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who DOESN'T love chocolate? such a wonderful smell to add to your relaxing bath time. |
I adore Almond Joys. So I decided to create my own custom chocolate body scrub recipe to match my passion. The other chocolate body scrub recipes are just as delightful, but I am sticking to my favorite.
1 small handful of almonds
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
1/4 cup dried coconut
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup almond oil
1/4 cup cocoa powder
Blitz all ingredients together in your food processor/blender. Dampen skin in bath or shower. Rub (scrub) all over in firm circular motions. Rinse clean.
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup cocoa powder
Mix together all ingredients. Dampen skin in bath or shower. Rub (scrub) all over in firm circular motions. Rinse clean.
1 cup muscovado sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 cup coconut oil
Mix together all ingredients. Dampen skin in bath or shower. Rub (scrub) all over in firm circular motions. Rinse clean.
1 1/2 cups cocoa powder
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
3 tablespoons coconut oil
2 tablespoons ground coffee
Mix together all ingredients. Dampen skin in bath or shower. Rub (scrub) all over in firm circular motions. Rinse clean.
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 cup light brown sugar
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
2 tablespoons almond oil
Mix together all ingredients. Dampen skin in bath or shower. Rub (scrub) all over in firm circular motions. Rinse clean.
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup cocoa nibs
1/2 cup kosher salt
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1/2 cup jojoba oil
1/2 cup sweet almond oil
2 tablespoons vitamin E oil
Use a food processor or blender to grind the oats into a powder. Add the cocoa nibs, salt, almond oil, jojoba oil and vitamin oil. Hit pulse a few times to blend. Store in a glass jar and scoop out for use with a spoon or a seashell. Massage the scrub into the skin, then rinse with warm water.
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup almond oil
2 teaspoons cocoa powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 drops peppermint essential oil
Mix together all ingredients. Dampen skin in bath or shower. Rub (scrub) all over in firm circular motions. Rinse clean.
1 cup demerara sugar
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
1/4 cup oatmeal powder
3 tablespoons honey
1/4 cup melted coconut oil
Mix the sugar, cocoa, oatmeal and honey. Pour in the melted coconut oil and stir into a thick paste. Dampen skin in bath or shower. Rub (scrub) all over in firm circular motions. Rinse clean.
Knowing that caffeine can help reduce cellulite, and coffee scrubs tout this as a benefit, I thought it was good information to inform you that cocoa powder has caffeine as well. Not as much, but every little bit helps.
Is There Caffeine in Cocoa Powder?
When using these sugar scrub recipes, it is recommended that you use either refined white or light brown sugar. They are mostly interchangeable. If you want a vegan scrub, stick to the brown sugar. Keep in mind that if you are using muscovado sugar, its softer than turbinado or demerara. This makes it gentler on your skin, but then doesn't exfoliate as well.
Refined White Sugar: The regular white sugar we are used to seeing and using. It can be purchased from any grocery store.
Light/Dark Brown Sugar: This sugar is 95 percent refined white sugar with a thin layer of added molasses.
Muscovado: This is an unrefined cane sugar in which the molasses is not removed. You can find this at most health or natural food markets. If your regular grocer carries it, most likely it will be in the natural foods section.
Demerara: This is a type of sugar with a fairly large grain and a pale amber color.
Turbinado: This a raw sugar. It is less processed than brown sugar and is made from the first pressing of sugar cane. It retains some of the natural molasses.
Baking Soda: Though not a sugar, if you want the lightest exfoliation, substitute the sugar for baking soda.
All sugar scrubs should be refrigerated once made. They should last up to 2 weeks if property stored. It is best to make small batches and use it fresh so mold or bacteria doesn't get a chance to grow.
Carrier liquids are as interchangeable as the sugar and salt options. Choose your carrier liquid or oil based on your own needs and skin type.
AVOID Baby Oil/Mineral Oil: Baby oil contains mineral oil. Mineral oil does not absorb into the skin and when evaporates, it will leave your skin feeling dryer than before. Also, mineral oil clogs your pores, making your skin look drab.
While sugar scrubs are made of small granules and are better suited for exfoliating sensitive areas like the face, salt scrubs are more abrasive with larger granules suitable for harsher scrubbing of callused skin like the feet and hands.
There are many salt varieties on the market today. It is only a matter of choosing your favorite. I like the most convenient salts that I can buy locally and pick up in bulk. Epsom salt is actually my favorite due to it's many beneficial properties and smaller price tag.
When I do choose to go with a bit more pricey salt, it usually has larger granules than I like for my homemade body scrub recipes. So I pop a couple handfuls in my Vita-Mix and grind them down as fine as I want.
Unlike sugar scrubs with a shorter shelf life, salt scrubs can last up to 6 months. Be aware that the salt and carrier liquid will most likely separate between uses. This is fine. Just stir it up again before each use.
Salt Works has a great page explaining the different types of salt available. Check out their Bath Salt Selection Guide.
The fragrance options are wide spread. My first choice is always a potent essential oil. But don't forget you can use common ingredients as well. Here is a list for you to peruse and see what you might already have in your own home.