Since scrubbing is known for its exfoliating features, leaving your skin smooth, soft, and radiant, we know: everyone loves a good body scrub from time to time. Either indulging yourself with store-bought fancy containers from even more fancy brands or rolling up your sleeves and getting your hands dirty: exfoliating is relaxing both for body and mind.
On today’s beauty menu: DIY body scrub. Using natural products and different oils, straight from your kitchen cabinets (how easy), we have put together a list of our all-time favorite, natural DIY homemade scrubs. All of them will be ready to use in under 10 minutes: time to get ready for that ultra soft and glowy body skin.
The benefits of using a body scrub
Besides the relaxing effect of exfoliating on your skin, spending time on putting together the blend, applying the scrub, and allowing the scrub some time to let it soak in your skin, allows you to just relax for a bit.
It’s a known fact that relaxation on its own can already boost the health and appearance of your skin. In this matter, we’re talking about other, outer factors which come from exfoliating. Here’s a round-up on that.
Exfoliating is the act of removing dead skin cells from the surface of your skin. For this, a light scratchy effect is key. Utensils for that can be an exfoliation tool, such as a loofah sponge, but also grainy substances such as sugar, salt, or coffee grounds are suitable.
Removing dead skin cells is the key to letting the lively ones beneath come to the surface and glow, leaving your body with overall healthier skin. The gently massaging motions in which you apply the body scrub promotes circulation and increases blood flow through the skin’s surface.
This allows your skin to draw out any impurities and to support detoxification from within – hi natural beauty!
And not to forget: scrubbing results in your hair follicles having more space to breathe, keeping your pores clear, your body smooth, and your tenant glowing and bright. What’s not to love?
How often should you use a body scrub?
To achieve that refreshed, glowy skin, avoiding over-exfoliating is key, as we do not want to irritate or damage our skin. To help our skin achieve and remain in the best condition, we advise you to use a body scrub twice a week.
As some of the below recipes may contain stronger ingredients, please read our listed advice per DIY carefully to find a scrub and amount of exfoliating sessions per week that match your skin type.
Ready to add a body scrub to your skincare routine?
1 – Coffee & Coconut Scrub
Not only does this scrub smell like having a cup of coffee on a tropical island, coffee, and sugar both are great ingredients for a thorough exfoliation. Caffeine even seems to reduce the appearance of cellulite, because of its tightening and toning effect. Coffee is also known for minimizing scars and other unwanted imperfections.
As the grains of it are finer than sugar, these two together create the perfect balance in the grade of exfoliation. Coconut oil, on the other hand, is known for its richly moisturizing effect, protecting and nourishing dry skin.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Preparation time: 4 minutes
- Quantity: enough for 2 scrub sessions
- Efficiency: 4/5
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons of ground coffee
- 6 tablespoons of brown sugar
- 5 tablespoons of coconut oil
- A reclosable (mason) jar or container
Directions
- Mix the sugar and the coffee in the jar
- Add (liquid) coconut oil while mixing it – if your coconut oil still has a hard consistency, put the needed amount in a little bowl and heat it for 10 seconds in the microwave
- Stir it up until you have created a smooth but grainy consistency. To adjust this, add more of your preferred ingredients.
How to use
While in the shower, rinse off, and make sure that your skin is still damp when starting. Apply the substance with circular massage motions on your skin, starting from top to bottom. Exfoliate, and pay some extra attention to the areas of your skin that need it – such as dry spots or impurities. For the best results, let the product soak into the skin for five minutes. The oily, sugary essence may leave your skin feeling sticky, so make sure to rinse thoroughly after scrubbing.
Your cup of coffee? We recommend you use this scrub at least two to three times a week.
2 – Honey & Oats Scrub
This may sound like something you’ll find on a breakfast menu – but as this scrub contains ingredients that are healthy for the inside of your body, they are known to have good effects on the outside of it as well. In this scrub, the main, gentle, exfoliator is oats. Oats are known for reducing skin inflammation – making this the perfect ingredient against irritated and inflamed skin. The combination of oats and honey is suited for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
Next to the main ingredient of this recipe, honey has several positive effects on the skin too. Because of the antibacterial property, it eliminates dirt, bacteria, and other unwanted things that clog pores. Honey is packed with antioxidants, and thus prevents aging, it hydrates the skin and has a healing effect on damaged skin.
Our last ingredient, olive oil, is known for the many vitamins it contains, such as Vitamin A, D, and E. It also richly moisturizes and hydrates the body.
