When it comes to soothing and improving your skin, one of the most reliable ingredients is probably already sitting right in one of your kitchen cabinets: salt. Yes, the same go-to mineral you add to food can also help remove dead skin cells and other debris for healthier skin. A DIY homemade body scrub is a great choice for exfoliating, when fine particles (such as salt grains) slough away debris to freshen up your skin and prime it for absorbing products like moisturizer. This leaves your skin, both body and face, smooth and soft, with reduced redness and inflammation, as well as smaller pores and less visible fine lines. Exfoliating can also increase the flow of blood to the surface of your skin, so it can not only give you a vibrant glow but also improve the healing of blemishes or pimples.
The best part is that a homemade body scrub is easy—and it can be tailored to your specific needs and wants. Here’s how to do it:
1 cup salt: Start with selecting a salt of your choice. Fine-grain salt is gentler and better for sensitive skins, but a courser sea salt will give you a more intense exfoliation. Sea salt is also richer in trace minerals like magnesium, calcium, and potassium, which are nourishing for your skin, especially in dry weather. (You can even replace the salt with sugar if your skin is especially sensitive and you need only a mild exfoliant, as sugar granules are much smaller and less abrasive.)
1/4 cup oil: Oil will serve as a moisturizer to soften your skin once the salt has stripped off dead skin and other debris. Cooking oils, such as olive or coconut, are rich in antioxidants that your skin can absorb topically. If you’re using coconut oil, you’ll need to melt it in the microwave before combining with other ingredients in your scrub.
10 drops of essential oil: Essential oils smell great, which adds a boost of spa-like luxury, but they do much more than that—certain essential oils have unique benefits that are specific to your skin’s needs. If you have acne-prone or inflamed skin, try tea tree oil, which has antimicrobial and antifungal properties. A citrus oil like orange or grapefruit can cut through excess sebum, the waxy substance your skin naturally produces as a barrier against the elements. Rose oil is hydrating, so it’s great for dry skin.
1 tablespoon of honey (optional): Honey is hydrating for your skin, delivering much-needed moisture when you’ve been exposed to too much dry air.
1 tablespoon vitamin E oil (optional): You can buy vitamin E oil over the counter at most pharmacies, and it’s good for repairing and nourishing dull skin.
Combine the ingredients well and store in an air-tight container, such as a glass jar. Store in a cool, dry place and use twice a week. The scrub will keep for up to two months.
