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Need A Quick Fix For Dry Skin? Make This Simple Scrub

Jill Nystul  ·  Updated on: March 6, 2026
comments icon 35 Comments

Softer, more moisturized skin can be yours with the help of 3 simple and natural ingredients.

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body scrub

Several years ago, I wrote a post about the wonders of Epsom salt, and I do mean wonders! I couldn’t believe how many benefits were associated with this particular mineral compound of magnesium and sulfate. From a therapeutic bath soak to fertilizing your garden, this is a “salt” that no home should be without.

Read More: The Wonders of Ordinary Epsom Salt

body scrub

What Is Epsom Salt?

Epsom salt is a naturally occurring mineral called epsomite, made of magnesium sulfate. The magnesium content of Epsom salt makes it an appealing ingredient for a homemade body scrub, because magnesium can help balance energy levels, mood, insulin levels, and even blood pressure. And we can use all the magnesium we can get, since most people in the US and Europe are actually deficient in magnesium.

body scrub

Why Epsom Salt Makes A Great Exfoliant

Topical application of magnesium can do wonders for skin. Unlike other salts, Epsom salt‘s magnesium content counteracts the drying effects of sodium and promotes skin hydration. Its large crystals make it a more powerful exfoliator in a body scrub compared with sugar, which makes it particularly useful on areas where your skin is thicker (like on your heels or other callused areas).

By combining the moisturizing and exfoliating effects of Epsom salt with the nourishing fatty acids in coconut oil, you can make a great body scrub that will leave your skin feeling soft and moisturized. The addition of a bit of lavender essential oil can help soothe sensitive skin too. Give it a try—I think you’ll love this scrub as much as I do.

Read More: My Favorite Health And Beauty Tricks Using Coconut Oil

How To Make A Coconut Oil Body Scrub

body scrub

Ingredients:

body scrub

Directions:

Add coconut oil and Epsom salt to a small bowl along with the lavender essential oil (or whichever essential oil you prefer). Mix with a spoon until well combined.

Transfer to a container with a tight-fitting lid until ready to use.

Note: The coconut oil in this scrub can leave a slippery residue on the bottom of your shower if you’re not careful, so make sure to rinse your shower/tub thoroughly after using it. You can also keep the oil from building up by using my homemade daily shower cleaner.

body scrub

Epsom Salt Alternatives

As wonderful as Epsom salt is, it is a strong, coarse exfoliant. If you have frail, thin, or highly sensitive skin, you may want to try a gentler exfoliant instead. Brown sugar is the least abrasive option, as the crystals are smaller and create a more gentle cleanser.

Coconut Oil Alternatives

If you are allergic to coconut oil or don’t like the scent, many other carrier oils would work well in this scrub too, including almond oil, argan oil, and jojoba oil.

Do you have a favorite body scrub you use at home?

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Jill Nystul Photo

Jill Nystul (aka Jillee)

Jill Nystul is an accomplished writer and author who founded the blog One Good Thing by Jillee in 2011. With over 30 years of experience in homemaking, she has become a trusted resource for contemporary homemakers by offering practical solutions to everyday household challenges.I share creative homemaking and lifestyle solutions that make your life easier and more enjoyable!

About Jillee

Jill Nystul

Jill’s 30 years of homemaking experience, make her the trusted source for practical household solutions.

About Jillee

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Leave a Comment

35 Comments

  1. For the sun spot treatment, How much apple vinegar to olive oil do I need to mix?and how long can I keep that in one container before I goes bad.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  3. How do you mix it up? My coconut oil is hard.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

    • It starts to melt from the friction of stirring, although you can pop it in the microwave for a few seconds to loosen it up first!

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  4. Will it be okay if I melted the coconut oil before mixing it?

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  5. Hi, is the exfoliant gentle enough for the face?
    Thank you

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  6. How long will this last? I’m trying to get Christmas gifts done early this year so that I can focus on baking and parties during December. Would this still look/smell/work great six months later?

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  7. Made this for a gift. To me, it was too much coconut oil and not enough epsom salt. I added extra salt and sea salt. Overall good basic recipe, but need to adjust to personal preference.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

    • I agree. Way too runny. Need to add lots more of the salt.

