Salt and Honey Scrub with Grapefruit and Rosemary

My girlfriends gathered at Katie's to make homemade cleaning products (awesome) and I threw in this recipe for a salt and honey scrub that moisturizes with olive oil. It makes my skin feel super despite Duluth's very dry mid-winter air. The recipe's simple and the only equipment it requires is a bowl and jars!

I made this batch with kosher salt, olive oil, honey, grapefruit and rosemary oils and a bit of sugar. I know a lot of people make theirs with table salt because the kosher's grains are so large. But unlike kosher salt, table salt has anti-caking chemicals in it. And the kosher salt dissolves really quickly when you rub the scrub between your damp hands. It'll soften up to the texture of a good moisturizing exfoliant. Alternately, you can use fine sea salt or even pulse kosher salt to a finer grain for a few seconds in a food processor.

I love how close the color is to real grapefruit pulp!

This sort of treat is my favorite kind of gift to my friends (and self).

Salt and Honey Scrub with Grapefruit and Rosemary
Fills about 6 half-pint jars. Shelf life 4 months.

2 cups olive oil
2/3 cup honey
1/2 teaspoon grapefruit essential oil
1/4 teaspoon rosemary essential oil
3 cups salt
sugar (optional)
red food coloring (2 drops)

Mix the first 4 ingredients together in a bowl. Gradually mix in the salt 1/2 cup at a time. It's easiest to mix with your hands. Wear gloves if you have sensitive skin.

Continue to mix until the oil is mostly absorbed into the grains. It will be very thick and mass together with a bit of oil seeping out. If it's not coming together after several minutes, add salt or sugar in half cup increments until it's a gritty oily paste (you will need more salt/sugar if using kosher salt and less if using a finer grain salt).

Add 2 drops red food coloring and mix well. Add additional essential oil at a rate of 1/4 teaspoon at a time for a stronger fragrance.

Scoop the scrub into little jars with holes large enough to dig the product out by hand. Wipe off the top of the jar before lidding as the salt can rust the metal lid.

To use, scoop a tablespoon of the scrub into damp hands and massage between your hands until you feel a gritty paste. Scrub your face and body in a circular motion until most of the salt crystals dissolve, then rinse.

Easy as that! Enjoy your day!