Himalayan Salt Scrub Recipe

This moisturizing DIY Himalayan salt scrub buffs away dead skin cells and leaves your skin silky smooth! The easy salt body scrub recipe is made with fine, pink salt, nourishing coconut oil, and essential oils for a beautiful scent. The homemade scrub is all-natural and makes a lovely wellness gift.

DIY Himalayan salt scrub

Ever since I published my blue sea salt scrub a couple of years back, I dreamed about a pink version. Today, I feel excited to present you with this pink Himalayan salt scrub recipe.

I’ve used Himalayan salt in several skincare recipes before, such as these bath bombs and bath salts, and appreciate it as an ingredient. The pink color is just so gorgeous and shines in homemade body products like this one.

My pink salt scrub provides intense exfoliation and a healthy glow. Coconut oil further smooths the skin and boosts skin elasticity. The tutorial also includes several essential oil blends that lend the scrub a luscious scent.

I hope you feel inspired to create this Himalayan scrub for yourself or as a sweet gift for your friends, neighbors, or your kids’ teachers. Cyna created a set of printable labels to decorate your DIY for gifting.

And if you want more easy body scrub recipes, try my sugar scrub recipes, sugar scrub bars, and these cute sugar scrub cubes.

Benefits

Is Himalayan salt good for your skin?

Yes, pink Himalaya salt can be a great skincare ingredient. It’s a type of sea salt mined at the foothills of the Himalayas. The salt was deposited there by ancient oceans millions of years ago, long before the Himalaya mountains were formed.

Because the salt was covered by lava and ice for centuries, it’s free of pollutants and one of the purest types of salt. Since pink Himalayan salt is only minimally processed, it still contains most of its original minerals and trace elements.

Pink Himalayan salt scrub benefits

Here’s a quick rundown of the possible Himalayan salt scrub benefits for your skin:

• Exfoliating: Salt is an excellent exfoliator. My Himalayan salt scrub refreshes your skin by buffing away dead skin cells and promoting circulation. Your skin will look and feel softer and smoother after using this product.
• Nourishing: Himalayan salt consists mostly of sodium chloride (the same as table salt) but features over 80 minerals such as potassium, magnesium, and iron, which may benefit the skin. However, more research is needed to confirm this.
• Moisturizing: Coconut oil and Olivem are very hydrating and will lock moisture into the skin when you exfoliate in the shower.
• Antimicrobial: Salt naturally fends off bacteria and microbes. Its antimicrobial effects make Himalayan salt helpful to treat acne and reduce irritation.
• Natural: My salt scrub is made with natural and skin-friendly materials. You won’t find any artificial fragrances or synthetic materials in this easy body scrub recipe.
• Easy: This pink salt scrub is very simple and beginner-friendly. It takes less than 10 minutes to whip up a batch, and the recipe requires no special equipment.

Ingredients & supplies

You’ll only need handful ingredients to make the best Himalayan salt scrub. Stock up on the following materials, and you’ll never be buying another body scrub at the store.

• Pink Himalayan salt: Unlike sugar scrubs, this body scrub gets all its exfoliating power from salt. You’ll need fine or extra-fine pink Himalayan Sea salt for this recipe. Salt sometimes gets a bad rep for being too harsh, but you can grind it in a blender to create smaller grains.
• Coconut oil: My beauty pantry is always stocked with fractionated (liquid) coconut oil. It’s very affordable and makes the exfoliating scrub incredibly moisturizing. The fatty acids found in coconut oil also boast antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties to soothe skin inflammation and irritation.
• Olivem 1000 is a natural, PEG-free emulsifier made from olive oil and sorbitol (a sugar alcohol.) The ingredient improves the spreadability and further moisturizes your skin. Olivem also prevents the scrub from separating and ensures the product washes off without leaving an oily film.
• Essential oils give a beautiful, all-natural scent and introduce additional skincare benefits. You can use whatever skin-safe essential oils you have and like. I’ve also created 6 different fragrance blends that you can try. Just scroll a few sections down!

