DIY Salt Scrub Recipe {Homemade Sea Salt Body Scrub}

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DIY salt scrub recipe – Homemade body scrub for glowing skin

One of my favourite things ever is showing you simple skin care ideas. Like this easy DIY salt scrub recipe. If you’re thinking that learning how to make body scrub is complicated, it isn’t. Not only is this easy body exfoliator made with natural ingredients, but this recipe for homemade salt scrub is ready in 10 minutes.

I’m always looking for ways to incorporate natural beauty products into my body care. And this sea salt scrub recipe can do a lot for you: The body scrub exfoliates and refreshes your skin by removing dead skin cells. The addition of nourishing oils helps retain moisture, which is important to maintain the appearance of smooth, hydrated skin.

What is salt scrub?

Salt scrubs are a type of body exfoliant similar to sugar scrubs but made with salt instead of sugar. This easy sea salt scrub recipe exfoliates and nourishes, which is essential for healthy, great-looking skin.

Salt scrub vs sugar scrub – which is better?

Which is better sugar or salt scrub? None is necessarily better than the other. Salt scrubs and sugar scrubs each have unique benefits and purposes in natural body care. Both act as manual exfoliants and physically remove dead skin cells, revealing fresh, glowing skin.

The main difference is the particle size of the exfoliating granules. Sugar granules are often smaller than salt crystals. Sugar scrubs are better suited for the face and people with delicate skin, while salt scrubs can be useful to buff away rough skin patches, think calloused knees, elbows, and feet. Ultimately, choose a body scrub according to your skin care needs.

Salt scrubs have, undeservedly, a bad reputation as being too harsh on the skin. But I’ll show you a trick to breakdown the coarse texture and create a gentle salt scrub.

Salt scrub benefits

Besides being exfoliating, salts scrubs have some added bonuses that sugar scrubs don’t have. Unrefined salt is high in trace minerals that can help to restore and remineralise your skin. Here’s a quick overview of the salt body scrub benefits:

• exfoliates and buffs away dead, dry skin cells
• detoxifies and pulls toxins away from the body
• eases inflammation and acne
• relaxes sore muscles
• tones and nourishes the skin
• replenishes skin moisture

What is the best salt for a salt scrub?

What kind of salt do you use for a salt scrub? Is sea salt good for body scrub? Can you use Epsom salts to make body scrub? This homemade salt scrub recipe can be formulated with different types of salt. I have listed a few ideas below:

• Himalayan salt scrub – Himalayan pink salt is rich in minerals, containing over 80 trace elements, and sometimes considered as the purest form of salt.
• sea salt body scrub –Sea salt is created by evaporating seawater and contains small amounts of minerals.
• Dead Sea salt scrub – Dead sea salt is famous for its therapeutic properties and features a 10 timeshigher concentration of minerals than sea salt.
• Epsom salt scrub recipe – Epsom saltis made up entirely of magnesium, which is beneficial to ease muscle tensions.

Ultimately, it’s up to you if you prefer to make a Himalayan salt scrub recipe or an Epsom salt scrub.

Regardless of the type, use only fine grain salts. Large salt crystals are too abrasive and can damage the skin.

If you prefer a gentle salt body polish, run the salt in a food processor for a minute or two, which breaks down the salt crystal even further.

Other DIY salt scrub ingredients

What is the best oil for salt scrub? I decided to make a coconut oil salt scrub recipe with fractionated coconut oil and shea butter. I also added Olivem, an emulsifier, to make the scrub feel softer on the skin and wash off easily. Here’s a breakdown of the other sea salt scrub ingredients:

• fractionated coconut oil – Coconut oil keeps the skin moisturised and reduces inflammation. The fatty acids in coconut oil also have antimicrobial qualities that can help treat acne and protect the skin from harmful bacteria.
• shea butter – Shea butter is a wonderful skin-softening ingredient due to high concentrations of fatty acids and vitamins. The plant butter possesses anti-inflammatory properties, which can soothe and condition your skin.
• Olivem 1000 (optional) – Olivem 1000 provides the scrub with an excellent moisturising effect and a creamy, non-oily touch. The natural emulsifier also ensures that the scrub washes off easily and won’t leave your skin with an oily film. The ingredient is optional, but I HIGHLY recommend if you want the best sea salt body scrub.
• blue spirulina (optional) – I tinted the sea salt scrub with blue spirulina to up the visual appeal. The green algae powder contains chlorophyll, vitamins, and minerals which are known for their powerful anti-aging effects and cleansing properties. Without it, the salt scrub looks white.

