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What are Body Salt and Sugar Scrubs?
Most scrubs are simply made using products found right in your kitchen! The basis of most scrub recipes consist of: an oil and an exfoliant, with herbs and essential oils used to cleanse and exfoliate the skin, and relax muscles.
The basic recipe for the majority of scrubs out there is a 2:1 ratio of dry exfoliant to oils. Depending on the need of your skin type this ratio can be adjusted. For example, if your skin is dryer you may want to use a little more coconut or other carrier oil. If you have rough skin, you may want to use a little more exfoliant in the ratio.
Base Oil:
Coconut oil is the most common oil used, but olive oil, grape seed oil, and sweet almond oil are also used. I love using organic virgin coconut oil, mostly for the amazing health benefits.
Exfoliant:
Sugar and salt are most commonly used as an exfoliant, and while there are many types of sugars and salts, my opinion is that the bigger the granules are, the better it will rub on your skin. For example, I would recommend a coarsely ground sea salt over an iodized-finely ground table salt. However, I have also enjoyed learning of many more creative ingredients that can be used as the rough element in a scrub: oatmeal, coarsely ground coffee beans, rice, some seeds, veggies and fruits.
Dried Herbs and Flowers:
- Lavender -Most health food stores carry this, with comparable prices on Amazon due to their popularity.
- Rosemary -Check your kitchen spices! Or you can buy at any grocery store.
- Peppermint -Easy to grow, or you can forage for wild mint! You can also cut open a peppermint tea bag or purchase larger dried pieces at the grocery store or online.
- Rose Petals -You can pick your own wild roses and dry them or look for them at your local health food store, or buy online.
- Rosehips -These grow in abundance in the north, so we pick our own wild rosehips and dry them, but you can also purchase them online or check out your local health food store.
- Calendula -Easy to grow your own! Also available at health food stores or online.
- Chamomile -Look for these growing wild! Just be careful to select flowers that are not near roads or have been sprayed. You can also cut open a Chamomile tea bag, or buy the whole flowers at a health food store or online.
Other Commonly Used Essential Oils for Body Scrubs and Their Medicinal Uses:
- Peppermint: A great resource for opening up the sinuses and relieving headaches.
- Sandalwood: Calming and a relaxing scent.
- Lemon: A bright and refreshing scent that helps to even out the skin tone.
- Tea Tree: Aside from being used to treat lice and insect bites, Tea Tree oil is also known as an anti-fungal, and anti-septic and an anti-inflammatory.
- Eucalyptus: An antiseptic, anti-fungal, anti-viral, and anti-bacterial essential oil. Fights infection and promotes healing.
- Rosehip: Primarily used for treating eczema, acne and rashes. It has linoleic acid in it which shrinks pimples and reduces inflammation.
- Sweet Orange Oil: An anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, aides in digestion, but most known to act as a mood enhancer and relaxant.
- Geranium: Used to treat depression, balance hormones, improve circulation, and sleep aid to name a few.
- Carrot Seed Oil: An antioxidant, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial. Primarily used to treat skin infections and inflammations.
- Jasmine: Used to treat depression and anxiety, aides in balancing hormones and improving energy and sleep.
- Grapefruit: Treats acne and other skin infections. Mood enhancer and may also help with weight loss.
Other Skin Oils:
- Vitamin E Oil is one that I always add a few drops of into whatever skin care products I am making at the time. It is highly beneficial to the skin because of its moisturizing properties and it is also an antioxidant.
- Jojoba Oil is another all-around essential skin oil that is a great moisturizer and cleanser. It is also known to help with treating acne, psoriasis and eczema.
How to Make Rosemary Lavender Salt Scrub
Supplies Needed:
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup Sea Salt, coarsely ground
- 1/4 cup Organic Virgin Coconut Oil
- 1 tablespoon dried Rosemary
- 1 tablespoon dried Lavender (*Not shown in these post pictures)
- 10 drops Lavender Essential Oil
- 10 drops Rosemary Essential Oil
- 1/4 teaspoon Vitamin E Oil
Directions:
- Melt the Coconut oil in microwave or in a small pot on the stove.
- Mix in all the other ingredients.
- Let cool if the oil is still warm.
- Spoon into jar for storage.
Optional: Label and tie ribbon or twine around it for a cute DIY gift!
More Ideas for Natural Living:
Hi, I’m Jessie!
I’m a Wife and Homeschooling Mom living in a remote town in Northern Ontario, Canada. I love making wholesome meals for my family from scratch, homeschooling our girls and learning more about natural living.
Read more about my story HERE.
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A Relaxing Salt Scrub for Your Skin
Amount for 1x125ml glass jar
Ingredients
Directions
- Melt the Coconut oil in microwave or in a small pot on the stove.
- Mix in all the other ingredients.
- Let cool if the oil is still warm.
- Spoon into jar for storage. Optional: Label and tie ribbon or twine around it for a cute DIY gift!
Northbird 