#diy Grapefruit Body Scrub

Isaak takes f.o.r.e.v.e.r to eat and take showers.

Early last week I noticed that my body scrub was being used a lot, by someone. I wondered who was using it? I knew Isaak was using it! He had a guilty smile on his face when I brought it up.

Later in the week it was gone.

I said, "Ok if you're going to use my body scrub, you're going to learn how to make some."

I looked up a few recipes, to base mine off of.

Grapefruit Body Scrub by on Scribd

How to Make if You Don't Want to Read the Instructions Above:

Every body scrub I've made has been easy to make. This one is no exception.

Citrus Pulp/Peeling:

I've been on this kick to dry out orange, lemon, lime and grapefruit pulp/skin. So far I've used the ground up pulp to: 1. Add to loose leaf tea. Just add a bit, or it gets bitter. 2. Add to protein powder, for smoothies. 3. Add to white sugar. Then when I make things like muffins, scones, waffles and pancakes I'm using less white sugar, and some pulp/skin of a citrus fruit for a natural sweetness. 

How to Dry Out Citrus Peeling and/or Pulp: 

Wash the skin, set it in a bowl by the window to dry out. If you're in the kitchen you can set the peeling/pulp in a sprayed pan, set your oven to 250 or 300 degrees and bake it. That will speed up the drying time. 

Cut it in chunks, and grind it up in a food processor. If you want a fine grind, run it through a coffee grinder. With the body scrub you only need to partially dry it, and grind it up with a food processor.

Instructions and Directions to Make the Body Scrub: 

It's so easy Isaak could do it! 

Get out a medium mixing bowl. 

Add in 1/2 cup sugar, 1 cup grapefruit or other citrus fruit grounded peel/pulp, 1/4 cup melted coconut oil, 1/2 cup melted shea butter, and 10 drops of grapefruit essential oil or other citrus fruit essential oils. 

*Note: You can add more sugar if you need it more scrub like. 

Mix, and pour into a few small mason jars, or containers you have laying around that are not being used. 

That's it! 

I'm on a Grapefruit Fix, and Isaak Loves Grapefruit too:

I thought the mix would only fill up one container, but it filled up two! Thank goodness I had two empty containers. Make sure you have lids. I've noticed that some scrubs don't do well if water gets to them.

Benefits of Body Scrubs:

It helps remove the dead skin cells with exfoliation. This scrub is a mild body scrub that moisturizes as it allows for absorption into the skin. Certainly it helps keep skin healthy.

Why Citrus Pulp/Peel:

Citrus peels are packed with immune-boosting vitamin C, bone-building calcium and anti-inflammatory, antioxidant bioflavonoids. They also provide potassium, which helps keep blood pressure in check, and limonene, a phytochemical that may have anti-cancer effects and can help with heart burn.

What I love the most is that the ground pulp/peel replaces the fine plastic used in some commercial scrubs.

Why Coconut Oil:

Coconut oil may be linked to some potential benefits for skin, including reducing inflammation, keeping skin moisturized and helping heal wounds. The medium-chain fatty acids found in coconut oil also possess antimicrobial properties that can help treat acne and protect the skin from harmful bacterial such as staph infections and eczema. 

Just a Note: In the Philippines they use coconut oil a lot. In their cooking, and on their skin. They have less inflammatory diseases, and less skin conditions than we do in the US.

Why Shea Butter:

Shea butter also contains healthy fatty acids. ... There is a high level of cinnamic acid which makes Shea butter a natural sunscreen. Shea butter has anti-inflammatory properties that make it useful in treating arthritis. Shea butter has powerful moisturizing, anti-aging, protecting and healing benefits to the skin.

Just a Note: It's best to not use a ton of Shea Butter. It can clog up the pores in your skin. That's why I partner it up with other things. For the most part it's great for you. If you have a lot of acne you may want to replace the shea butter with coconut oil. You'd just use a lot of coconut oil. 

Follow Up:

Isaak took another shower. I told him to make it quick because he just had one the night before. I just wanted the pollen out of his hair, and for him to clean up a bit because he had a soccer game. He took awhile again. He yelled out, "Mom I know you told me to be quick. I just had to try out our body scrub. It smells and works great!" I guess I can't blame him, for wanting to try something we made.

Do you use a body scrub? Have you ever made your own?

Disclaimer: This is not a post that is a review of a particular product. I wrote this solely on my own accord. 

100% Natural Arabica Coffee Scrub 8.8 fl. oz.

I now love sugar and salt scrubs! Recently I received 100% Natural Arabica Coffee Scrub 8.8 fl. oz. to review. 

