Orange is one of my go-to fragrances. It’s so bright, fresh and universally loved. For this simple salt scrub, I drew inspiration from my favorite citrus. The base is fine grained Dead Sea salt with poppy seeds for extra scrub, and orange peel powder for color. The orange peel powder does add a bit of scent, but this scrub really gets a strong citrus smell from 10X Orange Essential Oil. The term “10X” means it has been folded (or concentrated) ten times to create an intense, pure essential oil. It also adds a bit of natural color to the scrub as well.
Learn how to create this easy scrub in the video tutorial below! My friend Courtney joined me for this project, because crafts are just better with friends. =)
What You’ll Need:
Three Tall 8 oz. Bail Jars
16 oz. Fine Grained Dead Sea Salt
0.5 oz. Avocado Oil
0.5 oz. Potassium Cocoate
1 Tbs. Poppy Seeds
2 Tbs. Orange Peel Powder
0.3 oz. 10X Orange Essential Oil
5 mL Optiphen
Droppers
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ONE: In a large bowl, mix together the fine grained Dead Sea salt, orange peel powder and poppy seeds.
TWO: In a small separate container, mix together the avocado oil, potassium cocoate, 10X orange essential oil and Optiphen.
NOTE ABOUT PRESERVATIVES: Although this scrub doesn’t contain water, it will likely get water splashed in it during use. The extra water may cause bacteria and mold to grow. We added a preservative to be extra careful, but it is optional. You can read more in the Talk It Out Tuesday: Preservatives post.
THREE: Add the “wet” ingredients into the dry, and use your hands or a spatula to fully combine everything.
FOUR: Spoon the scrub into jars and enjoy!
- Three 8 oz. Bail Jars
- 16 oz. Fine Grained Dead Sea Salt
- .5 oz. Avocado Oil
- .5 oz. Potassium Cocoate
- 1 Tbs. Poppy Seeds
- 2 Tbs. Orange Peel Powder
- .3 oz. 10X Orange Essential Oil
- 5 mL Optiphen
- In a large bowl, mix together the fine grained Dead Sea salt, orange peel powder and poppy seeds.
- In a small separate container, mix together the avocado oil, potassium cocoate, 10X orange essential oil and optiphen.
- Add the “wet” ingredients into the dry, and use your hands or a spatula to fully combine everything.
- Spoon the scrub into jars and enjoy!
This worked out great in a sugar scrub! I am definitely going to use it again and see what else i can add it to. It is fun to find products that inspire! I used this at 30% and it behaved well.
I meant to say using the potassium cocoate in the scrub! It is awesome!!!
Hi, I made this Orange poppy salt scrub with all fresh ingredients from your website I I noticed in two months it’s smelled rancid I had then packaged up so they they were unused. I still have some of the Avocado oil left over and it smells fine. Any idea what happened?
Thank you for any help
Alycia
I’m not sure why that smell is there. Can you describe it a bit more – does it smell sharp, or old, or sort of like Playdough? How were you storing the scrubs?
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I packed to sell them 8oz plastic jars I had one that I was testing I just opened it after 2 months to check it and smell it. I guess like playdough i don’t remember quite what playdough smells like a musty smell. I stored it on a shelf in a room sealed then I check on my test products every 2 months to see how they are doing on shelf lift.
Thank you for your reply
And the oils you got from us were purchased recently?
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Yes March 30 I place the order. I had some of the avocado left over and it smells fine.
I’m not really sure why that’s happening. Usually salt scrubs have a shelf life of 6 months or so. Is it stored next to anything? Salt can absorb moisture from the air and may be taking on a scent next to it.
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
It’s stored in a sealed low profile amber plastic jar on a shelf there is nothing next to it. it’s ok I’ll just toss my batch and start over again. Thank you for your time.
I’m sorry I couldn’t be more help. You may make several small test batches with some of the ingredients left out. That way you can find the cause of the smell.
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Can this be used on the face as well?
