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- Homemade Gift Ideas
- Soapmaking
Learn how to make a foaming salt scrub for your skin care routine. This exfoliating body scrub recipe is an easy way to cleanse, exfoliate and moisturize skin — all in one step! Make this DIY salt scrub today for homemade gifts for Mom. Or to gift to friends and family ready to take their beauty regimen to the next level!
Whipped Soap Body Scrub with Dead Sea Salt
If you’re need of a homemade gift or simply want glowing skin for summer, then consider making my easy to craft, DIY foaming salt scrub recipe. This homemade salt glow scrub recipe combines the cleansing power of soap with the exfoliating and detoxifying properties of dead sea salt, Himalayan pink salt and Epsom salts. It also contains a touch of moisturizing shea butter and luxurious grape seed oil which is perfect for people with skin sensitivities because of its natural non-allergenic properties.
Foaming Salt Scrub Recipe
Foaming Salt Scrub Recipe© Rebecca D. Dillon
This foaming salt scrub recipe combines ingredients to create a 3-in-1 product that cleanses, exfoliates and moisturizes all in one easy step. This skin care products is made with a whipped soap base combined with Dead Sea salt, Epsom salt and pink salt to detox and exfoliate skin. Additional ingredients, such as a moisturizing body butter and carrier oil, are also included to nourish and condition skin. Add your favorite fragrance or essential oil to create the perfect DIY beauty product for glowing skin. Or create this DIY scrub for an at home spa day recipe.
DIY Foaming Salt Scrub Ingredients
Note that the inclusion of Dead Sea salt in this body scrub recipe is a requirement. Without this specific ingredient, you will end up with a hard salt bar, not an exfoliating body scrub. Therefore, I don’t recommend making substitutions to this ingredients. However, the grapeseed oil may be replace with another another carrier oil of your choice, if desired.
Following are the ingredients you will need to make this whipped soap with salt:
- 12 oz. Mango Butter Melt and Pour Soap Base: Melt and pour soap is necessary to form the base of the scrub. When combined with Dead Sea salt, it prevents the bar from hardening back into solid form. While I chose use a mango soap base for this homemade body scrub for glowing skin, you may use any quality melt and pour soap base you like.
- 2 Tablespoons Grapeseed Oil: You will need to add a carrier oil to this skin care recipe to help thin out the scrub so that it is scoopable.
- 1/2 oz. Shea Butter: This moisturizing body butter is included to help soften the soap into a DIY salt scrub. In addition, it also gives this scrub its skin conditioning properties to nourish and moisturize skin.
- 2 Tablespoons Pink Himalayan Salt: Pink salt is rich in natural minerals and is a wonderful to detox skin.
- 1/4 Cup Dead Sea Salt: This salt from the Dead Sea naturally retains moisture. Therefore, it breaks down the soap base to form an exfoliating salt scrub to help you achieve naturally glowing skin.
- 1/2 Cup Epsom Salt: Rich in magnesium, this salt soothes skin and assists with exfoliation.
- 1/2 oz. (or approximately 2 Tablespoons) Fragrance Oil or 1/4 oz. (approximately 1 Tablespoon) Essential Oil of choice: If you’d like your homemade salt scrub to have a fragrance, you may add your favorite fragrance oil or essential oil blend to this recipe. For this project I used a Lemongrass Sage Fragrance Oil. Alternately, you can use half the amount of your favorite essential oil in lieu of a fragrance oil.
Tools and Equipment
To make this foaming salt scrub using a melt and pour soap base, you will need some common kitchen tools to get started. Here are the additional tools and equipment needed:
- Digital Kitchen Scale: This will be used to weigh out the melt and pour soap base for this DIY body scrub. If you don’t have a scale, but have purchased a scored block of your preferred melt and pour soap, you can count out the 12 of the 1 oz. sections and use those instead.
- Heat Safe Measuring Cups: Use Pyrex measuring cups to heat and combine the ingredients called for in this salt glow scrub recipe.
- Spoon: A spoon, or other kitchen utensil such as a fork or spatula, is necessary to mix the ingredients together.
- Microwave: You will use a microwave to melt the soap base and shea butter called for in this DIY body scrub. If you don’t have a microwave, you may use a double boiler.
- Containers: Either four 4 oz. containers or opt two 8 oz. jar are needed to package your final product.
