Selfcare and looking after yourself mentally and physically is essential, particularly right now. Taking time to yourself and making a homemade body scrub is an excellent way to do this! Not only does it make your body feel good physically as you shed the dead skin cells, but it also allows you to take the time to yourself for some all-important self-care.

Exfoliating your body is essential in order to shed dead skin cells and allow your healthy skin to shine through. Exfoliation also assists with getting your lymphatic system moving which helps the body to release toxins which have been built up over time. Exfoliating allows the skin to open up to extract more moisture, therefore it is important you moisturise afterwards to feed your skin the hydration and moisture it needs.

GRAINS

Grains have been used in skincare products for years and have been hailed as helping your skin look radiant and giving you a glow. All you need is to combine your grain with some water and a few other natural ingredients found in your kitchen and you’ve got the most natural and easy to use skin exfoliator. 

Oats are an excellent natural skin exfoliator as they are anti-inflammatory, contain antifungal and antiviral properties and are packed with antioxidants! They really help to hydrate and moisturise dry and sensitive skin. Plus they are all-natural and inexpensive compared to store-bought exfoliators.

If you are wanting a more moisturising exfoliator you can add some olive oil into your oats and water mixture to hydrate your skin whilst it is being exfoliated. Olive oil also leaves your skin feeling silky smooth and helps to repair your skin. 

Honey is a great addition to your oats and water mixture if your skin tends to be on the oily side and you would rather steer clear of olive oil. Add a tablespoon of honey to your oats and water and rub over your skin for beautiful natural skin exfoliation.

Before applying either scrub, ensure your skin is clean and freshly washed so you are starting on a blank canvas. Then, choose which exfoliator you would like to use: 

Hydrating:

• 1/2 cup of Rolled Oats
• 1 tbsp Olive Oil
• 1/2 cup water (you can add more if you want your mixture a little less thick)

Non-Oily:

• 1/2 cup of Rolled Oats
• 1 tbsp Honey
• 1/2 cup water (you can add more if you want your mixture a little less sticky!)

Ensure you have blended your oats so they are broken up into smaller pieces before adding the other ingredients. Then mix all ingredients together and rub over your face/body for a couple of minutes before rinsing with warm water.

COFFEE

 Using coffee granules as a way to exfoliate your body is an inexpensive, effective and natural way to get rid of dead skin cells, feed your skin and leave it silky smooth. It has also been suggested that due to the caffeine content found in coffee, using coffee as a body scrub can reduce the appearance of cellulite. How accurate this actually is can be debatable but coffee does contain a level of antioxidants which are beneficial for your skin and it does leave your skin incredibly fresh and soft.

Coffee scrubs have become a huge trend at the moment with companies selling their coffee scrubs for over £20. Make yours for under £2.50 by only using ground coffee granules (not instant as it will just dissolve!) and a tablespoon of coconut oil. Start at your feet and massage the scrub into your feet, legs, and all over your body up to your face. Keep on your skin for a few minutes then wash it off. Notice how youthful and soft your skin feels after.

 A Himalayan Salt Scrub is also a brilliant homemade body scrub and is so easy to make. You simply need some Himalayan salt and coconut oil mixed together. Himalayan salt is rich in minerals and is excellent at supporting circulation, skin nourishment and feeding your skin with essential trace minerals!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Himalayan salt
• ½ cup melted coconut oil

Keep the scrub in an airtight mason jar and use around 1 tablespoon each time.

Finally, using raw cane sugar as a body exfoliator is a great way to smooth out your skin in a natural and inexpensive way.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup raw cane sugar
• ½ cup olive oil
• Few drops of essential oil of your choice (optional)

Making your own body scrub is fun, inexpensive and all-natural so you know exactly what is being put in the products you are lathering all over your skin! I recommend exfoliating around two times per week to keep your skin rejuvenating and fresh. Follow an exfoliation by moisturising your body with either raw coconut oil or olive oil to really hydrate your body after scrubbing off the dead skin cells.

Make sure you tag us @balanceldn with your homemade body scrubs, we would love to see them!

Holly Zoccolan is a Holistic Lifestyle & Skin Health Coach offering consultations for weight loss, fatigue, skin conditions, digestive issues, mindset shifts and overcoming emotional eating. After overcoming her own stress-related dermatitis and eczema, Holly is keen to educate others on how to best improve their health from the inside out. Holly has a holistic approach to health and teaches her clients to understand and identify current habits that are not working for them and how to adapt their lifestyle for them to get the results they want.