Coconut Sugar Body Scrub

This scrub is not a marinade or rub for food- it is meant to exfoliate, moisturize and nourish our biggest organ, our skin. It is gentle enough to use on the face but strong enough for the whole body. If our skin produces oil (sebum) to moisturize itself, why not try using oil instead of creams and lotions full of chemicals and artificial fragrances? Each person’s skin is different and changes according to the season, nutritional status, environment and the stress one feels. There are many different opinions on whether diet affects skin, and if you don’t believe that it does try changing your diet and see what happens. I have found that what I put in my body affects it as clearly as what I put on it. There are several good quality ingredients we use in the kitchen that can be a real treat for our bodies. This scrub is simple with only two ingredients and works for all skin types. I put it in a jar and leave it in the bathroom where I rub it on at the end of a shower in a circular motion all over my skin then rinse it off with warm water and pat dry (be careful- the bottom of the shower may get slippery until the oil is all washed down the drain).
Coconut oil has become my number one beauty product year round. It is very soft and sinks into skin well (side benefit: it also removes even the most stubborn waterproof eye make-up without much effort). The oil is extra special over some others because it has antifungal, antimicrobial, antiprotozoal and antiviral properties- not only is it gentle but it is cleansing and soothing if you have any little cuts or scrapes. The sugar makes the mixture lightly abrasive, helping to scrub off any dead or flaky skin. It works best to use a circular motion when rubbing it on your skin to get at it from all different angles. A light full body massage is also very stimulating for the lymphatic system, which can help you feel energized. The lymphatic system is mapped out all over the body similarly to the circulation system except that it does not have a pump like the heart to keep things moving. It plays a major role in detoxification but it requires movement and massage to flow well. Starting the morning off with a quick coconut oil sugar scrub down will help your skin to be soft and glowing and it will also help your body run smoothly.

If you like to give out homemade gifts, making a few jars of these and tying them with ribbon can be nice little presents. Coconut oil can be expensive in large quantities, if you have a Costco card I highly recommend buying it there, they have huge tubs of the good stuff (cold-pressed and virgin) for around twenty dollars- the same price for much smaller jars in health and grocery stores.