This DIY salt scrub recipe is perfect for dry and damaged skin. This two-ingredient exfoliating salt body scrub contains skin-nourishing ingredients: Epsom salts and coconut oil!
Salt and sugar scrubs are some of the best DIY skincare recipes that anyone can make and use at home. Not only are they great for the skin, but they’re also safe and non-toxic.
What is a Salt Scrub?
Salt scrubs are an exfoliating product made with various types of salts and usually a carrier oil to moisturize the skin. Salt scrubs tend to be more abrasive than sugar scrubs and are best used for dry, challenging and damaged skin. I prefer to use salt scrubs on my feet, hands, and any areas of my skin that may have a callus (sometimes knees or elbows).
Salt Scrub vs. Sugar Scrub
A salt scrub is usually more abrasive and should only be used on the body or the feet and hands. However, for some skin types, salt is too rough to be used on the whole body. In this case, a sugar scrub would be a better option since it’s less abrasive. When it comes to using a scrub for your face, salt scrubs are not a good choice. Avoid using this kind of scrub on your face or any sensitive area.
How To Make Salt Scrub
To get started, you’ll want to check your coconut oil to see if it’s soft (room temperature) or solid. If it’s solid, you’ll need to warm it up on the stovetop gently.
Next, you’re going to mix 1/4 cup of soft coconut oil with 1/2 cup of salt. You can use any salt you like. I like to use Epsom salts because they’re an excellent source of magnesium, and I feel so relaxed when I use them on my feet after a long day. Other good salt choices are Redmond sea salt, dead sea salt, or french grey sea salt.
Mix the salt scrub well and store it in an air-tight container or glass jar.
How To Use Salt Scrubs
- Use 1-2 tablespoons of the sea salt body scrub to exfoliate your feet, hands, and skin.
- Rub gently in a circular motion to massage and rub into your skin.
- Rinse off thoroughly with warm or hot water in the shower. You may want to use a drain catcher to collect the flower buds from going down the drain.
- Use 1-2 times a week.
Equipment and Materials:
Your local health food store will carry most, if not all, of the supplies and ingredients for this scrub. Amazon and Mountain Rose Herbs is my go-to online stores for shopping for herbs, spices, carrier oils, salts, and waxes. Below are direct links to the products I used in this recipe.
Salts:
- Dead Sea Salt
- Epsom Salts
- French Grey Salt
- Redmond Sea Salt
Carrier Oils:
- Virgin Coconut Oil (more on this, including my picks for the best coconut oil you can buy)
- Refined Coconut Oil (No coconut scent)
- Olive Oil
Dried Herbs And Flowers:
- Lavandin Flower
- Lavender Flower
- Calendula Flower
- Chamomile Flower
Organic Essential Oils:
- Rosemary Essential Oil
- Peppermint Essential Oil
- Roman Chamomile Essential Oil
- Lavender Essential Oil
Salt Scrub Add-Ons
This basic recipe is great all on its own, but sometimes I add other oils, herbs, or essential oils. These are some of my favorite add-ons:
- Olive oil: Olive oil is very conditioning and absorbs deep into the skin. I like to add one tablespoon of it to this salt scrub for added moisture.
- Herbs/Flowers: Dried herbs or flower buds are a great addition to this scrub. They add a lovely scent that isn’t too overpowering and make the scrub look beautiful. But, of course, there are skin benefits to many herbs and flowers too! For example, I used dried lavandin flowers in this recipe.
- Essential oils: One or two drops of organic essential oils can be a great addition to this scrub. Rosemary and peppermint are my favorites to use on my feet as they leave the skin feeling invigorated and refreshed.
FAQ
I like lavender but other oils like orange and eucalyptus can be used too.
Yes, coconut oil will mix with epsom salts to create this scrub.
Yes, natural colorants and dried herb powders can be used to color this scrub.
If you love this salt scrub recipe, then try out my DIY Lip Scrub, Grapefruit Scrub, Coffee Body Scrub, and Lemon Sugar Scrub!
PrintEpsom Salt Scrub Recipe
This homemade salt scrub recipe is perfect for dry and damaged skin. This two-ingredient exfoliating salt body scrub contains skin-nourishing ingredients: Epsom salts and coconut oil! This natural exfoliant scrubs dead skin cells off dry skin and contains minerals like magnesium.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 six ounce jar 1x
- Category: DIY
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup epsom salts, dead sea salt, or real salt
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
- 1 tbsp olive oil (optional)
- 1 tsp dried herbs (optional)
- 1–5 drops essential oils (optional)
Instructions
- Mix the melted coconut oil, epsom salts together in a small bowl.
