Homemade Scrub Bars: 2 Super Easy DIY Recipes

Fun fact for the kids: after we die, our bodies begin a natural mummification process. This process of decomposition basically turns body fat into a substance that resembles wax and has the properties of a kind of castile soap, encasing and preserving our remains. Now I don’t now about you, but I feel like since our lives culminate with one big soap-making DIY, I really think we should at least practice.

These exfoliating scrub bars are a good place to start. They’re super easy to make and even easier to customize. The basic recipe is oil+ sugar (or salt)+ soap base. You can take that basic recipe and completely customize it by the addition of essential oils and other ingredients. Oatmeal Eucalyptus, anyone? If you haven’t already, you really should invest in one of these silicon molds. They make all your homemade scrub bars look so legit. Of course you can always use ice cube trays, but remember we’re all practicing for the grand finale so just go ahead and put your best foot forward. I like to store my homemade soaps in glass jars like the Vardagen Jar from Ikea, but as long as they’re stored properly, these scrub bars will last a long time. So without further ado, here’s 2 of my favorite recipes!

Lemon Peppercorn Scrub Bar

This combination from Burkatron is super refreshing! Peppercorn gently exfoliates, while lemon brightens the skin for a much needed escape from Winter skin woes.

Green Tea Ginger Scrub Bars

This super moisturizing combo from Hello Glow does wonders for dry skin. I absolutely love using ground coffee as an exfoliant. Trust me, your skin has never felt so smooth!

Other combinations:

Once you get the hang of making these scrub bars, they’ll be no stopping you! I’ve tried several combinations already, and I haven’t been disappointed yet. Here’s a few of my flavor combos, but if you know of anymore that I should make, definitely let me know in the comments!

  • Orange + Flax Seed
  • Honey + Oatmeal
  • Chocolate + Chia Seeds
  • Lavender + Honey
  • Grapefruit + Mint + Poppyseed
  • Jasmine + Himalayan Salt

9 Must Have Clean Beauty Products + 9 Homemade Substitutes

Here’s the thing, I never wanted to smell like an old school hippie. Body odor masked in patchouli and weed has never really been my fragrance of choice. Still those old school hippies were onto something long before the cosmetics industry got a clue. All these fragrance laden beauty products wreak havoc on our skin and our overall health, so going au naturel is really the only way to go. Hippie beauty, green beauty, clean beauty, natural beauty, or whatever you want to call it is has come a long way from the patchouli heavy balms of yesteryear. Flower [grand] Child, rejoice! These beauty products will have you ditching your overly perfume-y commercial products, for the kinder, gentler, and fresher natural versions.

Osmia Organics Black Clay Facial Soap

Black Australian Clay and Dead Sea Mud join forces to create the most clarifying bar soap ever! This soap balances and tones your skin. And the addition of organic almond oil, avocado oil, castor bean oil, and coconut milk leaves your skin feeling amazingly soft.

Heritage Store Rose Water Spray

This versatile little bottle of rose water spray can be used to replace your toner, for your hair, for your body, and even as a linen spray or a natural air freshener. For an equally amazing organic version try this brand.

Josh Rosebrook Hydrating Accelerator

This marshmallow-scented face mist works wonders on vitamin and nutrient hungry skin. Use it as a first step in your routine to seal in moisture and help set your makeup.

Odacité Black Cumin + Cajeput Serum

This is the ultimate zit-zapping serum. Black cumin controls the spread of pimple causing bacteria, while Cajeput’s antiseptic powers help to prevent breakouts. The combination of these two miracle ingredients helps to heal and restore your skin, revealing a smoother complexion.

Everyday Oil Mainstay Blend

Coconut oil, organic olive oil, organic argan oil, organic jojoba oil, and organic castor oil. What more could you want in a whole body moistruizer? How about an amazing scent?! Woodsy and citrusy, this scent is truly incredible. This will definitely become one of your beauty supply staples.

Meow Meow Tweet Underarm Primer

A light, rich lotion made with nourishing plant oils and anti-inflammatory plant distillates. The unique formula acts to balance pH, moisturize, prep and maintain pits. Formulated specifically for sensitive skin and can be used on its own or in tandem with any other natural deodorant.

Vapour Organic Beauty Aer Deodorant

I use this along side Meow Meow Tweet’s Underarm Primer and the results are amazing. The fresh smell lasts all day and is seriously divine. You have to smell it to believe it.

Nucifera The Balm

Born out of the desire for a healthier and more simple beauty routine – THE BALM is a multi-tasking skin nutrition product formulated for all skin types. Use it a head to toe moisturizer, as a face wash and makeup remover, as a lip balm, as an under eye cream, and so much more. This is definitely the one product any clean, green beauty minimalist needs!

Rare Elements Daily Essential Masque

The Essential Conditioner repairs and rebuilds weakened, moisture deprived locks instantly with the “healing properties” of nature. This sophisticated natural system can be used daily to repair and nurture each strand of hair with exotic rain-forest butters, pure botanicals, nourishing nut oils and the energy-giving aroma of essential oils. This highly effective combination quickly penetrates beyond the surface of the hair, reversing the signs of damage by restoring vitality to dry, undernourished and over-worked hair.

