Just In Thyme - Springtime Skin Care!

The weather is starting to warm and you can start to smell Spring in the air.  Along with planting my gardening and grilling out, the warmer weather also brings with it the opportunity to bare our feet in sandals, and show off our shoulders to the Sun Gods.   But if you are anything like me, you've been hibernating all winter in knee high socks, warm fleeces and moisture sapping hot showers.  All of those things combined with the dry winter air end up leaving our skin pretty lackluster and dreary by the time April rolls around.

My solution to this dilemma is to whip that dull winter exterior into shape with some scrumptious sugar and salt scrubs you can make at home with just a few ingredients.  The salt scrub is going to be a little more abrasive, while the sugar results in a gentler exfoliator.  And as an added bonus, they make awesome hostess gifts for summer BBQ parties or festivities.  While other people bring a boring bag of Tostitos, you can steal the show by bestowing upon your host with a homemade body scrub.  Consider yourself invited back often!

Brown Sugar Vanilla Scrub
To make the Brown Sugar Vanilla scrub, I started by gathering together all the ingredients I needed and picking out a container to hold the finished product.  I use these jars for everything from pickling to pestos to infused oils; they make pretty gifts and are reusable so I think they are worth the investment.

Both sugars in the jar before mixing

I chose to use two different types of sugar to add both a textural component but also a color variation that I think makes the scrub look even more luxurious and expensive.  The pure cane sugar has a pale creamy color that is the perfect contrast to the organic dark brown sugar.  Rather than using an expensive Extra Virgin Olive Oil which has a stronger scent, I chose to use Grapeseed oil.  This is a much more neutral oil and allows the other scents you choose to incorporate to take center stage.  Grapeseed oil can be found just about anywhere but if you can find it in bulk it is usually pretty reasonably priced.  The oil is rich in linoleic acid, which is a fatty acid that's beneficial for skin and cell membranes.  It moisturizes the skin beautifully.  Use any extra oil for sautéing and roasting vegetables or even grilling.  Because it has a higher smoking point than olive oil it should fit nicely into your summer cooking repertoire.

Close up of the sugars mixed  
together (before oil)

Pulling the scrub itself together is so fast and easy you will find yourself wondering why you ever shelled out all that money for expensive store bought versions.  Simply place the sugars into your container and mix until combined.   If you are just using one kind you can skip the mixing and just be sure to break up any larger clumps of sugar.  Then, add your oil slowly.  It will gather at the top of the container so start by just adding a little and use a skewer or spoon to mix the oil in with the sugars.  The oil will slowly work itself down to the bottom.  Continue to add the oil until it reaches about 1/4 inch above the sugar and is at the top of your container.  Feel free to add more sugar or oil until you get the consistency you like.   There is no exact measuring here!

The paste contains the vanilla
bean seeds which leads to a
more intense scent than just extract

Instead of using essential oils (which again can be pretty expensive) I used Nielsen-Massey, Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Bean Paste.  I have it in my cabinet already for baking (it's also amazing in crepes, pancakes and french toast) and has the most intense vanilla scent that makes it a great addition to the body scrub.  If you don't have the paste you can substitute vanilla extract.  Add it to the mixture and stir until well combined.  I used about a 1/2 Tablespoon of the paste but it depends on the potency of the extract you are using so experiment until you get the combination you prefer.  It will get stronger as it sits in the jar so give it some time and you can always add more if you want a stronger scent.  Consider yourself warned that your significant other will start to wonder why you smell so good...You can thank me later!

Finished Brown Sugar Vanilla Scrub!

Lemon Thyme Sea Salt Scrub
To make the salt scrub it is the exact same process, but you switch out your main ingredient.  I chose to use a Sea Salt which has a much finer texture and makes for a more soothing and less abrasive final product.  Don't get me wrong, I want to show those dead skin cells who's boss but I want it to be somewhat relaxing in the process.

Sea Salt, Grapeseed Oil, Lemon and Fresh
Thyme standing by!

One of the ways I particularly like to use this Salt Scrub is having it right by the sink (indoor or outdoor) for after you work in the garden, or if want to rinse that garlic scent from your hands after cooking. Its such a refreshing citrus scent and the light exfoliation leaves your hands so silky that using it really does feel like a special treat.

Of course, it works beautifully in the shower as well, but if you are like me you will end up making two batches just so you can have it at the ready.  And what a great gift idea for that gardener or neighbor who shares their bounty with you over the summer months as a thank you?!

Chopped up zest and herbs ready to be added  

The first step is to zest the lemon and pull the leaves from the fresh Thyme.  If you hold onto one of the stems of the herb and run your fingers against the grain of the leaves they come off quite easily.  Chop them up a little to release the oils and fragrance and to help make the pieces smaller.  Reserve the whole lemon off to the side because you will use the juice in just a little bit.

Place the salt in the container you are using to hold the scrub and place the herbs and lemon zest on top.  Just like before you want to add the oil slowly and let it seep down into the container.  I found using a wooden skewer to get it started was great, but a regular spoon let me really mix the add-ins so it was a consistent color and all the salt was mixed in.  You want to see the zest and the Thyme throughout the scrub.   

Oil pools at the top until you work it
in with the skewer and spoon

Cut the reserved lemon in half and squeeze the juice from half of the lemon into the scrub mixture.  The lemon juice will actually serve to work as a natural toner and bleaching agent to help lighten dark spots on the skin. Right about now, between the smell of the fresh thyme and the freshly zested lemon, you should be imagining yourself decked out poolside enjoying a margarita.  This stuff smells so heavenly! 

Both of the scrubs will last up to a few months if you use a container that has a good airtight seal. I leave mine in the shower or on the counter and they have lasted quite beautifully without any issues.  

Look out warm weather, here we come!

Finished Lemon Thyme Sea Salt Scrub

Finished scrubs in their pretty jars; they look almost
good enough to eat!