Right now, at this very second, you probably have the necessary ingredients in your home to make the perfect body scrub. These ingredients may be hiding in your pantry, fridge, or cupboard, but they can’t wait to come out and exfoliate your skin.

The great thing about body scrubs is that they help exfoliate your skin. Exfoliation contributes to healthier looking skin that appears more youthful. The American Academy of Dermatology says that exfoliation stimulates collagen production, helping to keep the skin tight and glowing. Additionally, exfoliating your skin removes bacteria and dead skin cells.

The Perfect DIY Scrub Formula

A sugar scrub is simple to make, especially when you have the perfect ratio for your ingredients. All you need to do is prep for five minutes, place your scrub in a container, and use the scrub. The basic homemade body scrub recipe is as follows:

• 1 cup exfoliant
• ½ cup liquid
• 2-3 tablespoons of fun add-ins

Place the exfoliant in a bowl and slowly mix in the liquid. You don’t want a runny mixture, and you don’t want a mixture that is too firm. The consistency should be somewhat thick, kind of like a smoothie. Mix in the add-ins and then store the scrub in a cool dark place. You’ll find excellent ingredients for your DIY scrubs below.

Exfoliants

Coffee Grounds

The grounds do not dissolve in water, making them excellent for scrubbing away dead skin cells. A 2013 study found that the caffeic acid (an antioxidant) in coffee works to boost collagen levels and reduce the amount of premature aging cells. The antimicrobial properties of caffeic acid also protect the skin from bacteria.

Oats

Is your skin sensitive? If you answered “yes” to this question, then you’ll want to use oats in your DIY body scrub. While oats reason help to scrub away dead skin cells, they are gentle enough that your skin won’t get irritated. Additionally, people add oats to baths to soothe irritated or itchy skin, making it excellent for sensitive skin.

Sugar

Sugar is great for mechanical exfoliation, meaning it removes the top layer of skin cells, along with dirt, bacteria, and excess oils. In the process of removing dead skin cells, sugar helps to create a more radiant complexion. The soft small granules of sugar actually melt onto your skin during exfoliation, making it less abrasive than other harsher exfoliants.

Salt

People who have dry patches of skin should exfoliate with salt. Epsom salt, sea salt, or Kosher salt help to create a barrier on the skin that reduces skin inflammation. Many people like to soak in baths with salts because of the mineral content. Since the skin is the largest organ in the body, it can absorb these minerals and use them to benefit the whole body.

Liquids

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is one of the most popular ingredients in homemade scrubs, primarily because of the moisturizing and exfoliating properties. It is rich in lauric acid, which works to keep the skin supple by creating a protective layer. Additionally, coconut oil can remove oily residue from the skin and unclog pores.

Olive Oil

The primary benefit of olive oil is that it moisturizes the skin by reducing water loss. It actually increases the water content in the skin, which works to improve overall appearance. Olive oil also protects against environmental damage and inflammation, which helps to reduce premature signs of aging, irritation, or redness.

Jojoba Oil

Because jojoba oil is closely matched to human sebum, the skin naturally and easily absorbs it. This means that you won’t feel greasy after applying it, which makes it great to use on your face. When your body can better absorb the oil, you have a lesser chance of your skin getting irritated. Jojoba is great if you are prone to acne.

Add-Ins

Essential Oils

It can be difficult to decide on the right essential oil to use, especially since there are so many. Do not skimp on quality when it comes to essential oils. Many brands produce essential oils that are not 100% pure, and they contain other oils or ingredients. Only get pure essential oils! Additionally, make sure to do patch tests of the scrubs that contain essential oils because some people are very sensitive to them. Great essential oils to use include peppermint, tea tree, vanilla, lavender, grapefruit, geranium, and eucalyptus.

Fruit

If you feel like eating half of a papaya and using the other half in a scrub, you can do that! Different fruits contain powerful antioxidants that encourage healthy skin cell production. For instance, mangos are rich in vitamin A, which works to remove dead skin cells and promotes the growth of new, healthy skin cells. The vitamin C in lemons and pineapple works to clear up the skin and promote collagen production.

Herbs & Spice

Herbs and spices can do no wrong. They add depth of flavor to your meals, but they also benefit internal and external bodily health. Many civilizations have used herbs and spices for skin and beauty needs. Many herbs have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties, all of which are great for boosting the health of your skin.