Essential oils for salt scrub

Wondering what essential oils are good for body scrubs? I scented my DIY body salt scrub with a clean and invigorating mix of citrus, mint and conifer essential oils. This blend not only smells refreshing, but also adds some skincare benefits. Take a look:

• lemon essential oil (steam distilled) – Lemon essential oil is said to have astringent qualities that tone and tighten the skin and reduce the appearance of cellulite. Exactly what we want in a sea salt recipe to tighten the skin!
• lime essential oil (steam distilled) – Lime essential oil can be helpful to balance excess oil and purify the skin. Great for those suffering from body acne!
• spearmint essential oil – Spearmint essential oil is believed to increase the skin’s elasticity and resilience. Its antibacterial properties make the EO a great skin cleanser.
• blue cypress essential oil – Blue cypress essential oil eases reddened, congested skin, soothes itchy bug bites, and promotes healthy-looking skin.

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The fragrance of this homemade salt scrub is pretty much unisex. If you’re looking for DIY body scrubs for men, give this DIY salt peeling a try. I’m sure your guy will enjoy the fresh scent!

Citrus essential oils and photosensitivity

Many cold-pressed citrus oils are photosensitive and can cause a phototoxic reaction (burns and blistering) on the skin under sun exposure. So be sure to use steam distilled lime and lemon essential oils, which aren’t phototoxic and safe to use in DIY body products.

How to make salt scrub – Sea salt body scrub

How do you make a homemade salt scrub? You’ll love how easy this spa salt scrub is! This homemade coconut oil body scrub recipe takes just 10 minutes to prep. Here’s how to make sea salt scrub with essential oils:

1. Grind the salt. Optionally, place your salt in a food processor or blender and pulse a couple of times. Extra fine salt is gentler on the skin. Beware of the dust cloud when opening the food processor.
2. Melt the shea butter and Olivem. Put the shea butter and Olivem 1000 in a heat-proof measuring cup and melt in a warm water bath until liquid.
3. Mix the oil base. Add the fractionated coconut oil, essential oils and spirulina powder. Mix until well-combined.
4. Make the sea salt scrub. Fill the sea salt into a large mixing bowl. Pour the oil base over the salt and whisk until well combined.
5. Package the body scrub. Transfer the salt scrub recipe into an airtight jar or storage container.

How to use salt scrub

How do you use salt body scrubs? Easy! You can use this DIY body scrub in the bath or shower. As previously mentioned, salt scrubs are particularly useful to buff away dry, thick patches of skin on the elbows, knees and feet.

Follow these simple steps for how to use salt scrubs to exfoliate your body:

• Thoroughly wet and soften the skin with warm water.
• Apply the salt scrub with your hands. Use gentle, circular motions to cover your body and massage the scrub into your skin.
• Rinse off with water.
• Pat your skin dry and follow up with a body lotion or body butter to help lock in moisture.

Hand and foot scrub

Have a manicure or pedicure coming up? Make the most of it with a salt scrub for hands before your appointment. An Epsom salt foot scrub can do wonders to revive tired, achy feet.

When should I not use a salt scrub?

Avoid a body scrub on irritated skin (e.g. rashes, sunburns.) Salt will sting so avoid using the scrub on open wounds or freshly shaved legs. Exfoliating before shaving can help to treat ingrown hairs.

I don’t recommend using this salt scrub recipe for the face. Instead, using my exfoliating cleansing balm with jojoba beads if you need a gentle face scrub.

How often should you use a salt scrub?

Use this DIY salt scrub recipe once per week. Overuse can irritate the skin.

