Making your own DIY sea salt body scrub is one of the easiest ways to improve your skincare routine. This simple homemade body scrub removes dead skin cells, softens rough skin, and leaves your body feeling smooth and refreshed.
Salt scrubs work as a physical exfoliant, helping buff away dry skin while nourishing oils condition the skin at the same time. Best of all, this recipe takes less than 10 minutes to make.
If you struggle with dry skin like I do, regular exfoliation can make a huge difference in how your skin feels and looks.
This homemade salt scrub recipe combines Dead Sea salt, moisturizing oils, and glycerin to create a scrub that exfoliates and hydrates at the same time.
Table of Contents
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What Is a Salt Scrub?
A salt scrub is a type of exfoliating body scrub made with salt instead of sugar. The salt crystals gently remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin, revealing smoother and brighter skin underneath.
Salt scrubs typically include:
- Salt (the exfoliant)
- Carrier oils (to moisturize)
- Optional fragrance or essential oils
- Optional humectants like glycerin
The oils help the scrub glide across your skin and prevent it from feeling overly harsh.
Sugar Scrub vs Salt Scrub: Which Is Better?
Both sugar scrubs and salt scrubs exfoliate the skin, but they serve slightly different purposes.
| Feature | Salt Scrub | Sugar Scrub |
|---|---|---|
| Exfoliation strength | Stronger exfoliation | Gentler exfoliation |
| Best for | Feet, elbows, rough skin | Sensitive skin |
| Sting potential | Can sting on cuts | Usually does not sting |
Salt scrubs are great for areas with thicker skin, like:
- feet
- elbows
- knees
If your skin is sensitive, a sugar scrub may be the better option.
You may also enjoy my jojoba bead salt scrub recipe
Best Salt for a Homemade Body Scrub
Several types of salt can be used in DIY body scrubs.
Dead Sea Salt
Dead Sea salt is packed with minerals like magnesium, calcium, and potassium, which can help improve skin hydration.
Sea Salt
Sea salt is produced by evaporating seawater and works well for exfoliating and cleansing pores.
Himalayan Pink Salt
This salt contains trace minerals and gives scrubs a beautiful natural color.
Epsom Salt
Technically magnesium sulfate, Epsom salt is commonly used for muscle relaxation.
Important:
Always use fine grain salt. Coarse salt can be too abrasive and irritate the skin.
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Fine grain Dead Sea salt used in DIY salt scrub recipe
Ingredients in This DIY Sea Salt Body Scrub
This simple recipe uses a few ingredients that work together to exfoliate and moisturize the skin.
Dead Sea Salt
Provides the exfoliating effect and helps remove dead skin cells.
Coconut Oil
Adds moisture and helps hold the scrub together.
Grapeseed Oil
A lightweight oil that absorbs quickly and doesn’t leave skin greasy.
Vegetable Glycerin
A humectant that helps draw moisture to the skin.
Polysorbate 20
Helps oils rinse cleanly off the skin instead of leaving a greasy layer.
Fragrance Oil
Adds scent to the finished scrub.
If you’re interested in more advanced formulations, you may also like my emulsified salt scrub tutorial
DIY Sea Salt Body Scrub Recipe
This recipe creates a mineral-rich exfoliating scrub that leaves skin smooth and hydrated.
Ingredient Formula
| Ingredient | Percentage | Weight (255 g Batch) |
|---|---|---|
| Dead Sea Salt | 58% | 148 g |
| Vegetable Glycerin | 34% | 86.7 g |
| Polysorbate 20 | 4% | 10.2 g |
| Coconut Oil | 2% | 5.1 g |
| Grapeseed Oil | 1% | 2.6 g |
| Fragrance Oil | 1% | 2.6 g |
| Total | 100% | 255 g |
Optional:
Lip-safe mica powder for color.
How to Make a Sea Salt Body Scrub
Step 1 – Grind the Salt
If your salt is coarse, grind it into a fine texture using a coffee grinder or mortar and pestle.
Fine salt exfoliates better and is safer for skin.
Step 2 – Melt the Oils
Place the coconut oil and grapeseed oil into a heat-safe container.
Heat using a double boiler until completely melted.
Step 3 – Add Fragrance and Emulsifier
Remove the oils from heat and wipe condensation off the container.
Add:
- fragrance oil
- polysorbate 20
Mix until fully combined.
Step 4 – Add Salt
Add the fine Dead Sea salt and mix thoroughly.
If you prefer a thicker scrub, add a little more salt.
Step 5 – Package
Transfer the scrub to an airtight container.
Your homemade body scrub is now ready to use.
How to Use a Sea Salt Body Scrub
Salt scrubs are best used in the shower.
- Wet your skin with warm water.
- Apply a small amount of scrub.
- Massage gently in circular motions.
- Rinse thoroughly.
- Follow with moisturizer.
When Not to Use a Salt Scrub
Avoid using salt scrubs if:
- You have open cuts
- Your skin is sunburned
- You have irritated or inflamed skin
Salt scrubs should not be used on the face, as facial skin is more delicate.
How Often Should You Use a Salt Scrub?
Most people benefit from exfoliating once or twice per week.
Over-exfoliating can cause irritation, dryness, and sensitivity.
Storage and Shelf Life
Store your scrub:
- In an airtight container
- At room temperature
- Away from direct sunlight
Because this recipe contains no water, preservatives are not required. However, avoid introducing water into the container.
Shelf life typically matches the shortest shelf life of the ingredients, usually about 1 year.
Preventing Your Salt Scrub from Hardening
Coconut oil can solidify in cooler temperatures.
If your scrub becomes firm:
- Scoop a small amount
- Warm it in your hands
- The oils will soften quickly
More DIY Scrub Recipes
If you enjoy making your own skincare, you may also like:
FAQ: DIY Salt Scrubs
Can I use table salt in a body scrub?
Yes, but sea salt or Dead Sea salt is usually preferred because it contains minerals that benefit the skin.
Can I replace grapeseed oil?
Yes. Good substitutes include:
- sweet almond oil
- sunflower oil
- olive oil
Do salt scrubs clog drains?
Usually not if used in normal amounts, since salt dissolves in water.
Printable Salt Scrub Recipe!
Sea Salt Recipe – This Salt Scrub is a Game Changer for Dull, Stubborn Skin
Equipment
- Scale
Ingredients
- 5.22 ounce | 58% Dead Sea Salt
- 0.18 ounce | 2% Coconut Oil
- 0.09 ounce | 1% Grapeseed Oil
- 0.36 ounce | 4% Polysorbate 20
- 3.06 ounce | 34% Vegetable Glycerin
- 0.09 ounce | 1% White Tea and Pear Fragrance Oil
Instructions
- Grind the salt. Since we need a fine salt, you are going to need to run it through a coffee grinder until the desired consistency. You can also purchase your salt in a fine grain if you prefer.
- Place the coconut oil and grapeseed oil into a heat safe container and heat on a double boiler until it is completely melted.
- When you remove from the double boiler, be sure to wipe the edges off the container off so there is no risk of getting water into your product.
- Add the fragrance oil and polysorbate 20 to your melted oils and mix until combined.
- Add the fine dead sea salt and mix well. If you would like your scrub a little thicker than mine, you can increase the amount of dead sea salt that you use.
- Package and enjoy.
