First, let me fill you in on the benefits of the body scrub. Believe it or not, scrubbing your skin is great for your whole health! It's a natural way to detoxify your whole system, and it stimulates your blood and lymph circulation which will tone your skin... and it can even help fight cellulite! Yes, ladies, you read that correctly. ;)
There are many types of body scrubs you could make- Salt based, Sugar, Oatmeal, etc. I'm partial to the salt scrub, so that's what I'm going to make today.
The ingredients are simple, but it's important to know what you're getting first. You will need a carrier oil whose job is to create a smooth texture and distribute the essential oil. You can use any type of carrier oil you choose, but I always use Grapeseed oil. It doesn't clog pores, and it always leaves my skin feeling very silky smooth, which I love! The essential oil will be your scent, so choose whatever you will love! Peppermint is a nice Christmasy scent and will give your skin a tingle... Lavender is just so calming and is nice with a relaxing bath... Read all about 'em in the links above if you're lost for ideas. {Attention any pregnant women: Certain essential oils during pregnancy can be harmful to you and the baby... Read about the oil you choose before handling it.} The last ingredient is Epsom Salt. You can pick this up at your grocery store, usually around the pharmacy area.
Warning about this scrub: Do NOT leave this where a child can get to it... or pet... or anyone who you think will pick it up and try to have a taste. Epsom salt can be used as a laxative. Need I say more?
NOW, to make the scrub! I don't have a specific recipe that I use because I prefer to eyeball it and measure things out by how thick I want the end result to be. If you want a start, though, here's approximately what you would need:
(Again, this all varies depending on how much you want to make and how many jars you want to fill.)
1 cup Epsom Salt
1/4 to 1/2 cup Carrier Oil
about 4 drops of Essential Oil
Personally, I like my scrub a little more on the salty side to make it nice and thick, but please feel free to make it whatever consistency you personally prefer!
In a bowl, pour in the Epsom Salt.
Slowly mix in your carrier oil (which is the grapeseed oil I'm using) until you get it the right consistency.
If you find it to be a little too oily, simply add more salt. Stir with a spoon well. Once you feel like you've got it just right, add the essential oil in ONE drop at a time. Some oils are more potent than others, so mix in one drop completely before adding another. My suggestion is to smell it AWAY from the oil dropper that you're using, so you are smelling only the salt scrub mixture and not what's coming out of the jar. :) Be sure you stir this together very well. I will mention that you do have the option of adding color to this mixture. If you do, only add ONE drop of food coloring. I personally did not because I liked the pale green color of the grape seed oil.
Finally, slowly and carefully spoon it into a jar of choice. I used a Mason jar (since my sister posted about them just the other week, I had to go get a stash for myself!), and I decorated it with some ribbon I found at... Take a guess??? You're right! Michael's! :) I simply cut the ribbon to the size of the jar, and with a little dab of hot glue here and a little dab there, I got myself a pretty decorated container to keep the scrub in!
If you're feeling up to it, you can also cut out a small piece of fabric and put it under the jar lid (that is, if you're using a Mason jar). I also sewed a little tag onto the material with an ingredients list and description. Be creative and see what you can come up with.
If you're giving this as a gift, you can also write (possibly in a little homemade booklet) some of the benefits of the oils you chose or directions on how to use the scrub, and throw it in with your present. It's up to you! (If you write directions, you can keep it simple. Kind of like this: Before using, stir well. Oil will settle on top. In bath or shower, massage small amount of scrub onto skin in circular motions. Rinse well.... And maybe, just maybe, you should include the warning about keeping away from small people or pets that will try to eat it and then without a doubt pay the consequences.) ;)
Enjoy!
Merry Christmas, everybody!!
-MB
