Adulting can be damn hard. In addition to dealing with political stress, financial struggles, and general life hurdles, our bodies come in contact with environmental toxins on the daily. One way to detoxify and de-stress is with a steamy, pore-opening shower. Add an exfoliating sugar scrub and you also get the benefits of aromatherapy and self -massage, which can have lasting effects on your mood and general health, not to mention it’ll give you the smoothest skin around. Customize your scrub for morning, midday (no judgment), or night — with ingredients you’ve got in the kitchen — and take your shower experience to the next level. Store your finished scrub in a clean jar, plastic bag, or other re-sealable container.
Morning Buzz
YIELDS ½ CUP
Fun fact: your skin can absorb caffeine! For extra pep in your step, combine ¼ cup fine-ground dry coffee (used wet grounds can lead to bacteria growth), ½ cup sugar (white works great, but you can use whatever you have), and 2 Tbsp. avocado oil. Optional: add a few drops of vanilla extract or essential oil. (The jury is out on whether coffee grounds clog pipes so spring for a drain protector just to be safe.)
Citrus-y Stimulant
YIELDS ABOUT A CUP
After going hard at the gym, at the bar the night before, or literally any time you need an afternoon pick-me-up, this is a must. Grapefruit essential oil acts as an antiseptic, stimulant, and anti-depressant, and can help with stiff muscles and cramps, too. Plus, it smells amazing. For a truly uplifting shower experience, combine 1 cup sugar, ½ cup avocado oil, and 25 drops grapefruit oil (I used NOW brand, $7.51, amazon.com).
Sleepy Time Scrub
YIELDS ABOUT A CUP
Hey fellow insomniacs: middle-of-the-night research shows that a steamy shower an hour and a half before bedtime can increase sleep efficiency in women by 10 percent. Add a lavender sugar scrub to the equation, and you are bound to have a more restful night. Try it yourself, by mixing 1 cup sugar, ½ cup avocado oil, and 20 drops lavender oil. Optional: Add 1 Tbsp. dried lavender.
BY MEGAN O. ANDERSEN
PHOTOGRAPHED BY JULIA STOTZ
STYLIST: JESSICA BOONE
This article originally appeared in the June/July 2017 print edition of BUST Magazine. Subscribe today!
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