- Difficulty: Medium
- Preparation time: 3 minutes
- Quantity: enough for 1 scrub session
- Efficiency: 5/5
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons of oats
- 3 tablespoons of honey
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- A small mixing bowl
Directions
- Grind the oats in a food processor, coffee grinder or a stone grinder
- Mix the honey and olive oil into a soft substance in the bowl
- Add the ground oats while mixing up the honey and olive oil until you have reached a firm, but soft paste.
How to use
Because the substance of this body scrub is already quite liquid, it’s suitable to apply on both dry or slightly damp skin. Massage the scrub using circular motions on the skin, and rinse off with a washcloth and warm water when done.
Depending on your skin type, we recommend you use this body scrub up to three times a week.
3 – Sea Salt Scrub
This salt scrub is probably the easiest option on the list. But easy doesn’t mean less effective: salt, with its antibacterial qualities and richness in minerals, is a great option for some skin conditions. It’s important to note that for this type of scrub, ground sea salt is the type to go with. Coarse sea salt can be too sharp on the skin. For a gentle, but grainy exfoliator, combine the salt with soothing essential oil and moisturizing oil, like coconut or almond.
This scrub is suitable for dry skin, leaving it detoxified and soft. For sensitive skin, we recommend you use any other recipes from the list.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Preparation time: 4 minutes
- Quantity: enough for 2 scrub sessions
- Efficiency: 3/5
Ingredients
- 5 tablespoons of ground sea salt
- 3 tablespoons of coconut or almond oil
- A few drops of essential oil of your choice
- A reclosable (mason) jar or container
Directions
- Mix the ingredients
- If needed, add more oil or salt until you have reached the preferred substance
How to use
As listed above, sea salt can have a slightly harsher feel on the skin. This is why it’s key to apply the scrub on slightly damp skin, with gentle massage motions to avoid scratching on the skin. Keep in mind to prevent applying the body scrub on any open wounds or scratches, since salt is likely to sting. When finished, rinse thoroughly with your favorite body wash.
Depending on your skin type, we recommend you use this body scrub one to a maximum of two times a week.
4 – Zesty Papaya Scrub
Speaking of a coffee on a tropical island, if you’re aiming for a sunny feeling in your shower: this is your best shot. The smell of citrus will automatically boost your state of mind, together with your skin: citrus is known for maintaining skin elasticity. Together with papaya – which with the Vitamin A it contains – removes dead skin cells and inactive proteins, it’s a recipe for success. Papaya hydrates the skin and leaves it with a glowy, soft feel.
For the exfoliating effect, we’re adding brown sugar, and for an extra scent, a few drops of orange essential oil. Sunflower oil – containing Vitamin E – is the last ingredient we’ll add to this body scrub.
- Difficulty: Hard
- Preparation time: 9 minutes
- Quantity: enough for 1 scrub session
- Efficiency: 4/5
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons of brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons sunflower oil
- 7 drops of orange essential oil
- Zest of half a lemon
- 3 tablespoons of a mashed papaya
- A mixing bowl
- A fork to mash
- Shredder/grater
Directions
- Mix the brown sugar with the sunflower oil
- Grate the peel of a lemon, and add to the mixture
- Crush ¼ papaya into a semi-smooth mash, add to the mixture
- Mix the substance and add the drops of essential oil
How to use
Since this substance is already rather liquid, it’s suitable to apply the scrub on dry skin. Avoid any open wounds or scratches on the body, as the lemon zest may sting. Apply the mixture with smooth, circular motions on the skin to remove all dead skin cells, and leave to soak for 5 minutes. Make sure to rinse your body well to remove any oily residue on the skin.
Given the fact that lemon can have an acidic effect, we recommend you use this scrub once a week to avoid skin irritation.
One last thing
Please note that the above-listed exfoliating body scrubs are meant to be used on the body – not your face. Always check your skin on any sensitive or damaged conditions, and avoid using a scrub on the skin that is sunburnt, broken, wounded, irritated, or swollen.
Be creative and try switching some ingredients or oils for one another. Our tip: try to replace the coffee grounds with green tea or matcha tea powder, for example.
When you’re not sure if an ingredient is suitable for your skin type, try gently patch testing first on the inside of the wrist, for example.
Also, take good care of your body after you exfoliate. Give your skin a treat with an extra rich moisturizer that matches your skin type.
