Even though spring was slow to arrive this year, I bet you’re as happy as I am to finally trade in your bulky winter wardrobe for a lighter one. But not so fast, before you change into your tank tops and shorts, be sure your skin is ready for a little exposure.
Never mind those store-bought, toxic-filled cosmetic products; you can exfoliate, cleanse and moisturize your skin with an all-natural, homemade body scrub. The largest organ of your body will thank you for pampering it with healthy, organic ingredients– as it’s capable of absorbing anything you lather on.
Benefits of Salt and Sugar Scrubs
I’ve heard a lot of praises for body scrubs, but I wasn’t sure which to choose: sugar or salt. I did a little searching in the blogosphere and want to share with you some of the recipes and tips I found.
Some benefits of sugar scrubs are: softer on your skin so they are best for those with sensitive skin, dissolve quickly in warm water, can be used on the face and neck and natural humectant properties which help to moisturize your beautiful epidermis. Brown, white or cane sugar can be used in most homemade recipes.
Some benefits of salt scrubs are: coarser on skin so it’s best used to exfoliate rough, dry areas like feet and/or knees, relieves muscle aches and pains, helpful in removing toxins and other impurities from your skin, absorbs excess oil and last longer than sugar scrubs if kept in a cool, dry place. Sea salt or Epsom salts can be used in these scrubs.
Once you’ve decided on your skincare needs, you are ready to make your own scrubs!
Tips for Making, Using and Storing Your Scrubs
Attention: If you’ve never applied a sugar or salt scrub to your skin before, it’s best to test a small area before rubbing it all over. If you feel any discomfort, please don’t continue with these skincare remedies.
Most skincare products, including the ones in stores, are made up of three basic parts: an exfoliant, oil and fragrance. Exfoliants are pretty much anything with a gritty texture, like sugar or salt. Oatmeal, coffee, cornmeal, brans and nut shells also are popular choices because they too scrub away dead skin cells to give you a youthful, radiant glow.
Now you are ready to choose your oil; the ingredient which ties everything together. While there’s an array of all-natural oils to choose from, it’s most important to choose one with a thin consistency to avoid leaving a greasy residue in your shower or tub.
Lastly, you may want to add essential oils to your scrub(s) for a more refreshing experience. Chamomile and aloe are best for treating sensitive skin, while rosemary or sage oils are great for countering wrinkles. You are sure to find the perfect combination for your skin type at this essential oil care webpage.
Here are a more few tips to keep in mind:
- It only takes one scrub a week to notice a big difference in the softness and smoothness of your skin.
- Most scrubs are best used in the shower or right before a shower.
- Gently apply your scrub with your fingertips in a circular motion. Be careful not to scrub too hard as to avoid blotchiness or redness on your skin.
- Sugar scrubs have a shorter shelf-life than those with salt so keep them away from water or other forms of bacteria. If you make up a big batch, you can give some to a friend as a gift.
What’s your favorite springtime skincare routine? If you’ve tried a homemade scrub, we’d love to hear from you. Happy Spring Scrubbing!!!
Image credits: debcll via photopin cc; FoundryParkInn via photopin cc
Amanda@best antibacterial soap
Thanks for sharing… Homemade body scrub means you no longer have to wonder about the contents of the products. At the same time you can pronounce the name of every ingredient in recipes 😉