Monday, February 25, 2013

Make a Lemon Body Scrub ~ Citrus Series


"Applied to the skin, it (lemon) has antibacterial and astringent effects,
which helps to clear up blemishes and brighten dull or oily skin and hair."
~ James Wong, Grow Your Own Drugs

And yet another luxurious use for the common lemon! To make a body scrub which looks like it came from a bath boutique, all you need is a few minutes and two basic household ingredients.


Body scrubs help to remove dead skin cells (exfoliate) and moisturize dry skin (making them perfect for winter). Your husband will appreciate the frugality and you will always have a gift on hand without running to the store at the last second. Don't forget to involve your children in these easy projects! They create memories while allowing you the time to actually make them.


Simple Supply List:
  • 2 c. fine sea salt (or sugar)
  • 1 c. body oil (such as light olive oil, fractionated coconut oil, avocado oil, almond oil, grape seed oil, sunflower oil, or regular coconut oil*)
  • zest of 1 lemon (fresh or dried)
  • 6 drops favorite essential oil (lavenderlemon, etc) or 1 tsp. extract (vanilla, lemon, coconut)
  • clean jar/container with lid
* If using regular coconut oil, use a mixture of 1/2 c. of liquid oil (i.e., sunflower oil) with 1/2 c. coconut oil so that the coconut oil doesn't solidify your scrub.


Mix together your oil and salt (or sugar).

This is a pretty forgiving recipe.  Feel free to add more or less of anything listed to get the consistency and aroma you desire! If you like a thinner scrub, use a 1 to 1 ratio of oil and salt/sugar. I like it thicker (as in recipe above) so that is doesn't slip from my fingers when wet. 


Add your lemon zest (or any other fragrant dried herb/flower of choice).


Mix together.

Add essential oil or extract of choice.




Place your "lemon scrub" into a jar because it is already done! For best results, use within 6 months.

Directions: In the shower, massage a small handful of scrub all over wet skin (avoiding sensitive areas, concentrating on dry ones), rinse off and pat dry. Don't wipe away the oil feeling since this will keep you moisturized without applying lotion. Suggested use is once a week. Not recommended for your face.


This is too simple! My daughter and I made a few different blends and had a blast creating these "spa bath and beauty products".


You are welcome to print off our lemon labels for your jars or use them as gift tags. Simply download them HERE and print on card-stock. Attach with a piece of ribbon, twine or paste onto your container. This could be used as craft time for the little ones too!



"Create in me a clean heart, O God;
and renew a right spirit within me."
~ Psalm 51:10


If you enjoyed this project, we share 100+ more ideas on how to use up fruit scraps in our Ebook here! Happy kitchen-crafting, ladies!

All the fine print. This post may be shared with some or all of the following link-ups: The Art of Home-Making MondaysModest Mom Monday'sMonday's MusingsMake Your Home Sing MondayGood Morning Mondays,  The ScoopTitus 2 TuesdaysTuesdays with a TwistRaising HomemakersThe Homesteader HopWise Woman Link UpHomestead Blog Hop Wow Us Wednesdays,  Coffee and ConversationHomemaking ThursdaysHome Sweet HomeOur Simple HomesteadAwesome Life Friday Link UpFive Star Frou Frou Friday, and Shabbilicious Friday. Thank you lovely ladies for hosting these. This post may contain affiliate links (which are merchant links that help to support this site at no additional cost to you if you purchase an item through them).

24 comments:

  1. Thank you for sharing this! I am definitely going to make myself some and some for my mom since she loves anything citrus :)

    I hope you are doing well and may you have a blessed week!

    Hugs to you,
    Stephanie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you!
      How fun! She will love it and it is so simple to make! :)
      Take care!

      Delete
  2. Oh, this is nice. And with the flower idea I can imagine all sorts of possibilities. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The possibilities are endless!!! I am going to try lavender next :)

      Delete
  3. This is wonderful! I may sound ignorant on this but, when you say 'body oil' is that a mixture of all of those oils mentioned above or one or the other can be used. I would love to do an almond scented scrub. So, I would use almond oil, with almond extract, Raw sugar. What would replace the zest? I have dehydrated coconut flakes. Would that work?
    Thank you!:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oops, sorry if it is confusing! You can just use almond oil ~ that would be heaven! I just put body oil there so that one DOESN'T use a basic cooking oil like veggie/canola oil. You don't have to replace the zest. That was optional. I think almond oil with almond extract and raw sugar is perfect!!! But if you wanted grainy in there, why not try some oatmeal or coffee grounds… I am not sure about the coconut but HEY that is where neat stuff is created!!

      Delete
  4. I'm the only girl in my home, but I will be enlisting one little boy who likes to get messy, to do the mixing...will make an awesome gift for a couple of aunties next month. I so enjoy your posts.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much! I hope you guys have fun!!! It really goes quick so making more than 1 batch will be easy :)

      Delete
    2. Just finished making this, wow so easy! My new favorite gift to give! I did the lemon, with coconut oil. Thank you!

      Delete
    3. OOhhh!! Lemon with the coconut oil sounds wonderful!!!!

      Delete
    4. This was a huge hit; with the maker, and the receivers!

      Delete
  5. This recipe looks wonderful. I will share this with a friend.

    ReplyDelete
  6. does this lemon scrub need to be refrigerated with the lemon in it? Love the recipe-thank you

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't because of the salt which acts as a preserver. A few drops of vitamin e oil can further preserve it for a longer shelf life. Hope this helps!

      Delete
  7. I am so enjoying your blog, so glad I found it recently.

    I just found lemons for $.19 each at Aldi! Yay!
    Now I can try some of your lovely recipes.

    Have a terrific weekend. Do drop in and say hi at Harvest Lane Cottage.

    Laura

    ReplyDelete
  8. I simply LOVE your entire Citrus Series, but this Body Scrub really caught my eye! I am going to be trying it very soon. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe and all the wonderful tips. I love your blog and I am now a follower. I will be back often just checking out more recipes. You have so many that look so good in your side bar! I would also like to post your "Basic Household Uses for Lemons" on my blog if you don't mind. Of course I would link back to you. Thank you so much for your time and for your blog, I love everything about it!
    Hugs, Paula
    summdaysummway.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are most welcome and thank you for linking back :)

      Delete
  9. I just found your blog and can't stop reading. Your style is so lovely and unique. I sense His fragrance everywhere.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thanks Jes, I now have everything I need to do this, am going to make it right now. So excited. ~ Abby

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. How fun! Please let me know how you like it :)

      Delete
  11. Hi Jes, :) Another great post that would be a perfect fit for this week's Hygiene edition of Wildcrafting Wednesday! I hope you'll join us! :)

    ReplyDelete