How Do You Make Himalayan Salt Scrub At Home?
Himalayan salt scrub is a natural exfoliant made by combining Himalayan pink salt with a carrier oil and other ingredients. It is used to gently scrub away dead skin cells, revealing smoother, softer, and brighter skin. The many benefits of Himalayan salt scrub include:
Helps hydrate skin – The salt draws moisture out of the air and onto the skin’s surface.[1]
Exfoliates – The coarse salt crystals gently buff away dead skin.[2]
Detoxifies – Himalayan salt contains trace minerals that help draw out toxins.[3]
Increases circulation – Improves blood flow to the skin, resulting in a healthy glow.[4]
Softens skin – Removes rough patches and creates an overall smoother texture.
Making Himalayan salt scrub at home allows you to customize the ingredients to your own skin type and needs. It also avoids any unwanted chemicals found in store-bought scrubs. The following sections will outline how to make your own nourishing and effective Himalayan salt scrub.
[1] https://artnaturals.com/blog/the-top-8-benefits-of-himalayan-salt-scrub-for-your-skin.html
[2] https://issuu.com/majestic-pure/docs/how_to_use_himalayan_salt_scrubs
[3] https://www.facebook.com/SpaHandsofGoldMD/videos/vichy-shower-package-there-many-benefits-of-himalayan-salt-scrub-with-aloe-combi/627189948751151/
[4] https://issuu.com/majestic-pure/docs/how_to_use_himalayan_salt_scrubs
Ingredients Needed
The main ingredient in Himalayan salt scrub is Himalayan pink salt. This mineral-rich salt contains over 84 trace minerals that can help exfoliate and soften skin. According to The Coconut Mama, fine ground Himalayan salt works best for scrubs [1].
You’ll also need a carrier oil like coconut, almond, olive, jojoba, or sweet almond oil. The carrier oil helps bind the salt together, adds moisture, and allows the salt to glide over skin. A Delightful Life recommends using a combination of oils like sweet almond and jojoba [2].
Essential oils are optional but add wonderful aroma. Some commonly used oils are lavender, lemon, grapefruit, and sweet orange.
Dried herbs and spices like vanilla bean, cinnamon, and rose petals can also be added.
Colorants like turmeric powder, beet powder, or clay can give your scrub a beautiful natural tint.
Salt to Oil Ratio
The typical ratio for a Himalayan salt scrub is 2 parts salt to 1 part oil. This ratio balances the exfoliating properties of the salt with the moisturizing qualities of the oil. Most recipes call for 2 cups of salt to 1 cup of oil. However, you can adjust this ratio based on your preferences.
If you want a scrub with slightly more exfoliating power, increase the salt to 3 parts or even 4 parts salt to 1 part oil. Just keep in mind that too much salt can be overly drying on the skin. For a more moisturizing scrub, decrease the salt to 1.5 or 1 part salt to 1 part oil. The oil helps the salt particles glide smoothly across the skin.
Test out a few batches with different salt to oil ratios to find the texture you like best. Aim for a scrub that exfoliates without feeling too gritty or greasy on the skin.
Choosing the Salt
Opt for pure Himalayan pink salt, not table salt. Himalayan pink salt contains over 80 minerals and trace elements that can help nourish and rejuvenate the skin. Table salt lacks these skin-healthy minerals. According to Stephanie Essentials, Himalayan pink salt scrubs help detoxify and heal the whole body when applied topically.
It’s best to grind the Himalayan pink salt into a fine grain before mixing the salt scrub. Using finely ground salt will allow it to exfoliate smoothly without causing scratches or irritation on the skin.
Choosing a Carrier Oil
When creating a Himalayan salt scrub at home, the choice of carrier oil is important. The carrier oil nourishes and moisturizes the skin while also allowing the salt to exfoliate effectively. Some top options include:
Coconut oil is ideal for normal to oily skin types. It has natural antibacterial and antifungal properties that can help prevent breakouts. Coconut oil also has a creamy texture that combines well with the coarse salt.1
Olive oil is excellent for sensitive or dry skin types. It is packed with antioxidants like vitamin E and omega fatty acids to deeply hydrate the skin. Olive oil helps counteract the drying effects of the salt.1
Other carrier oils like jojoba, almond, and grapeseed can also work well in salt scrubs. They tend to be lightweight and absorb quickly into the skin without leaving an oily residue.