- If you’d like to upgrade this scrub with the add on’s, mix them into the scrub after you’ve mixed the coconut oil and salts together. I like to add a few drops of essential oils like lavender, orange, grapefruit and eucalyptus.
- Store in an air tight container until ready to use.This recipe will fill a 6-ounce jar.
Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 1
Originally published on July 7th 2013 and was updated with new images on October 22nd 2021.
I just bought coconut essential oil. Available through Amazon. Greensleeves brand
I never thought to use epsom salts so decided to try that this time, but I think I prefer the scrubbiness of smaller salt crystals. I still love this though and yeah, getting some more magnesium is always a good thing.
I made ten gift containers. The scrub is rock hard. I’m not sure how people will even get it out of the container. Is it supposed to be so hard?
It’ll soften when it’s in the bathroom at room temp. Coconut oil will solidify and get hard in cooler temps. In the bathroom, the scrub will warm up and be soft.
Hi I just made this and the coconut oil seems to gather at the top. Will It eventually harden back up?? Like it’s too runny. Also how long should it last at room temp?
Can you use Himalayan salt instead of epsom?
Sure!
How often should this scrub be used?
1-2x a week or as needed.
You might include or suggest a small spoon but the coconut oil warms and melts quickly.
You can use solids on the coconut oil correct? What keeps it from solidifing?
Thanks
Hi! This recipe is great! Have one question, i would love to add lavender essential oil to it, but im not sure how the the smell of lavender mixes with the smell of coconut? Have you tried doing something with just coconut and lavender?
I have personally made a sugar scrub using white sugar, coconut oil and lavender, and the scents mix well together. I usually throw in a few extra drops just to get that great smell! I highly recommend it, especially for night time/relaxation uses!
is coconut oil good for seizures
It is natural oil which is suitable for every skin.I am using this oil for long time and it has also vast companies which sale COCONUT PRODUCTS’S also.
Yup!!
Hi, i heard coconut oil will make skin darker because it contain protein. Is it true based on your experience? Thank you.
Can I change salt to brown sugar ?
All the other recipes I have found call for 2 to 1 ratio salt to oil. Why does this call for twice as much oil? Maybe equal parts would be good? I am worried giving to my mother because she is a fall risk, but I do want her to be able to use in the shower.
This sounds wonderful, I use coconut oil as a body moisturiser anyway, but surely it will clog the drains as it hardens as it cools.
Hi Liz, I often wondered about this myself and have not used so much coconut oil for this reason. I would love to hear if someone has a fix for this problem.
You can use almond oil as well
Almond oil, olive oil, argan oil, jojoba, basically any good oil.
Hi, Liz & Maggie. We live in an older house and of course it has old pipes which are prone to clogging with neglect. Once a month, I fill all the sinks with hot tap water and then let them run down the drain while hot. Also, occasionally pour 1/2 cup of white vinegar down before going to bed at night to dissolve any soap or grease buildup in the trap. I was told this by an old plumber and it seems to work as we aren’t having the issues we used to.
I added a little glitter into and it turned out beautifully. Not like stripper glitter but like a sporadic hint of shine in the light.
You are so funny. Your comment made me laugh in a good way. Lol
I made this but didn’t measure, I used true coconut oil organic cold pressed and lavender Epsom salts. When I used it on my hands to try it out my hands became very red is it possible I’m just sensitive or could I just have added too much salt? I want to know before I try to add more coconut oil, we all know the stuff isn’t cheap and I don’t have any quinea pigs around.
You might be sensitive to the lavender oil. Try plain Epsom salts, or sea salt.
I also discovered this product in a restroom at Branson MO a couple of days ago! I loved it! I didn’t want to pay the money for it either. The texture of the soap was kind of a crumbly texture which I loved. I don’t see any reason why one couldn’t use this on the face.
Most of the lady’s rooms in branson, missouri had the coconut sea salt scrub for our hands and it was wonderful. I wish I’d went ahead and bought it there. It sold for $25.00 a mason jar full. I can’t find any of it down here. It made our hands smell so good and moisturized them really well. I look forward to trying this recipe. Is the sea salt you use the same or different than the kind you use on food?
