A couple weeks ago, I decided to make my own body scrub out of salt and oil. I’ve been using it ever since, and I love it. My “recipe” is very simple:
I spent $3 on a big container of coarse sea salt, $8 on a large bottle of almond oil, and used olive oil that I already had in the cupboard. I decided that a recycled glass jar + oily hands in the shower might not be the best idea, so I used an empty plastic jar from some Justin’s chocolate almond butter (usually I try to buy things in glass instead of plastic. But the chocolate almond butter was on sale – and only comes in plastic – and it was delicious. And it gave me a perfect container for my body scrub. So it was meant to be).
I dumped a bunch of salt into the container, added a few Tbsp of almond oil and a few Tbsp of olive oil, put the lid on, and shook it up. It took about 30 seconds to make. And the jar I made has lasted me more than two weeks now, and still has at least another week or two before it will be empty. I only used a tiny fraction of the ingredients I bought, so my $11 investment (plus the olive oil, which I always have on hand anyway) should last a good long time.
I’m loving this body scrub. So simple, no weird ingredients, and my skin feels great after I get out of the shower. The salt is a good exfoliator, and the oil means that I don’t need lotion at all. I’ve been using coconut oil for a long time as a lotion after I get out of the shower. But I haven’t needed to do anything at all lately as far as lotion goes. Between my homemade body scrub and a bottle of Dr. Bronners, all my shower needs are covered.
I’ve also gotten back into the routine of “no-poo” for my hair. I had done this in the past, but got out of the habit when we moved to our new house a few years ago. The water here is much harder, and my hair hadn’t been reacting as well to the baking soda/vinegar routine. So I stopped and began buying expensive shampoos and conditioners that didn’t have any nasty ingredients. We installed a shower filter a couple years ago, and it removes chlorine as well as a lot of other stuff from our water. I thought about going back to the no-poo routine after that, but never got around to it. A few weeks ago, I was reading Nature Mom’s blog post about using baking soda and apple cider vinegar in place of shampoo and conditioner, and it inspired me to give that another go. In the past, I used regular white vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar. This time I’m using apple cider vinegar and it’s working great. I’m also taking care to really massage the baking soda paste into my scalp and to only use the vinegar/water mixture on the ends of my hair. I’m definitely happy with how it’s working, and I would say my hair feels better now than it did when I was using shampoo and conditioner that cost $10 for an 8-ounce bottle. If you’ve never tried it, you might be pleasantly surprised by how well it works. My hair is tangle-free and easy to comb right out of the shower, and it dries nice and soft. As Tiffany (aka Nature Mom) explains, you may have to do it for a few weeks and let your hair and scalp get used to it – don’t give up if you don’t like the results after one wash!
If you’re a fan of making your own body scrubs/lotions, etc. or if you have any experience with the baking soda/apple cider vinegar hair routine, I’d love to hear your thoughts and ideas.
Monica says
I used to make my own scrubs and soap, and I loved the way I could customize the scents! I would like to try the “no shampoo” thing, but I have highlighted/colored hair (have a lot of gray!) and wondered if it’s ok to use on treated hair? I really enjoy your blog!
Frugal Babe says
I’ve never colored or highlighted my hair, so I really have no idea. I did a quick google search and found lots of other people with the same question, but not a lot in the way of answers. Some people were saying that the baking soda would fade the color a bit faster, and others were saying that ACV dries out hair more than plain white vinegar – so the white vinegar might be a better option for color-treated hair? I suppose you could give it a try and see. Or if you have a green-minded hair stylist, you could see if he/she has an answer for you. I hope it works for you!
Jennifer @ kidoing! says
I took the no poo approach for well over a year until I couldn’t do it anymore. I don’t think I had the ratios correct because my hair was like greasy straw (lovely visual, I know!) and had an unpleasant smell (to me). I had colored hair when I did it and just noticed that the color faded a little faster than usual. I did the no poo ACV conditioning rinse after coloring my hair and it worked just as well as the conditioner that came in the color box (Herbatint).
I may try no poo again some day. I love the concept. I no poo my kids, and have been for over two years. It’s perfect for their hair.
