Ruth Baker - Beginners Guide to Organic Body Scrubs

W e can thank the ancient Egyptians for bringing to light the wonderful and relaxing world of face and body scrubs! They were known to use wine as a chemical exfoliant, as well as abrasive tapes made with alabaster, honey and sour milk to exfoliate. They then abraded the skin with finely ground sand to keep it silky smooth. Perfumed oils kept their skin supple and free from wrinkles due to dry desert heat. For women, body scrubs have been part of their beauty regime for thousands of years in Europe and Asia. This regime involved uniting weekly for the purposes of relaxation, bathing, and chatting while they applied exfoliants to their faces and bodies. Ancient Greek rituals involved sea salt facial scrubs and large pumice stones. This was followed by massaging oils into the area for protection from the sun and to soothe any skin irritations. Oil and sand were also used as to exfoliate before bathing.

Fast forward to France in the 1970s, where the gommage facial was once the most commonly used type of face exfoliant. Gommage, French for to erase was a chemical-free and gentle process involving an enzyme rich cream which, after applying, dried quickly on the face. The hardened cream would then be rubbed away, just like an eraser. Following the invention of chemical exfoliants such as alpha hydroxyl acids, gommage was not used as often in facial treatments, but it was very gentle making it an optimal choice for those with sensitive skin.

T he world exfoliate comes from the Latin word exfoliare which means to strip of leaves. Today we know exfoliation as a technique applied to the skin in order to remove its top layer. But what are the benefits of removing the skins top layer? The importance starts with an understanding of how the skin layers are structured. The skins deepest layer, the dermis, creates new skin cells. These new skin cells make their way to the surface and become very acidic and slough off. This process occurs once every month or so. As we age, the process of this skin cycle becomes uneven. This can give the skin a rough or dry texture. Exfoliation helps to reveal new and healthy skin, and remove the top layer of dead skin cells. Regular removal of dead skin cells helps to unclog pores, keep the skin clean, and reduces acne. Exfoliation is beneficial for men as it allows for a smoother, better and closer shave. This is because the hair follicle is more exposed and easier to access with a razor. While skin exfoliation is a naturally occurring process, most skin types can benefit.

T oday, two main types of exfoliation are used, including manual and chemical. Manual exfoliation uses an abrasive substance to slough off the top layer of dead skin cells. Examples of abrasive substances include loofahs, sponges, and scrub products containing microparticles. Chemical exfoliation involves the application of a fruit acid or enzyme to the skins surface. This book will teach you how to make different types of simple yet effective face and body scrubs for the purposes of manual exfoliation, using ingredients in your own kitchen. This simple step by step guide will have you making your own cost-effective and nourishing face and body scrubs in no time!

T o make your own face and body scrubs at home, you will need the following equipment.

-Sterilized Container To Store The Scrub: This could be a glass mason jar, glass jar with a flip lid, and/or turquoise specialty glass jars. If you do not have any of those, a glass or plastic Tupperware container will do the trick just fine. (To sterilize your container, wash thoroughly with hot soapy water and rinse. Then place the jar in a large pot, right side up, and completely cover with water. Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat, and boil for 15 minutes. Sterilizing your container will ensure that the shelf-life of your scrub is lengthened and prevents mold or bacteria from forming.)

-Spoon: This is for stirring your ingredients, or for scooping the mixture.

-Bowl: This is optional. You could either make your scrub in the sterilized container or mix the ingredients in a bowl first and then transfer into the container.

-Rubber Spatula: This will help will transferring the scrub into the sterilized container.

-Measuring Spoons And Cups

-Labeling Materials: This is also optional. If you are creating scrubs for gifts, or even just want them to look pleasing to the eye, labeling can do the trick. You could use materials such as twine, ribbons, labels, tags, stamps and/or stickers.

L uckily making face and body scrubs are relatively straightforward with little to no risk involved! There are a few things to consider, however.

-Allergies and sensitivities: please see the next chapter about patch testing and using the ingredients safely.

-When sanitizing the jars or containers for your face and body scrubs, please be careful to avoid burning yourself. Watch out for children in the kitchen!

-Applying body scrubs in the bath or shower is a great way to achieve a well-rounded, relaxing experience. This being said; the oils contained in the scrub can make a slippery bath/shower floor. Make sure to rinse out your shower or floor extensively after use.

-The oils can also result in a clogged drain. To prevent this you can periodically put cup baking soda, then 2 cups very hot white vinegar, and follow with 2 cups of very hot water down the drain.

-Storing your face and body scrubs are also very important, as you do not want mold to form. Please visit Chapter 7 (How to Store Face and Body Scrubs) on how to safely and effectively store your homemade creations.

A llergies and sensitivities are becoming more and more commonplace in the modern world. It is important to consider this before experimenting with carrier oils and essential oils. If you are highly sensitive or allergic, go forth with caution. Avoid anything you feel may cause a reaction, or do a test patch.

-W ash and dry the inside of your wrist with soap and water. If your wrist is going to have contact with water, choose a place that is not likely to, such as your leg or ankle.