Homemade Salt and Brown Sugar Scrub
Scrub-a-dub-dub. During summer when you bare more skin than usual, exfoliation is a must. I love pampering myself in the bath as much as any girl. But I hate forking out big bucks for those high-end salt and sugar scrubs.
I've seen scrubs sell for as little as $6 in drugstores and for as much as $40 in department stores. I make my own bath scrub for ... get this ... about $1. It smells just as good if not better than the overpriced, mass-produced versions, and it works just as well. In addition, it contains no animal ingredients, no nasty chemicals and no artifical colorings. Plus, it's tested on humans – namely on me – and not on animals.
My upcoming cookbook includes a goof-proof bath scrub "recipe" with exact amounts, but to tide you over, here are some pointers for improvisation. Try making your own and let me know how you like it.
- First, choose your scrub base. You can use table salt, coarse salt, white sugar, brown sugar, coarse sugar, finely ground almonds or other nuts, or any combination of the above. If your skin is very dry, skip the salt, and if your skin is oily, use 100% salt. [Be forewarned: if you have any cuts, the salt will burn!] Unless you're made of money, I strongly suggest that you repress your urge to use Pink Himalayan or Black Hawaiian finishing salts in your scrub. Fill a plastic container about 3/4 to the top with your base.
- Add enough oil to moisten your base. You can use olive oil [not extra-virgin], coconut oil, jojoba oil, almond oil, vitamin E oil, or any combination. Mix well to ensure that all of the scrub is lightly moistened.
- Perfume your scrub. You can use a few teaspoons of vanilla, almond, coconut, lemon, peppermint or orange extract. Or add your favorite essential oil(s), a few drops at a time, until the scent pleases your nose. My favorite oils include tea tree, lavender, rose and sandalwood. Don't be afraid to try different combinations. Mix well. Cover tightly. This scrub should keep at room temperature for a few months.
- To use: In the shower, wet your skin. Scoop out some scrub and gently rub it into your skin in a circular motion. Use a bit more on problem areas. Rinse well. And don't forget to rinse the tub with hot water when you're done to wash away any oily residue.
