DIY Detoxifying Salt Scrub and Exfoliating Body Wash

Make this easy homemade exfoliating scrub in just a few minutes. Combine the scrubbing power of sea salt with the nourishing moisture of olive oil, plus the option to add scent with essential oils.

A while back, Mr. Crumbs planned a family hiking trip to one of our favorite mountains nearby. After looking at the map, we decided to take a route we had never taken before and hike to the very top. We strapped on our backpacks, double-knotted our shoelaces, and off we went.

It had been raining on and off all morning, so we were already a bit damp to begin with. Then tack on the sweat that comes from climbing 1800 feet, and we were practically drenched.

After fueling at the top with some of our favorite hiking snacks, we changed course and took a different route down, one that was significantly steeper. A few slides on our tushes and several accidental steps in cow patties, and we finally made it back to ground zero.

Just in time for more rain.

Needless to say, our shoes, clothes, jackets, and backpacks were beyond filthy.

After we were all in the car and buckled up, I announced rule #1 to the family: As soon as we got home, everyone had to strip to their undies. Everything you take off – clothes, shoes, and jacket – goes directly into the washing machine. No exceptions.

Who knows what sort of gross and nasty stuff was embedded in the fibers, and I wasn’t taking any chances of it hiding out under a bed for a few months!

Then I made rule #2: After you strip, go straight to the shower and scrub yourself clean using this homemade detoxifying exfoliating scrub. Because when you’re marching through mud, poison ivy and cow poop, you need a bit of detoxifying on top of the scrubbing.

WHY MAKE AN EXFOLIATING SCRUB WITH SALT

I’ve been using a washcloth to exfoliate my face for years now, but when you’re coming home with grime glued to your skin, something a bit more heavy-duty is in order.

Salt scrubs are the perfect fit for heavy-duty dirty jobs because:

• Salt doesn’t dissolve as easily in warm water as sugar.
• And it’s a bit more abrasive.
• Sea salt contains magnesium, which helps to ease sore muscles (like the ones you get from climbing up a mountain!)
• With just 2 key ingredients, you can easily slough off dead skin cells!

SALT FOR EXFOLIATING BODY SCRUB HOMEMADE

What salt should you include in your exfoliating body scrub homemade?

If you just want to scrub off dirt, the brand of salt doesn’t matter. Find the cheapest large granule salt you can find and call it done. (Table salt won’t cut it, though, just a heads up – the salt crystals are too small.)

If you’re looking to scrub off dirt AND be healthier, then the brand of salt DOES matter.

We fell in love with Redmond Clay when we were healing gum disease and took a firm stand against cavities, and we prefer Redmond Bath Salt for making our own homemade scrubs with salt.

Redmond Bath Salt is harvested from a seabed that naturally contains over 60 trace minerals that our body needs to carry out all the “to-dos” it’s supposed to do. They don’t add anything, nor take anything away, and it could even be eaten (although I’d recommend using a salt grinder first!).

The trace minerals in Redmond Bath Salt appear reddish in color. Have no fear, they won’t stain your shower. Just rinse off with water!

Epsom salts are another option for homemade salt scrubs. Try my DIY Lime Mint Salt Scrub using Epsom salts!

ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS FOR HOMEMADE EXFOLIATING BODY SCRUB

Besides sea salt, you’ll need 1-2 additional ingredients to make your DIY exfoliating body scrub.

Olive Oil. Since bath salts on their own make for a tricky usable scrub in the shower, they’re most often combined with a nourishing oil. I prefer to use olive oil because it’s liquid at room temperature (and the most affordable of healthy oils), and my skin is SO soft and smooth after a good scrub down! It’s like a mini-healing session every week!

Olive oil is also gentle on sensitive skin and works for all skin types, oily skin, dry skin, acne, and smoother skin.