Storage and shelf life of DIY salt scrub recipe

How do I store DIY sea salt scrub?

Store the DIY salt scrub recipe in an airtight glass jar or storage container, away from heat sources and direct sunlight. Room temperature is usually fine.

I scooped the scrub in flip-top jars and used our free printable body scrub labels to label my DIY skincare recipe. These mason jars are also a wonderful way for how to package salt scrub.

How long does homemade salt scrub last?

The homemade sea salt scrub can be stored for 1 year if prepared with fresh ingredients.

How to prevent salt scrub from hardening?

Keep the storage container tightly closed to prevent the salt scrub drying out. The shea butter may harden in a cold environment. Simple soften the scrub between the palms of your hands or pop it in the microwave (low setting) for a few seconds.

More homemade body and lip scrub recipes

If you like this DIY salt scrub, you’ll also enjoy my other body scrub recipes. And for beauty recipes with salt, try this sea salt soap recipe.

• sugar soap scrub bars
• lemon sugar and salt scrub
• rose sugar scrub cubes
• simple coconut oil scrub
• pumpkin spice brown sugar scrub
• candy cane body scrub
• hand scrub
• foot scrub bars
• cleansing balm with jojoba beads
• easy lip scrub
• strawberry lip scrub
• peppermint lip scrub

Printable Salt Scrub Label

Tab or click the button below to download a free printable salt scrub label!

PREP TIME

10 minutes

TOTAL TIME

10 minutes

DIFFICULTY

easy

Materials

• 1/2 cup / 180 g / 6.3 oz fine grain salt (e.g. Pink Himalayan, Pacific, Dead Sea salt or Epsom salt)
• 4 tbsp / 50 g / 1.7 oz fractionated coconut oil 
• 2 tbsp / 30 g / 1 oz shea butter 
• 3 tbsp / 15 g / 0.5 oz Olivem 1000 
• 1/2 tsp blue spirulina powder 
• 24 drops lemon essential oil (steam distilled) 
• 15 drops lime essential oil (steam distilled) 
• 10 drops spearmint essential oil 
• 10 drops blue cypress essential oil 

Tools

• heat-proof measuring cup
• glass mixing bowl
• glass storage jars

Instructions

1. Optionally, place the salt in a food processor or blender and pulse a couple of times. Extra fine salt is gentler on the skin. Beware of the dust cloud when opening the food processor.
2. Put the shea butter and Olivem 1000 in a heat-proof measuring cup and melt in a warm water bath until liquid. Protect your hands when handling hot tools.
3. Add the fractionated coconut oil, essential oils and spirulina powder. Mix until well-combined.
4. Fill the sea salt into a large mixing bowl. Pour the oil base over the salt and whisk until well combined.
5. Transfer the salt scrub recipe into an airtight jar or storage container.

How to use salt scrub

You can use this DIY body scrub in the bath or shower. As previously mentioned, salt scrubs are particularly useful to buff away dry, thick patches of skin on the elbows, knees and feet. Follow these simple steps for how to use salt scrubs to exfoliate your body:

• Thoroughly wet and soften the skin with warm water.      
• Apply the salt scrub with your hands. Use gentle, circular motions to cover your body and massage the scrub into your skin.     
• Rinse off with water.      
• Pat your skin dry and follow up with a body lotion or body butter to help lock in moisture.

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Shelf life and storage

Store the DIY salt scrub recipe in an airtight glass jar or storage container, away from heat sources and direct sunlight. Room temperature is usually fine.

The homemade sea salt scrub can be stored for 1 year if prepared with fresh ingredients.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 5-oz Glass Jars
• Fine Himalayan Sea Salt
• Fine Pacific Sea Salt
• Dead Sea Salt (Fine Grain)
• Epsom Salt (Small Grain)
• Fractionated Coconut Oil
• Shea Butter
• Blue Spirulina Powder
• Lemon Essential Oil (Steam Distilled)
• Lime Essential Oil (Steam Distilled)
• Spearmint Essential Oil
• Blue Cypress Essential Oil

Over to you!

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Irena xx