I am back at my desk after some fun in the sun down south. No matter how great a vacation is, coming home to one’s own bed is wonderful! I try to be content wherever I happen to be, but I absolutely love being home. Do you find you are most settled at home? I think there is a blessing and peace that comes from being surrounded by our own environment, our own smells, and even doing piles and piles of our own laundry.
While in Florida, I discovered that many of the restaurant bathrooms (especially at the beaches) had large bowls filled with luscious sea salt scrubs. These sea salt scrubs were in various scents from lavender to pomegranate.
Even my Chief traveling buddy (aka Chief Culinary Consultant) came out of the men’s room rubbing his hands together saying, “smell this, feel my hands, what is that stuff?” The sea salt scrub is used in place of soap except you put it on your hands dry. Then you rub your hands together for a minute or so letting the salt do its thing while the oil is moisturizing the heck out of your skin!
Of course, it will come as no surprise that these same restaurants conveniently had jars of sea salt scrub for sale at the price of $22 to $30 depending on the restaurant. I am not talking about LARGE jars either! Usually just 8 to 12 ounces of sea salt scrub.
Both my sous-chef dish-washing mom and the Chief will agree with my checkbook that I did a bit of shopping while down south. But when the Chief said “what scent are you going to buy?” and I said “none”, both he and mom were surprised. I had already started looking up various recipes and making plans to make my own easy DIY sea salt scrub!
Sea salt is a common ingredient in beauty products because it is proven to do wonders for the health and purity of the skin. It contains minerals that exfoliate, it helps to improve circulation, flush out toxins and also reduce inflammation of the skin. What’s not to like?
These sea salt scrubs can be made with only three ingredients: sea salt, essential oil, and fragrance.
As for the ingredients you don’t have to buy over-priced name-brand sea salt. Any sea salt, kosher salt, or even granulated sugar (for sensitive skin) will do.
However, you don’t want to use iodized table salt because it is too harsh. As for the oil, olive oil, grapeseed oil, coconut oil, mineral oil, or any light-textured oil will work. Baby oil works too if you don’t mind smelling like the baby. As for the fragrance, a few drops of your favorite essential oil works well. But you can also go to the pantry for lemon extract, coconut extract, almond extract or vanilla!
At Dollar Tree, I found Sea Salt and Kosher Salt for $1 each. I also found some cute little glass containers with lids. I chose grapeseed oil because I have a big jug of it on hand. I also had coconut extract, almond extract, rosemary, and vanilla on hand.
This is a simple three-step process. Measure 1 cup sea salt into a small bowl. Add 1/2 cup oil, stirring well to mix. Add the fragrance of your choice. Done! Vitamin E oil can be added for extra antioxidant properties in protecting skin cells.
Into 1/2 cup of oil I added 2 tablespoons rosemary leaves. I warmed the oil for 2 minutes on high in the microwave. This infuses the oil with the beautiful fragrance of rosemary. With each scrub I made I used some on my hands to check out the fragrance.
At the end of several batches my hands are polished, smooth, and wonderfully moisturized and all this for just pennies per use! The sea salt scrub can be placed at the sink in a small container (with or without a little spoon) and used whenever you wash your hands. The extra scrub should be stored in an airtight container for up to 6 months.
What a lovely gift sea salt scrub makes in a cute little jar, with a cute little spoon! It’s perfect for creating your own at-home spa day.
Sea Salt Scrub Instructions:
Open the jar and mix the contents. Because the scrub is an oil base, the oil and the salt will separate upon sitting. Mix thoroughly to even out the ingredients.
Pour 1 scoop, about 1 tablespoon salt scrub into the palm of your hand. Gently massage it into the skin. If applying to feet, make sure to thoroughly massage it onto the heels.
Let the rub rest on your skin for a few minutes to allow all the oils to absorb into your skin.
Gently rinse off the excess salt. You should still feel the soft silkiness of the oil on your skin.
Pat dry with a clean soft towel; don’t rub dry. You shouldn’t need to apply lotion at this time. Your skin should feel soft and silky.
After talking with my cousin Jill today, she is going to be on the look-out to bring me her favorite essential oil fragrances of fig and rain. I’ll keep you posted!
Also, creating your own DIY Sea Salt Scrub is a perfect craft for your next ladies retreat! Depending on your theme, it may even incorporate into a craft/lesson. Here is a popular theme you may like: Bad Girls of the Bible: A Spiritual Mindset Ladies Retreat theme
Have a blessed week!
Catherine
DIY Sea Salt Scrub
A fabulous Do It Yourself Sea Salt Scrub!
Materials
- 1/2 cup oil*
- 1 cup fine sea salt or kosher salt
- 5 to 15 drops high-quality essential oils or 1 to 2 teaspoon extract**
Tools
- wooden spoon
Instructions
Make the scrub
- Put the salt in a small bowl.
- Add the oil, mixing well with a wooden spoon. The texture should be moist enough to hold together, but not overly oily. You can adjust the amount of oil to achieve that texture.
- Gently tap in the essential oil or extract and combine well. Pour into a jar with lid.
- Store up to 6 months in an air tight container.
Use the scrub
- Open the jar and mix the contents. Most scrubs use an oil base, so the oil and the salt will separate upon sitting. Mix thoroughly to even out the ingredients.
- Pour 1 scoop, about 1 tablespoon salt scrub into the palm of your hand. Gently massage it into the skin. If applying to feet, make sure to thoroughly massage it onto the heels.
- Let the rub rest on your skin for a few minutes to allow all the oils to absorb into your skin.
- Gently rinse off the excess salt. You should still feel the soft silkiness of the oil on your skin.
- Pat dry with a clean soft towel; don't rub dry. You shouldn't need to apply lotion at this time. Your skin should feel soft and silky.
Thanks for the information, just love. I will be gathering material to make it
Thanks again
Thank you shearing for US,I just made my sea salt scrub and I love it !
That’s nice to know, really want to try this 🙂
Sugar works great for sensitive skin. I have some sugar scrub I use in the shower. When it is gone I am making my own! In Florida they are selling this stuff for BIG money!
This sounds wonderful ! Will have to try it, I have sensitive skin so maybe should go with the sugar. Will have to search for oils in this little town 🙂