Regina Wade says
I’ve been looking into making my own body scrub. I started the No ‘poo thing almost a year ago and have been liking it. I figure that if it works that well for my hair, something must be out there to work for my body, too. But, like you, I’ve found that most of the recipes contain odd or expensive ingredients. I’ll have to give your recipe a try. I would need to pick up some almond oil (or, I assume, a similar light oil) but that’s all. My husband is going to think I’m insane, but he already knows I am. ;)
I kept a log of my switch to No ‘poo, if you’re curious (sorry, I don’t remember how to make the link pretty): http://mommysmakingamess.blogspot.com/2011/06/no-poo.html
I don’t follow Nature Mom’s method, but I really should try it out. I dissolve a tablespoon of baking soda in about 6 oz. of water and pour it onto my head, then massage it in (and use it to clean my face, too). Then I rinse it out and mix 1-2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar with about 6 oz of water and pour on my head. Rinse. Let air dry.
I also need to write up a post-partum update on how No ‘poo worked with all that hormonal upheaval after having a baby 5 months ago. :)
Frugal Babe says
I love that you kept a log of how it’s been working for you! Thanks for sharing that. The biggest changes I noticed in terms of pregnancy and hair was how it seemed like I hardly shed any hair at all during pregnancy, but then once my babies were about three months old I shed like crazy for a few months. Our baby is ten months old now, so my hair has settled back down to normal.
charissa says
I made a similar scrub and have two comments:
1 – I grated some tangerine zest in (because I am a total sucker for citrus-y scents in the shower) and it is awesome! The zingy smell is nice while in the shower, but once done, all I smell is the almond oil on my skin.
2 – I couldn’t find salt as coarse as yours, so that might be part of it, but I found that after a couple showers, the moisture got into my jar of scrub and turned it into a giant brick. Have you had any issues with that? (My solution was pretty much to take a spoon in with me to hack at it, but now that I think about it, maybe more oil would help too. Huh.)
I’ve so far been too chicken to try “no poo” but you and Regina are inspiring me to reconsider!
Frugal Babe says
I love this idea! I have some oranges on the counter, and one of them is getting zested into my body scrub jar before my shower tonight. I haven’t had any issues with the salt clumping, but there’s quite a bit of oil in it. Probably at least 6 or 7 Tbsp of oil, and I would guess I used about 1.5 cups of salt. When it settles out, the oil comes up about an inch in the bottom of the jar. I shake it up before I use it to get the oil and salt mixed together, but it’s definitely an oily mixture.
Kellygroves13 says
When my face gets particularly dry and flaky in the winter, I use a teaspoon of olive oil and a teaspoon of sugar and exfoliate with that. It works great and I can make it as I need it so I don’t have another bottle of product in my bathroom. For Christmas I made this http://adelightfulhome.com/lemon-lime-sugar-scrub/ for my sisters, mother, SIL, MIL and some aunts. It is awesome and I use it all the time. I also made some body butter but don’t really need to use it that often because, as you said, the oil in the scrub keep me from needing to moisturize (and the fact that we have had a mild winter so my skin hasn’t been nearly as dry!) I have never really tried the no ‘poo method. I have done it a few times but never really regularly. I should give it a try again…
Frugal Babe says
Ooooh, the lemon-lime sugar scrub looks fantastic! I think I might have to give that a try when I run out of my salt scrub. Of course it also looks like something I might end up licking off my hands in the shower ;)
Meg says
It is ironic that you mentioned the “No ‘Poo” because I started the beginning of February. I am 2 1/2 weeks in and I love the way my hair feels (and I dont have to wash it everyday!) I have had no issues with the transition to date, and I can see myself doing this permanently. I do not use the apple cider vinegar, as I dont need conditioner in my hair.
When I first started, I had dark roots because it had been months since my hair had been highlighted. I decided to try to lighten the roots with peroxide, and it worked!
I have been documenting my “No ‘Poo” experirence at: sparing-change.blogspot.com .
Frugal Babe says
Glad it’s working so well for you! I only have to wash my hair every two or three days this way – I just put it up in a knot when I shower on days that I don’t have to wash it. I wonder how it would work if I didn’t use the ACV? I’m sure I’ll run out one of these days and forget to replenish my jar until after I’m in the shower – that will be the day that I experiment :)
Rachael says
I’ve heard that almond oil can also be really good for your hair. From what I’ve read you are supposed to massage it into your hair, leave it for 15minutes, then wash it out. I’m not sure how well it would work with your no shampoo thing, but I thought I’d mention it. :)