DIY Himalayan Salt Scrub Recipe + Tutorial

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Himalayan Salt Scrub DIY
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Looking for smoother, fresher feeling skin? This Himalayan salt scrub DIY is easy, simple, and great for exfoliating away dead skin cells. Body scrubs like this are just one of the homemade beauty products that are a staple in my home!

Why Make a DIY Salt Scrub? 

Just the act of rubbing the skin helps stimulate fluid flow, reduce cellulite, and improve your skin’s overall tone and health. Dry brushing is a great way to do this, but a Himalayan salt scrub DIY also stimulates the skin and provides even more benefits. Adding essential oils ups the benefits even further and adds a hearty dose of mood-boosting aromatherapy.

This recipe is great for a body scrub, but salt can be too harsh for sensitive skin on the face. If you’re looking for a good face scrub, try this anti-inflammatory cumin sugar scrub recipe.

The Best Salt for a Homemade Salt Scrub

Salt (like sugar) helps exfoliate dead skin and increase circulation, but unlike sugar scrubs, it can contain healthy minerals. Regular iodized table salt is stripped of vital nutrients, so it’s not my first choice. Here are some different types of healthy salt to use for a salt scrub recipe.

  • Epsom salt is basically magnesium, and I love it in my homemade foot scrub.
  • Dead sea salt is really high in minerals, especially magnesium. A 2005 study found major skin benefits from soaking in it! 
  • Pink salt, also known as Himalayan salt, has dozens of trace minerals in it. 
  • Real Salt is very similar in mineral content to Himalayan salt. Instead of being mined in Pakistan, though, it comes from Utah. 
  • Celtic sea salt has trace minerals and is also a healthy choice for a sea salt scrub. 

While all of these are good choices, obviously I’ve opted for Himalayan salt for this particular recipe. You could substitute one of the other healthy salts if you prefer, though. Just make sure it’s finely ground.

Pink Himalayan Salt Benefits

Himalayan salt is my favorite natural salt to keep around because it’s so rich in minerals and trace elements, like calcium, magnesium, and iron. When consumed, it can help balance electrolyte and pH levels, strengthen bones, and support circulation, to name a few things. This salt scrub DIY nourishes skin with all of the minerals and trace elements of the salt.

Choosing a Carrier Oil

Most scrubs include a carrier oil of some kind to help the scrub glide over the skin. This recipe uses coconut oil for its amazing skin benefits and some lighter sweet almond oil to tone it down while still moisturizing. I’ve also included a small amount of castile soap to help cleanse the skin as you moisturize for a truly all-in-one scrub.

If you don’t have almond oil on hand, other options include olive oil, jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, or fractionated coconut oil. Just make sure the oil you choose to replace the sweet almond oil with is liquid at room temperature.

Grapefruit Essential Oil Benefits

Grapefruit essential oil helps stimulate the lymphatic system and eliminate excess water weight. It also helps boost circulation and diminish the appearance of cellulite. One 2005 study found that just smelling grapefruit can boost metabolism and speed weight loss. It’s also high in limonene, which helps protect cells from free radical damage. It smells amazing in this DIY granite spray, too!

Some aromatherapists, including essential oil expert Tisserand, consider grapefruit to be phototoxic if used above 4%. This means it can cause sun sensitivity if left on. There shouldn’t be a concern here though, since the grapefruit is washed off and is at .5%.

Soothing Peppermint

Although more commonly used for digestion and to aid in clear breathing, peppermint oil with its menthol content also makes an invigorating salt scrub. Peppermint helps wake you up and increases energy. It can also help balance oil production for clearer skin. I like using it to help soothe headaches. 

Since it’s a strong essential oil, make sure it’s properly diluted, and don’t use it on very young children. In this body scrub recipe, we’re only using a tiny fraction of a percent just for the scent. 

Himalayan salt scrub DIY
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4.80 from 5 votes

Himalayan Salt Scrub DIY

This easy salt scrub DIY leaves skin feeling smooth and fresh.
Prep Time5 minutes
Yield: 12 ounces
Author: Katie Wells

Materials

Instructions

  • In a small glass bowl, add the coconut oil, essential oils, and sweet almond oil. Mash it all together with a fork or silicone spatula.
  • Add in the castile soap and Himalayan salt.
  • Store your Himalayan salt scrub DIY in a glass jar.

Notes

To Use: Rub all over your body in circular motions to cleanse and exfoliate, then rinse off with warm water. 
Shelf Life: Will last for about 6 months if stored properly.

Tips for Using

  • Since this product is made with oil, be careful when using it in the shower as it can make the floor slippery.

Storage Tips

  • Store in a cool, dry place at room temperature and apply with dry hands. This doesn’t need a preservative because it doesn’t contain water. Be careful not to introduce water to the homemade body scrub in the shower.
  • You can also add some vitamin E to give the scrub an antioxidant boost and help prevent the oils from oxidizing if preferred.

Ever used a salt scrub? What are your favorite scents to use? Leave us a comment, and be sure to share this post with a friend!

Make your own soothing Grapefruit Mint salt scrub using finely ground Himalayan salt, almond oil and essential oils to soften and pamper skin.

Katie Wells Avatar

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Co-founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

Comments

39 responses to “DIY Himalayan Salt Scrub Recipe + Tutorial”

  1. Candice Avatar

    A recipe like this is so versatile… Add pink salt, epsom or sea salt or portions of all. Add any oil you like… Olive oil, sesame oil, hemp oil or avocado oil or a mix of all. Choice of essential oil is based on scent, benefits and best used where (like the face or if pregnant/breastfeeding). Or no essential oil added. Your carrier oil and salt will provide plenty of good stuff if you don’t want a smell.
    Easy enough scent choices would be Cedarwood for men and orange blossom for women or mix for a universal small for all.
    Use a spatula or spoon to scoop out product so that no water contaminates the container (considering there are no preservatives) but as said above, vitamin E will help lengthen shelf like.
    For face I would consider that salt can be a little harsh. But with the ring finger, a light touch and small circles all around (the less sensitive skin issues the better), rinse well with luke warm water than rinse with cool water. If on the drier side add a touch of carrier oil warmed between hands. If more oily wet a washcloth with hot water and pat around face on neck. No rubbing. Simple tapping.

  2. Terrence C. Avatar
    Terrence C.

    How long does the batch last for ? A month? Several Months? Or just as long as you keep it stored correctly?

  3. Helen Clare Avatar
    Helen Clare

    Hi Katie, could you please tell me what the T stands for, is it teaspoon or tablespoon ? ?

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