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Making a scrumptious body scrub is so easy and having one handy is especially useful during the winter when we’re all prone to dry, flaky skin.
I think we can all safely say that we don’t want that when Christmas party season rolls around!
Why not make one and keep it for yourself as a wonderfully festive treat, or give them out as cute homemade Christmas presents?
You can get personal as well by customising each body scrub with the recipient’s favourite scents, labels and decorations to show that you care.
We’ve included 4 recipes for body scrubs in this article for inspiration:
- Spiced Gingerbread Body Scrub
- Candy Cane Christmas Body Scrub
- Luxurious Essential Oil Christmas Body Scrub
- Winter Forest Fresh Men’s Body Scrub
4 top benefits of body scrubs
Body scrubs are great because they remove that icky dead layer of cells, allowing for younger cells to surface.
They have natural oils to help nourish and moisturise your skin, and best of all, they always leave your skin feeling silky soft and looking beautiful.
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Removes dead skin cells
Our body has its own natural skin shedding process to make room for new skin cells, but it isn’t 100% effective.
Factors like age, skin type, the environment you live in, and the products you use can all affect skin shedding.
If it’s not as efficient as it should be, this can lead to a build-up of dead skin cells on the surface of your skin – and this is where body scrubs can step in to help.
Exfoliating ingredients like sugar, sea salt, coffee, and even charcoal can all help to remove dead skin cells and get your skin smooth and glowing.
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Makes your moisturisers work harder
Getting rid of dead skin cells allows moisturisers, serums and other skincare products applied after to be absorbed easier and more effectively.
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Unclogs pores and prevents ingrown hairs
Regularly using a body scrub can help unclog your pores of dirt and dead skin cells, which can help prevent ingrown hairs and razor bumps from shaving.
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Promotes smooth, even skin
When dead skin cells are left on the skin’s surface, it can make it seem rough, dull, and cracked with an uneven appearance.
Body scrubs can help remove that dry skin and leave it feeling smoother and looking more even.
How to use body scrubs
Using a body scrub is pretty easy, but here’s a little step-by-step guide for you complete body scrub beginners:
1
Wash your skin and rinse it with warm water so all product is removed
2
Apply the scrub to the parts of your body you want to exfoliate
3
Scrub in a circular movement with your fingertips or with a damp cloth
4
Rinse it off with warm water
5
Shave after if you want to
6
Pat your skin dry when you get out of the water, leaving it ever-so-slightly damp
7
Apply moisturiser and let it soak in for a few minutes
Who should use body scrubs?
Almost everybody can benefit from a natural body scrub up to twice a week, especially if you shave or wax your body hair frequently.
However, there are some occasions when you should avoid a body scrub, like:
- When you have a sun burn
- If you’re going to be in the sunbathing the next day
- If you’re going to visit a sauna or steam room the next day – it can irritate your skin
Always remember to moisturise after you use a body scrub as your skin can become very dry if you don’t.
How often should you use a body scrub?
As mentioned above, it is usually advised that you use a body scrub up to twice a week, any more application can leave the skin feeling sensitive and dry.
If you have sensitive skin, then it is best to limit your body scrub usage to once per week
4 DIY Christmas body scrub recipes
Read on to find out how to make 4 of our favourite body scrubs!
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Spiced Gingerbread Body Scrub
This festive body scrub is so scrummy that you will be tempted to eat it (but you definitely shouldn’t!).
You can use all of the gingerbread-inspired ingredients below for a warm and spicy scent explosion, or pick and choose based on your preferences.
Ingredients
- 200g of brown, raw or coconut sugar
- 250ml of melted coconut oil, or sweet almond oil
- 3 teaspoons of ground ginger
- A dash of ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon of mixed spice
- 5 drops of sweet orange / orange essential oil
How to make spiced gingerbread body scrub
1
Grab a bowl and place the oil and the sugar in it. Stir until it’s mixed together properly.