How to Make Foaming Salt Scrubs
Here is how to make a foaming salt scrub for glowing skin:
1. Cut your melt and pour soap base into chunks using a Chef’s knife.
2. Then using a Digital Kitchen Scale, weigh out 12 oz. of soap base into a large glass pyrex measuring cup.
3. Next weigh out 1/2 oz. of shea butter and add to the soap chunks. Heat your soap base and shea butter in the microwave just until melted. (It is important to note that this recipe only works if you used Dead Sea Salt.)
4. Now, remove the soap base and shea butter from the microwave.
5. Measure out 2 Tablespoons of Grapeseed Oil and stir into the melted soap base and shea butter mixture.
6. Immediately measure out your salts and stir into the salt scrub base you’ve created. Mix thoroughly.
7. . Finally, weigh out 1/2 oz. (or approximately 2 measured Tablespoons) of skin safe/cosmetic grade fragrance oil of choice and stir into your salt scrub.
8. Stir your homemade foaming salt scrub until it starts to thicken.
9. Then pour it into four 4 oz. containers of your choice. (Or opt for two 8 oz. containers – one for you and one for a homemade gift!)
How to Package Salt Scrubs
To package your salt glow scrubs, simply pour the foaming scrubs into the chosen containers. Once solidified, screw on the lids.
You may then decorate your jars for this DIY skin care product by wrapping a lovely strip of washi tape around your jars. Then add a cute “Handmade with Love” sticker for the perfect presentation.
I purchased both the washi tape and stickers I used for this packaging this product from Cute Tape.
Usage
To use this homemade salt scrub recipe, simply scoop a small amount into the palm of your hand. Then scrub the product onto damp skin all over your body. It washes, exfoliates and scents your skin in one easy step!
After massaging onto skin, rinse clean. Then pat dry and follow with a best body moisturizer recipe for skin.
Salt Glow Scrub Recipes
To make more salt glow scrub recipe similar to my foaming salt scrub DIY, be sure to try these other easy skin care recipes:
- Strawberry Smoothie Foaming Salt Scrub: Dish up some fun in the kitchen with this amazing strawberry smoothie, foaming salt scrub recipe for glowing skin! Its exfoliating and toning skin care properties will help keep your skin ready to show off all season long!
- Foaming Celtic Sea Salt Scrub: This foaming Celtic sea salt scrub recipe contains light grey Celtic sea salt to moisturize, revitalize, exfoliate and detox skin as well as calm inflammation. Learn about the skin care benefits of this natural salt scrub recipe with essential oils, plus how to make your own to incorporate into your natural skin care routine.
- Dead Sea Salt Face and Body Scrub: Get glowing, healthy looking skin with this homemade lush face and body scrub recipe. Formulated with nourishing body butters, coconut oil and Dead Sea salt, this Dead Sea salt face and body scrub recipe exfoliates skin and offers dry skin relief. It’s the perfect addition to your natural beauty regimen for sensitive, maturing or dry skin!
- DIY Whipped Salt Scrub: A variation on this foaming salt scrub recipe, my DIY whipped salt scrub is another 3-in-1 product for summer skin care. Try this at home spa day recipe to create your own custom whipped salt scrubs for glowing skin.
Prefer to use sugar for an exfoliating body scrub? Then be sure to try this recipe for a foaming oat body scrub.
For more homemade gift ideas, be sure to follow my Handmade Mother’s Day Gift Ideas Board on Pinterest! You can also keep up with all of my latest DIY bath and beauty recipes and DIY projects by following me on facebook, twitter, and instagram!
Rebecca D. Dillon
Rebecca D. Dillon is a soapmaker, DIY-er and blogger whose life is controlled daily by a dachshund. You can learn more about Rebecca by checking out her bio. Or discover more great skin care & beauty recipes by subscribing to Soap Deli News blog via email.
36 Comments
Jennifer
May 13, 2013 at 10:37 am
This recipe title made me think the scrub foams when you use it. Is this recipe named Foaming Salt Scrub because it only foams during the process of making it? If so, which ingredients cause this reaction? I’ve just not come across another foaming salt scrub tutorial before.
- soapdelinews
May 13, 2013 at 9:44 pm
It “foams”- or rather lathers – like a soap does when you use it.
Karina
May 15, 2013 at 9:44 pm
Would this work with cocoa butter?
- soapdelinews
May 15, 2013 at 10:46 pm
Are you wanting to sub cocoa butter for the shea butter? It would probably make it too hard if you use cocoa butter as it’s solid at room temperature. You could sub with another butter that’s semi-solid at room temp like the shea butter is.
