The beauty industry makes a metric ton of money every minute taking some quite ordinary ingredients and packaging them up nicely to sell to us as something that will improve our lives if only we would hand them our cash.
Luckily at My Grey Nomads, we have a few on hand experts who are keen to save you a wodge of coin by sharing a few beauty ‘recipes’ with things you have in your cupboard.
Here are three body scrubs that are easy to make, are used in the fanciest spas, and are not harmful for the environment.
Try these at home and let us know how they worked for you.
Before we begin, you should really only use a body or facial scrub once or twice a week. They are excellent for exfoliation, removing dead skin cells and encouraging collagen production, but using a scrub every day can also be too harsh on our keratin as we get older. You need to let your skin settle before you take off another layer, so aim for once or twice a week to be sure you are not doing any damage.
Also, the amounts shown here are for a single use. In order to prevent bacterial growth or cross contamination, simply make up a small batch in a plastic bowl before you use it, and wash it afterwards. That way you don’t have to worry about wasting materials or storage, and you won’t get any nasty surprises when you look into the back of the fridge a month later.
Coconut oil and brown sugar
For a light and gentle scrub that can be used on the face, take 4 tablespoons of coconut or sweet almond oil and add 2 tablespoons of brown sugar. Using just two fingers, gentle apply the mixture and rub in a circular motion, always from the centre of the face and out towards the edges. For a stronger exfoliation, you can use white sugar instead.
If you have a nut allergy, baby oil or olive oil can be used as well.
Massage your face for about 3 to 5 minutes and then rinse of the scrub with warm water.
Coconut oil and salt.
Contrary to popular opinion, you do not need a fancy pink, Dead Sea or black salt to make an excellent body scrub at home. Yes, those particular salts do have different mineral compositions, but not enough to make a difference to your skin, so any salt you have handy will actually do.
Use this scrub on your body, particularly around the ankles and feet, around the neck, and anywhere the skin needs a bit of polishing.
Take half a cup of coconut oil, sweet almond oil, or baby oil and add 4 tablespoons of salt. If you wish to add a drop or two of essential oil, now would be the time. Stir until the salt is lightly incorporated and then start applying to the body using medium pressure. For areas that are more sensitive like the neck and under the arms, use circular motions, although broad strokes can be used on the arms, legs and torso. Exfoliate for between 5 to 10 minutes. Rinse under the shower with warm water.
Honey, oil and desiccated coconut.
If you are feeling fancy, and you need to get that skin seriously buffed and polished, this scrub adds a bit of oomph and luxury to your bathroom routine.
Take about half a cup of runny honey and half a cup of coconut oil, or any oil mentioned above. Warm them slightly and stir until they are fully incorporated. Next add half a cup of desiccated coconut and stir, then leave it for about 2 minutes to absorb a little of the fluid. Desiccated coconut is a strong exfoliant, so areas that need a damn good clean can take this mixture, but avoid the face unless you intend to use it only as a mask.
Gently rub the mixture along the skin, using circular motions anywhere sensitive. This is a sticky scrub, but it gives a wonderful cleanse as the honey and oil soften and moisturise the skin.
After 5 to 10 minutes of gentle rubbing, rinse off using soap.
Unlike the other scrubs, you actually do want to remove all of the ingredients, including the oil.
With the warmth of honey and oil, you will look and feel amazing afterwards. Don’t forget to moisturise.
You don’t need to spend a lot of money, nor even leave the house, to enjoy a bit of pampering, so why aren’t you doing it more often? Go ahead. You are worth it!