Optional ingredients

My pink Himalayan salt scrub is absolutely lovely with just the 4 ingredients I’ve just mentioned. Still, you can enhance the skincare benefits by adding one or multiple of the following optional ingredients.

• Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant and skin nourisher. Stir 1/2 tsp or the content of 3 vitamin E capsules into the coconut oil before adding it to the scrub.
• D-Panthenol (provitamin B5) acts as a natural moisturizer and promotes healthy, good-looking skin. Dissolve 1/2 tsp in the warm coconut oil, then continue with the recipe as outlined.
• Allantoin is an incredible skin soother and anti-irritant that clams the skin and stimulates new tissue growth. Stir 1 to 2 tsp allantoin powder into the scrub.
• Zinc oxide is a wonderful ingredient for oily, blemish-prone skin. It soothes the skin and helps to reduce body acne. Add 1 tsp zinc oxide powder to the pink salt scrub.

Should I add a preservative?

No, it’s not necessary to add a preservative to salt scrub. Neither bacteria nor mold can grow in salt. In fact, salt eliminates bacteria through a process called osmosis. The only precaution necessary is to ensure that no water or moisture enters the storage container.

Tools

• Measuring cups or digital scale to weigh out the ingredients.
• Small glass jar to melt the Olivem. Be sure to use a heat-resistant vessel, e.g., a mason jar.
• Medium-sized mixing bowl to mix the sugar scrub. Ideally, use a bowl made of glass or ceramic.
• Spoon to combine the materials.
• Airtight storage jar, for example, a flip-top jar, mason jar, or lidded glass container.

Essential oil blends for Himalayan scrub

The following essential oil blends will not only add a gorgeous scent to your homemade salt body scrub, they also boost the skincare effect. If you have sensitive skin, stick to the soothing blend. The other ideas are suitable for all skin types.

• Soothing: 30 drops blue tansy + 12 drops palmarosa + 5 drops lavender
• Fresh: 25 drops steam-distilled lime + 12 drops peppermint + 8 drops lemongrass
• Floral: 30 drops ylang ylang + 15 drops geranium + 7 drops vetiver
• Sweet: 20 drops Peru Balsam + 12 drops massoia bark + 5 drops star anise
• Elegant: 18 drops bergamot + 10 drops rose absolute + 7 drops sweet orange + 4 drops patchouli
• Woodsy: 20 drops cedarwood + 12 drops Scots pine + 7 drops spearmint

Of course, you can also come up with your own custom scent. When adding essential oil to this Himalayan salt scrub recipe, make sure to keep the usage rate between 1% to 2% and only use oils that agree with your skin.

How to make Himalayan salt scrub

Body scrubs are one of my favorite skincare DIYs because they are so incredibly simple. This is a pretty straightforward pink Himalayan salt scrub recipe but let’s walk through it step-by-step before you get started:

Step 1: Melt Olivem 1000

Put the coconut oil and Olivem flakes into a glass jar. Fill a small saucepan 1 in / 2.5 cm with water and bring to a gentle simmer. Place the jar in the water and heat until the Olivem 1000 is fully melted.

Step 2: Add scent

Take the jar out of the water bath and dry the sides of the jar with a towel. Add the essential oils and stir to mix.

Step 3: Mix body scrub

Add the Himalayan salt into a medium mixing bowl. Pour the coconut oil mixture over the salt. Using a spoon, mix until the salt is moistened and everything is well combined.

Step 4: Package and store

Transfer the Himalayan salt body scrub into a storage container. Seal the container airtight and optionally decorate with a printable label.

How to use Himalayan salt body scrub

Here’s the lowdown on using salt scrub for smoother, brighter skin:

1. Let warm water run over your skin for 5 to 10 minutes to soften the skin and open the pores.
2. Then pause the water and apply a small amount of scrub (1/4 cup or so) all over your body. You can go from your feet to your neck.
3. Massage the scrub into the wet skin with circular motions and gentle pressure.
4. Rinse the scrub off thoroughly.
5. Dry your skin and follow up with body oil, lotion, or body butter.

