5 DIY Body Scrubs to Keep Your Skin Vibrant and Healthy

Body scrubs are popular because they offer a most effective way to exfoliate your skin. Exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells from the surface of your skin using a chemical, granular substance, or exfoliation tool.

 

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, your skin naturally sheds dead skin cells every 30 days or so to make room for new cells. Sometimes, dead cells don’t shed completely, resulting in dry, flaky patches and clogged pores. Exfoliating can help prevent this, keeping your skin looking vibrant and healthy.

While there are plenty of pricey body scrubs to choose from, for just pennies you can make your own equally effective DIY Body Scrubs using ingredients you already have in your pantry.

How to use Body Scrub

After cleansing the skin, turn off the shower water. Scoop a small handful of salt scrub and rub in a circular motion all over your skin. Rinse with water. You can wash again if you desire, but you will enjoy the greatest benefit if you simply towel dry without soaping up again.

Used every time you take a shower, dry skin will be a distant memory. The body scrub helps to get rid of all those dead skin cells and then seals in the moisture with the oil.

• MORE: 6 Easy Spa Treatments You Can Do at Home to Pamper Yourself

How often to use Body Scrub

Generally, it is safe and healthy to exfoliate once or twice a week. More often could result in over-exfoliation, which can lead to dry, irritated, and sensitive skin. Once you use a Body Scrub regularly, you’ll discover your perfect regimen.

Homemade Body Scrub Recipes

Generally, to make body scrub you need:

• Oil. Olive oil, coconut oil, almond oil, baby oil, jojoba oil, or grapeseed oil
• Grains. Sea salt, Epsom salt, sugar, coffee grounds
• Optional fragrance. A few drops of your favorite essential or aromatherapy oil are optional to add a subtle fragrance.
• Sealed container. Because you’ll be using the scrub in the shower, it’s wise to consider a non-glass option to store your body scrub.

 

Sugar Scrub

Granulated sugar (white or brown) is an inexpensive ingredient that works well in body scrub for sensitive skin. Sugar is gentler on the skin than salt.

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup oil
• essential oil (optional)

Combine sugar and oil in a bowl and mix thoroughly. Add additional oil or sugar as needed to achieve your ideal consistency. If desired, add one or two drops of your favorite essential oil. Spoon your scrub into a container, apply the lid, and label clearly.

Salt Scrub

• 1/2 cup Epsom salt OR Sea salt
• 1/2 cup oil
• essential oil (optional)

Combine salt and oil in a bowl and mix thoroughly. Add additional oil or sugar as needed to achieve your ideal consistency. If desired, add one or two drops of your favorite essential oil. Spoon your scrub into a container, apply the lid, and label clearly.

Green Tea Sugar Scrub

• 2 tea bags green tea
• 1/2 cup hot water
• 1 cup white or brown sugar
• 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted

Add tea bags to hot water and allow to steep until cool. In the meantime, place sugar in a bowl mix together the sugar and coconut oil.

Once the tea has cooled, add it to the sugar mix. It’s important that the tea is cool so the sugar does not dissolve. Add additional oil or sugar as needed to achieve your ideal consistency.

When you’ve reached the desired consistency, spoon your scrub into a container, apply the lid, and label clearly.

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Honey Sugar Scrub

• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
• 2 tablespoons honey

Add brown sugar, coconut oil, and honey to a mixing bowl. Mix the ingredients thoroughly, and add more coconut oil or sugar to achieve your ideal consistency. Spoon the scrub into a container, apply the lid, and label clearly.

Coffee Scrub

• 1/2 cup regular coffee grounds (used or unused)
• 2 tablespoons hot water
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil, warmed

Add the coffee grounds and hot water to a mixing bowl. Mix thoroughly with a spoon. Add the coconut oil. If needed, add more coffee grounds or more oil to get the consistency right.

Spoon the body scrub coffee into a container, apply the lid, and label clearly.

Updated! 11-16-20

 

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