Amy
May 17, 2013 at 1:16 pm
Hi Rebecca! Thank you for sharing at last week’s Get Crafty Friday link party. Your salt scrub has been featured at this week’s party! I hope you will stop by and grab a feature button =)
-Amy @ The Stitchin’ Mommy
http://www.thestitchinmommy.com/2013/05/get-crafty-friday-22.htmlRachel Regione
May 19, 2013 at 4:31 pm
I made this salt scrub but it came out as hard as a rock. The only thing I changed is that I used the goats milk m&p soap base I had. I used 1/2 oz white ginger and amber for an fo. I am going to have to dig out of the containers to remelt and try to save. Could you give me any ideas why this happened? I really like the idea of this scrub and hope you can help me.
- soapdelinews
May 19, 2013 at 11:52 pm
It could very well be the m&p base. Different m&p bases react differently when salt is added. This particularl base worked great for this when I was experimenting which is why I specifically listed it. I also used the dead sea salt – which is slightly moist – and Himalayan pink salt specifically from Mountain Rose Herbs. I’ve duplicated this recipe several times now without any issues so I can only assume the different ingredient sources made the difference.
Michelle
June 2, 2013 at 9:46 pm
Does this need a preservative added?
- soapdelinews
June 2, 2013 at 11:16 pm
No, it does not.
Michelle
June 2, 2013 at 11:19 pm
OK Thank You!! I use my scrubs in the shower so I wanted to be sure. Great recipe!!!! Thanks for sharing!!! :o)
- soapdelinews
June 3, 2013 at 1:54 am
No problem. As this is mostly a melt and pour glycerin soap base, it doesn’t need a preservative any more than the soap base does. Although the introduction of water could potentially cause it to lose it’s thickness much like a bar of soap sitting in a pool of water.
Michelle
June 29, 2013 at 11:14 am
Hello. I am new at making scrubs. I made a scrub with sea salt, essential oil and almond oil. It turned out nice, but I wanted something to foam or suds up, and creamy. Is it ok to use these butter base with oils like almond oil, etc? do they mix well?
- Rebecca D. Dillon
June 29, 2013 at 11:58 am
Not all melt and pour soap bases are the same – as some don’t break down when salt is added. This particular one does which is what makes it so perfect for this salt scrub. You can use it with other oils or butters and salt to make a creamy salt scrub that lathers. Alternately you could also use a liquid castile soap rather than a soap base.
Michelle
June 30, 2013 at 1:40 pm
Rebecca, thanks for the info. I think I’ll experiment with the liquid castile soap, sea salts, Epson salt, oils for base and essential oils.
CHJohnson
October 1, 2013 at 7:10 pm
I’m ordering supplies for this recipe. Can you tell me which grain of the pink Himalayan salt to use? (Fine, extra fine, small, medium or coarse). Or does it matter?
- Rebecca D. Dillon
October 1, 2013 at 7:19 pm
I used the Himalayan Pink Salt from Mountain Rose Herbs. It’s a coarse grain, but you can use whatever is your preference.
Robin
October 27, 2013 at 10:14 am
Thank you for sharing great recipes and neat finds like BirchBox which I got my 1st box yesterday (so fun getting surprises in the mail 😉 am gonna try Ipsy after Christmas, can’t remember the name of the other lol. Anyway, am excited to try this recipe today hopefully without issues as I use sugar versus salts (I nick way to easy when shaving) and the salt burns. I am going to add jojoba beads for color and eventually may add pink Himalayan fine grain.
Reading some of the other posts though should I add some salt to help breakdown the M&P base so that it stays soft. Think I will hold off on making until I hear back on your thoughts (I have all your ingredients listed but pink Himalayan salt).- Rebecca D. Dillon
October 27, 2013 at 10:25 am
This recipe specifically works with this base and salt. With sugar it will be a solid soap bar. If you’d rather have a foaming sugar scrub, try using liquid soap. I’ll be posting new recipes to the blog soon with more recipes that call for sugar.
Robin
October 27, 2013 at 5:59 pm
Thanks Rebecca for the quick reply.
I will scale the recipe down & with your exact ingredients to see how I like it. I currently use the foaming whip base for my foaming body polish and want to experiment with something new. Plus some of the people I give & sell it to say it has a soap smell no matter what FO or EO I use. I will look forward to seeing what you put out there for us in the way of using liquid soap.
