There’s so much to love to about the winter. The amazing coat and boot fashion, the festive drink and food… sigh. However it does tend to wreak havoc on your skin. And if you’re anything like us, you’re probably dealing with greasy, ashy, or scaly skin all the same time. Don’t worry because it’s nothing a little TLC and body scrubbing can’t fix.
Body scrubs are great – they help with exfoliating while nourishing the new skin beneath, leaving you soft and glowing all over. You better believe that some of the best ingredients for body scrubs can be found in your kitchen. And you can be assured that these are all 100% natural and quite literally, good enough to eat.
Below are a few ideas for yummy and totally inexpensive DIY scrubs you can make at home:
1. Antioxidant Coffee and Coconut Oil Body Scrub
The caffeine in the scrub will help reduce cellulite and will leave your skin feeling firm and smooth. Coffee and coconut oil are rich in antioxidants, which are very beneficial for the skin. Plus the coffee aroma is oh so energising!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup ground organic coffee
- 1 cup organic sugar or salt
- 1/2 Cup organic coconut oil
- 1/2 Tablespoon cinnamon (optional)
- 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions: Melt the coconut oil and allow it to cool but not solidify. Then mix all ingredients together and store in an airtight container or mason jar. Use this scrub in the bath 1-2 times a week or every day if you like.
2. Citrus Morning Scrub
The lemon and grapefruit in this scrub mix will refresh and rejuvinate and the grapeseed/olive oil will leave your skin feeling silky and moisturised. Please note: If you’re pregnant or taking prescription medications, please consult your physician before using essential oils as citrus can sometimes cause possible skin sensitivity, especially when exposed to sunlight.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup fine sea salt
- 1/2 cup grapeseed or olive oil
- 15-20 drops of citrus essential oils like lemon, grapefruit, lime and orange
Instructions: In a bowl or jar, mix together the salt and grapeseed oil. Add in the essential oils and mix well. Transfer to a jar for storing or gifting. As you use this scrub, the oil and salt may separate. Just give it a quick stir before using it and you’re good to go!
3. Basic Salt and Honey Scrub
It is the perfect solution to dry, flaky skin and will leave your skin feeling silky smooth and moisturized all day long. You can use your favorite essential oil – like bergamot, lavender, and ginger – to make this even more fabulous!
Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1 cup salt
- 5-6 drops essential oil
Instructions: Whisk together honey & olive oil. Slowly mix in the salt. Add the essential oil of your choice and mix well. Spoon mixture into wide mouth mason jar or container and store to use till your next shower!
4. Mediterranean Olive Oil Scrub
Once again the olive oil in this scrub will leave your skin feeling dewy soft while the salt and sugar will perfectly exfoliate your skin.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup of sea salt
- 1/2 cup of brown sugar (like muscovado or demerara)
- 1/4 cup of olive oil
- a couple drops of orange essential oil
Instructions: Blend all the ingredients together, and then rub over damp skin in the shower. Rinse thoroughly. You shouldn’t need to moisturize afterwards, since the olive oil will leave your skin dewy-soft.
5. Vanilla Chai Sugar Scrub
Chai really tastes better when there’s a nip in the air. It’s also a staple in most households. Plus the honey and coconut oil will do wonders for your dry skin. Use this yummy, edible and moisturising concoction to treat yourself to an indulgent bath.
Ingredients:
- contents of 5 chai tea bags or 5 teaspoons of chai mix
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup white granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 6 tablespoons coconut oil (room temp)
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract OR 12-15 drops vanilla essential oil
Instructions:
Cut open tea bags and empty into a medium sized bowl. Add sugars and cinnamon and mix well. Add vanilla, honey, and coconut oil. Mash coconut oil in with a fork and stir until all ingredients are thoroughly mixed. Transfer to jar, seal, and label. Shelf life is about one year. Apply after cleansing in the shower. Rub sugar scrub gently on whole body in a circular motion to slough off dead skin cells, boost circulation, and moisturize. Rinse. Pat skin dry with towel. (If you’re using this on your face, be sure to avoid rubbing vigorously, and don’t use it everyday. Once or twice a week is more than enough.)
6. Gingerbread Sugar Scrub
Take this scrub with you into the bath as you’re getting ready for your next Christmas party and we promise you’re going to get an extra dose of free hugs. Your friends will find it hard to resist the aromas of the warm spices from this and you’ll have a special winter glow when you try this one. We promise!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup coconut oil
- ¼ cup almond oil
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp all spice
- ½ tsp ginger
- ½ tsp nutmeg
Instructions: In a medium sized bowl combine all ingredients except oil. Gradually add coconut & almond oil until scrub reaches desired consistency (you may use more or less of stated amount). Scoop Gingerbread Scrub into a mason jar. To make this a perfect holiday gift, tie a bow around the lid and click here for printable sticker labels to use on the front of the jar.
7. Uplifting Lemon Mint Sugar Scrub
The sugar and lemon juice and zest gently sloughs off dry skin, the coconut oil moisturizes and lemon and peppermint provide a mood boost during the dreary winters.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon of lemon juicee
- zest from 1/2 lemon
- 5 drops of Peppermint Essential Oil and
- 5 drops of Lemon Essential Oil.
Instructions: Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl. And it’s pretty much ready to use. Apply after cleansing in the shower. Rub this scrub gently on whole body in a circular motion to slough off dead skin cells, boost circulation, and moisturize. Rinse. Pat skin dry with towel.
As we’ve mentioned in scrub no. 6, all these scrubs work well as perfect holiday gifts too. Feel free to mix and match with aromas and flavours as well. Just be sure not to over-exfoliate this season.
Tell us which one you’re going to try for a quick r & r by commenting below!