Papaya contains acids that peel away dead skin cells.
Fruits that contain acid are a main component in home facial peels. Papayas, citrus fruits such as lemons and oranges, tomatoes and apples all contain varying amounts of acid. The acid in a facial peel serves to remove dead skin cells, oils and blemishes from the face.
If you have sensitive skin, avoid over-drying or irritating your face. Apples and tomatoes are generally milder in effect than citrus fruits, while papaya is considered quite strong.
If you have very sensitive skin, plain unflavored yogurt can work wonders. It contains lactic acid, which is gentler than citric acid, and is also an excellent moisturizer.
Cucumber cleanses and soothes skin.
Astringents work to tighten and firm the skin, closing pores to leave the skin looking younger, brighter and healthier. Mint is a common household product that has astringent properties, as is cucumber.
Chamomile, often found in teas, is a mild astringent and is used in some recipes to help reduce puffiness or swelling. Aloe vera, which is commonly used in the healing of minor wounds, is another astringent used in homemade facial peels. And you don't need to wait until Halloween to use pumpkin, which is rich in antioxidants and enzymes that act like alpha-hydroxy acids.
Honey has antibacterial properties.
Consider adding ingredients with antibacterial or antimicrobial properties to homemade facial peels to help fend off harmful organisms after you've essentially stripped your face of what would normally be its first line of defense.
Honey has proven antibacterial properties, and when mixed with yogurt makes for a very mild facial peel. Tea tree oil, which is also an astringent, has proven antibacterial properties.
The most surprising antibacterial used as a home facial peel ingredient may be cinnamon. Take care to avoid the eyes and mucous membranes when using cinnamon, as it may cause severe irritation.
Avocados are often used as a moisturizer.
The final component in most homemade facial peels is some form of moisturizer or skin soother. Plain yogurt, aloe vera gel, olive oil and avocado are easy to obtain, hydrate the skin in homemade facial peeling recipes and act as an agent to mix the other ingredients into before applying them to your face.
Jojoba oil is less common, but more effective, than the other natural moisturizers. Jojoba mimics the natural oils of the skin, and is readily absorbed into the body without any feeling of greasiness.
