Exfoliating is one of the best things you can do for your skin. As we age our skin does not slough off dead skin cells as efficiently as it once did. If you have layers of dead skin build up, you’ll notice your skin may look dull, ashy and unhealthy. Luckily, after exfoliating one time you can see huge improvements immediately!
Being an Aesthetician I am no stranger to glycolic peels, microdermabrasion and laser treatments. In fact, I’ve had my own fair share of professional exfoliation on my own skin. I can attest to big results with one treatment as well as an increased absorption of other anti aging products.
Benefits of Homemade Scrubs:
- Increased circulation
- Well moisturized skin
- Brighter skin tone
- Enhanced absorption of skin care products
- Encourage lymphatic drainage
- Smoother, softer skin
- Closer shave
- Stimulates the production of collagen
- Removes sunless tanner
- Helps prevent ingrown hairs
How Often Should You Use a DIY Body Scrub?
You can use an at home scrub 1-3 times a week. More than that could cause irritation.
Over exfoliating can give you the opposite results you were aiming for. Trust me on this, I’ve been guilty of exfoliating too aggressively and too often and ended up with over sensitive skin that became prone to blemishes. Exfoliating too much can even result in the skin over producing oil.
Granule Options:
- Brown sugar is great for sensitive skin types as well as the face.
- Fresh coffee grounds-check out my coffee scrub recipe.
- White sugar
- Coconut sugar
- Epsom salt-take caution with salt because it can be too irritating
- Pureed oatmeal
- Pureed dried herbs
- Clay-I love adding clay to oil cleansers for gentle exfoliation.
Adding Honey= Big Benefits!
Research shows that honey has antibacterial properties. According to a 2016 review, honey also has antioxidant and antimicrobial properties that may help a variety of skin conditions.
Not only can honey help repair damaged skin, it also protects against UV damage.
Manuka honey has medicinal properties and can be a great addition to a body scrub.
Honey can easily be combined with granules and oil to make a skin-nourishing body scrub with major healing action!
Did you know that honey can even be used to cleanse your skin?
DIY Body Scrub Recipe
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup jojoba oil (find it HERE)
- 2 TBSP. honey (find it HERE)
- 20 drops lemon essential oil (find it HERE)
- 10 drops lavender essential oil (find it HERE)
- 10 drops tea tree essential oil (find it HERE)
Mix ingredients in a bowl and transfer to a jar
DIY Body Sugar Scrub Recipe!
Make a fast and easy body scrub full on nutrients, antioxidants and nourishment! This scrub will slough away dead skin cells, leaving your skin soft and glowing!
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup jojoba oil
- 2 TBSP. honey
- 20 drops lemon essential oil
- 10 drops lavender essential oil
- 10 drops tea tree essential oil
Instructions
- Mix ingredients in a bowl and transfer to a jar
How to Scrub Properly:
Apply the scrub with your fingertips.
Scrub your body in a circular motion and move inward.
Rinse thoroughly.
Leaving skin slightly damp, apply a body oil.
Notes
The Best Time to Scrub:
After a hot shower or warm bath your skin softens and can be removed easily. This is the ideal time to use your DIY body scrub. Be sure to rinse well and if you can stand it, rinse with cool water. This can further rev up circulation and close the pores!
Also, I should mention that exfoliating your skin should be done all year around. We think more about our skin in the summer since more of it is exposed but the winter can wreak havoc on skin leaving it dry and thirsty.
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How to Scrub Properly:
- Apply the scrub with your fingertips.
- Scrub your body in a circular motion and move inward.
- Rinse thoroughly.
- Leaving skin slightly damp, apply a body oil.
The Best Time to Scrub:
After a hot shower or warm bath your skin softens and can be removed easily. This is the ideal time to use your DIY body scrub. Be sure to rinse well and if you can stand it, rinse with cool water. This can further rev up circulation and close the pores!
Also, I should mention that exfoliating your skin should be done all year around. We think more about our skin in the summer since more of it is exposed but the winter can wreak havoc on skin leaving it dry and thirsty.
FYI-this body scrub can be used anywhere on the body! The jojoba oil is so healing and leaves a layer of nourishing oil behind so it’s great for all skin!
Enjoy the glow!
xx, Jenni
PIN IT!!!
Do you liquefy your coconut oil? What’s in the jar doesn’t look solid.
Jennifer-no, I just mix it all together!
Do you use equal amounts Tea tree, Lavender, and Lemon?
Jessica-Yes I do, you can add what you like though! Thanks!
Hello .. I just found your website … what a find!!! I just made the Vit C serum with the truly Vit C by Health Force. I applied it and it is a little sticky on my face even after an hour … should I rinse and is it supposed to be that sticky? Also do you recommend a roller for the skin that has the micro needles to help the serum penetrate?
thank you!!!
Isabelle-Thanks so much! The glycerin is what is making it so sticky. I use Mountain Rose Herb’s glycerin and have not found it to be too sticky, some brands have a different consistency though. You could make a new batch and use water or a carrier oil like rosehip, olive oil, apricot seed etc. Really any liquid will do the trick! I have never used the micro needles but I don’t like the idea of it for this serum because Vitamin C can be harsh if you don’t get the proportions right for your particular skin. To me, it seems like too much at once.
Is there something that can be used instead of Coconut Oil as my daughter is allergic to coconut?
Lindsay-You can use any oil you like! Almond, Olive, Apricot-any will work!
Hi Jenni, I am addicted to your blog, i am about to start with this scrub, does it have a good shelf life, also living in uk i cant seem to find neo defend which you use in some of your products, could you suggest an alternative. Thanks
Hi Ann! Thanks! The scrub won’t typically go bad, the only thing is it might harden. I like to keep mine in the shower so the steam will help to keep it more pliable. I would google “organic skin care preservatives”. Unfortunately I don’t know much about other preservatives and I’m not sure of a UK based company that specialized in beauty/skin care ingredients for diyers. Sorry to not be much help!!
Hi Jenni Thanks for reply im going to make it tomorrow
Hi
You use coconut oil alot ie in the oil cleanser etc, apparentley its non comedogenic and not recomended for your skin?
I love your website so much and I find your site to be one of the few that are actually credible and that contains reliable information as well as recipes that work!!! Like many others, I have tried several diy recipes which resulted in a total disaster….your recipes result in beautifullness!! Anyways, I know
your background includes education as an
aesthetician and I wanted to get your opinion regarding using baking soda as a facial exfoliant. I keep coming across this topic on different sites and some people are for and against it, calming that bs is too alkaline to use topically on the skin. I would read like to know your educated opinion because you went to school for beauty, where as I educated myself in forensic science! Thank you so much for all your time! ♡Erin♡
Erin-thank you so much!! I really dislike baking soda on the skin. It is just way too harsh. Lots of bloggers rave about it but I would never use it. Hope this helps!
In the past I found I prefer brown sugar for body scrubs and I add a bit of honey along with the coconut oil and other oils and it has a lovely scent on its own. Now fo Eo’s…I think lemon would create a lemon sugar cookie scent and that sounds yummy!