This versatile bath blend can be used to soothe itchy skin, sunburns, and rashes. I used this blend
to bathe my newborn daughter when she had a bit of a rash (I skipped the rose petals, though), and
it seemed to work really well.
Green Scrubs and Peels
Skin exfoliation is very beneficial, no matter if you rub a creamy scrub, use mild acids, or simply
brush your body with a loofah. Exfoliation helps unclog pores and improve circulation so that
moisturizers and bath ingredients can penetrate better. It’s good to dry brush (see Chapter 9) or
briskly scrub your body before a therapeutic herbal bath. Keep in mind, though, that no scrub or peel
can remove a single dimple from your thighs. Cellulite doesn’t respond to physical exfoliation,
although scrubbing can definitely help skin look smoother. Avoid scrubbing over blemishes, rashes,
sunburn, or other skin irritations.
There are many wonderfully green products that effectively get rid of dead skin cells. Body scrubs
are usually more coarse and thicker than facial scrubs because body skin can tolerate more aggressive
friction. Good green scrubs contain plant waxes, oils, butters, and glycerin, and they exfoliate with
crushed plant kernels, salt, sugar, nutshells, or seaweed. They usually contain ample amounts of
essential oils, which may not benefit those of us who have sensitive skin. Topical products with alpha
hydroxy acid (AHA) and salicylic acid may be an excellent option for the face, but I found that it’s
quite hard to control the application in a steamy shower.
I’ve tried dozens of body scrubs, from very expensive to very basic ones, and I believe that the
only way to get a really good scrub is to cook it at home. Luckily, making a great body polish is easy,
costs mere pennies, and all the ingredients are usually already in your kitchen.
Making Your Own Body Polish
Here are some of my favorite body polish recipes. Most of them use sugar and other kitchen
staples, so it is only natural to base them on our favorite dessert recipes. Use them, share them, make
them in batches, and sell them, but please make sure to send me a thank-you note!
Key Lime Body Scrub
2 small key limes
1 cup condensed milk
1 free-range egg yolk
1 cup brown sugar, preferably muscovado
Yield:
4 ouncesThis gentle AHA-based exfoliant makes a great whitening mask if left on to work for a few minutes.
This scrub can be used on your face, too. Store it in the refrigerator for up to one week. If you plan