Autumn is now here in its full glory, and it won’t be long before we transcend into winter. No doubt, after the freedom of summer, your skin is now bitterly complaining about being bundled up in clothing and is responding by becoming dry. When the central heating comes on full blast, it’s only going to get worse. So treat your skin to the natural goodness of coconut oil with these 5 effective 100% natural homemade scrubs that will work wonders on dry skin and are guaranteed to make your skin soft and luscious.
What are the benefits of coconut oil for the skin?
Coconut oil is a superfood, packed with fatty acids, vitamins C, E, B1, B3, B5 and B6, carbohydrates, essential amino acids, and minerals including iron, selenium, sodium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorous. It’s these same nutrients and compounds which have a plethora of benefits to the skin, and the reason why it has now become synonymous with skincare. Coconut oil helps maintain the skin’s moisture due to the presence of fatty acids which eliminate moisture loss through the pores, as well as soften the skin for a healthy-looking appearance. Lauric acid in coconut oil has antimicrobial properties to destroy bacteria on the skin and reduce acne and inflammation. Coconut oil soothes dry skin, dermatitis and eczema, heals cracks, eradicates irritation and discomfort, and minimises razor burn. It provides a protective barrier for the skin, and helps prepare the skin before sun exposure and preserves a tan. Meanwhile, the oil benefits collagen production, helping to repair and protect against ageing, and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by maintaining the skin’s elasticity and firmness.
Coconut Oil – Undisputed decadence for the hair, skin and body – Discover for yourself why Coconut Oil is a must have for the skin, hair and body.
Why is it important to exfoliate?
Let’s look at the benefits of scrubs and why it’s important to include this regularly in your beauty routine. The skin sheds dead skin cell daily and when they start to build up, which is a particular problem in the colder weather, the skin looks dull and feels rough and dry. However, hiding under this dull exterior lies a brand new softer smoother layer just waiting to be revealed.
Polish your look with natural exfoliators Find out more about exfoliation and the natural Nefertiti scrubs.
DIY Coconut Oil Body Scrub Recipes for Dry Skin
So try out our DIY scrubs, enhanced with essential oils for their therapeutic benefits for the body and mind. Furthermore, they are cost-effective and totally free of harmful chemicals and preservatives, just 100% natural goodness. Better for you and for your wallet!:
Wake up! Morning Scrub
You can use your scrub to utilise the power of aromatherapy and start your day off right. Citrus essential oils are known for their mood-boosting properties and can help to allay anxiety, stress and tension. Allow the uplifting aroma to refresh and energise you, and start off the day feeling great and ready for anything.
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup cold pressed coconut oil
- 15 drops of citrus essential oil of your choice
Preparation
- Melt the coconut oil in a double boiler or in the microwave and allow it to cool but not to solidify.
- Stir in the essential oil and mix well, add the sugar.
- Check the consistency which should be grainy and crumbly. If it’s too wet, add some more sugar.
- Store in a glass jar.
Salty Honey Scrub
Combining honey and coconut will moisturise and nurture like no other. Honey is a natural humectant and is revered as a remedy for a number of skin ailments, due to its anti-inflammatory, emollient, protective and healing properties. It soothes and restores skin damaged by acne, eczema, atopic dermatitis or psoriasis. Honey is also packed with antioxidants, and stimulates collagen to maintain the skin’s elasticity and promote skin renewal. Both chamomile and lavender are renowned for their soothing and calming effect on the nervous system, reducing stress, anxiety and depression and allowing for a good night’s sleep. An ideal scrub to incorporate into your beauty routine at the end of a long stressful day.
Ingredients
- ½ cup of sea salt
- ¼ cup of honey
- ¼ cup of coconut oil
- 15 drops of lavender or chamomile essential oil
Preparation
- Melt the coconut oil in a double boiler or in the microwave and allow it to cool but not to solidify.
- Stir in the honey, add the essential oil and mix well, add the salt.
- Check the consistency which should be grainy and crumbly. If it’s too wet, add some more sea salt
- Store in a glass jar.