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  8. This is awesome! Thanks Jillee!
    I am planning to maake one for my mom on Mother’s Day.

    Arigato gozaimasu!

    Konbanwa, Miya Kobayashi

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  9. Lavender gives me a headache. What do you suggest as a substitute?

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

    • Frankincense is also a miracle oil for your skin! Just make sure to not use citrus oils since they can cause your skin to be more sensitive to the sunlight!

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.

    • Rose geranium is excellent for skin, as is chamomile (they can both reduce the appearance of scars and stretch marks too)…rose hip and vitamin e oils are excellent to add to facial scrubs, as they battle wrinkles.

      Don’t use citrus oils, as they can dye your skin yellow/orange when exposed to sunlight.

      I find sugar and salt too harsh to scrub my face with, so I use powdered icing sugar instead…and swap out the coconut oil with grapeseed oil, since it’s a smaller oil molecule and doesn’t leave me feeling greasy at all.

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.

      • Have you ever tried baking soda? I love using it to exfoliate my face!

    • Essential oils have lots of uses and each their own effect. For invigorating “wake up” recipes like a morning shower, I use citrus. My absolute favourite is wild orange.
      Lavender is used to relax. Pre-sleep in particular. Rosemary is good for mood. Eucalyptus is great for sinus and lung clearing.
      Melaleuca has a myriad of uses. (Tea Tree)
      If you have nothing special in mind, please your senses.
      Mix them also, I enjoy sweet orange with clove, or lemongrass with peppermint.
      Please yourself.
      Wishing you a wonderful day.

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.

    • I have found that coconut oil is actually a migraine trigger for me. Is there a similar oil I can use to substitute in these types of recipes?

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  10. I prefer a body scrub that lathers but I can’t find a recipe for one. Any suggestions? The one that I buy is $36 for 12 oz and I add extra sugar because it isn’t abrasive enough for me. I’ve tried melting Dove soap and using liquid castile soap but the ratio of oil to soap to exfoliant is just plain off. Help please

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

    • If I wanted to add bubbles to the scrub I would grate goats milk soap into the mix .
      I myself prefer to use the scrub first and wash off using the goats milk soap .
      I have no idea how this would work , but adding soap should not be difficult . You might want to warm up the oil and soap blend well and when at room temperature add Epson salt or Himalayan rock salt.
      JMHO ☺

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.

    • Grate a bar of your favorite soap (Dove is just fine!), and add a little bit at a time to this recipe until you have the lather you’re looking for. :-)

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  12. Is all the rage on apple cider vinegar helping burn belly fat true? Are there some healthy benefits to drinking it? What are some good ways of camouflaging the nasty flavor? Thank you!!!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

    • My daughter, Aimee, puts the raw apple cider vinegar in her morning cup of grapefruit juice and says it tastes great. So, probably any juice would work. Try it and see…………………………good luck……………………………..

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  13. What is in the small bowl with the wooden spoon ?

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

      • Yep – dried lavender flowers :-)

  14. This sounds wonderful! I’m having quite a battle with eczema. How should this affect my gross skin condition?

    As always, thank you very much, Jillee.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

    • It should help! Lavender will treat the eczema, and the oil will help moisturize. Just be careful not to exfoliate too hard. :-)

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.

    • Definitely add chamomile, lavender, rose, rose geranium, rose hip, VITAMIN D and vitamin e in any combination for eczema.

      The vitamin d is in caps because it’s the only thing that really works on clearing up my nail psoriasis, i just pierce a capsule and squeeze the oil out…now i just have to work out a way to treat my scalp psoriasis without looking like a total grease ball. I use approx one drop per fingernail size, and get about three treatments for my fingernails per capsule.

      If the salt is too harsh swap out for powdered icing sugar.

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.

Leave a Comment

35 Comments

  1. For the sun spot treatment, How much apple vinegar to olive oil do I need to mix?and how long can I keep that in one container before I goes bad.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  3. How do you mix it up? My coconut oil is hard.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

    • It starts to melt from the friction of stirring, although you can pop it in the microwave for a few seconds to loosen it up first!

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  4. Will it be okay if I melted the coconut oil before mixing it?

