Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Sea Salt Scrub (in under 5 minutes, for under $5)

I've been wanting to write about some homemade health and beauty products for a while now, but the thing is, I like to actually try stuff before I write about it. And the problem is, I'm a bit of a hoarder. And, well, ok, I'll confess: when we moved to California (over a year ago), we were moving from a state with no sales tax. And what's more, we had a moving company, all paid for, to move whatever stuff we had. So, I headed over to Costco and stocked up. Like a crazy lady. I must have bought at least 100 rolls of toilet paper. Enough dishwasher tablets to stock a busy restaurant. So much lotion that the woman at the checkout probably thought I was filming another Silence of the Lambs movie.

Point is, I haven't needed a lot of cosmetic products since we've moved (and there's a lot that I still don't need - I predict that at current rates of consumption, I'll have celebrated my first and possibly second wedding anniversary before I need to buy more deoderant).

Finally, though, yesterday, I found a need for a product I didn't have stashed away! We were all out of exfoliating scrubs of any kind. I saw my chance and jumped on it, whipping up this batch of sea salt scrub super quickly - and cheaply.

Here are the directions:

Take 1 Cup of sea salt, and mix with 1/2 Cup of grapeseed oil (heads up on this one, I thought it came in a green bottle - nope, the oil itself is green! Which is a little odd, but now you know what to expect). Add 5 drops or so of essential oil (I used lemongrass). Mix it all together really well.

To use, just rub into skin, and rinse off (don't use on open cuts - that'll really hurt). It exfoliates and moisturizes! Also, I haven't tried it with this particular scrub, but I was at a spa with a friend recently and they used a salt scrub to clean her rings and make them all shiny and new looking.

And the best part is, I know there are no little plastic particles hiding out in there waiting to make their way down my drain and into the oceans. The packaging is reduced, because I'm buying stuff I'd either buy anyway, like the salt, or buying in larger quantities than if I purchased a scrub from a salon (to make 5 or 6 batches of this, I'll have one salt container and one grapeseed oil bottle to recycle, rather than 5 or 6 scrub bottles to recycle). The final cool thing is that the ingredients cost me about $22 - but I have enough left over to make a few more batches of this stuff, and the essential oil, which was the most expensive at $10.50, will last for many many batches. Plus I can use the grapeseed oil and the salt for cooking as well. I'm certain this is cheaper than buying a salt scrub at a spa, and I'm also certain it works just as well. Even if it is the color of pistachio icecream.

18 comments:

Lewru said...

This sounds cool! Thanks for the heads-up!

EcoBurban said...

I have been trying to switch all of my cosmetics and face and body care to natural products, so this is a big help. I have found goat milk soap with lavender and patchouli oil from a local soapmaker that is a great daily cleanser, but was lacking for a deeper clean. Thanks!

Michelle MacKenzie said...

Very cool. I don't use many cosmetic items because, well, I'm lazy. But I look forward to seeing what you end up doing. I might actually get up and try something.

BerryBird said...

Like Green Bean, I don't use many cosmetics products, but I do use n0xem@ to wash my face, and it has some nasty ingredients. I have been yearning for something without the chemicals, and this may be it... My only concern is you said moisturizing, and that scares me because of my acne situation. Do you think the benefit of the exfoliation would outweigh the risk of over-moisturizing?

ruchi said...

Cool, thanks!! I may have to try that out....

Melissa said...

lewru, hope you like it!

eco burban mom, I love goat milk soap! It's so much nicer than that stuff from the grocery store, isn't it?

green bean, to be honest, I don't use much either, so don't look for any posts about eye shadow from me (I think the last time I wore eye shadow was when I dressed up as Cindy Lauper for Halloween when I was 7) but I'll probably cover some super basic stuff, like lotion, toothpaste, shampoo. Actually now that I think about it, my husband uses more cosmetics than I do. he he.

berrybird, I'd say this is probably more of a body scrub than a facial scrub. The oil is pretty moisturizing (although you could use other kinds too I suppose) but I used it on my feet, elbows, knees, etc. I think it'd be too oily for my face. I think for this I'm going to try something oatmeal based. Maybe just oatmeal and baking soda or something. I'll let you know what I come up with.

arduous, it'd be a good way to do a spa at home day without spending money! assuming you have all the ingredients already...

a/k/a Nadine said...

Hey! This might be just what I need. I'll have to buy all of the ingredients, as I don't have any of it in the house right now.

How 'bout a homemade toothpaste?

Connie said...

Ohhh, sounds great, thanks!

Sustainababe said...

hey melissa, definitely post about walker's paradise! i actually got it from another blogger myself. i'm surprised living in northern cali that you got a 58. where exactly are you? i'm from LA originally...

Julie P. (babyofmine) said...

I just discovered your blog from 365daysoftrash.
I am in love with the list at the bottom of your blog! I grew up being "green", but back then it was called frugal or even "cheap". Now I'm cool! LOL
I think I'll visit/stalk your blog for further inspiration. :)

Melissa said...

nadine, I am just about done with the current tube, so I'll take the toothpaste challenge then. Actually it's good to start thinking about it now, because I know I won't like plain baking soda...

verde, hope you enjoy!

sustainababe, I'm in San Jose - did you expect I'd get a higher or lower score than 58? I expected it to maybe be lower, honestly! (for everyone who doesn't know what we're talking about, patience...you'll find out in a day or two :)

julie, so glad you found me, and please, feel free to "stalk" as much as you'd like!

Allison said...

I love scrubs. Where did you buy the ingredients? Are they organic? Can you get them organic? And do you use this on your face?
I am looking forward to other homemade products you will post.
Thanks.

Melissa said...

allison, I already had the salt in my pantry...not sure if that was organic or not, but I know you can get it organic. The essential oil is organic (and local!) the grapeseed oil is all natural, but not organic. I found both these items at whole foods...I didn't see an organic grapeseed oil option there. It may be available, it probably depends on where you shop. Enjoy!

Melissa said...

oh, and sorry, allison, I missed the 2nd part of your question...I wouldn't use this on my face; I think it'd be too harsh. I'm going to look soon at a gentler facial option :)

Kale for Sale said...

This is great. I read in Bottomfeeder that the nurdles (little plastic particles) in exfoliating scrubs are currently manufactured at the rate of 250 billion pounds per year. Isn't that mind boggling? And that it ends up in the oceans? More mind boggling. I like that we could eat your recipe if necessary and that it's really green. Yeah, green and green. Melissa's Green and Green Salt Scrub. Thanks.

Melissa said...

kale for sale, that is mind boggling! and who named them nurdles, anyway? that's a funny name...but I love the name "green and green salt scrub"! I'll definitely hire you for my marketing team if I start selling it :)

Allison said...

Thanks Melissa, I will keep an eye out for the ingredients at my local whole food grocer. I'm glad they are readily available.

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