Self Care Part 5 - Body Scrubs

This week we are going to dive into Body Scrubs!

One of the first things I ever made was a body scrub! It was made out of coffee grounds, vanilla aboolute oil, and coconut oil. I made four of them. Gifted one each to my Chemistry teacher, my auntie, and my best friend. Looking back, I should have asked my chemistry teacher for an introduction to body scrubs!

So let's start with the reasons for body scrubs:

1. Exfoliation: Body scrubs remove dead skin cells, leaving your skin feeling smoother and looking more radiant. This exfoliation can help improve the texture of your skin.

2. Improved Circulation: Massaging a body scrub into your skin stimulates blood flow, which can help your skin look healthier and more vibrant.

3. Deep Cleansing: Scrubs can help unclog pores and remove impurities, reducing the risk of breakouts and improving overall skin health.

4. Reduced Ingrown Hairs: Exfoliating with a body scrub can help prevent ingrown hairs, particularly in areas like the legs and bikini line.

5. Even Skin Tone: Regular exfoliation can help even out your skin tone and reduce the appearance of dark spots or hyperpigmentation.

6. Enhanced Skin Absorption: Exfoliating before applying moisturizers or other skin care products can help them penetrate more effectively, maximizing their benefits.

7. Stress Reduction: The massaging action involved in applying a body scrub can be relaxing and stress-reducing, contributing to overall well-being.

8. Soothing and Relaxation: Many body scrubs include calming scents like lavender or eucalyptus, which can create a spa-like experience and promote relaxation.

9. Hydration: Some body scrubs include moisturizing ingredients, like oils, that can help hydrate the skin as they exfoliate, leaving your skin soft and supple.

10. Invigorating Scent: The aromas of essential oils in body scrubs can provide an invigorating and mood-enhancing experience.

11. Cost-Effective Spa Experience: Using at-home body scrubs allows you to enjoy spa-like treatments without the cost of professional spa services.

12. Customization: You can create your own DIY body scrubs, tailoring the ingredients to suit your preferences and skin needs.

As mentioned when we talked about face masks: These recipes below are meant to be made and used right away. They do not contain any preservatives; they are not meant to be stored long term or used more than once. Once you've dipped your fingers in there, you have quite possibly introduced bacteria into your scrub and any length of time after this can become a breeding ground for yuckies. To minimize waste, you can cut these recipes in half or you can make and gift immediately to a friend to be used right away also.

Some quick housekeeping:
Please clean and disinfect all of your tools and counters before you begin. Always use clean hands to apply your creations, and ensure your prep area is clean and free of pets.


1. Sugar and Olive Oil Scrub:

• Mix 1/2 cup of granulated sugar with 1/4 cup of olive oil.
• Optionally, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil for fragrance.
• Gently massage the mixture onto your skin in circular motions, then rinse off in the shower.

2. Coffee Grounds Scrub:

• Use used coffee grounds from your morning coffee.
• Mix the coffee grounds with a bit of coconut oil to create a scrub.
• Apply it to your skin and exfoliate gently, then rinse in the shower. Coffee grounds can help invigorate the skin and reduce the appearance of cellulite.

3. Honey and Brown Sugar Scrub:

• Mix 1/2 cup of brown sugar with 2 tablespoons of honey.
• Optionally, add a squeeze of lemon juice for a refreshing twist.
• Apply and gently massage onto your skin, then rinse off. Honey is moisturizing and soothing, while brown sugar provides gentle exfoliation.

4. Oatmeal and Yogurt Scrub:

• Blend 1/2 cup of oats into a fine powder.
• Mix the powdered oats with plain yogurt to form a paste.
• Apply the paste to your skin and gently exfoliate, then rinse in the shower. This is a soothing and moisturizing scrub.

5. Sea Salt and Coconut Oil Scrub:

• Mix 1/2 cup of sea salt with 1/4 cup of melted coconut oil.
• Optionally, add a few drops of essential oil for fragrance.
• Apply the scrub to your skin, gently massage, and rinse in the shower. Sea salt provides a coarser exfoliation.

6. Lemon and Sugar Scrub:

• Mix 1/2 cup of granulated sugar with the juice of half a lemon.
• Apply the mixture to your skin and gently scrub, then rinse in the shower. Lemon juice can brighten the skin.

7. Almond and Honey Scrub:

• Grind 1/4 cup of almonds into a fine powder.
• Mix the almond powder with 2 tablespoons of honey.
• Apply to your skin and exfoliate gently, then rinse off. Almonds can provide a gentle exfoliation.
  
  All recipes are at your own risk to try, being mindful of allergies or skin irritations which may occur. You can always do a patch test too to test sensitivity.