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  5. Hi, is the exfoliant gentle enough for the face?
    Thank you

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  6. How long will this last? I’m trying to get Christmas gifts done early this year so that I can focus on baking and parties during December. Would this still look/smell/work great six months later?

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  7. Made this for a gift. To me, it was too much coconut oil and not enough epsom salt. I added extra salt and sea salt. Overall good basic recipe, but need to adjust to personal preference.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

    • I agree. Way too runny. Need to add lots more of the salt.

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  8. This is awesome! Thanks Jillee!
    I am planning to maake one for my mom on Mother’s Day.

    Arigato gozaimasu!

    Konbanwa, Miya Kobayashi

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  9. Lavender gives me a headache. What do you suggest as a substitute?

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

    • Frankincense is also a miracle oil for your skin! Just make sure to not use citrus oils since they can cause your skin to be more sensitive to the sunlight!

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.

    • Rose geranium is excellent for skin, as is chamomile (they can both reduce the appearance of scars and stretch marks too)…rose hip and vitamin e oils are excellent to add to facial scrubs, as they battle wrinkles.

      Don’t use citrus oils, as they can dye your skin yellow/orange when exposed to sunlight.

      I find sugar and salt too harsh to scrub my face with, so I use powdered icing sugar instead…and swap out the coconut oil with grapeseed oil, since it’s a smaller oil molecule and doesn’t leave me feeling greasy at all.

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.

      • Have you ever tried baking soda? I love using it to exfoliate my face!

    • Essential oils have lots of uses and each their own effect. For invigorating “wake up” recipes like a morning shower, I use citrus. My absolute favourite is wild orange.
      Lavender is used to relax. Pre-sleep in particular. Rosemary is good for mood. Eucalyptus is great for sinus and lung clearing.
      Melaleuca has a myriad of uses. (Tea Tree)
      If you have nothing special in mind, please your senses.
      Mix them also, I enjoy sweet orange with clove, or lemongrass with peppermint.
      Please yourself.
      Wishing you a wonderful day.

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.

    • I have found that coconut oil is actually a migraine trigger for me. Is there a similar oil I can use to substitute in these types of recipes?

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  10. I prefer a body scrub that lathers but I can’t find a recipe for one. Any suggestions? The one that I buy is $36 for 12 oz and I add extra sugar because it isn’t abrasive enough for me. I’ve tried melting Dove soap and using liquid castile soap but the ratio of oil to soap to exfoliant is just plain off. Help please

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

    • If I wanted to add bubbles to the scrub I would grate goats milk soap into the mix .
      I myself prefer to use the scrub first and wash off using the goats milk soap .
      I have no idea how this would work , but adding soap should not be difficult . You might want to warm up the oil and soap blend well and when at room temperature add Epson salt or Himalayan rock salt.
      JMHO ☺

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.

    • Grate a bar of your favorite soap (Dove is just fine!), and add a little bit at a time to this recipe until you have the lather you’re looking for. :-)

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  12. Is all the rage on apple cider vinegar helping burn belly fat true? Are there some healthy benefits to drinking it? What are some good ways of camouflaging the nasty flavor? Thank you!!!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

    • My daughter, Aimee, puts the raw apple cider vinegar in her morning cup of grapefruit juice and says it tastes great. So, probably any juice would work. Try it and see…………………………good luck……………………………..

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  13. What is in the small bowl with the wooden spoon ?

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

      • Yep – dried lavender flowers :-)

  14. This sounds wonderful! I’m having quite a battle with eczema. How should this affect my gross skin condition?

    As always, thank you very much, Jillee.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

    • It should help! Lavender will treat the eczema, and the oil will help moisturize. Just be careful not to exfoliate too hard. :-)

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.

    • Definitely add chamomile, lavender, rose, rose geranium, rose hip, VITAMIN D and vitamin e in any combination for eczema.

      The vitamin d is in caps because it’s the only thing that really works on clearing up my nail psoriasis, i just pierce a capsule and squeeze the oil out…now i just have to work out a way to treat my scalp psoriasis without looking like a total grease ball. I use approx one drop per fingernail size, and get about three treatments for my fingernails per capsule.

      If the salt is too harsh swap out for powdered icing sugar.

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.