Tips

• Use a spoon or cosmetic spatula to remove product from the storage jar and take care that no water enters the scrub.
• You can apply the scrub in the shower or exfoliate during a bath.
• Never apply the scrub on dry skin.
• Since salt tends to be grittier than sugar, it’s useful to smooth out rough areas like knees, elbows, and feet.
• Use body scrub 2 to 3 times per week to keep your skin soft and glowing. If you have sensitive skin, use the scrub only once each week.

Can I use this scrub for my feet?

Yes! My pink salt body scrub is perfect for getting soft, smooth soles and preparing your feet for the beach or a pedicure. A Himalayan salt foot scrub works best in conjunction with a foot bath and a nourishing foot balm afterward.

Is this Himalayan salt scrub salt suitable for the face?

No, this DIY Himalayan salt scrub isintened for the body. It’s not suitable to exfoliate the face. The facial skin is very delicate, and abrasives like salt and sugar are too strong. Instead, try this face polish with bamboo powder or my exfoliating cleansing balm as gentle alternatives.

Can I use this scrub for the scalp?

Yes, but with reservations. Pink Himalayan salt scrub can be used to massage the scalp and remove product build-up. However, the high oil content makes this scrub unsuitable for fine and oily hair. I think the scrub would work better on curly and dry hair.

Pink salt scrub FAQ

Can I use coarse Himalayan salt?

No, coarse Himalayan salt is way too harsh to be used as a skin exfoliant. The large granule size is very abrasive and may injure your skin.

However, it’s possible to mill coarse pink salt in a blender, coffee grinder, or NutriBullet into a fine powder.

Can I substitute another salt?

Yes, you may replace pink Himalayan salt with sea salt, table salt, or kosher salt. I also have this sea salt scrub recipe.

Can I make this DIY body scrub with sugar?

Sure! If preferred, swap out salt with the same amount of granulated sugar. I also have this collection of 6 sugar scrub recipes in case you’re interested in more ideas.

Can I use regular coconut oil?

While you could use regular coconut oil, I recommend liquid or fractionated coconut oil for a couple of reasons:

• Texture: Fractionated coconut remains liquid and will keep your Himalaya salt body scrub moist and soft. Regular coconut oil can be solid at room temperature, which can harden the texture.
• Comedogenicity: Raw coconut oil is very comedogenic, meaning it tends to clog pores and lead to acne. Fractionated coconut oil is far less likely to clog pores.

Can I use another liquid oil?

Absolutely! This Himalayan salt scrub recipe is very flexible. So feel free to substitute coconut oil with another liquid plant oil such as jojoba oil, avocado oil, sweet almond oil, grapeseed oil, or a mélange of different oils.

Why add Olivem 1000?

Emulsifiers like Olivem address a couple of issues with homemade body scrubs. Allow me to explain!

• Separation: It’s not uncommon for homemade scrubs to separate after a while. Olivem 1000 makes this an emulsified salt scrub recipe and prevents separation.
• Texture enhancer: Albeit a great moisturizer, coconut oil can feel a bit greasy. Olivem eliminates any greasiness for a soft, non-oily skin feel.

Can I use emulsifying wax?

Yes, emulsifying wax will work well and is a good alternative if you can’t find Olivem. You’ll need 3 tbsp / 15 g / 0.5 oz. Melt the emulsifying wax with the coconut oil and proceed to prepare the exfoliating scrub as described.

Storage instructions

• Package: A mason jar or glass flip-top jar are good options for storing your pink body scrub. Optionally, decorate the jar with our printable labels for a professional finish. You can download the salt scrub labels below.
• Store: Salt is susceptible to moisture and will dissolve if exposed to water. To avoid this effect, store the Himalayan scrub in a dry, cool location and keep the lid shut airtight. Sunlight is another factor you want to avoid. UV rays can change volatile essential oils and lead to oxidation.
• Shelf life: Homemade salt scrub will last for up to 2 years. Pink Himalayan salt technically never expires, and fractionated coconut oil is good for 2 to 3 years. Some essential oils will fade after a while, but you can always top them up with new oils to replenish the scent.