2
Add the other ingredients and stir until the scrub gets to the right consistency (it should be a bit like wet sand). If the mixture feels too dry then you might want to add a bit more oil, or if it’s too runny and wet, add some more sugar.
3
Pour the mixture into an airtight container such as a mason jar.
4
If you want to give it as a gift, decorate the jar with a ribbon, label, and a cinnamon stick, dried orange slice, or any other festive decoration.
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Candy Cane Christmas Body Scrub
Want to smell like a candy cane this Christmas? This scrub is inspired by our favourite delightfully festive sweet & minty treats.
Just don’t blame us if somebody tries to pop you in the Christmas tree!
Due to its super-cute stripey presentation, it also makes a lovely Christmas present.
Ingredients
- 200g cups of white sugar
- 250ml of melted coconut oil, or sweet almond oil
- A drop or 2 of red food colouring
- 5 drops of peppermint essential oil
How to make candy cane Christmas body scrub
1
Grab a bowl and place the oil and the sugar in it. Stir until it’s mixed together properly.
2
Add the peppermint essential oil and mix (it should be a bit like wet sand). If the mixture feels too dry then you might want to add a bit more oil, or if it’s too runny and wet, add some more sugar.
3
Divide the mix into two equal portions and add the food colouring to one half – do it little by little as you don’t want to add too much. You can also experiment with pure pomegranate juice to colour it.
4
Get a mason jar and alternate the pink and white sugar to create a candy cane effect, pressing the sugar down between the layers to make them compact.
5
Finish off with a bow, label and a mini candy cane, or any other festive decoration.
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Luxurious Essential Oil Christmas Body Scrub
Want to make a homemade gift for somebody who loves the finer things in life (even if that’s you)?
This indulgent essential oil Christmas body scrub takes inspiration from gifts the wise men gave to baby Jesus on – because if it’s good enough for Jesus, it’s good enough for anyone!
Ingredients
- 200g of brown, raw or coconut sugar
- 250ml of extra virgin olive oil
- 3 drops of frankincense essential oil
- 3 drops myrhh essential oil
How to make luxurious essential oil Christmas body scrub
1
Grab a bowl and place the oil and the sugar in it. Stir until it’s mixed together properly.
2
Add the frankincense and myrhh essential oils and mix (it should be a bit like wet sand). If the mixture feels too dry then you might want to add a bit more oil, or if it’s too runny and wet, add some more sugar.
3
Pour the mixture into an airtight container such as a mason jar.
4
Finish it off with a bow, label, and a sprig of pine or holly for a classy touch, or any other festive decoration.
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Winter Forest Fresh Men’s Body Scrub
The men in your life also deserve a body scrub – but they may not want all the perfume and sweetness that comes with it.
This body scrub will help give him smoother skin, with a manly scent that won’t overpower his aftershave (or his masculinity!).
Ingredients
- 200g of coarse sea salt
- 250ml of extra virgin olive oil
- 3 drops of fir essential oil
- 3 drops cedarwood essential oil
How to make winter forest fresh men’s body scrub
1
Grab a bowl and place the oil and the sugar in it. Stir until it’s mixed together properly.
2
Add the pine and cedarwood essential oils and mix (it should be a bit like wet sand). If the mixture feels too dry then you might want to add a bit more oil, or if it’s too runny and wet, add some more salt.
3
Pour the mixture into an airtight container such as a mason jar.
4
Finish it off with a sprig of fir or pine wrapped with string and a label for a personal touch.
WARNING: You must always conduct a patch test before you use one of these body scrubs to see if your skin reacts to the ingredients.
If you are giving one as a gift, remember to advise them to do the same, because nobody wants irritated skin for Christmas!
The final say
We hope this has helped you discover a lovely festive body scrub for yourself or your loved ones this Christmas.
You can play around with the different essential oils to make your own blends, but always make sure to mix them with coconut oil, olive oil or any carrier essential oils so they’re safe for your skin.
You can learn more about The Best Christmas Essential Oils here.
Last updated: 29 October 2021
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