In the era of adulteration of everything, using any product on your skin or body is a very risky thing to do. You might use something with the intent of making your skin or face better and may end up looking hideous. So it seems a far better option to use natural items for cleansing rather than taking risks and regretting it later.

So, here’s a list of natural food items that can be used to cleanse your face.

10. Baking Soda

Baking soda has multiple applications like odor control in fridges or pantry, or use in toothpaste or eco friendly cleaners. It can be used to exfoliate and cleanse your skin too. Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda) is used in Spa’s in microdermabrasion treatments. Just add a teaspoon (less if you have sensitive or mature skin) to your every day facial cleanser to turn your morning wash into a spa-worthy treatment.

9. Oatmeal

Oatmeal is a cheap natural exfoliant that has anti-inflammatory properties and acts as a natural moisturizer. And it’s gentle enough not to tear or injure sensitive skin. Finely grind one cup of oatmeal in a blender or food processor, then stir together with one cup of plain yogurt or buttermilk and two tablespoons of honey in a small bowl. Mix thoroughly until it becomes a smooth paste, and then apply the mixture to your face. Leave it on for 15 minutes, and then rinse with warm water.

8. Papaya

It’s believed that the enzyme papain in Papaya can help heal the skin and cause lines and brown age spots to vanish. Papain is most potent in young fruit, so be sure to get green papayas at the local organic supermarket for your skin care regimen.

7. Sugar

Sugar is made from sugar cane, which is a natural source of glycolic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid. Glycolic acid is good at breaking down the protein, the glue, that keeps dead skin cells from sloughing off, as well as boosting new skin cell production and smoothing and softening skin. Mix about one-half cup of sugar with enough olive oil to make a paste. Using circular motions gently massage the mixture into your skin and rinse well. It is safe enough to use on both face and body.

6. Yogurt

Yogurt hydrates and exfoliates, has skin-smoothing and soothing benefits, and the lactic acid may also help to even out your skin tone as well. Yogurt contains lactic acid, which is an alpha hydroxy acid but at a concentration so mild it’s gentle enough to use on any skin type, face and body. Apply plain yogurt as a facial or to larger areas of your body, let it set for about 20 minutes, then rinse.

5. Sea Salt

The gentle abrasive properties of Sea Salt make it a great natural exfoliant, especially for people with dry skin. Try mixing a cup of sea salt and glycerin to create a paste. After a hot shower, rub the paste over your body with your hands or a sponge, and then rinse it off.

4. Ground Coffee

Coffee beans serve as excellent exfoliant and not only something that makes you fresh when you are tired. It also helps to tone the skin. Mix two cups of coarsely ground coffee with a cup of sea salt and two-to-three tablespoons of massage oil. Take a hot shower to moisten your skin and open your pores, and then, using wide circular motions, rub the mixture onto your skin with strong, even pressure. Then rinse off the scrub, pat the skin dry with a towel and apply your favorite lotion.

3. Ground Fruit Seeds and Nuts

Unlike honey and yogurt, which unglue the proteins holding those dead skin cells in place, ground fruit seeds and ground nuts are both popular additions to exfoliating skin care products because they loosen and remove dead cells when massaged onto the skin in a gentle, circular motion. It’s important when using a friction-based exfoliant scrub to avoid products that contain sharp-edged ingredients such as ground stone-fruit pits and nut shells.

2. Honey

Honey makes a sweet addition to your skin cleansing routine. Raw honey has anti- bacterial, anti- viral and anti- fungal benefits. It helps to reduce the occurrence of skin infections and helps in fighting acne.  Honey helps to speed up the natural exfoliation process. It can reduce inflammation too. It makes a great hydrating scrub by attracting moisture to the skin. The antioxidants in it help your skin better protect and repair itself.

1. Lemon Juice

Lemon Juice  like other citrus juices, also contains alpha hydroxy acid, which penetrates and removes the protein glue that causes dead skin cells to stick to your epidermis. Excessive use of the same may cause your skin to become extra sensitive to sun. Mix one-quarter-cup each of lemon juice, apple juice, grape juice and cane sugar in a glass jar, making sure the sugar completely dissolves. Then apply the mixture to your face with a cotton ball, and leave it on for 10 minutes before rinsing it off.