Recipes for Body Scrub & Chocolate Bath
A Cellulite-Fighting Scrub, Topped off with a Chocolate-Infused Tub!
Oct 31, 2009
Imagine the total relaxation & pure indulgence of a spa body scrub treatment, followed by a long soak in a hot bath, fragrant with chocolate! Now imagine the price tag – at least $250! Eliminate the budget stress with these luxurious homemade spa treatments. They're easy to prepare, and the recipes can be adjusted and tweaked so they smell and feel just right.
It's best to prepare the ingredients for the scrub and the bath beforehand, so there's no wait between the scrub and the chocolate bath. Ready? Disconnect the phone. Light some candles. And get ready to feel pampered!
So-Long-Cellulite Scrub Recipe
Body scrubs exfoliate, which means they remove rough, dry patches of skin and reveal soft, supple skin underneath. They also unclog pores and stimulate blood flow to the skin, not to mention that they feel fabulous!
No scrub or cream will remove the "orange peel" appearance of cellulite, according to doctors at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. However, dermatologist Dr. Ava Shamban said on the The Early Show on CBS (November 1, 2007) that caffeine works to temporarily reduce the appearance of cellulite by plumping the skin cells and tightening the blood vessels, creating a smoother texture on the skin.
This scrub recipe uses fresh coffee grounds to supply caffeine; moistened instant coffee granules can also be used. It's a messy mixture, so it's best to use it in the tub or shower.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup fresh coffee grounds (saved from the morning brew)
- 2 Tbsp. honey
- 1 Tbsp. almond, coconut or grapeseed oil
- Approximately 1/4 cup buttermilk or plain yogurt
Directions
- Mix the honey and oil over low heat until well blended. Remove from heat & allow to cool.
- Mix in the coffee grounds.
- Fold in the yogurt or buttermilk, a scant tablespoon at a time, until the scrub is the right consistency.
To Use
- Moisten skin. Scoop out a spoonful of scrub, and gently but firmly massage in a circular motion on areas affected by cellulite.
- Allow the scrub to sit on the skin for up to ten minutes.
- Rinse off with warm water, and moisturize (maybe with one of the many anti-cellulite creams that contain caffeine).
After the scrub, dry off, put on a cozy bathrobe, and get ready for a bath infused with chocolate!
Dip-Yourself-In-Chocolate Bath Salts Recipe
Light a few candles around the tub, bring in a book or some magazines, and indulge in this amazing chocolate bath!
Ingredients
- 1 cup Epsom salts
- 1 cup sea salt
- 1 to 1-1/2 Tbsp. organic dark cocoa powder (Dagoba makes a luscious one!)
- 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
- 1 tsp. jojoba, sweet almond or coconut oil
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1 tsp. vegetable glycerine (binds ingredients together & moisturizes)
Directions
- Mix all ingredients well in large bowl.
- Add more cocoa powder or oil, if necessary.
- Pour under running water in hot bath (the heat will disperse the scent of the chocolate in a very lovely way).
- Store extra bath salts in glass jar.
To Use
- Mix the chocolate bath salts into the water so they are completely dissolved.
- Soak and enjoy the delicious chocolate aroma!
- The oil in the bath salts will likely make the tub slippery, so be extremely careful not to slip and fall.
Tips
- Using body scrubs can be a messy process, so it's best to apply them in the tub or shower.
- If coconut oil is used, remember that it's solid at room temperature; to liquify it, place it in a pan of hot water.
- These homemade beauty treatments should be stored in the refrigerator to keep them fresh, as they contain no chemical preservatives.
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