particularly on the face) is important for encouraging the formation of new healthy skin tissue, increasing blood circulation in the skin and aiding cell turnover, so doing this at least once a week is definitely important for your beauty regime.

This little trick is great as an all-year-round exfoliator, as this process has benefits in warm and cold periods of the year, and the ingredients work wonders whatever the season!

• Sugar (not alot, a cup will do): Exfoliates the skin and removes dead skin cells

• Lemon: Will act as a skin brightener and contains active properties for fighting blemishes; contains vitamin C (visit my previous post Easy peezy lemon squeezy).

• Flannel/ face towel

Other things you may want to use:

• Cotton pads/ cleansing sponges: To avoid touching the skin with your hands when removing the exfoliator.

Firstly cleanse your face using your normal facial wash, and always begin any facial routine by using warm water (this opens up your pores and prepares your skin for cleansing). Exfoliating should generally be done on a clean face. Once you have your lemon and sugar, cut two slices from the lemon and pour some sugar into a plate.

Coat the lemon slices in the sugar.

Dampen your face slightly using lukewarm water. You will use these coated slices as your exfoliators, so gently take one slice and move it gently onto one side of your face in circular motions. Don't be too vigourous as you could end up damaging your skin and causing redness, and take particular care if you have sensitive skin. Use the second slice for the other half of your face. Remember to include your neck, it often gets forgotten but also needs some TLC! This can get a little messy, as lemon juice will start to drip! Avoid the eye areas as these are sensitive.

After you have covered your whole face and neck, leave the mixture on your face for about 5 mins. Using lukewarm water, gently remove the sugar and lemon. I tend to use cleansing pads or cotton pads as I prefer not to touch my skin with my hands too much and finish by splashing cold water onto your face (this closes your pores). Once all has been removed, pat your skin dry with a flannel. Leave your skin to settle for a few minutes and then apply toner and moisturiser as you would normally do.

You may see some redness to start with, but as your skin settles, you will definitely see the glow in your skin and feel the softness.

And there you have it!! A simple lemon and sugar exfoliator which will get your skin looking radiant! This is also great for the skin as we move into the cold weather period as it will stop your skin from drying out.