Nature has presented tremendous beautiful gifts for the skincare industry. One of those invaluable inheritance is neem. Neem is botanically originated from the Azadirachta indica tree. Every part of this tree is a boon for our skin health. Neem extract offers a wide range of benefits and its power is combined within a regular face scrub then it would be a marvelous product for the exfoliation.

Understanding how neem works for your skin

Neem has a complex composition with the presence of a large number of active phytochemicals within it. Bioactives like azadirachtin and nimbidin present in the neem extract majorly contribute to its benefits for the skin. The extract of neem has important beneficial properties. Some of them are as follows:

Anti-microbial effect

Neem extract has anti-microbial properties which are highly effective against Cutibacterium acnes. This bacteria is one of the main reasons behind persistent acne on the skin. Using neem based face scrub would allow it to eradicate any possible microbial infection after exfoliation.

Oil-Control

The astringent action of neem allows the skin to feel moist-free and removes any excess sebum which may be present on the skin surface. It helps in the regulation of the oil production within the sebaceous glands and helps in making skin feel fresh, dry and non-sticky. It is a boon for those who suffer from oily and acne prone skin. This would also prevent any comedones to develop in the pores of your skin. 

Anti-oxidant

It neutralizes the free radicals which make skin look dull, aged and lifeless by oxidizing the skin cells. Neem extract would also aid in skincare routine as it prevents premature aging of the skin. 

Anti-inflammatory

The neem extract has several phytochemicals which inhibit the inflammatory mediators from acting up and reduce the unlikely common after effects of exfoliation such as swelling, irritation, redness, itchiness or burning pain.
Anti-hyperpigmentation

It regulates melanin production in the skin in the region of dark spots, hyperpigmentation, skin discoloration, etc. by the mechanism of enzyme inhibition of tyrosinase. This aids in fading of the dark spots. 

Things to avoid while using a neem based face scrub

1. Do not use a face scrub too frequently or in excessive amounts as it may strip off the natural oils from the skin leaving it unmoisturized, dry and flaky. Use it only once or twice a week. 
2. Try to look for combined formulations which are designed for various skin types where neem  is present  in combinations with some soothing and hydrating ingredients like cucumber, aloe vera etc. as it would aid in the management of irritation and dryness post exfoliation. 
3. You must do a patch test before use in order to prevent any unlikely event of allergic or hypersensitivity reaction. 
4. If you have sensitive skin, then you should be careful about the ingredients. Try to avoid parabens, sulphates and other harsh additives which may be present in the formulation.
5. Do not scrub your delicate skin or face too vigorously. Let it be a calming and relaxing exfoliation and deep cleansing gentle massage experience.
6. You should avoid going out bare faced just after exfoliation because your skin becomes more sensitive and vulnerable to dust accumulation and UV damage from the sun. Prefer a night time routine or you can also follow up with a broad spectrum sunscreen or a hydrating protective moisturizer after exfoliation. 
7. If any skin disorder like eczema or xerosis persists then you should look for options which have more hydrating and creamy formulations.  

Consult a dermatologist for an in-depth analysis of your skin and learn about what skincare regimen is best suited for you. 

How to effectively use a neem face scrub for your skin health?

The most common mistake you might be doing with your exfoliation routine could be putting the neem face scrub directly onto your dry face. You need to wash your face first with lukewarm water. 

Then take a small amount of face scrub on your fingertips for seamless application and gently massage your face for one to two minutes in circular motions with focus on the T-zone of the face. Wash your face afterwards and rinse off all the residues and impurities from your skin. Pat your skin dry using a soft towel for a clear smooth skin. Later, give your skin some time to rest and calm so as to heal back the skin’s natural protective barrier.  

Conclusion

Neem is a wonderful gift from nature to detox our impurities from the skin such as excess oil, comedones, acne, etc. It also prevents irritation, redness and rebound acne. Incorporating it into our skincare ritual as a face scrub would be a great option for those who are looking out for gentle yet effective exfoliating scrub for oily and acne prone skin.