How to Make an Apricot, Papaya and Wheat Flour Body Scrub for Sun Damaged Skin

Most people spend the majority of their beauty care time caring for their face. Our faces, after all, are what we most often present to the world and are usually what garner the most attention. However, the skin on the rest of our bodies particularly our necks and hands can be a telltale sign of age or environmental damage from exposure to sun and wind.

I developed the following body scrub recipe after I noticed that sun and heat had been damaging the skin on areas of my body besides my face. Since this recipe is formulated for skin on the body, which is typically hardier than skin on the face it is stronger than many of my face mask recipes.

This recipe calls for natural ingredients that have a heavy vitamin A and natural enzyme content. It is targeted specifically at wrinkles and dry patches of skin.

You will need the following containers and implements to prepare this body scrub: one large mixing bowl capable of holding four cups of liquid; one large wooden or plastic stirring spoon; one large fork; one sharp knife; measuring cup; one tablespoon and one soft washcloth. Optional Implements: mixer or blender. Using a mixer or blender will save you time and make this recipe much easier to prepare.

You will also need the following ingredients and implements to prepare this body scrub: one large papaya fruit; two average size apricots; one half cup of whole-wheat flour; one half cup whole milk

Start preparing this recipe by mashing the large papaya fruit with the large fork. If you have a blender or mixer available, use it to blend the papaya in to a fine puree. Papaya is rich in natural enzymes that will deeply cleanse your skin and aid in exfoliation. Transfer the papaya to the mixing bowl after blending it.

After completing the first step slice the two apricots lengthwise and remove the pits. Then use either a large fork or a mixer to blend the apricot into a fine puree. Apricots are naturally high in Vitamin A, which is a powerful anti-aging compound that greatly aids in exfoliation and encourages cell growth. Once you have pureed the apricots, add them to the papaya and stir the blend well.

Once you have blended the papaya and the apricots add the one-half of a cup of whole-wheat flour to the blend. Be sure to use whole-wheat flour, it has more fiber and Vitamin E than white flour. The extra fiber will aid in exfoliation and Vitamin E is anti-inflammatory and excellent for moisturizing skin. Stir the body scrub blend well after adding the whole-wheat flour.

After you have blended the papaya, apricots and whole-wheat flour add one quarter of a cup of whole milk to the body scrub blend and stir it well. Be sure to use whole milk because its high fat content contains a large amount of lactic acid, which acts as a germicide and will moisturize your skin. Milk is also fortified with vitamin A and vitamin E.

Once you have blended all of the ingredients your body scrub is ready to use. It is messy to use so I suggest that you use it in the shower. Though it is messy, be assured that when ground finely enough all of the ingredients in this body scrub blend will wash easily down your drain.

Use a soft wet washcloth to apply generous amounts of the body scrub blend to one area of your body at a time. Use large circular motions with the cloth, paying special attention to your neck area and any parts of your body that have particularly dry skin. After you have finished scrubbing your body, repeat the process at least once. If your skin is extremely dry, wrinkled or just in dire need of exfoliation repeat the process twice.

Preparing the recipe with the stated proportions will yield about three cups, enough for 3 to 4 body scrubs. You can store the finished body scrub blend in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to two days.

Caution! Many natural ingredients can cause allergic reactions in people that use them. Avoid any ingredients that you know you are allergic to and discontinue using any formulations that cause skin irritation, hives or other signs of an allergic reaction.