Like to incorporate honey into your skincare products in a simple non-messy way? Follow up this scrub with some Nefertiti Carrot and Honey Cream. Extremely gentle and suitable for all skin-types, it’s the perfect combination to nourish and protect.
Spotlight on Lavender Oil Discover the benefits of lavender essential oil for the mind, body and soul.
Sensuously Sweet Scrub
An excellent combination to promote healthy glowing skin, the sensuous aroma of exotic Jasmine is known to soothe nervous tension and anxiety, remedy apathy, indifference and listlessness, and elevate feelings of happiness and contentment. Jasmine is also a known aphrodisiac increasing romantic and positive feelings. Use as a part of your beauty routine to set the mood for a romantic evening, or even just because you can’t resist the divine scent.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup of sea salt
- ½ cup of brown sugar
- ½ cup of coconut oil
- 5-8 drops of Jasmine essential oil
Preparation
- Melt the coconut oil in a double boiler or in the microwave and allow it to cool but not to solidify.
- Stir in the essential oil and mix well, add the sugar and salt.
- Check the consistency which should be grainy and crumbly. If it’s too wet, add some more salt.
- Store in a glass jar.
Irresistibly Sweet Vanilla Scrub
The universal scent of childhood, vanilla is a firm favourite with everyone, and a scent that men find particularly attractive on a woman. Comforting and warming, it evokes feelings of joy and relaxation. Vanilla has a sedative effect on the body, quietening the nervous system, relieving stress, anxiety, tension, hyperactivity and restlessness, and promoting a good night’s sleep. Chamomile also soothes the nervous system and promotes sleep.
Ingredients
- ½ cup of coconut oil
- ½ cup white sugar (or more if you like it coarser)
- 10 drops of vanilla essential oil (you can use less, or by preference, because the vanilla is pretty strong)
- 5 drops Chamomile essential oil
Preparation
- Melt the coconut oil in a double boiler or in the microwave and allow it to cool but not to solidify.
- Stir in the essential oil and mix well, add the sugar and salt.
- Check the consistency which should be grainy and crumbly. If it’s too wet, add some more salt.
- Store in a glass jar.
Rosy Spice
Both Rose and Frankincense are natural antidepressants and powerful mood boosters, known to balance the emotions and promote self-confidence and boost self-esteem. They are perfect to eliminate stress, nerves and mental fatigue. Their benefits for the skin are also astronomical, being particularly soothing to dry skin. They rejuvenate the skin, reduce the appearance of ageing and imperfections, and promote wound healing. The perfect go-to scrub. Who doesn’t adore this sultry aroma?
Ingredients
- ½ Cup of coconut oil
- 1 Cup Finely ground pink Himalayan salt or sea salt
- 8-10 drops Rose essential oil
- 10 drops of Frankincense essential oil
Spotlight on Rose Oil All you need to know about Rose Essential Oil. A skin-care must-have.
Preparation
- Melt the coconut oil in a double boiler or in the microwave and allow it to cool but not to solidify.
- Stir in the essential oil and mix well, add the salt.
- Check the consistency which should be grainy and crumbly. If it’s too wet, add some more salt.
- Store in a glass jar.
How To Properly Scrub Your Skin
Prep the skin by soaking in/washing with warm water to open the pores. Do not use hot water as this can over-sensitise the skin. Apply some scrub to wet skin, and gently massage over the skin in circular motions, applying only gentle pressure. Rinse off with warm, not hot, water. Alternatively you can add some of the scrub with a little shower gel.
For an extra conditioning mix for the face, décolleté, or other sensitive area, pour a small amount of scrub into a bowl, add some milk, yoghurt or honey, and mix well until it’s the consistency of sour cream. Apply to the specified area, and leave intact as a mask for 5 minutes, before adding a little warm water to soften the mix and gently massage it over the skin in circular motions. Rinse clean with warm water.
Which coconut scrub will you try first? Whichever you choose your dry skin will be extremely grateful. Why not also experiment with some of your other favourite essential oils?
