Here’s a moisturizing face scrub recipe that’s all natural, vegan and most importantly, super easy to make. We hope you’ll love it!
Why we use it:
Coconut oil is quickly becoming a popular skincare necessity and here’s why. It is comprised of many beneficial properties like medium chain fatty acids, vitamin E, and proteins. The fatty acids in coconut oil are thought to help skin retain moisture and they deposit under the skin making it soft and smooth and even reducing the appearance of pores (hooray!) These fatty acids also possess disinfecting properties. Vitamin E can help prevent signs of aging like wrinkles and uneven skin. And the proteins can help new skin cell growth which aids in repairing damaged skin and reducing scarring. Unrefined sea salt is also a wonderful skin care tool as it is packed with minerals like potassium, zinc, calcium and magnesium. All of which are believed to help skin to retain moisture. Salt is also really effective for scrubbing away dead skin and removing dirt from pores. Just be sure you’re using unrefined salt. The other stuff is basically just sodium chloride which, on it’s own, is majorly dehydrating (sort of defeats the whole purpose.) Aside from all that scientifically proven mumbo jumbo, this scrub smells wonderful, you probably already have all the ingredients in your kitchen, and it’s less expensive than store bought scrubs. Win, win, win.
What you’ll need:
- 2 Tablespoons Virgin Coconut Oil
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons Finely Ground Sea Salt
- Small bowl or cup for mixing
How to:
In a small bowl, mix together two tablespoons of room temperature virgin coconut oil with one and half tablespoons of finely ground sea salt. GENTLY, apply the mixture to clean, dry skin. Massage into skin using a circular motion for 30-60 seconds before wiping clean with a cool, wet washcloth. Pat dry with a soft towel.
Voila! Soft, moisturized skin. Enjoy.
*notes from drea: This stuff is great to get dead skin off your lips. Ew, I know, but sometimes a nice lip scrub is great! Also, how freaking talented is Emily? She’s the best.
edited to add: *notes from emily: yes, it’s called a scrub. But, salt is highly abrasive. So please don’t scrub scrub. I use it once a week and have zero complaints. However, everyone is different. This may not be suitable for all skin types. Ok, I’m done. Continue on!
Author & Illustrations by Emily De Nicolais exclusively for ohdeardrea. To see more of Emily’s work, click HERE
19 Comments
I wonder if putting sea salt in my Vita Mix would work better for the face….to make it more micro.
HI,
I love this idea! Can the scrub store for a long time? Im wanting to make this for Christmas presents for family, and just wondering how long it will store in a small glass jar.
Thank you – I was just about to google for scrub recipes when your post popped up in my bloglovin' feed!! Have pinned – thank you!
This is fantastic! I use rosehip oil on my face and have used coconut oil in the past but found it too oily. The idea of adding sea salt is a great one. I will have to experiment with it and see if it is good for my skin. Thanks!
Going to try this tonight! Thanks for the tip xoxo
Beware of salt and sugar scrubs… the granulas are too rough and make small cuts in the skin as opposed to professional microdermasion washes. These DIY face washes can be pretty harmful for the skin overall.
Coconut oil is good for the skin, I'll say that. But stay away from sugar and salt on your face.
Is there anything coconut oil isn't good for? Lol.
I'm going to have to give this a try for sure! My lips have been rough lately and not so kissable! 😉
I would use this on rough, dry patches on my body! I have a similar recipe on my blog, http://soulalien.blogspot.com/2014/07/coconut-oil-body-scrub-recipe.html and i sometimes use sugar mixed in with the salt, because i've heard that both sugar and salt have small benefits for your skin!
Coconut oil is my favorite hair mask! I want to start using it on my skin but wasn't sure how… but as a face scrub seems like a good start!
love how simple this is! coconut oil is the best. lovely illustration by emily too!
x
staygoldrebecca.com
So glad these natural living posts are back! I'll have to give this a try. I also use coconut oil on my face, at the recommendation of a woman who gave me a facial, and it's been fantastic. My skin is really sensitive, I've had issues with cystic acne and eczema, but this has not exacerbated any skin problems. In fact, it's calmed some things down.
I also liked the idea that if it didn't work, I could always use it for cooking! haha.
Seriously! it's done so much good for me. Between rashes and things— it's cleared up a lot and left my skin glowing.
YMMV but I would only use this scrub for my feet or rough skin, not anywhere near my face. Coconut oil is super moisturizing for hair and skin, but pretty comedogenic (http://cosdna.com/eng/4c2b6d124.html), so not so great for the acne prone. Sea salt is too rough to use on your face – it cause micro tears and abrasions on your delicate face skin. It might feel temporarily smooth but it's way too harsh.
Hi Makenzie!
I actually have been using coconut oil on my skin twice a day (morning and night, every time I wash it) instead of moisturizer for quite a few months now— and it's done wonders for my skin. I do break out from time to time- but really only with hormones once a month or with bad stress (like the first two months of this cookbook process)— so basically it's been all hormonal– while the coconut oil has only helped it.
Also, we do recommend to use the scrub gently. Most scrubs are not recommended for daily use anyway (just like this one). I do scrub my face quite a bit, especially after I've been in the sun too often, while Emily uses this about once a week.
That being said, everyone's skin is different. And off the top of my head, I can think of maybe a small handful of friends with very sensitive skin that this would not be great for. But in general, most people with very sensitive skin don't use scrubs at all— because any kind would bother them! 🙂 We're sharing what we use and love and are aware they won't work everyone, but hopefully will be great life additions to many/most people 🙂
Thanks for the reply! I've had terrible skin + acne my whole life and I get frustrated because I find there's a lot of misinformation circulating on blogs and youtube about skincare. Natural does not always mean better for skin (like baking soda masks or lemon juice 'peels').
Good to hear this works for your skin! I use a lot of jojoba and grapeseed oil on my face. Acne prone skin needs just as much love and moisture 🙂
I love this simple DIY! Can't wait to try it out 🙂
http://everydayingrace.blogspot.ca/
Coconut oil is a lifesaver. Skin. Hair. Food. Everything! :] // itsCarmen.com ☼
everythingggg!
i love making sugar scrubs with coconut oil but i've never tried salt! gonna do it.