So the holiday season is over and you’re tired, wan, and your skin feels like an alligator’s from the cold weather. On top of which, no one gave you anything to make your skin happy! Insert your unhappy face here…
In about 10 minutes you can make yourself a lovely scrub that will leave you feeling rejuvenated and your skin soft and happy. It’s easy to make with ingredients you most likely already have in the kitchen, except for the essential oils (unless you’re like me, and the essential oils are in a cupboard right there).
Here’s what you need (more about the ingredients below) and what you do:
-Organic sugar or evaporated sugar cane crystals
or Sea salt or other natural salt of your choice
-Organic oil—olive, almond, sesame, or other oil of your choice, preferably infused with a skin-loving herb (e.g., calendula)
-Essential oils (optional)
-Clean, dry jar
SuperFacial Sugar Scrub
½ C. sugar, plus a little more
¼ C. oil of your choice
Essential oil/s of your choice—32 to 40 drops
Mix sugar and oil together. If you don’t like the texture—too soupy or too hard, add a little more sugar or oil until it’s the texture you like. If you want scent, add the essential oils you like. You can use more than one essential oil for scent, but the total number of drops should be 32 to 40 to begin with. You can add more if you want the scent to be stronger.
Put your scrub in a clean, dry jar and label it. You’re all set to go! (Your scrub may separate; if so, just take a clean spoon and stir it back up.)
This makes a wonderful scrub for your face but can also be used for a body scrub!
Invigorating Salt Scrub
½ C. sea salt, plus a little more
¼ C. oil of your choice
Essential oil/s of your choice—32 to 40 drops
Mix salt and oil together. If you don’t like the texture—too soupy or too hard, add a little more salt or oil until it’s the texture you like. If you want scent, add the essential oils you like. You can use more than one essential oil for scent, but the total number of drops should be 32 to 40 to begin with. You can add more if you want the scent to be stronger.
Put your scrub in a clean, dry jar and label it. You’re all set to go! (Your scrub may separate; if so, just take a clean spoon and stir it back up.)
This makes a fabulous scrub for your whole body and all the rough places that need smoothing out!
Sugar and Salt Scrub
¼ C. sugar
¼ C. sea salt, plus a little more
¼ C. oil of your choice
Essential oil/s of your choice—32 to 40 drops
Mix sugar and salt together, then add and mix in the oil. If you don’t like the texture—too soupy or too hard, add a little more salt or oil until it’s the texture you like. If you want scent, add the essential oils you like. You can use more than one essential oil for scent, but the total number of drops should be 32 to 40 to begin with. You can add more if you want the scent to be stronger.
Put your scrub in a clean, dry jar and label it. You’re all set to go! (Your scrub may separate; if so, just take a clean spoon and stir it back up.)
This makes a terrific combo scrub for your whole body and all the rough places that need smoothing out!
Why Use These Ingredients
There are good reasons for using the ingredients in this simple but effective recipe. Sugar and salt both have an effect on the skin, and the oils we use for skin care are good for the skin.
Sugar is slightly acidic and can act like retinoic acid and help clear off dead skin cells and expose new skin. It can leave your face and skin feeling very fresh.
Sea salt is rich in minerals and helps remove dead skin cells and dirt when used as a scrub, as well as stimulating circulation. Be aware that it can burn broken skin.
Vegetable Oils—olive, almond, grapeseed, sesame, and more all have marvelous nutrients that can nourish and heal the skin in various ways, as well as help with hydration. It’s your choice as to which oil you choose. Olive oil tends to be heavier and the other oils mentioned tend to be lighter. Remember you won’t have it sitting on your skin for long. If you have oily skin or are prone to breakouts, avoid olive oil at least on your face.
Herbs that are good for the skin, such as calendula, chamomile, comfrey, and more, have nutrients that affect the skin and can help with soothing and healing. When you infuse them in oil, you get the benefits on your skin through the oil. Click here for an article on making an herbally-infused oil.
Essential oils make your product smell good and can have an effect on your skin and even your mood, depending on the oil. For example, lavender will be more soothing, peppermint more stimulating. It’s up to you to decide what pleases you and makes you feel good when you use your scrub.
I hope you have fun making a scrub or two for yourself! Let me know how it turns out in the comments section.