This scrub does have a more intense exfoliation because of the poppy seeds. It may be a bit too much for the face. You can test it on a small area of your face to see what you think. If it’s too rough, you can leave the poppy seeds out and use sugar instead of salt. It’s more finely grained so it’s gentle on the face. 🙂
Read more about exfoliants here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/all-about-exfoliants/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Looks like a lovely salt scrub!! Can you replace salt with sugar/sugar with salt in scrub recipes?
You sure can! Sugar is usually more fine grained so it offers a nice gentle exfoliation. 🙂
Learn more about exfoliants here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/all-about-exfoliants/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Awesome! Thank you!
I have another question. Have you ever used sand in any of your scrubs…?
We haven’t given that a try yet. My worry is that sand can have a lot of debris from the area. If you can find clean sand it may be worth a try! 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Could the foaming bath butter be used with this recipe?
You can add Foaming Bath Butter if you like! I would recommend whipping it before adding the other ingredients to create a fluffy consistency. How much you add is personal preference. I would recommend starting with about 1 ounce and going from there. 🙂
Foaming Bath Butter: https://www.brambleberry.com/Foaming-Bath-Butter-P4955.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I love everything about this recipe, however, it does not ‘attach’ to the skin very well, making it hard to actually exfoliate and literally falls off. I also tried the cucumber sea salt scrub recipe which is fabulous (& adheres to the skin very well). Is there something you can add to the orange poppy seed recipe to make it actually stay on your skin?
You can add more potassium cocoate to this recipe! That will make it have a more wet consistency, which will help the salt and poppy seeds adhere. You can also add more avocado oil for moisturizing properties. I would recommend starting with another .2 ounces of liquid and going from there. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Can you use this recipe as a base for other scents and replace the orange peel powder with something else?
You can use whatever scents and exfoliants you like in this recipe! It’s a great base for you to customize. 🙂
You can use our Fragrance Calculator to find out how much scent to add: https://www.brambleberry.com/Pages/Fragrance-Calculator.aspx
And find out more about exfoliant options here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/all-about-exfoliants/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
What could I substitute the potassium cocoate with. My daughter has severe allergies to coconuts. Would love to make this for her. Thank you
You can use a liquid soap base if you like! That will add the cleansing properties the potassium cocoate does. Our Natural Liquid Castile Soap Base would be perfect. It’s made with olive oil which is gentle on the skin. 🙂
Natural Liquid Castile Soap Base: https://www.brambleberry.com/Natural-Castile-Liquid-Soap-Base-P4609.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Two questions if I may please 🙂 I’ve not made anything like this before. Optiphen is a preservative I believe … is there something I might have around the house I could use instead, or if it can be left out what would the shelf life be please? The other – I have Orange Essential Oil not 10x. I was told the difference is the limonene has been removed from the 10x …. i am not sure what this actually does though i think its better to have in if its a cleaning product, but what effect would it have on skin please? So much chemistry!! LOL Should have listened more at school.
Hi Deborah!
Preservatives like Optiphen and Phenonip are the best ways to protect against mold and bacteria! We haven’t found any household items that work as well. I would recommend using either Phenonip or Optiphen to preserve your scrub. Read more about preservatives here: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/lotion/talk-it-out-tuesday-preservatives/
The difference between orange essential oil and 10X orange is the concentration! 10x orange has been concentrated 10 times. That means the scent sticks a lot better in soap. You can use orange essential oil, just keep in mind the scent may be a bit lighter. 🙂
Read more about 10X orange here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bramble-berry-news/sunday-night-spotlight-orange-essential-oil/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
This looks awesome and great timing for fall and Christmas gifts! May i ask what does the potassium cocoate good for? I don’t have any on hand and wonder if i can make this without it? Also, is it possible to substitute coconut oil for the avocado oil?
Thanks, T
This would be perfect for Christmas gifts! The potassium cocoate is like a liquid soap. It helps cleanse the skin, and also helps wash away some of the oily feeling from the avocado oil. If you don’t have it on hand, you can use a liquid soap! You can also skip it. The scrub will be more oily and moisturizing without it.
Also, you can use coconut oil! Because it’s solid at room temperature, it will make the scrub a bit thicker. 🙂
Coconut oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Coconut-Oil-P3196.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
love it!
So glad to hear that! Thank you. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry