Body Scrubs: Salt vs Sugar

I love body and face scrubs. I can't get enough of that fresh feeling you get after using a good scrub. I also have come to realize that you don't need to purchase expensive scrubs to get the benefits by making them at home. I've featured a two of my own recipes on the blog already (Lemon Sugar and Salt Scrub as well as a Cinnamon Sugar Scrub). I'm currently working on a new sugar scrub and a new combo sugar and salt scrub that are both a twist on the classics (will share soon!). Whenever I make scrubs for friends and family I tend to get a few questions about the difference between a sugar and a salt scrub. I thought I'd share my knowledge to compare salt scrubs vs sugar scrubs. Salt:

Lavender Salt Scrub via 30s Magazine

• Right off the bat I'll say that my skin can handle a high level of exfoliation so I happen to like using sea salt in my salt scrubs because you can feel a difference after even the first use. However, I'd never use salt on my face or in very sensitive areas. So for those of you that have super sensitive skin all over, I would stick to sugar or use super fine salt. You can even take sea salt and throw it in a food processer to create fine grains.
• Best for rough spots such as elbows, knees and the soles of your feet
• I like to combine bright citrus scents when I make a salt scrub such as lemon, grapefruit or lime.
• To me salt is more energizing and best for the morning to awaken the senses.
• By using a thicker carrier oil you can get a bit more moisturizing going as the salt itself is drying and really more of a buffer that rinses clean.
• Salt will help to detoxify skin where sugar only exfoliates.

Sugar:

Lemon Sugar Scrub

• Sugar is best for sensitive skin and delicate areas such as the face and neck.
• Sugar is more moisturizing as it sticks to your skin leaving that dewy afterglow.
• Your decision for a carrier oil will again provide either a highly moisturizing experience (olive oil and almond oil) or light and clean (vegetable glycerin).
• I love warm scents such as honey, vanilla or floral such as lavender or rose for sugar scrubs.
• Since sugar scrubs tend to be gentler, I find them more relaxing and great for the evening before bed.

In the end, I love them both but for different reasons. Whichever you love best, the fun part of making your own scrub is the infinite recipe possibilities. Plus, they are such lovely gifts! Common Salt Types:

• Mineral Salt
• Sea Salt
• Dead Sea Salt
• Table Salt

Common Sugar Types:

• Natural Cane Sugar
• Pure White Sugar
• Brown Sugar
• Raw Sugar

Common Carrier Oils:

• Olive Oil
• Almond Oil
• Coconut Oil
• Vegetable Glycerin

Optional Extras (Don't go nuts though):

• Essential oils such as lemongrass, lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus or rose
• Honey
• Agave
• Cinnamon
• Tomato
• Vanilla extract
• Used coffee grounds
• Ground oatmeal
• Herbs such as rosemary or basil
• Citrus zest

Enjoy! xo Arica

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