Years ago, I attended my first ever Mary Kay party and absolutely fell for the microdermabrasion product. I loved the feel of those tiny granules in my palm and couldn't believe how smooth my skin felt afterward. Flash forward a few years to the present. In my efforts to live a more frugal and natural life, it's hard to justify the price tag for such beauty products. Luckily, I only have to look as far as the kitchen cabinet for a nice substitute for the Mary Kay product I loved.

Baking soda's texture is just abrasive enough to make it a great microdermabrasion alternative. I use it in the shower where I keep a small sour-cream-sized tub of baking soda. I suds up my face with my normal face wash and while it's still on, I dip my wet fingertips into the baking soda. It sticks, of course, and in just the right amount for one use. In a circular motion, I then buff away dead skin by adding the baking soda to the water and cleanser that are already on my skin. There's no need to scrub vigorously, just keep the granules moving for 30 seconds or so, and they'll have done their job. Rinse thoroughly (otherwise BS can be pretty drying), pat dry (when you get out of the shower) and follow by your favorite moisturizer.

Beauty treatments don't get much easier or cheaper than this! Give it a try, and I'll bet you'll fall for that smooth-skin feel, too.