Natural Beauty: DIY Detoxifying Sea Salt Body Scrub

Even though I live by the Gulf, I don’t spend that much time splashing around at the beach. (What’s wrong with me?) I must admit, though, there’s something so enriching about being near (and in) the salt water. Sure, you leave the beach with sand between your toes and sunscreen in your eyes, but I always feel healthier and a little more vibrant after spending time there.

Indeed, sea salt is something special, due in part to its high mineral content. It boasts magnesium, calcium, sodium, and potassium, all of which play a role in the beauty and health of our skin. Sea salt we purchase at the store isn’t terribly different than the kind we encounter at the coast. Unlike iodized salt, it isn’t processed with heat or artificial additives, so those beautifying minerals are preserved.

The magnesium in sea salt can reduce and prevent fluid retention, thereby improving skin tone and tightness. Meanwhile, the nutrients in the salt can boost skin’s cellular energy metabolism, keep tissues hydrated, all while aiding blood circulation (good for getting a nice glow!). Calcium in sea salt helps unclog pores, making sea salt scrub an ideal choice for anyone dealing with body acne (just be careful not to scrub too hard and break the skin, since this could make the condition worse). Finally, sea salt makes an awesome natural exfoliator, sloughing off dead skin cells and making skin softer than ever. Could this be why the ocean brings out our natural beauty?

I love experimenting with making my own body scrubs, but in the past, I’ve mostly used raw sugar, rather than salt. (This coffee-sugar scrub is a personal favorite). For some silly reason, it never occurred to me to use salt until I was accosted by a gentleman at the mall, hawking some $75 salt scrub. Because I am too nice/foolish, I allowed him to demonstrate just how dirty my hands were prior to using the salt scrub.

“Look at the filthy water, miss!”

Ah, yes. Thank you, sir.

After explaining to the man that, no, I would not be asking my husband to buy the scrub for me (eye roll), I hatched a plan to try my (apparently filthy) hand at making my own magic sea salt scrub. The added lemon juice serves as a refreshing astringent while the clay aids the skin’s natural detoxification.

DIY Sea Salt Body Scrub

Here’s what you’ll need:

Airtight glass container

5 tablespoons fine sea salt

5 tablespoons coarse sea salt

2 tablespoons bentonite clay

2 tablespoons extra virgin coconut oil (or carrier oil of your choice—sweet almond oil, avocado oil, and olive oil work, too)

juice of 1 large lemon

5 drops lavender essential oil

Directions:

Coat the fine and coarse sea salt and clay in the oil before adding the lemon juice. Once the salt, clay, and oil are thoroughly mixed, stir in lemon juice. Store in an airtight container and use within a few weeks. Enjoy!