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A few years ago when expensive skincare was still my addiction (Sephora, I’m looking at you), I was completely obsessed with both the Fresh Umbrian Clay Pore Purifying Face Exfoliator and the Aveda Botanical Kinetics Radiant Skin Refiner. Both scrubs have micro-fine exfoliating beads that allow for gentle but extremely effective exfoliation and detoxification.
Both products differ from regular scrubs because they can be used dry to achieve the same smooth results of microdermabrasion at home for a fraction of the price. I actually used Aveda’s Skin Refiner on my clients for microdermabrasion alternative treatments! But even though both products are much cheaper than microdermabrasion, you know I’m always trying to save money. Price-gouging in the beauty industry is a real thing, so I will always find alternatives when possible.
After a quick look at the ingredient list of both scrubs, I saw that they had two common ingredients. $21 and two days later I was making my very own DIY version of my favorite scrubs. And almost 4 years later, I’m still using the same 2 bags of ingredients I ordered back then. $21 for 4 year’s worth of product? I say yes.
Are you ready? Here are the 2 main ingredients:
Mix to a 1:1 ratio and store in a jar. That’s literally it.
This scrub contains no wet ingredients and only requires you to mix with a little bit of water when you use it, so you don’t have to worry about the scrub going bad with a short shelf life. However, if you’d like to add a little secret ingredient to customize it to your current skin concern, you can add 1-2 drops of my favorite Edens Garden essential oils during your treatment – my favorites are Lemon for brightening, Age Defy to smooth wrinkles, and Lavender to soothe sore or sensitive skin. See this blog post on my favorite essential oils for skincare for more recommendations!
As for the ratio, I try to do a 50/50 even mix between both ingredients to ensure there’s enough bamboo to exfoliate effectively as well as enough kaolin clay to buffer the exfoliating powder. You can always mix it up to a consistency of your preference, but be advised that adding loads more bamboo powder won’t yield a better result – in fact, too many exfoliating grains can make your skin extra sensitive to sunlight and product application afterward, so tread with caution. You can also add less water for a rougher-feeling scrub.
More Beauty & Health Posts:
- DIY Skincare: 2-Ingredient Microdermabrasion Scrub (Fresh + Aveda-Inspired)
- Banish Acne Scars: Product Review + My Professional Life With Acne
- The Korean Skincare Regimen for Dry Winter Skin
- Beating Hormonal Acne with Vitamin C, Derma Needling & Gotu Kola
- How to Curl or Straighten Hair With a Flat Iron + My Favorite Flat iron Under $50
You can grab these ingredients elsewhere if you find better prices, but I highly suggest superfine kaolin clay and fine bamboo powder because it’s much easier to mix and form a paste in your hand without clumping up.
Kaolin Clay Vs. Umbrian Clay: What’s the Difference?
Literally, nothing. Umbrian clay is kaolin clay, but the difference is that it’s made in Umbria, Italy.
Kaolin clay is mostly sourced in China, so the ingredient itself isn’t actually expensive or hard to come by. I think marketing kaolin clay as Umbrian clay gives a brand a marketing angle that allows they to justify a higher price. However, if I’m being honest, I really compare this to how meeting a man at a club with a foreign accent would make him more attractive (even though he’s really just your average Joe).
Let me know how you liked this scrub! Leave a comment below and don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter for more DIY projects and affordable beauty tips.
More Beauty & Health Posts:
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- 10 of the Best Drugstore Foundations Money Can Buy
- The Complete Guide to Vitamins and Supplements for Skincare: Beat Acne, Wrinkles, & More
- 12 Budget-Friendly Products Inspired By the Most Popular Skincare of 2019
- $1 Make-up Dupes: Elf Cosmetics
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