How to Make Exfoliating Poppy Seeds and Pink Salt Scrub?

Scrubs are most important to remove dead skin cells which is called Exfoliation. Exfoliation 

helps in improving skin texture and gives a glow to the skin.

Types of Scrubs:

There are different types of scrubs available in the market, like Salt Scrub, Sugar Scrub, Emulsified Scrub and Foaming Scrub.

In Salt and Sugar scrubs, the exfoliating ingredient is Salt/Sugar. Generally Granulated Sugar is used. Salt and Sugar can be a bit harsh on face. Used as lip scrub, foot scrub or body scrub.

Emulsified Scrub: To reduce the feeling of greasiness but to have a moisturized feel, Emulsifiers are added. When water is used for rinsing, it emulsifies with water cutting down the greasy feel.

Non- Ionic Emulsifier like Emulsifying Wax NF or Cationic Emulsifiers like BTMS 50 can be added.

Foaming Scrub: In a foaming scrub, surfactants are added. So, when it comes in contact with water, it lathers and rinses off easily.

What are the main ingredients of a Scrub?

1) Exfoliating Ingredients:

Salt, Sugar, Walnut powder, Grounded Oats, Jojoba beads, Poppy seeds are physical exfoliants. 

Chemical Exfoliants (AHA- Alpha Hydroxy Acids, Beta Hydroxy Acids) like Glycolic acid, Lactic Acid, Mandelic acid and Salicylic acid work through skin's inner layers. There are limited usage rates. Provides a Gentle exfoliation but over usage can lead to skin irritation. Sunscreen with good SPF is mandatory.

2) Emollients:

Emollients moisturize the skin. Few Emollients are Cocoa Butter, Shea Butter, Kokum Butter, Coconut Oil and Almond Oil.

3) Active Ingredients or Botanical extracts or E.O's can be added. 

Example: Lemon E.O, Amla Extract, Peppermint E.O

Natural Herbs Examples: Lemon Peel Powder, Wild Turmeric, Orange Peel Powder, Fruit Powders, Sandalwood powder

4) Vitamin E (Tocopherol) and Preservative

Vitamin E can be added to extend the shelf life of oils and butters. 

This is an anhydrous product, so preservative is not compulsory. But, often people use scrubs in wash rooms where there is a chance of water introduction in scrub while scooping it with hand. Water and moisture will increase the chance of contamination leading to mold. So, it is safe to add a broad spectrum preservative like Optiphen to prevent any microbial growth. I would say add preservative if you are planning to sell scrubs.

This comes to an end of introduction. Let's see the ingredients that I have preferred for this Body Scrub.

Ingredients Used:   (100 g batch)

Heated Phase: 

• Almond Oil 20.75%   (20.75g)
• Shea Butter 10%    (10g) 
• Kokum Butter 10%   (10g)
• Emulsifying Wax NF 15%  (15g)
• Cetostearyl Alcohol 5%  (5g)
• Sandalwood Powder 1.5%   (1.5g)
• Wild Turmeric 0.5%   (0.5g)

Exfoliants:

• Poppy Seeds 15%  (15g)
• Himalayan Pink Salt 20%  (20g)

Cool Down Phase:

• Vitamin E 0.25%   (0.25g)
• Amla Extract 1%   (1g)
• Sandalwood E.O 1%   (1g)

How to make the Scrub?

1) Add the heated oil phase ingredients in a beaker and melt on a double boiler until everything is liquid.

2) Once melted, whip it using an electrical whisk in regular intervals. I mean whipping and waiting for minutes, then whip again. You can put it in fridge for few minutes. This will make the body scrub fluffy.

3) Add the cool down ingredients and exfoliators. Whip it thoroughly and pour it in a container.

And, that's how easy is to make a Scrub.

Few things to consider:

Don't add lot of salt and poppy seeds if the skin is sensitive. There are other gentle exfoliators for sensitive skin.

Add cool down ingredients once the mixture comes to room temperature.

Include Preservative if you are going to sell the product.

Substitutions:

Substituting the ingredients will change the consistency. Experiment with different ratios for the desired consistency.

Cocoa butter can be used in place of Shea and Kokum Butter.

Coconut Oil or Olive Oil can be added for Almond oil.

Any Emulsifier would be a good alternative for E-wax and Cetostearyl alcohol.

Exfoliating Ingredients, Powders, E.O's can be added based on the personal choice and preference.

Where to Buy Ingredients:

Check my Page (Where to Buy Cosmetic Ingredients and Containers in India ?) for local supplier details.

If you want to watch this in YouTube, click the link.