No matter which oil you choose, be sure to patch test on your arm before full use to check for any adverse reactions.
Adding Essential Oils
One of the best parts about making your own salt scrub is that you can customize the scent with your favorite essential oils. Not only will they make your scrub smell amazing, but many essential oils also provide skin benefits.
Some popular choices are lavender, lemon, and rosemary. Lavender has a floral scent that is calming and relaxing. It’s also known to help soothe irritated skin. Lemon oil has an uplifting citrusy aroma and contains antioxidants that can help brighten dull skin. Rosemary has an invigorating herbal scent and can improve circulation.
When adding essential oils, use about 5-10 drops per 1/2 cup of carrier oil in your salt scrub recipe. You can experiment with single oils or combine a few complementing scents. Avoid overdoing it though, as too much essential oil can irritate sensitive skin. Start with less and add more if needed. The aroma should be noticeable but not overpowering.
Herbs and Spices
Choosing herbs and spices to add nutritional and medicinal benefits to your salt scrub can help match the therapeutic properties to your skin goals. For example:
- Rosemary contains antioxidants and helps improve circulation, so it’s great for an invigorating scrub. Add rosemary essential oil too for an energizing scent.
- Lavender has soothing and anti-inflammatory properties so it pairs nicely with lavender essential oil in a calming scrub.
- Cinnamon contains antioxidants and promotes blood flow, making it excellent in a warming scrub for sore muscles. Use cinnamon leaf essential oil for a sweet, spicy aroma.
- Turmeric has anti-inflammatory effects and can help even out skin tone. It blends well with invigorating citrus oils like orange.
- Chamomile is calming and anti-inflammatory. Try it with lavender or chamomile essential oils for very sensitive skin.
Start with about 1-2 teaspoons of dried herbs or spices for a standard single-use batch. Then customize the ingredients to create your perfect therapeutic salt scrub.
Colorants
One of the beautiful aspects of making your own salt scrub at home is that you can customize the color. While the salt and oil blend will create a nice natural off-white scrub, many people like to add cosmetic colorants for aesthetic purposes. Some natural colorants that work well in salt scrubs include:
[source url=”https://www.brambleberry.com/shop-by-craft/body-care/soaks-and-scrubs/colorants”]Beet powder[/source] adds a rich pink or purple hue. Use sparingly as the coloring is highly pigmented.
Turmeric powder lends a lovely golden yellow tone. Turmeric also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
[source url=”https://diysugarscrub.com/recipes/scrubs/how-to-add-natural-colorants-to-your-sugar-scrub/”]Clays[/source] like French green clay, rose clay or Moroccan red clay impart earthy, natural shades.
Other spices like cinnamon or paprika can provide a subtle coloring as well. When selecting colorants, make sure they are cosmetic grade and specifically intended for body use.
Mixing the Scrub
To make the scrub, simply combine all of the ingredients in a bowl and mix thoroughly until it forms a grainy paste. According to The Coconut Mama, “Use a spoon or whisk to combine the coconut oil and salt together until clumps form.”1 A whisk can help break up any large clumps of salt to distribute the oil evenly.
Once mixed, the scrub is ready to use. Apply a small amount to damp skin and gently massage in circular motions, focusing on rough areas like knees, elbows, and feet. The scrub will exfoliate away dead skin cells. Rinse thoroughly with warm water to remove all traces of salt and oil. Pat skin dry and follow up with a nourishing moisturizer.
Storage
Properly storing your DIY salt scrub is important for preserving its shelf life and quality. Always store salt scrubs in an air-tight container, like a mason jar, to prevent moisture from getting in [1]. Exposure to moisture can cause the salt to clump up and make the scrub less pleasant to use. Keep the container in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. With proper storage methods, a homemade salt scrub will typically last 1-2 months before it may start to dry out or grow bacteria [2].
[1] https://www.thehealthymaven.com/how-to-make-a-salt-scrub-recipe/
[2] https://hawaiitravelwithkids.com/dollar-tree-pink-himalayan-salt-scrub-recipe-with-coconut-oil/