Product Description:

Their emulsified formula is made using high quality, all natural gourmet coffee, which softens skin as it scrubs away dirt and dead skin cells. It also contains good things for your skin to help with any skin care regime.

It came all wrapped in plastic, wrapped in bubble wrap and boxed up to ensure nothing would leak out.

Ingredients in This Coffee Scrub:

• Caffeine will stimulate blood flow and help reduce the appearance of cellulite, eczema, stretch marks, age spots, varicose veins and psoriasis. 

• Dead Sea Salt will exfoliate your skin, removing dead skin, acne, whiteheads, blackheads, breakouts and other skin blemishes. 

• Coconut Oil will hydrate and moisturize your skin. 

• Shea Butter is high in antioxidants which nourish and protect the skin, promoting cell repair and rejuvenation.

• Cocoa Butter is also high in antioxidants which nourish and protect the skin, promoting cell repair and rejuvenation.

• Olive Oil is also high in antioxidants which nourish and protect the skin, promoting cell repair and rejuvenation.

• Sweet Almond Oil helps with acne. 

• Grape Seed Oil helps with acne, aging and rough spots. 

Benefits of Using this Scrub: 

This product exfoliates your skin, restores the elasticity, increases circulation, reduces fine lines, evens skin tone, and boots your skin's hydration.

If you're a long time reader you'd know that my boys have had skin problems in the past. This scrub helps with that.

There are no harsh chemicals in this coffee scrub. I've had trouble with chemicals in the past, so knowing that this is free of harsh chemicals is great for me!

I did find the scrub to be a bit crumbly. I wish it had more of the oils in it. It's almost like you need a small wooden spoon on the side to apply it. I don't want to waist any of this great stuff!

I loved the way my skin felt after using it though. My skin was smooth! It smelled wonderful! I love the scent of coffee, and it smelled just like that. My sense of smell doesn't always work the best, so it's wonderful when I can smell something. :)

Cost: 

$55.00, but on sale for $14.50.

Why waste money in high-priced spa treatments to get your skin glowing? Indulge in our coffee grounds facial scrub to soften the delicate skin on your face.

Disclaimer: I received this scrub for free for the purpose of this review. The opinions are 100% mine.

Cellulite Defense Gel-Cream Review

I still have stretch marks from when I was prego with the kiddos. I've lost some weight, but some is still there.

Body Merry's Cellulite Defense Gel-Cream is made to combat cellulite with their unique Caffeine + Retinol + Seaweed formula.

Full List of Ingredients:

• Organic Herbal Mix (I do wish they'd state what that mix is)
• Organic Aloe
• MSM Methysulfonylmathane
• Sodium Stearate
• Kosher Vegetable Glycerin
• Organic Coconut Oil
• Menthol
• Cetyl Alcohol
• Caffeine
• Algae Extract
• Japanese Green Tea Leaf Extract
• Fragrance (I wish this wasn't in it)
• Organic Sweet Almond Oil
• Hydroxyethl Cellulose
• Carrageenan Gum
• Retinol
• Kelp
• Dulse - Red Alga
• Wildcrafted Horsetail - Shavegrass
• Organic Cayenne
• Apricot Kernel Oil
• Vitamin E
• Sodium Benzoate
• Potassium Sorbate
• Phenoxyethanol
• Ethythexyl Glycerin

I have to say that looking at the ingredients, and looking some of the things up I'm impressed with much of what's in the formula, but there are other things I'm in question of: Phenoxyethanol, Ethythexyl Glycerin, and the fragrance.

Like all their products, it is free from harsh chemicals such as parabens, sulfates and phthalates. That's really good!

Applying it:

Message the gel-cream onto the affected areas twice daily (morning and night). It helps to clean the area you are applying it to first.  Make sure your skin is completely dry before applying it.

It's a fast absorbing gel-cream that helps visibly reduce the appearance of bumps and lumps. This formula leaves your skin looking and feeling younger, smoother, and tighter.

I've tried skin tighteners before. I don't like ones that are used on the face. I just feel like I have Halloween make-up on, or something. It just doesn't feel natural. This cellulite defense gel-cream doesn't feel bad at all. It absorbed into my skin quickly. It doesn't smell bad. I don't mind the tighter feeling on other parts of my skin. Instead of it making my skin feel tight, it actually just gives it a tingling feeling.

I do like the packaging. The red and white just looks pleasing.

It's great that it quickly absorbs into your skin. It's not sticky, or oily feeling.

Cellulite Defense Gel-Cream is rated perfect on Amazon. The price is $79.95, and is on sale for $27.99.

Connect with Body Merry Facebook and Twitter.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.