Carolyn J. Braden • 3 Minute Read
Article originally posted: 5/5/2022
Article updated with links to my Lemon Sugar Scrub: 10/29/2024
Need a last minute gift idea for Mother’s Day? Look no further! This Beach Salt DIY Hand and Body Scrub recipe comes together in 20 minutes or less AND can be made with things you find at your grocery store! My DIY salt scrub recipe will give you many variations so you can tailor it to your own likes.
Read on to learn how to make my easy DIY salt scrub.
Free Printable Labels
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Free Printable Labels 〰️
Scroll to the bottom of the post OR click the scrolling text above to get free printable round labels for your own salt scrub creations!
My “WHY” for creating this recipe:
I originally tried to make someone’s DIY salt scrub recipe from Pinterest and it did not turn out well. I did not use the exact type of salt they used and I am positive that was the issue. Their recipe had me ordering salt from Amazon and I did not have time for that (as I was making this as a last minute Mother’s Day gift) and used Epsom salt instead. I ended up needing a lot more Epsom salt than her recipe called for to get a decent consistency.
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So, the “fail” became a new recipe concoction that I think probably is BETTER than the one I tried to create! I set out to create a beach scented diy salt scrub (using my Bobbi Brown Beach dupe oil I bought on Amazon) and loved it so much, that I experimented more and created a lavender DIY salt scrub too. That made me know I could teach others (like you!) to make this to suit whatever scent you love.
See my quick DIY salt scrub video tutorial below or via my Pinterest account!
Get my easy 3 ingredient Lemon Sugar Scrub recipe in my video below or via my YouTube channel @carolynjbraden:
Want to print my DIY Beach Salt Scrub recipe so you can use it over and over again? Click the button below!
I called it “Beach Salt” DIY Hand and Body scrub because I live by the beach, I love the suncreen-like scent of Bobbi Brown Beach perfume (and so does my mom) AND I just like how “Beach Salt” sounds. My Beach Salt DIY Hand and Body Scrub can be used as it’s titled…on your hands and your body.
I visited a restaurant called Cielo in the town I live (Sanibel Island, Florida) and they had some salt scrub next to the sink in the bathroom. My hands were left incredibly soft and smelled so good after using it. That gave me the idea to leave some of my DIY salt scrub next to my own kitchen sink with a small wooden spoon.
Not only does it clean your hands (it has a bit of soap in it) but it also is a great scrub for removing paint! My husband loves using it to remove the wall paint he occasionally gets on his hands sometimes when painting our house.
You can probably buy your ingredients for this diy salt scrub at your grocery store. The essential oil may not be at all grocery stores, but you don’t have to scent this scrub, as it is incredibly effective without fragrance. If you want to use the exact ingredients I used, you can get them at Whole Foods, Target and Amazon.
This makes approximately 5 cups of DIY Salt Scrub
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Suggested tools: spatula or mixing spoon, large mixing bowl, glass jars with lids to store scrub
Here’s my Beach Salt DIY Hand and Body Scrub recipe:
5 cups epsom salt (I purchased an inexpensive giant 8 pound bag of Epsom salt at Target so I could make several batches)
2 tablespoons castile soap (I used Dr. Bronner’s Unscented version)
1/2 cup softened coconut oil (I used Good & Gather Refined coconut oil from Target, if your oil is not softened, you can place it in a glass container and heat in 10 second increments in the microwave until it’s soft, which will be somewhat “smushy” in texture)
30-40 drops of essential oil (I used a Bobbi Brown Beach dupe that is no longer available on Amazon for my “Beach Salt” scented scrub. I found a similar beachy fragrance body oil on Etsy OR you could use any scented oil that is safe to use on skin like lavender oil)
liquid, powder or gel food coloring (I used plant based liquids from Whole Foods)
How to:
Place 2 cups sea salt into a large mixing bowl.
Add the castile soap, softened coconut oil, essential oil/s (I added 30 drops, but you can add more or less depending on how strong you want the scent to be), and about 3-4 drops of food coloring IF you are using it (I used 2 drops of green and 3 drops of blue to get the “sea glass” and about 2 drops red and 3 drops blue to get the blueish lavender color)
Mix well to combine using a spoon or rubber mixing spatula
Add in the other three cups of salt one at a time, gently stirring to combine after each addition (slowly adding the salt will help it’s overall texture outcome)
Place the salt scrub into a lidded container
Scrub your hands or feet with the scrub and rinse with water for super soft skin that lasts!
Check out my helpful Tips and Tricks below the image!
Tips and Tricks:
FYI: When I tried coloring a batch with Butterfly Pea Powder, my mixture turned rancid after 30 days. Other batches, where I only used food coloring, lasted much longer. Keep in mind, no matter what, this won’t have as long of a shelf life than store-bought scrubs as it has no preservatives in it.
Want a tropical scent? Try mixing 20 drops coconut essential oil with 20 drops pineapple essential oil
Want a margarita-like scent (Like Lush’s Ocean Salt)? Try mixing some lime essential oil and orange essential oils into your scrub
Is your scrub too oily? Add more salt.
Is your scrub too dry? Add a bit more coconut oil.
You can use other oils (olive or avocado oil) in lieu of the coconut oil, but keep in mind you may need to experiment with using less or more as I’ve only tried this with coconut oil
You can use other salts in lieu of the epsom salt, but keep in mind you may need to experiment with using less or more as I’ve only tried this with epsom salt
Don’t add fragrance to keep this fragrance free if you are sensitive to scents
Gift in glass jars with cute little wooden spoons
Did you try this DIY Salt Scrub recipe? If so, leave us a comment below! Share your experience with our community here on CBC so we can learn from each other!
DIY Salt Scrub Gift Idea
Want to give these as a gift? Try placing the scrub into small glass jars (I recycled some small yogurt containers) and use some jute string to tie on a small wooden spoon.
Then add a custom label on the lid like I did and gift to a loved one. Scroll to see my giftable salt scrub photos and download the FREE image below to make your own “made with love” 2 inch round labels.
I used AVERY 5294 High Visibility Round labels, 2 1/2 inch in diameter and Canva to create my design. I uploaded the PNG file to the AVERY website, used their easy FREE program to make a PDF sheet of labels, then printed the design on my labels at home using my own printer.
Need a PDF instead? I’ve got you covered! Click the button below for a PDF file. I have a very small watermark on my label design. If you want a non-watermarked or custom label, contact us for pricing.
You could alternately create labels in Canva and have them print them for you. AVERY also offers custom printed designs.
Happy creating!
If you loved this article, we know you’ll love this one too: How to Make 3 Ingredient Lemon Sugar Scrub
Carolyn J. (C.J.) Braden is the owner of Carolyn’s Blooming Creations is a regular contributor and editor for CBC. She has been featured in numerous media publications such as InStyle Magazine, on HGTV, on Bustle.com, and more. She is the author of the books Georgia McMasters in Amethyst Lake Cemetery, How To Be Yourself: 3 Ways To Help You Being You, and the illustrator for the children’s book Bridging Connections. She is a former classroom teacher that now dedicates her life to educating others on how to live their most healthy, creative and happy life. Learn more about her visiting our About Us page.