Of course there’s always a DIY for that…

DIY Botanical Winter Salt Scrub

“The best things in life are free. The second best things are very, very expensive” —Coco Chanel

Sometimes there’s a happy place where luxury is just affordable. This homemade botanical winter salt scrub is in that happy place. This scrub contains coconut oil, thyme essential oil, lavender essential oil, fine sea salt, and Epsom salt. Salts are packed with minerals which enhance the skin. The magnesium in Epsom salts reduce inflammation while the sulphates flush out toxins. Thyme essential oil stimulates blood flow. It helps heal bruises, sprains, and other injuries. The oil is antiseptic, antispasmodic, diuretic, and a good decongestant. Lavender essential oil is another natural antiseptic. It helps to regulate over-excretion of sebum, and over time can help visibly reduce scarring. Lavender also tones and firms skin by boosting circulation, supplying adequate oxygen and nutrition to skin cells. This helps in keeping skin cells healthy.

You guys, this scrub is a game changer. Add this into your weekly beauty routine to keep your skin smooth and hydrated all Winter long!

DIY Botanical Winter Salt Scrub

Ingredients

  • ½ cup Coconut Oil (you can also substitute this with olive oil)*
  • ¼ cup Fine Sea Salt*
  • 1 cup Epsom Salt*
  • 10-15 drops Lavender Essential Oil*
  • 5-10 drops Thyme Essential Oil*

Directions

  • In a small glass bowl, mix the salt and oil together (I use a fork to mix it)
  • stir in essential oil until well blended
  • store in an air tight glass container
  • to use, simply spoon a small amount into your hands, gently rub it on your skin, and rinse it off with warm water

*The ingredient proportions here are just an approximation. I usually make these homemade products by eyeball the ingredients, so just play around with the proportions. The idea is that you don’t want the mixture to be too oily, or too crumbly!

Source: Cleanse by Hepzabeth

3 DIY Cranberry Beauty Packs

In honor of Dolores O’Riordan, who wrote some pretty cool tunes that us 90s kids were rocking out to, here are some beauty recipes with… Cranberries.

Cranberry Yogurt Mask

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup pureed cranberries
  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon honey (optional)

Directions

  • In a blender, mix all the ingredients together
  • apply the mixture all over your face (avoiding your eyes)
  • leave on for 10 minutes
  • Rinse with warm water

Cranberry Body Scrub

ingredients

  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • I cup cranberries
  • ½ cup coconut oil

directions

  • in a blender, puree the cranberries
  • add the sugar and coconut oil and continue to blend until well mixed
  • store in an airtight container

Cranberry Exfoliating Face Mask

ingredients

  • ½ cup boiled sweet potato
  • 2 tablespoons pureed cranberries
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar

Directions

  • Mash the sweet potato in a bowl, then add in the rest of the ingredients and mix until fully blended
  • Apply generously over your face and leave on for 10 minutes
  • Rinse with warm water
  • As you rinse, rub in circles with your fingertips to help exfoliate

Recipes via Byrdie

Favorite Winter Scrubs to Gift + Detox Market Beauty Box

Some DIY beauty recipes are just so darn pretty that you can confidently whip ’em up, wrap ’em up, and place them under your Christmas tree. Here are some of my absolute favorite gifts or stocking-stuffers for everyone on your list. Short on time? Make sure you read on for some ready-made, natural beauty gift ideas from the Detox Market!

Homemade Eucalyptus Oatmeal Bath Salts

Homemade Eucalyptus Oatmeal Bath Salts---Spa Days at Home

The perfect gift, this eucalyptus oatmeal bath salt recipe combines the fresh and soothing fragrance of eucalyptus with the unmatched healing power of oatmeal. Use natural twine to tie a simple, festive bow around the decorative jar of your choice. Find the recipe here.

7 Homemade Winter Body Scrubs

7 Homemade Winter Body Scrub Recipes--- Spa Days at Home

Choose from 7 amazing combinations, or make them all. These are perfect little stocking-stuffers. The peppermint mocha scrub is my personal favorite, and the ground coffee base is a unique twist on the regular sugar and salt varieties. A thoughtful gift for the coffee lovers in your life. Find that and all the other recipes here.

The Detox Market

 

I love everything about this online shop. All your beauty needs without the use of any nasty ingredients. They even have a subscription box now so you and your giftee can receive all kinds of goodies in the mail. The coupons below will be applied to your order after you enter the code. Have fun shopping!

Free KAHINA Giving Beauty Gift Set

  • Code: KAHINA
  • Free KAHINA Giving Beauty Gift Set with ANY $70 purchase. Offer valid while supplies last.

Free Pai Skincare Gentle Genius Body Wash Kit

  • Code: PAIBODY
  • Get a Free Pai Skincare Gentle Genius Body Wash Kit ($14 value) with ANY $60 Pai Skincare product purchase!

Free full size W3LL PEOPLE Bio Booster Serum

  • Code: BIOBOOSTER
  •  Free full size W3LL PEOPLE Bio Booster Serum ($28.99 value) with ANY $45 W3LL PEOPLE purchase