The reasons to DIY your own body scrubs go WAY beyond cheap and easy. When you use an exfoliating body scrub, you're not just giving your skin a great smelling, silky smooth makeover; you're rubbing in vitamins and minerals that benefit your body in major ways. You know that grapefruit juice in your citrus scrub? It helps eliminate wrinkles. And what about the coffee grounds? They actually minimize the look of cellulite for a precious few hours. So yeah, you could say this mind-blowing info gave me the incentive to create some sweet scrubs that go far beyond exfoliating.
Start by raiding your fridge and pantry (or local market) for organic ingredients - yes, organic DOES make a difference - and I'll show you how to mix and mash 'em into five fabulously scrumptious scrubs.
BANANA SUGAR BODY SCRUB
This moisturizing, oil-free scrub helps reduce acne while giving your skin a youthful glow. Plus, it's packed with all sorts of vitamins and minerals to help keep your skin nice and tight!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Turbinado sugar
- 3 overly ripe bananas, sliced
In a medium bowl, mash the bananas (overly ripe bananas break down much easier) with a fork, and add the Turbinado sugar, and mix. And if you have any left over, you can use it as a tasty pancake topping - no joke!
GRAPEFRUIT-AVOCADO OIL FACE AND BODY SCRUB
Grapefruit brings its free-radical fighting powers to this scrub that helps equalize your skin tone and bust everything from blemishes to wrinkles. Best news: It's gentle enough to use on your face as well, and the mild avocado oil won't block your pores.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup organic cane sugar
- juice of 1/2 grapefruit, squeezed
- 3 tablespoons avocado oil
Juice half a grapefruit into a medium bowl, then add the sugar and avocado oil (AVOO if you think like Rachael Ray), then stir to combine. Remember: The more you stir, the more the sugar will dissolve, so use more of a folding motion if you want to keep those granules in tact!
LAVENDER-GRAPESEED OIL BODY SCRUB
Dried lavender exfoliates as it soothes the senses in this acne-fighting scrub. Sub sea salt for sugar to scrub away dead skin and other impurities. Lavender and sea salt are also perfect for those battling eczema.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup sea salt
- 2-3 sprigs dried lavender
- 2-6 drops lavender essential oil
- 1 cup grapeseed oil
Remove the lavender buds from the sprigs just like you would with herbs like thyme and rosemary, and add those to your sea salt in a medium bowl. Pour in the grapeseed oil and drops of lavender essential oil which will boost the calming aroma. Gently mix to combine.
COFFEE-COCONUT OIL BODY SCRUB
Coffee is the wonder ingredient in this antioxidant packed-scrub; it not only reinvigorates your senses, but it also lightens and brightens the skin AND temporarily minimizes cellulite. Can I get an Amen!? It's paired with creamy coconut oil, which is one of the most moisturizing natural ingredients around.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup Turbinado sugar
- 1/2 cup ground coffee
- 1 cup coconut oil
Coffee and sugar join forces outside the mug to make a scrub that's bound together by coconut oil. Don't even reach for the spoon with this mixture, just dig in and mix it up with your hands! Your natural body heat will melt the coconut oil perfectly. Plus, it's an excuse to get down and dirty ;-)
PUMPKIN-HONEY FACE AND BODY SCRUB
This super gentle scrub has hella restorative powers, from the vitamin-packed pumpkin which can help reverse skin damage, to the soothing honey which gives your skin a natural glow and helps unclog pores. It's an extremely gentle exfoliant, perfect for the face and those with sensitive skin.
Ingredients:
- 1 can pumpkin
- 1 cup baking soda
- 1/4 cup raw honey
In a medium bowl, gently mix together the pumpkin pulp, baking soda and honey and you're done. (PS: As tempting as this pumpkin scrub may look, don't try to taste it-baking soda is NOT a palette pleaser!).
Unless you're planning to use these scrubs straight from the mixing bowl, you'll want to transfer your scrubs into containers so that they'll keep longer. I used glass jars so I could see exactly what scrub is inside.
Sooooo... How gorgeous did your scrubs turn out? Ever made your own sugar scrub or facial products before? What's your favorite combination? Let us know below!