Sea salt is sea salt!
I plan to make this tonight and am getting jars to make as Christmas gifts this year! Thanks!
Do you have to refrigerate it, once opened ? I don’t refrigerate my coconut oil once it’s opened and it’s fine.
I also am making as a baby shower gift for my sisters “under the sea themed’ i used kosher salt, Organic cold pressed Coconut Oil (Dr. Browns) and a few drops of Vanilla essential oil….OMG!! :)) Smells so amazing …guest definitely in for a treat!!!
Can you use it on your face?
Hi Laura, fractionated coconut oil is liquid. Virgin coconut oil is more solid (gets softer the warmer it gets and turns liquid when it’s very warm/hot), try the nature’s way brand. It’s best to use the solid kind for a scrub because the consistency is better, like a paste.
I’ve just started getting into homemade products. I bought a bottle of fractionated coconut oil, can I use this for the recipe? Wasn’t sure what the difference is between the different kinds of coconut oil. thanks Laura
I made a scrub this week using coconut oil and sea salt and after a few days of sitting on the counter it hardened. Is this usual?
we have made toothpaste as well ….coconut oil (solid) some peppermint oil and for mine i added a hint of honey …so far awesome and the dentist was happy as well :D… no measurements its all just to taste
Coconut oil melts at about 77 degrees (Farenheit), so it should be a nice creamy consistency in a house that is around 72 degrees. when you put it in the refrigerator it will be very hard until it warms up and softens up (in several hours, I would think). I think you are doing a very nice thing by making 30+ gifts for a baby shower!
This sounds great but I would worry about rinsing it off in tub/shower not just for the slipping factor but also the clogging of drains.
Be careful because tubs can be pretty slippery when using coconut oil. Since coconut oil melts at room temperature I just let hot water run down drains after I use coconut oil. I’ve never had a problem!
mama co upconut and all of her fans
I am making 32 small jars of the coconut lavender hand scrub for a baby shower thank you gifts. the first batch I made I totally melted the coconut oil by sitting in warm water. it is very liquidy and does not want to Thicken. the second batch I just allow the coconut to soften enough to mix the Epsom salt and lavender essential oil this turned out much better. I read that this will last in the refrigerator up to 1 month once it is taken out of the refrigerator two weeks. Is this correct? I would hate to give gifts and have people open their jars with mold in them. my next question once I take them out of the refrigerator will they be hard and have to soften again or because the coconut oil has already been mixed in will they be the same consistency as when they were placed in the refrigerator. I have never made scrubs before and I know everyone is thinking I bit off more than I could chew by attempting to make 30+ thank you gifts for baby shower. any advice will help and be gratefully accepted
I make my own deodorant with coconut oil essential oils and baking soda … i have never had it mold! Ever…
Use a few drops of Vitamin E as a preservative.
This shpuld not even have to be refrigerated. No need! Since it’s just the oil and salt, maybe E O’s…there’s no need for refrigeration at all.
I made a batch with Sugar and Lavender Dawn and then another with Epsom Salt/Sugar, Coconut Oil with a touch of Lavender Dawn. Took both to neighbors to try it out… They Love Them Both! So, do I…
Would this be Good for stretch marks? I’m 18 weeks along and just discovered a few of them!
What size jar is this measured out for?
Hayley, I made half the recipie and it filled a 9 ounce jar to the top.
How much does the recipe make?
3 cups like the recipes says.
Nice
I think that the Epson Salt would be absorbed by the skin giving magnesium to bones and would releive cramps from the legs and feet… Same principle as taking an Epson salt bath!
I have had problems with my body scrubs beginning to grow mold! Has anyone else had this problem and what have you done to alleviate this!?
If you are have trouble with mold, it could be because you are sticking your wet or dirty fingers into the scrub. Try using a spatula or something to dip it out into your hand. When you add water to an oil scrub it has the tendency to grow mold.
Can sea salt be used instead of epsom salt?
Yes! 🙂
What about Himalayan salt?
Could you please explain to me if I should use liquid coconut oil or the hardened kind by melting it. I am confused.. Thx
Use organic cold-pressed (never microwave or heat above 110, it kills the natural enzymes). Coconut oil turns liquid around 76 degrees, as it warms, the different oils (fats) in it become liquid at different temps. At 80 it should be completely liquid, at 65, completely solid. To make liquid I place a container of it in another container of hot water and mix until melted. Remember to use organic or food grade essential oils too – your skin is your largest organ, it absorbs into your blood stream.
