Reader Request: DIY Oil Free Body Scrub

A reader asks “I like salt and sugar scrubs for my legs and hands, and nose area, but can’t tolerate a lot of oil, especially if I want to use it on my face.  What’s a good substitute for the base oil, in sugar scrub recipes?”

Option one, we use Liquid glycerin as a skin moisturizer when we don’t wish to use too much base or body oil.  This is particularly helpful when we want to scrub nose crevices without introducing oil to the face.  Liquid Glycerin is a by-product of soap making.  You may want to do a patch test to be certain you can tolerate the glycerin, if you find you have sensitivities.  You can purchase it at most health food stores, and it’s readily available on the internet, eBay, Amazon, etc.

Option two, you may consider substituting honey.  It never spoils, and makes a good long-term scrub which may be stored.

Finally, option three, you may also wish to try aloe vera gel.  It can’t be stored as a scrub with sugar, but, you can make enough for a single application, or use a non-dissolving scrubbing agent, likely finely ground coffee, rice, or oatmeal.  Be sure to find a quality product from a reputable source.  Inexpensive “aloe gels” from super stores are often just a green-tinted chemical storm in a sticky gel, meant to mimic aloe vera. Blechh — to be avoided!

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Spa DIY Reader Request: Oil Free Body Scrub

This recipe is a good substitute for sugar or salt scrub with no oil.

Prep5 minutes mins

Total5 minutes mins

Course: Body

Cuisine: DIY Spa Treatments

Keyword: Exfoliant, Honey, Scrub

Yield: 1 cup

Courtesy of: SpaIndex.com | Spa Lifestyle Daily

Materials

• 1 cup fine loose salt or loose sugar see note
• 3 teaspoons liquid glycerin
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 3-5 drops Favorite Fragrance Oil or Essential Oil
• Optional: Pinch of lavender blossoms, available in the bulk department of good health food stores, or chamomile, or dried herbs of your choice, chopped exceedingly fine.

Instructions

• Mix ingredients well and store in an airtight container.
• Add more liquid ingredients if you prefer a thinner end-product.
• Stir thoroughly before use.

Spa Index Kitchen Notes

This keeps very well, and in fact, the honey acts as preservative. Use small amounts when scrubbing the nose, being careful not to irritate or get it in the eyes. Scrub elbows, hands, knees, and feet. Rinse in warm water, pat dry, and apply your favorite lotion afterward.

For a fine texture, use Extra Fine Bar Sugar or Granulated Table Sugar. For a coarse texture (ideal for feet, but not for the face), try Sugar in the Raw or Coarse Brown Sugar Crystals.