Home-made Salt Body Scrubs?

Question

Hi I was planning on making some sea salt body scrubs so I didn't have to keep buying them, but since I'm a first timer I was looking for some tips.

First of all, does anyone know the proper proportion of salt to oil? Every website I went to says different things. I've gotten 1:1, 1:3, 2:1, and so on.

Secondly, for the fragrances, can I just use home fragrance oil (such as those found in Bath and Body Works or The Body Shop) instead of aromatherapy-grade essential oils?

Lastly, can I just use food coloring to color the resulting salt scrub?

Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

I think that you are seeing different suggestions for proportions because the base materials are different. Salt is not Sea Salt is not Epsom salt. These will have different textures and will have varying amounts of water. Just try a 1:1 and go from there.
About the fragrance, you are making a product for use on your skin, why use something synthetic when you can use essential oils and make something really nice and custom for your skin? About the colorant, don't dye yourself or the tub! There are some colorants out there that are intended for use in the bath that do not stain the fiberglass or you. Consider leaaving these out, what is the colorant doing for you anyway?

Answer 2

When I make bath salts, I just use half sea salt half epsom salt for the base. Then I add in a few drops of soap fragrance and color from the craft store till it looks and smells right. I'd be hesitant to use anything that wasn't made for use directly on the skin. Many home fragrance oils shouldn't be. Be safe and get stuff made specifically for use on the body.
Food coloring will stain your skin. Again, use products designed to be used on the body. They aren't very expensive and your results will be better.

Answer 3

Chinkysh, I'm going to give you a site that looks interesting, but if you did a search for "body scrub recipes", you might find a site you like more.
http://www.cancerlynx.com/bodyscrub.html