HOMEMADE BODY SCRUBS

The winter weather seems to be unmerciful on my skin. One thing I have found that leaves my skin soft and removes dead cells wonderfully is body scrubs. I have used some of the ones from bath shops and love the way my skin feels afterward but they can be expensive and the ingredients can sometimes be very harsh.

We have a wonderful herb garden in our backyard and several herb shops nearby so I thought I would try making some myself. There are several advantages to taking this approach.

1. you can save a lot of money

2. you control the ingredients

3. you control the intensity of the scent or if you even want it to be scented.

Here are some easy recipes that use ingredients that most of us already have around the house or are easily found at the grocery store:

Almond Exfoliating Body Scrub

¼ cup coarse sea salt

¼ cup baby oil or olive oil

½ teaspoon of almond, vanilla or other lightly scented perfume oil/extract

1. In a small bowl mix the salt and oil together until the oil is thoroughly incorporated into the salt. Add the extract and stir well.

2. Us in the shower after you are thoroughly wet. You can apply this with a body scrubber, your hard, or a washcloth. Massage well and then rinse off.

Sugar Scrub ( great for dry skin) makes enough for 3-4 uses

1 cup of brown sugar, white sugar, or a mixture of the two

½ cup olive, grapeseed or other oil

2 drops or vanilla or almond extract (optional)

1. In a medium bowl, combine the sugar and oil. Mix until you achieve a paste-like mixture. Add the extract if desired and stir until mixed well.

2. Place in a clean airtight glass jar to slow the oil breakdown.

3. In the shower, massage the mixture gently over damp skin. It will exfoliate and moisturize at the same time.

4. Store mixture in the refrigerator for 6 months to a year.

Cranberry Sugar Scrub

½ cup frozen cranberries

1 teaspoon vegetable glycerin

¼ cup sweet almond oil

¼ cup sugar

2 drops orange essential oil

2 tablespoons (+ more if needed) oat powder

1. In the container of a food processor, Combine cranberries, glycerin, and almond oil for about 30 seconds, just long enough to blend the ingredients. You do not want your berries too mushy. The mixture should be thick.

2. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the sugar. Stir in the essential oil. Add enough oat powder to create a cohesive mixture that you can apply to your skin.

3. Use this in the bath or shower to refresh and revive dull skin.

With all of these, you may notice a slight tingly feeling on your hands and skin, this is because the circulation is increased (stimulating blood circulation is beneficial for your immune system) by the course texture and rubbing.

Scrubs are very good for your skin, but be sure not to overuse any body scrub, which can damage or irritate healthy layers of skin and avoid areas of your skin that may have preexisting irritations such as rashes, wounds, or other skin integrity issues.

Always avoid the eyes.

Over the Counter Products

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