Natural from Toe to Head - Leg Scrub Recipes

Did you know that before shaving (or waxing) your legs it is a good idea to do a gentle exfoliating scrub to remove any dead skin?  A variety of items can be used to make exfoliants. The great thing about making your own scrubs is you can pick scents/scrubs from things you already have on hand or to suit your mood. Most of the ingredients used in homemade scrubs are a lot less expensive than store bought options (and best of all no yuck chemicals!)

A few ideas for a scrub bases:

• Coffee: Coffee grounds are a great option to use as a base for a leg scrub - reason - the caffeine in coffee grounds has added benefits.  It is believed that coffee grounds when used as a scrub can help to decrease the formation of cellulite. When applied topically coffee grounds can tighten, and shrink blood vessels which can help in eliminating varicose & spider veins. (a note on this - it makes a mess in the tub- use it in the shower not a bath - and be ready to give your tub a scrub after! Well worth the effort though - I used some last night and my legs feel great)

• Salt: Pink, Kosher, Sea, Table, Epsom take your pick. Salts with a finer grain are nice because they won't have edges like some of the bigger grinds that can scratch your skin. If you are going to use a salt that has a coarse grind - put it through a coffee grinder or in a high speed blender to break it down a bit first. Salts are detoxifying and help your muscles to relax. Dead sea salt (if you can find it) is supposed to help with psoriasis. Don't use a salt scrub if you have any cuts or irritations - what they say about salt in a wound is true.

• Sugar: Brown sugar is gentler than white and has a nice scent (and is probably the most popular type to use). Sugar scrubs don't have the muscle relaxing or detoxifying properties of a salt scrub but, they are much gentler and probably are a better option for people with irritated, dry or sensitive skin.

• Cornmeal: Is useful for exfoliating dry skin (I've been using it for years - I have dry sensitive skin and it is my favourite in facial scrubs). 

• Baking Soda: When made into a thick paste and rubbed on the skin in a circular motion it is a great way to exfoliate

Scrub Recipes 

Coffee Sandalwood Legs a Go-Go Scrub

• 1.5 cup of dry coffee grounds
• 1/2 Cup sea salt
• 1/2 C of Oil (almond/coconut/sesame/olive)
• 4 drops of sandalwood essential oil 
• *smells sooo good and makes your legs silky soft!

Citrus Salt Glow

• ½ cup sea salt
• ½ cup sweet almond oil (coconut oil or sesame oil)
• ½ tsp finely grated lemon/lime or grapefruit zest (finely grated ginger is really nice too)

Brown Sugar & Cinnamon Smoothing Scrub 

• 1 cup brown sugar
  1/4 cup almond oil (or coconut)
  2 capsules vitamin E
  6 drops vanilla
  2 drops cinnamon essential oil (or just a dash of dry cinnamon)

Cornmeal Lavender Scrub

• 2 Cups Cornmeal
• 1/4 Cup Coconut Oil
• 2 Drops of Lavender essential oil

Baking Soda Leg Shine Scrub

• 3 Cups Baking Soda
• 1/4 Olive Oil
• 4 Drops peppermint essential oil

Instructions

Combine ingredients. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Before showering, give it a shake or a stir, then apply to legs in a circular scrubbing motion with hand or soft washcloth - wash off in shower or bath then shave (or wax) if you do as per usual and notice how much smoother your legs feel.  My next post will be on natural shaving creams/soaps/waxes.