A body scrub it’s a popular way to cleanse skin, and there are plenty of store-bought varieties to choose from. Or, you can make your own homemade body scrub with ingredients you already have in your pantry.
What are the benefits of body scrubs?
Exfoliating with a body scrub or other types of products, such as a brush or loofah, can help improve the health and appearance of your skin in a number of ways.
Related news
Exfoliation can leave skin looking brighter because it removes the top layer of dead skin cells.
It can also stimulate collagen production, which can help your skin stay firm and radiant.
Another benefit of exfoliation is that it can improve the effectiveness of topical treatments. If you exfoliate your skin before applying a cream, for example, the cream will be able to penetrate deeper instead of sitting on the surface.
Plus, massaging your skin with a body scrub can also be a wonderful way to relax and feel calmer, especially if you’re under stress.
How often should a body scrub be used?
It is best not to use a body scrub on your skin every day. Over-exfoliating your skin can leave it dry, sensitive, and irritated.
Generally, it’s safe to exfoliate your skin two to three times a week. If your skin is dry and sensitive, you may want to exfoliate just once a week.
If you have a skin condition or are unsure how often to exfoliate your skin, talk to a dermatologist.
It’s usually easiest to apply a body scrub in the shower or bath. Gently massage the scrub into your skin in circular motions and rinse well with lukewarm water.
What do you need to make a homemade body scrub?
To make a homemade body scrub, have the following items on hand:
- mixing spoons
- mixing bowl
- measuring spoons or cups
- a carrier or base oil, such as coconut oil, jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, almond oil, or olive oil
- sealed container to store the scrub
- a few drops of your favorite essential oils, if desired
Once you have those items, you can mix the oils with the granules of your choice, like salt or sugar. You can also add other ingredients that may benefit your skin, such as honey or green tea, as described in the recipes below.
With homemade body scrubs, it’s important to get the consistency right. You don’t want it to be too runny, which can make it difficult to pick up in your hands, but you also don’t want it to be too thick.
Here are some of the most popular types of DIY body scrubs that are good for your skin and easy to make.
coffee scrub
There is some scientific evidence that caffeine can help reduce the appearance of cellulite.
A 2011 study tested a cream containing caffeine and other ingredients on 78 participants. The study found that after 12 weeks of use, participants who used the cream saw a significant decrease in the appearance of their cellulite.
Coffee remains a popular ingredient for many homemade body scrubs. The tiny granules are gentle on the skin, while remaining effective at removing dead cells from the skin’s surface.
Ingredients
1/2 cup coffee grounds (Coffee grounds are the waste product of brewing coffee.)
2 tbsp. Hot water
1 tablespoon. coconut oil, heated
Preparation
Add the coffee grounds and hot water to a mixing bowl. Mix well with a spoon.
Add the coconut oil. If necessary, add more ground coffee or oil to get the right consistency.
When you’re OK with the consistency, pour the mixture into a bowl.
brown sugar scrub
Brown sugar is an inexpensive and accessible ingredient that also does a great job of exfoliating the skin.
Brown sugar is gentler on the skin than sea salt. This makes it an ideal ingredient for sensitive skin. Sugar granules can make your skin feel sticky, so be sure to rinse well after exfoliating.
Ingredients
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup oil of your choice, such as coconut, jojoba, olive, almond, or grapeseed
essential oils (optional)
Preparation
Combine the brown sugar and oil in a bowl.
Mix well. If necessary, add more sugar or oil to get the right consistency.
If you like, add a drop or two of your favorite essential oil and stir it into the mixture.
When you are OK with the consistency and fragrance of your scrub, place it in a container.
sea salt scrub
Salt has antibacterial properties that can be helpful for some skin conditions. Salt is also a preservative, so the sea salt scrub will be able to preserve naturally.
Use ground sea salt, as coarse sea salt can be too harsh on your skin. Sea salt scrubs can be too abrasive for sensitive skin. Also, be careful if you have a cut on your skin as the salt can sting.
Since salt is fragrance-free, you may want to add your favorite essential oils to this homemade salt scrub.
Ingredients
1/2 cup sea salt
1/2 cup oil of your choice
essential oils (optional)
Preparation
Combine the sea salt and oil in a bowl.
Mix well. If necessary, add more salt or oil to get the right consistency.
If desired, add a drop or two of essential oil and stir it into the mixture.
They check the consistency and fragrance of your scrub, put it in a container.
Green Tea Sugar Scrub
Rich in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, green tea can benefit your skin in a number of ways.
Also, cosmetics containing green tea can reduce skin damage caused by the sun.
Green tea can easily be added to a homemade body scrub along with other nourishing ingredients.
Ingredients
2 green tea bags
1/2 cup hot water
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup melted coconut oil
Preparation
Add the tea bags to the hot water. Let the tea steep until it cools.
While the tea cools, add brown sugar to a bowl.
Add coconut oil and mix well with the sugar.
Once the tea has cooled, add it to the sugar mixture. It is important that the tea is cold so that the sugar does not dissolve.
If the mixture is too thick, add more coconut oil. If it’s too smooth, add more brown sugar.
When you have reached the desired consistency, place your scrub in a container.
honey and sugar scrub
Honey has antibacterial properties. And it also has antioxidant and antimicrobial properties that can help in a variety of skin conditions.
Honey can not only help repair skin tissue and protect against UV damage, but it can also help kill germs.
Honey can be easily combined with granules and oil to make a skin-nourishing body scrub. After massaging your skin with the scrub, be sure to rinse your skin thoroughly to prevent stickiness.
Ingredients
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup melted coconut oil
2 tablespoons of honey
Preparation
Add brown sugar, coconut oil, and honey to a mixing bowl.
Mix the ingredients well and add more coconut oil if it is very consistent.
Once you’ve reached your desired consistency, place the scrub in a container.
These homemade scrubs should only be used on the body, not in the face. The skin on your face is more sensitive than the skin on the rest of your body.
Avoid exfoliating skin that is:
- burned by the sun
- cracked or broken
- red or swollen
- recovering from a chemical peel
If you want to add essential oils to your body scrub, first do a patch test with the diluted oil on your skin to make sure you are not allergic or allergic to the oil.
If you have sensitive or very dry skin, talk to your doctor or dermatologist to find out if exfoliation with a body scrub is right for you.