How to Make a Scented Body Scrub

Making salt scrubs for your bath is an easy craft that almost anyone can do. The benefits to doing so are endless. Not only can you customize the scent, but you can make one that will help your skin look its best. This is done by using different oils. A store bought bath scrub may use harsh chemicals and preservatives, or it may contain ingredients that are not good for your type skin. Here are some suggestions to help you find the perfect combination for your skin type.

First, the general recipe is to mix sea salt with an oil. You can find course sea salt at the grocery store, but the oil should come from a drugstore or a specialty cosmetic making supply store. You want to mix these together so that the salt is saturated, but not overly soaked. You may also want to add a fragrance. For cosmetics, fragrance oils are better than essential oils because essential oils are so powerful. Plus, they can cause some adverse reactions. Fragrance are usually more gentle, and a good choice for a salt scrub. Make sure to only add enough to scent it thoroughly. Too much smell is definitely worse than not enough.

Now for the oils. Each oil has different properties, based on where it is derived from. You might choose to use one because it is good for dry skin, or because it can help repair damaged skin. Choose each one carefully and don't be afraid to combine them. You should experiment in small batches until you find the perfect mixture for your skin type. Below are some of the characteristics of the different types of oils, so that you can make an informed decision. These are the most commonly used ones. There are dozens of oils, so if you decide to use one that is not included on this list, make sure to do your research.

Sweet Almond Oil: Sweet Almond Oil is good for those with eczema, psoriasis, and other inflamed skin. It has a relatively short shelf life, so if you use this in your salt scrub, make a small enough batch that it will be used within a year.

Olive Oil: Olive Oil will help you shed dead skin, but retain moisture in your skin. It has been used for hundreds of years as a beauty treatment, and has a two year shelf life. It's also relatively easy to obtain, which makes it desirable for those who don't want to place a specialty order for a more unusual oil.

Cocoa Oil: Cocoa Oil helps with moisturizing skin, and is good for dry skin. Its shelf life is only one year, so make sure to use it quickly. Although it is derived from the same plant as chocolate, it does not have a chocolate scent, but it would still be excellent to use for a chocolate scented scrub.

Emu Oil: Emu oil is one of the gentlest oils available. It is non-comedogenic, hypo-allergenic, and is extremely emollient. Emu oil becomes solid at a relatively high temperature, and it will be unfit for use within three months if no preservatives are added. If you use Emu Oil, make sure to add some Vitamin E oil, which acts as a preservative. The combination of Emu Oil and Vitamin E Oil is a powerful combination to help scarred or damaged skin.

Vitamin E Oil: Vitamin E Oil is very easy to obtain, and can be found in most drugstores. Vitamin E Oil is typically used by pregnant women because it helps prevent stretch marks, and may even help repair ones that form. It is useful in scarred and damaged skin, and has an incredibly long shelf life. It is fantastic in combination with Emu Oil, and can help repair damaged skin.

With these suggestions, you can easily make your own bath scrub at home. No matter which combination you use, the salt will help slough off dead skin, leaving new, refreshed, glowing skin underneath. Seal the salt scrub mixture in jars and use it on special occasions to help you look your best.