Essential Oils. Making a homemade exfoliating body scrub with high-quality salt and olive oil is a great start, but I like to add essential oils to beef up the benefits. Here are a few essential oil combinations to try out, depending on your skin type:

• Normal: lavender, almond, orange, tea tree
• Dry: cedarwood, geranium, sandalwood, palmarosa, chamomile
• Oily: lemon, lime, bergamot, geranium, cypress
• Break-outs: tea tree, geranium, lavender, patchouli
• Combination: lavender, bergamot, orange, patchouli

If you prefer scrubs that come with aromatherapy benefits too, try one of these combinations:

• Energizing: grapefruit + bergamot + peppermint
• Happiness: cypress + lemon + patchouli + rose
• Tranquility: chamomile + rose + neroli

Whatever oils you choose, add 4-5 drops total (not each). Of course, essential oils are completely optional. You can use herbs or just a plain salt scrub – you’ll still feel rejuvenated and squeaky clean! I like Plant Therapy essential oils – they’re great quality and still affordable. You can find their shop here.

If you have sensitivity in your complexion, test a small area first. Be gentle with facial exfoliation. If you experience tightness in your skin after using facial scrubs, be sure to moisturize. Hydration is key!

Note: Some olive oils have a strong fragrance that might counteract the aromatherapy that essential oils provide. If this is the case, you might want to consider a lighter oil.

DIY DETOXIFYING BODY SCRUB

Supplies

• Jar (repurposed with the label removed is the most frugal option)
• ½ cup Redmond Bath Salt
• ¼ – ⅓ cup nourishing oil (olive oil is most commonly used and most affordable, but you can use almond oil, jojoba oil, or vitamin E oil if you’re sensitive to olive oil)
• 4-5 drops essential oils, optional – add if desired

Method

Measure bath salt into a large bowl.

Add 2 Tablespoons of olive oil and stir well. You want the mixture to be saturated and smooth, but not goopy. Add additional oil as needed, but you likely won’t need all of it. Add essential oils as desired, if using.

Store in a jar with a tight-fitting lid. As a scrub, use approximately 1 Tablespoon once a week. As a bath soak, use as often as desired. This recipe fills a 4-oz glass jar. As far as shelf life goes, this sat for at least 6 months on my shelf without issue.

HOMEMADE EXFOLIATING BODY WASH

Half of DIYers would take this salt scrub, apply it directly to the skin, and scrub away in circular motions. The other half would measure the salt scrub into a bathtub and soak in the anti-inflammatory properties.

But I needed something more middle of the road… definitely abrasive to scrub off the dirt and grime, but not when every last square inch is covered… You know, something for when we’re just a “normal” amount of dirty.

My solution is to add homemade exfoliating scrubs to my typical body wash to create a nourishing, homemade exfoliating body wash!

My typical body wash formula is actually extra of a big batch of homemade liquid face wash made with goat milk soap. My perfect ratio for daily use is 1 part homemade salt scrub to 3 parts homemade liquid soap, but you can adjust the ratio so that it has the scrub factor you’re looking for. Test in small batches until you’ve found the perfect combination of soothing ingredients for you.

Note: It’s best to combine the salt scrub and body wash just before the shower, but you can make enough for two days’ worth. Depending on your body wash, the salt may begin to dissolve after two days.

BODY EXFOLIATING SCRUB HOMEMADE GIFT OPTION

I think one of my favorite things about making a batch of body exfoliating scrub homemade is that it’s so gift-able!

• If you’re already making the exfoliating scrub for yourself, you’ll have bath salts on hand.
• And since you’re a foodie, you probably have some sort of oil on hand too.
• A little bit of essential oil, fresh herbs, or extracts, and BAM – you’ve got a homemade gift that ANY woman would love!

Buying bath salts in bulk is the most affordable option, and when you combine it with olive oil, you’ve got a homemade exfoliating scrub (and a frugal gift!) for just a few dollars!

DIY BODY EXFOLIATING SCRUB FAQS

Do you use salt exfoliating scrubs? What is your favorite scent?

This post was written in collaboration with Redmond Salt. All opinions are my own.