For many people, a good scrub at the end of a rough day is a must. Scrubbing not only eliminates stubborn dirt on the skin, it does much more than that. For starters, it improves blood circulation. The ‘roughness’ in the scrub invigorates the skin, especially if applied in a way that mimics massaging. This brings about a relaxing state of mind. You feel both pampered and calmed, not to mention fresh and clean at the end of the scrubbing session! Go For Homemade Body Scrubs While there are many commercial body scrubs available out there, many people swear that the best are the ones that they make themselves. It is not so much the money factor that makes people want to create their own, although some body scrubs can be very expensive indeed. Making your own scrub is both easy and satisfying that it becomes part of the calming and relaxing activity that occurs before the actual body scrubbing routine takes place. There are many recipes that can be used for making body scrubs. Some are simple while others are sophisticated. Generally, there are three main categories of ingredients present in any body scrub recipe – exfoliant, carrier oil, and fragrance. The exfoliant is the gritty stuff that provides the ‘roughness’ so desired in any scrub. The most common exfoliants are salt and sugar, because these dilute in water and hence you need not worry about dealing with a messy bathtub after use. However, some people like to try more ‘exotic’ exfoliants like ground coffee, oatmeal, almond meal, rice bran, and several others. Ground coffee gives a fantastic aroma, making it rather popular among scrub lovers. Carrier oil (or base oil) is the stuff that holds the potion together, and at the same time, it moisturizes your skin. Sunflower oil, grape seed oil, and hazelnut oil are quite common. Some oils tend to be heavy, leaving your skin rather greasy after use. Which oil to choose depends on how you like your skin to feel after the scrub. Many recipes call for 1/3 cup of carrier oil for every cup of exfoliant used. The last ingredient is fragrance, which comes from essential oil or synthetic fragrance oil. Essential oil is, of course, the better option, and choosing one depends on the type of skin you own. For example, if your skin is normal, then several drops of germanium, lavender, and ylang-ylang will work out wonders. Experiment and Enjoy the Result! Try out a few simple recipes first, and see how the body scrubs of your very own creation suit your skin and your mind. Experiment with different combinations of exfoliants, base oils, and fragrances. You will find that the whole routine of making, storing, and then using the body scrubs is a comforting and soothing experience that is well worth your time!