The liquid oil (room temp) is called fractionated coconut oil and is a different animal when it comes to usage. It is mainly used in lotions and cosmetics but does not solidify at room temp.
Can the liquid coconut oil be used, or does that make it too runny?
I use the fractionated coconut oil in my scrubs and I like it better. Or I use half fractionated and half regular coconut oil. I just really cant stand the way coconut feels on my skin so its just personal preference for me.
Is this ok to use on your face?
is the coconut oil the same we use for cooking? or is there one for body products?
Yes! I use the same coconut oil that I cook with.
Where can you find coconut essential oils?
No such thing as coconut essential oil.
Very helpful. Thanks.
We have coconut essential oil. I put it in my scrub and my goatsmilk soap.
Where would I find coconut oil?
At Michaels or Hobby lobby
Costco and Vitacost are about the same 20.99 for a 54 oz container of it. Vitacost you have to pay $4.95 shipping. I buy mine from Costco because it is more convenient.
Any grocery store is going to have coconut oil.. Baking section, usually top shelf.. near the olive oil. $7.99 – $12.99 average. Get the kind that has no scent or taste.. 😉 Unless you want coconut in everything you make. Try cooking with it!
Costco now has coconut oil. They have it in a 2-pack (1-quart each, I think). It is organic, cold-pressed. It tastes good and is very nice to use.
Trader Joe’s has it.
You can find pint jars of coconut oil at food lion for around $5 a peice. And grab some epsom salt at dollar tree for a dollar a bag. I got one with a spearmint and one eucalyptus. Smells amazing. Great to slather down in this scrub before a bath. So relaxing.
You can get different scents at Bath and Body and I even found some in the candle section at Wal-mart in the Home Decor dept.
Be sure you’re purchasing essential oils for applications like this, not fragrance oils. Those are used for maybe making candles or to use to scent your environment and are generally not appropriate for putting on your body. Essential oils and fragrance oils are two different things.
Should the coconut oil be melted before mixing it with the epsom salts?
Probably just a bit, enough for you to be able to mix it up. Not liquid, but not solid like it is at room temp either.
It depends on what you are making.. a loose dry sort of scrub might be easier with the oil in it’s solid state.. otherwise microwave it for 20 seconds.. stir remaining pieces of solidified oil around until it melts, rather than over heat the oil. Good luck..
How long does this keep?
It sure sounds great. I am excited to make it. Which will be this am.
2 weeks sitting out.. about a month refrigerated.. Use grape seed oil (grocery store, next to the olive oil) as a natural preservative to ensure freshness.
use a scoop or spoon to dip the scrub, there will be no need for preservatives…..just never put you hands directly into the jar….
can you give some ideas for different scents to make? I will be making it for several people . what are some favorites ?
Sweet orange oil, peppermint, lemongrass…just to name a few.
Lavender is good for the skin, Geranium helps repair collagen
Chocolate & mint.. use coco powder and mint extract. Vanilla brown sugar, rosemary lemon. TIP, break open fresh tea bags, extract the herbs and tea.. mix it into your scrubs! I advise that you use organic & simple blends, so you know what is in it, plus you can research the properties of your teas to be safe.
Just a tip….I found that a sugar scrub works great too! Its just a cup of sugar with just enough coconut oil (About 3/4 cup, maybe even 1/2 cup) to make it into a kinda paste. The sugar wipes away dead skin flakes, and the coconut oil adds missing oils in your skin to make your skin super soft. I love to use it on my hands, and it smells sooo sweet <3 I can't wait to try it with epsom salt, I heard that stuff is therapuetic!
I’ve just started using coconut oil as a moisturizer and it’s working better on my rosecea than anything else! One thing to remember: when used as a scrub, toothpaste, for oil pulling, etc., do NOT let it go down your sink or tub/shower drains…it will clog. I use paper towels.
I have the Epsom salts with Lavender already in it. I’l try when I take my shower later.
I am going to do the same. Use the lavender Epsom salts, add the coconut oil and some lemon and lavender essential oils for extra aromatherapy. Should be a perfect post winter body scrub.
Did this With Sugar Instead of Epsom Salts And I Can’t Decide Which Works Best
Just tried this and loved it. I only made enough for 1 or 2 full- body uses, but I’ll make more soon. Seems like a great prep for self tanner!