Sugar, spice and all things nice! 5 body scrubs you can make at home

Body scrubs are a simple beauty recipe with countless variations, and are incredibly beneficial to the skin. However, they can be quite expensive if bought from a store or spa. Luckily, they are very easy to make with ingredients you probably already have. Scrubs can be used on the face, body and feet for silky skin. You can add endless ingredients for your desired outcome, and they take under 10 minutes to make.

Facts about body scrubs:

- They remove the dead layer of cells on your skin’s surface, revealing the younger cells beneath and leaving skin feeling soft and smooth.
- The natural oils moisturize and feed the skin.
- The essential oils contain aromatherapy properties. You can combine the scented oils for different purposes, whether to relax, soothe or energize the skin, or simply because of the scent.

Benefits of using homemade scrubs:

- They are are easy to make and very budget-friendly.
- They are very effective in helping to rejuvenate and smoothing skin.
- They help clean out pores

All body scrubs, even the ones in store, contain just three primary ingredients:

1. Exfoliator

Sugar

Sugar feels gentler on the skin than salt. You can use brown or white, but organic brown is more beneficial to the skin and smells great with vanilla essential oil.

Salt

Epsom salt is an incredible skin-care product. It is a natural mineral composed of magnesium sulfide, which is readily absorbed by the skin. It naturally softens skin, sloughs away dead cells, reduces inflammation and relaxes muscles. Celebrities such as Jennifer Lawrence are known for soaking in Epsom salt baths before award shows because they reduce water retention and bloating.

Ground coffee

Ground coffee is used in many body scrubs. Caffeine causes blood vessels to constrict, so it can temporarily reduce varicose veins and rosacea. Caffeine also tackles cellulite and smells divine.

2. Oil

Oil is essential when making a body scrub because it holds the mixture together and moisturizes your skin. These are some of the most popular oils used in scrubs:

Coconut oil

Coconut oil is widely seen as the ultimate beauty ingredient for skin and hair. It is packed with vitamin E, which is essential for healthy skin growth, repair, smoothing and protection against cracking. Since it has good antioxidant properties, it prevents premature aging and skin-wrinkling. Its also rich in proteins, which keeps the skin rejuvenated, and speeds up scar-healing.

Olive oil

Olive oil works as a gentle moisturizer, especially for those with sensitive skin. It relieves discomfort and irritation, leaving the skin smooth and silky.

Grape seed oil

Grape seed oil is used by some of the most respected skincare brands, such as Caudalie. It contains linoleic acid, which treats acne and inflammation. It has a faint sweet odor, the consistency is thin and lightweight, it is easy to wash off, and will not leave your skin feeling too greasy.

3. Scent

The easiest way to scent your homemade body scrub is with essential oils. Here are some essential oil combinations for different skin types:

Normal skin: Lavender, geranium, ylang-ylang

Oily skin: Sandalwood, lemon, lavender

Dry skin: Sandalwood, geranium, rose

Acne skin: Lemon, cypress, lavender

Sensitive skin: Camomile, rose, neroli

Dehydrated skin: Rose, sandalwood, patchouli

Body scrub recipes

These are some of my favorite homemade body scrubs. They are easy to make (simply mix all ingredients in a jar) and extremely effective.

Anti-cellulite scrub

One cup ground coffee, half cup coconut oil, four drops vanilla essential oil

Hydrating scrub

One cup brown sugar, quarter cup olive oil, eight drops cucumber essential oil

Glowy skin

One cup Epsom salt, half cup coconut oil, 10 drops orange essential oil

Smooth legs

One cup Epsom salt, half cup grape seed oil, seven drops orange essential oil

Antioxidant scrub

1.5 cups brown sugar, one cup coconut oil, five drops camomile essential oil