How to Do a Full Body Scrub

Co-authored by Aparna Ghosh

Last Updated: February 14, 2023 References

Going to the spa is relaxing, but can get expensive. You have the power to create the soothing, exfoliating powers of any masseuse from the confines of your home. There is a wide range of scrubs, varying in an easy to produce cream to a more time consuming body bar. Do it yourself, and share the benefits with your friends.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using a Food-Based Scrub

1
Make a coffee scrub. Coffee grounds are a natural exfoliate and the caffeine can reduce the amount of cellulite in your skin. You can either use fresh ground coffee, or reuse yesterdays coffee grounds. For this recipe you'll need 1 cup of coconut oil, 1/2 cup of sugar, 1/3 cup of coffee grounds, and 2 tbs of olive oil.
- Mix your ingredients in a medium sized bowl and then store in a sealed jar.^{[1]
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2
Create a banana scrub. This is another way of reducing your food waste and maximizing your skin's vibrancy. This is also a good cost efficient scrub that doesn't require you to use oil. Simply mix these ingredients together:
- 1 ripe banana
- 3 tablespoons of sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract or your favorite essential oil (optional)
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3
Use tomatoes. Tomatoes are a great cooling agent, and are especially beneficial for skin after too much exposure to the sun. For this recipe, use ripe tomatoes, ones that might be too ripe to eat. You'll need: 1 1/2 cups of sugar, 1 tomato, 3/4 cups of oil, 3-5 drops of your favorite essential oil like citronella (optional).
- Chop the tomato as finely as you can and then mix the ingredients in a medium sized bowl. Store in an air tight container and keep it in the fridge.
- Do not keep for more than a week because it will start to ferment. Store in the freezer if you choose to make a larger batch.
4
Create an oatmeal scrub. Oatmeal has a wonderful exfoliating property for your skin. Your skin will feel rejuvenated with the mixture of oatmeal, sugar, and coconut oil. This recipe will yield a large batch that will last for about six months. You'll need 1 cup of coconut oil, 1/2 cup of brown sugar, and 1/2 cup of oatmeal.
- Mix the ingredients either by hand or by using a food processor.
- Store in air tight containers.
- This is a great gift if you think you've made too much for yourself.^{[2]
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5
Make a mango-based scrub. Mango's contains a natural cooling and relaxing agent for your skin. This is a great way to create a paradise retreat in your shower. You'll need 1/2 cup of sugar, 2 tablespoons of coconut oil, 1/4 cup of chopped mango, 2-4 drops of your favorite essential oil (optional).
- Use more sugar to create a thicker consistency.^{[3]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Creating a Baking Soda Scrub

1
Acquire the supplies. Baking soda is a common all purpose ingredient that can be used everywhere from your toilet bowl to your hair. Simply buy or find baking soda somewhere in your house.
2
Create the paste. All you need to do to create a paste is to add water. Fill your palm with baking soda and add it to a bowl. Then slowly mix in water, one tablespoon at a time.^{[4]
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- For deeper exfoliating properties, add granulated sugar.
- For an aromatic effect, add 3-5 drops of witch-hazel extract.
3
Massage your skin. This process will remove the dead skin from your body. Start with your toes and work your way up to your scalp. Use your hands to rub the lotion into your skin. You can either apply the solution during your shower or before.^{[5]
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- For better results allow the scrub to settle into your skin for two minutes before you wash it off.
4
Wash yourself afterward. Turn on the shower and let the water wash the scrub away. There isn't any need to use soap, a washcloth or loofah. Guide the water with your hands in a massaging way.
- This is supposed to be a gentle process. If you want a deeper scrub then use sugar, but never be too rough on your skin.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Making a Body Bar

1
Collect the ingredients. This process will require the most effort and the most ingredients. You will need:
- 3 oz Shea Butter
- 2 oz Cocoa Butter
- 1/2 oz Ground Adzuki Beans
- 1 oz Ground Rice
- 1/2 oz Ground Almonds
- 10-15 drops of essential oil of your choice^{[6]
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2
Grind the dry ingredients. If you didn't buy pre-ground beans, rice, and almonds, use a food processor or a blender in order to do so. Make sure these are ground up as fine as possible.^{[7]
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- It is okay if some pieces aren't as fine as others. This will give the bar ridges that will help exfoliate your skin.
3
Mix the butters. In a medium sauce pan, mix the shea butter and cocoa butter. Use low heat on your stove and only keep on the heat until the two butters are fully mixed together.^{[8]
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Add the exfoliants. Combine the ground rice, almonds, and beans to the combined butters. Stir the mixture until everything is well blended together.^{[9]
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Add your essential oil.^{[10]
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Research source} This option is all a matter of your preference. You could use a citrus oil like lemon or citronella, or use an herb-based oil like eucalyptus or tea tree.
- If you are comfortable with essential oils and have a collection, you could use a combination. Something like lavender and tea tree, for example.
6
Let the ingredients settle. Put the mixture into the freezer for about 20 minutes. This process will help the exfoliants remain equally dispersed through the bar. The mixture should take on an opaque color.^{[11]
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- If you leave in the freezer it will settle completely, which will make things difficult.
7
Spoon the mixture into molds.^{[12]
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Research source} You can use anything you have in your house. If you have cookie sheets with molded shapes, that is perfect. If you don't have anything, you can use a muffin sheet.
8
Refrigerate the molds. Set the molds in the refrigerator. Wait a few hours. When they are ready the bars will push themselves out of the mold. Once the bars are firm, you won't need to keep them in the refrigerator.^{[13]
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9
Use the bar in the shower. Use the bar as you would use a bar of soap. After moistening your skin in the shower, softly rub the bar directly along your skin. After rubbing into your skin, wash it off with water.
- Applying the bar directly against your skin will activate the exfoliating properties of the bar.

Community Q&A

Question

Can the bar be reused?

Community Answer

Yes. It would be fine to reuse the body scrub, though it would not work as effectivley as using the whole bar.
Question

How long can the coffee and the bars last without synthetic preservative?

Community Answer

The scrub should last up to two months, but if it starts to smell or look strange before then, discard it.