Use the Power of Pineapple for a Homemade Facial Scrub

By
Lambeth Hochwald
Lambeth Hochwald
Writer
  • Northwestern University
Lambeth Hochwald is a lifestyle writer and editor and an adjunct professor of journalism at NYU.
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Updated February 8, 2022
slices of pineapple spread around homemade pineapple facial scrub with sugar and honey

Treehugger / Allison Berler
Overview
  • Working Time: 5 - 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 - 30 minutes
  • Yield: 3 ounces
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $15-20

Name any store-bought facial mask or scrub and chances are that it's derived from natural ingredients like pineapple and sugar.

In fact, fresh pineapple is ideal for cleansing your skin and getting it super clean and soft, says Janice Cox, author of "Natural Beauty at Home."

Pineapple contains bromelain, a fruit enzyme that's known to be anti-inflammatory. The fruit also contains high amounts of alpha-hydroxy acids, which are purported to slow down the skin's aging process. Pineapple is also known for its high concentrations of vitamin A, B1, B6, C and minerals.

"In addition, pineapple helps make your complexion look younger and brighter," said Cox. "Often our skin can look dull and in need of a good exfoliating treatment."

Making a beauty treatment at home is way easier than you think, especially this pineapple face scrub that requires only a few ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.

What You'll Need

Equipment/Tools

  • Sharp knife
  • Bowl
  • Measuring cup and spoon

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh pineapple
  • 1 tbsp coconut oil
  • 1 tsp honey
  • 1/4 cup fine cane sugar

Instructions

  1. Cut the Pineapple

    Treehugger / Allison Berler

    Finely chop pineapple into very small pieces—the smaller the better. If you choose to use a blender, be careful not to go beyond a chunky consistency; you want the small pieces in your mask.

    Note that this recipe requires fresh pineapple. Canned pineapple doesn't have the live enzymes that give this facial scrub its gentle exfoliating power. Also, canned foods are often laden with BPAs that you would not want on your face.

  2. Mix Your Ingredients

    coconut oil, fresh pineapple, and sugar are mixed together in glass bowl for facial scrub

    Treehugger / Allison Berler

    Mix all of the ingredients together in a small bowl. This process is best done by hand.

    Your coconut oil should be a soft, solid consistency (room temperature), not melted.

  3. Apply and Massage

    side profile woman rubs diy pineapple facial scrub onto cheek in front of window

    Treehugger / Allison Berler

    Massage into damp skin and let sit for five minutes. Rinse well with warm water, then cool, and pat your skin dry.

    You can double this recipe and use this scrub all over your body before showering. Just be careful as the coconut oil can make things a bit slippery.

Variations

glass bowl of crushed pineapple to make a homemade facial scrub

Treehugger / Allison Berler

Pineapple can also be applied directly to your skin for a quick and easy treatment. The scrubbing power might not be the same, but you'll reap the benefits of this wonderful natural beauty ingredient.

If you're cutting up fruit to eat and have a couple of spare pieces, you can rub the pineapple on your face and allow the fruit juice to rest for a few minutes. Then, wash your face with warm water and moisturize.

If you're making a fruit smoothie, puree your pineapple by itself first and reserve a couple of tablespoons. You can apply this directly to your face and let it sit for 5 minutes while you finish your drink. Follow with a quick face wash and moisturizer.

Warning

If you have sensitive skin, use this scrub with caution as it may end up reddening your complexion.

Before using this treatment, make sure to do a patch test first on the inside of your arm to see how your skin reacts.

View Article Sources

  1. Pavan, Rajendra et al. “Properties and therapeutic application of bromelain: a review.” Biotechnology research international vol. 2012. doi:10.1155/2012/976203

  2. Mohd Ali, Maimunah et al. “Pineapple (Ananas comosus): A comprehensive review of nutritional values, volatile compounds, health benefits, and potential food products.” Food research international (Ottawa, Ont.) vol. 137, 2020. doi:10.1016/j.foodres.2020.109675

View Article Sources

  1. Pavan, Rajendra et al. “Properties and therapeutic application of bromelain: a review.” Biotechnology research international vol. 2012. doi:10.1155/2012/976203

  2. Mohd Ali, Maimunah et al. “Pineapple (Ananas comosus): A comprehensive review of nutritional values, volatile compounds, health benefits, and potential food products.” Food research international (Ottawa, Ont.) vol. 137, 2020. doi:10.1016/j.foodres.2020.109675