All-natural body scrubs keep skin feeling smooth and supple in summer. Make your own with these recipes from skin care specialist Stephanie Tourles.
In my work as a certified foot and hand reflexologist and licensed esthetician, my clients often ask me about what they can do to improve the texture of their skin. They wonder in particular about the skin on their arms, legs, hands, and feet, which tends to get dry, flaky, ashy, and scaly. These conditions are neither comfortable nor attractive in any season, but now that summer’s here and more skin is on display, everyone wants to look their best! In addition to my customary advice about good lifestyle habits, hydration, diet, and safeguarding against sun damage, I always ask my clients if they use a natural exfoliating body scrub on a regular basis. Why? Well, allow me to impart a bit of educational “skinformation.”
The thin outer layer of skin that protects the body — the epidermis — sheds millions of dead cells daily, renewing and replacing itself completely every 30 to 60 days or so. This timetable varies with age, health, lifestyle habits, environmental factors, and skin care regimen. The younger you are, the more rapidly your skin sloughs off and replaces spent epidermal cells. As you age, your skin’s metabolism slows, resulting in slower cellular turnover and potential buildup of surface cells that can impede your skin’s ability to absorb any moisturizers you apply. This can leave your poor skin thirsting for essential moisture and lipids (fats/oils).
Exfoliating with body scrubs aids the skin in its natural shedding process, revealing the skin’s underlying vibrancy and healthy radiance. It promotes the retention of moisture and flexibility, keeping skin looking youthful longer. It also helps loosen ingrown hairs, stimulate circulation, and lift away dirt without the drying effects of soap.
Sweet and Spicy Body Polish uses a blend of brown and white sugars to smooth the skin, along with warming spices to stimulate the senses. Photo © Michael Piazza Photography, excerpted from Pure Skin Care.
Personally, I prefer granulated organic brown or white sugar as the primary base for my body scrubs, since it never stings. In addition to being an abrasive exfoliant, sugar acts on a chemical level: it contains natural glycolic acid, an ingredient that clarifies skin and loosens the bonds that hold skin cells together, allowing them to slough off easily. It can be irritating to sensitive, fragile, and thin skin unless used with great care. Sea salt serves as a remedial agent to the skin when used in moderation, but it can sting and dehydrate irritated, sensitive, sunburned, windburned, thin, fragile, or mature skin. Skin that has just been shaved or waxed will burn when salt is applied. I use a salt scrub when my skin is particularly dirty or I really need to slough rough knees, elbows, palms, and feet.
A sea salt–based body scrub is best for especially rough or dirty areas, such as knees, feet, and elbows. Photo © Michael Piazza Photography, excerpted from Pure Skin Care.
Below are recipes for two of my favorite quick, easy, skin-pampering body scrubs that will leave your skin, hands, and feet velvety soft and satiny. Give one a try, won’t you? I guarantee, with regular use, your body will display a renewed glow!
Note: These two recipes are strictly for your body; they are far too abrasive for the delicate skin on your face, throat, and chest. When applying body scrub, be careful not to abuse and irritate your skin by scrubbing too vigorously. A gentle touch is all that’s needed. Allow the sugar or salt granules to do the work. You’re not trying to clean the tub!
Sweet and Spicy Body Polish
This is a true sensory delight for the spice lover. The stimulating aroma subtly lingers long after the sugar has been rinsed away, and the scrub provides effective exfoliation with amazing smoothness and lubrication to the skin. Recommended for: All skin types, except acneic. Use with care on sensitive or environmentally damaged skin. YIELD: 2 cups PREP TIME: 10 minutes NOTE: This is a body-only exfoliant; NOT for use on face.
Ingredients
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white granulated sugar
¾ cup almond, apricot kernel, jojoba, or sunflower oil
2 teaspoons powdered cinnamon
2 teaspoons powdered ginger
2 teaspoons powdered nutmeg
40 drops cardamom essential oil
Directions
To Make: Combine all the ingredients except the essential oil in a medium bowl. Blend thoroughly with a spoon or whisk, making sure to break up any lumps of brown sugar or spice. Add the essential oil drop by drop and stir or whisk again to completely incorporate. Spoon the mixture into a storage container and seal tightly. Label and date.
To Store: No refrigeration is required, but for maximum freshness and fragrance, please use within 6 months. Store in a dark, cool cabinet.
To Apply: Using your fingers, massage ¼ to ½ cup of the scrub over your body, using circular motions. Rinse well with warm water. Use one or two times per week. Follow with moisturizer if necessary.
Salt of the Earth Body Scrub
This is an ultra-invigorating blend, perfect to use in the morning as a wake-me-up, skin-sparkling scrub. It enlivens all the senses! Recommended for: All skin types, except acneic. Use with care on sensitive or environmentally damaged skin. YIELD: 2 cups PREP TIME: 10 minutes NOTE: This is a body-only exfoliant; NOT for use on face.
Ingredients
2 cups finely ground sea salt
¾ cup almond, extra-virgin olive, jojoba, or sunflower oil
40–60 drops eucalyptus, grapefruit, peppermint, rosemary (ct. verbenon) or non-chemotype specific, spearmint, or tea tree essential oil
Directions
To Make: Combine the sea salt and the almond oil in a medium bowl. Using a spoon or whisk, stir to blend. Add the essential oil drop by drop, and stir again to completely incorporate. Spoon the mixture into a storage container and seal tightly. Label and date.
To Store: No refrigeration is required, but for maximum freshness and fragrance, please use within 6 months. Store in a dark, cool cabinet.
To Apply: Using your fingers, massage ¼ to ½ cup of scrub over your body, using circular motions. Rinse well with warm water. Use one or two times per week. Follow with moisturizer if necessary.
RECIPES EXCERPTED FROM PURE SKIN CARE © 2018 BY STEPHANIE L. TOURLES. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.