Homemade Body Care Recipes

It's summertime, and everyone loves refreshing treats for the body, mind and soul. While some of us cannot always celebrate ourselves with a day at the spa, there are tons of homemade treatments you can try.

Recently, I came across these simple recipes. These are fun, affordable, and nicer than anything you can buy.

Body Butter:
Mix 2 oz. each of cocoa butter and shea butter with 1 oz. each of olive oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil and beeswax, along with a couple of drops of your favorite essential oil.
Melt the ingredients--preferably in a double boiler or in a microwave. Check the mixture periodically to be sure you don't overdo it. It shouldn't take too long.
Mix all ingredients while they cool using a hand mixer until they are well-blended. Peaks will form in the mixture when it is ready.
Scoop the body butter into a container for safekeeping once the mixture has thoroughly cooled. Or, fill several decorative jars to set aside as gifts.

Body Scrub
Soft brown granulated sugar
Olive oil
Pour sugar in a jar ¾ full
Top with oil
Stir

Facial Toner
Add rosemary to cider vinegar
Let sit 2 weeks

Bath Salts
Epsom salts or sea salt, or both
Baking soda
Food coloring
1 or 2 teaspoons of glycerin per jar - optional, but glycerin is an effective skin moisturizer and a nice addition
Essential oils - mandarin orange, lavender, sandlewood, and patchouli

Collect your jars, remove labels, then wash and dry thoroughly.

For most bath salts recipes you can use your choice of epsom salts or sea salt, with baking soda, if desired, or a combination of all three. One good mix is one cup of epsom salts, with 1/4 cup of sea salt, and two or three tablespoons of baking soda. A little more or less of each ingredient is fine for most bath salts. Epsom salts and sea salt are soothing for tired muscles, while both will gently soften the water for a luxurious bath experience. You could also add a tablespoon or two of finely ground regular oatmeal (not quick cooking) for silky, skin-softening water.

Fill each jar to the top with the combination of bath salts that you plan to use. Empty the salts into a mixing jar and add a drop or two of glycerin, if using. Add your choice of essential oil - how many drops you use is a personal preference, but start with two or three drops and see if you like the fragrance. The same goes for the liquid food coloring; sometimes I use quite a few drops of food color to get the strong hue that I like, but so far it hasn't stained the bath tub or anyone's skin. Remember that the color and fragrance will be much diluted in the bath water. Stir the salts vigorously until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.