Sugar Scrub for the Body:
1 cup brown sugar
About 1/3 cup (maybe a tad less) grape seed oil. Can also use sunflower oil or almond oil.
20 drops of an essential oil of your choice. I did 10 drops of lavender and 10 drops of eucalyptus.
In a bowl, add the brown sugar making sure you break up all the lumps. Add the essential oil(s) and stir. Gradually add the carrier oil (grape seed, almond, sunflower) and stir. The consistency should be similar to wet sand. Store in jar with air tight lid for up to four months. Scrubs can be used about once a week. If you have tougher skin you could use it more. You do not want to over exfoliate.
Things to be aware of:
-If water gets into the scrub it will aid in bacteria growth. Vitamin E oil, Rosemary extract and Grapefruit Seed extract are natural preservative. They basically slow microbial activity, but it does not really keep it from happening altogether.
-What I did was shave and wash my hair first plus it got the bathroom warm and steamy. I switched the shower part off (water still running) and applied the scrub. This will secure that you will not get water in the scrub. Your hands are not wet so you won't drop the jar in the shower as well. I then rinsed and washed myself to get everything off. Skin was smooth after and I sealed it in with lotion.
-If you make a salt scrub then use the scrub first and then shave. It will sting if you use it on freshly shaved legs.
Oatmeal, Honey and Rosewater Facial Mask:
1/4 cup oatmeal, finely ground
About 1/4 cup pure rosewater
2 tsp honey
Finely ground the oatmeal using a clean coffee grinder or food processor. Pour into a bowl. Gradually add the rosewater until it is a gooey-like consistency. I did not use all the rosewater. Add the honey and stir again. Use a fan brush or thicker/wider tipped brush to apply the mask to your face and neck. Leave on for about 15-20 minutes. I found that rinsing in the shower was easier. I am not sure of the shelf life for this one. It does not contain anything that needs to be refrigerated so I will have to let you know how it turns out if kept in an air tight jar.
This is good for people who are prone to acne. Rosewater is a mild astringent and can help control oil without over drying. You can even use plain rosewater to wash your face or create a toner using rosewater and witch hazel. Oatmeal is a very gentle exfoliant. Honey is a bactericide which means it kills bacteria. P. Acnes is the bacteria which causes acne (in most cases). Honey has a high acid content so it can be used in lieu of alpha hydroxy acids to exfoliate, but it will not harm sensitive skin. Honey also attracts water which is what oily skinned people need. Hydrate after the mask with a moisturizer that does not contain oil as the base (water should be the first ingredient).
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