Renee
October 30, 2013 at 2:52 pm
Hi Rebecca! I”m very interested in trying your recipe but 1/4 oz essential oiil (1/2 bottle of aura cacia brand) seems like a lot. I love well-scented products but don”t want to overdo. I want to make a rosemary-peppermint blend scrub for Cbristmas gifts. Thanks for your belp!
- Rebecca D. Dillon
October 31, 2013 at 8:55 am
You’re working with over a pound of product so a quarter ounce is not a lot. It’s less than 2% of the recipe.
Pat
November 15, 2013 at 2:22 pm
Can u use this for a foaming sugar scrub
- Rebecca D. Dillon
November 15, 2013 at 5:41 pm
No. You’ll end up with a solid bar. This chemical makeup of this particular soap base causes it to break down when salt is added. This is not the case with sugar. You can try a recipe similar to my lemongrass exfoliating cleanser recipe if you want to use sugar and have it lather.
Hannah
November 16, 2013 at 12:45 am
If I want to substitute the soap base with liquid castile soap, would I still use 12 oz or would that make the product too loose/thin? I buy liquid castile soap in bulk, so I have a lot available to use — just wondering if I need to change anything.
- Rebecca D. Dillon
November 16, 2013 at 12:58 am
You’d have to adjust it to the consistency you want. Since I have not tried this recipe with a liquid base I can’t give you a definitive answer. You can use the amounts from the other recipe for the facial scrub as a starting point.
- Rebecca D. Dillon
November 16, 2013 at 10:01 pm
I came up with a natural foaming sugar scrub recipe which you can now find here.
Susan
December 5, 2013 at 2:13 am
I was so excited to make this recipe tonight so that the kids could give it to their teachers! I bought mp base from Natures Garden Candle Making Supplies ( I have never had any problems with their products) but when I melted the MP I had a horrible mess so I threw that batch out that I had melted with a double boiler and tried again with melting it 30 second intervals in the microwave it was just as bad….it peeled in sheets like plastic is all I can describe it as. I am so certain if its the MP or the reaction of the MP and salts but either way I ended up with a stiff non sudsy mass I even tried to add water to it to get it to loosen but that made a putty. I have hope that its the MP so I have some that I bought from Bramble Berry, keeping my fingers crossed. Do you have any suggestions for me to try? Thank You
- Rebecca D. Dillon
December 5, 2013 at 12:47 pm
I have not tried this recipe with other soap bases other than the Crafter’s Choice I specifically mentioned. It does not work with an all natural melt and pour soap base as the bar will be completely solid. Unless you are using that specific soap base I can’t say if it will work or not. The salt breaks down the soap specifically in the Crafter’s Choice Three Butter Melt and Pour Soap Base. It may also work with other CC soap bases if they are not the all natural soap bases, but I haven’t tried any of those bases at this point.
Renee
December 9, 2013 at 6:39 pm
I made this recipe and it came out great! However, I thought for me personally, I would like it to be a little scrubbier. Do you think if I added a couple more tablespoons of dead sea salt that it would still have a similar texture but more scrub ‘grains’? I don’t want to change the texture where it hardens up. Thanks!
- Rebecca D. Dillon
December 9, 2013 at 8:42 pm
I’m not sure how solid it would get adding more salt. Perhaps adding something that won’t dissolved in water like salt does to give it more scrub like just a touch of fine pumice powder or walnut shell powder? Glad you like the recipe!
Grace
January 20, 2014 at 11:02 pm
Thank you Rebecca (you are amazingly helpful) for sharing this information. It is very helpful as I have been searching the net for this type of recipe. I was wondering if you have a recipe for a foaming facial scrub. I would like to use oats instead of suger but not sure what type of soap base would be best.
Michelle
April 7, 2014 at 7:57 pm
Hi Rebecca! Thank you for sharing!
I too make my own scrubs and am wondering where you bought thouse perfect little jars?! 🙂- Rebecca D. Dillon
April 7, 2014 at 8:18 pm
They are clear 4 oz. plastic low profile jars from Wholesale Supplies Plus.
silvia
September 22, 2014 at 1:36 am
Hi Rebecca. it is possible to use crafters choice buttermilk melt and pour base?!
I will love to make this scrub.- Rebecca D. Dillon
September 22, 2014 at 7:48 pm
Not if it’s the one that’s detergent free. It will solidify into a solid soap.
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