Cucumber is such a soothing and refreshing fragrance. It’s the perfect scent to relax and rejuvenate. Earlier this week, I mixed it with lavender to create Cucumber & Lavender Bath Bombs. Now that our skin has been treated to a hot bath, the next step in the home spa experience is to scrub away dead skin. This Cucumber Sea Salt Scrub does the trick.
The base of this scrub is Foaming Bath Butter. It’s a premade base that when whipped with a hand or stand mixer, transforms into a light and fluffy consistency. It is made of gentle surfactants that mildly cleanse the skin. To the base, a combination of Fine Grained Dead Sea Salt and Forest Green Jojoba Beads are added. The jojoba beads add a light green color and gentle exfoliation. Learn more about jojoba beads here, and how they differ from microbeads.
Fine grained Dead Sea salt is great for the body, but can be a little scratchy on gentle facial skin. The amount of salt in this recipe provides gentle exfoliation. If you prefer something “scrubbier,” feel free to add more salt to suit your preference. We also created free printable labels for this scrub! Simply add download the label and print the labels on waterproof label paper.
What You’ll Need:
5 Tall 8 oz. Bail Jars
20 oz. Foaming Bath Butter
0.3 oz. Cucumber Extract
30 oz. Fine Grained Dead Sea Salt
1 oz. Forest Green Jojoba Beads
0.2 oz. Cucumber Melon Fragrance Oil
Optional: Salt Scrub Label
Click here to add everything you need for this project to your Bramble Berry shopping cart!
ONE: In a large bowl, use a hand mixer (or a stand mixer) to break up the Foaming Bath Butter and whip it into a smooth, light and fluffy texture.
TWO: Add the cucumber extract, and Cucumber Melon Fragrance Oil. Use the mixer to fully incorporate the ingredients.
A note about preservatives: Because the Foaming Bath Butter already contains a preservative, an additional preservative was not used in this recipe. If you would like to add a preservative, a .5% usage rate is recommended so as to not over preserve the product. Read more in the Talk It Out Tuesday: Preservatives post.
THREE: Add the fine grained Dead Sea salt and jojoba beads. Use the mixer to fully blend the ingredients together. Use a spatula to scrape the sides of the bowl as necessary to make sure everything is combined.
FOUR: Scoop the scrub into jars. Enjoy! To use, apply to damp skin and gently scrub the product. This scrub is suited for the legs and body, but may be a little harsh for gentle facial skin.
- 5 Tall 8 oz. Bail Jars
- 20 oz. Foaming Bath Butter
- 0.3 oz. Cucumber Extract
- 30 oz. Fine Grained Dead Sea Salt
- 1 oz. Forest Green Jojoba Beads
- 0.2 oz. Cucumber Melon Fragrance Oil
- In a large bowl, use a hand mixer (or a stand mixer) to break up the Foaming Bath Butter and whip it into a smooth, light and fluffy texture.
- Add the cucumber extract, and Cucumber Melon Fragrance Oil. Use the mixer to fully incorporate the ingredients. A note about preservatives: because the Foaming Bath Butter already contains a preservative, an additional preservative was not used in this recipe. If you would like to add a preservative, a .5% usage rate is recommended so as to not over preserve the product. Read more in the Talk It Out Tuesday: Preservatives post.
- Add the fine grained Dead Sea salt and jojoba beads. Use the mixer to fully blend the ingredients together. Use a spatula to scrape the sides of the bowl as necessary to make sure everything is combined.
- Scoop the scrub into jars. Enjoy! To use, apply to damp skin and gently scrub the product. This scrub is suited for the legs and body, but may be a little harsh for gentle facial skin.
Katlin says
If you substitute sugar for the salt is the scrub safe to use on your face?
Chloe with Bramble Berry says
Sure! The main issue is the thicker the exfoliant the more scrubbing power you will have, which might not feel so great on the face. I like sugar and jojoba beads the best for face scrubs.
Zara says
For the preservative, can I use dmdm hydantoin? If I didn’t add any extra preservative, how long is the expiration date?
Kelsey with Bramble Berry says
The Foaming Bath Butter already contains a preservative, so an additional preservative is not necessary. This scrub will last about 1-2 years. Be sure to store it in a cool, dry place.
Read more about preservatives here: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/lotion/talk-it-out-tuesday-preservatives/
And more about the shelf life of products here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/shelf-life-bath-products-ingredients-rancidity-vs-mold/
Angela says
Hi,
I made the sea salt scrub and I really like it! Thanks for the recipe.
Anyway I would like some more moisturizing/nourishing to my Recipe. I thought about avocado oil, does that make sense? If yes, how much?
Any other recommendation?
Thank you so much, your website is wonderful and I keep coming back all the time.
Kelsey with Bramble Berry says
Avocado oil would add moisture to this recipe. You can start with about 0.5 ounces, then test it on your skin. If you want more, you can add from there.
Avocado oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Avocado-Oil-P3198.aspx
You may also like avocado butter. It adds a creamy feeling to the whipped texture of the scrub. Start with the same 0.5 ounces, then go from there.
Avocado butter: https://www.brambleberry.com/Avocado-Butter-P3207.aspx
Sherri says
I’d like to make this scrub with the addition of Avocado oil and Shea butter. Can I also add the collodial oatmeal and maybe substitue cucumber extract for mallow?
If so, how much oatmeal should I add?
Thanks for your help!
Kelsey with Bramble Berry says
You can add Avocado Oil and Shea Butter. Start with .5 ounces and add more from there. You can substitute Mallow Extract for Cucumber Extract. This post has a lot of great information about extracts: https://www.soapqueen.com/bramble-berry-news/sunday-night-spotligh-extracts/
You can also add Colloidal Oatmeal. Add a small amount and gradually add more until it is the texture you like. We recommend making a small test batch first to see how you like it.
Monica Sanchez says
For the cucumber extract and fragrance, are those oz in weight or fluid ounces?
Kelsey with Bramble Berry says
Both the fragrance and extract are measured by weight using a scale.
Monica Sanchez says
Could you substitute the salt for sugar, and make a sugar scrub?
Kelsey with Bramble Berry says
Yes, sugar will work in this recipe. You can use the same amount as the salt (30 ounces).
Monica Sanchez says
Thanks so much!
Asha says
Can i use the emulsifying scrub recipe as a base to make a salt scrub? i will use salt as the exfoliant maybe with blue/green jojoba beads or a coloring to give the scrub a nice color for a sea theme along with a recommended scent? will that work out to be a nice scrub? I really like emulsifying scrub idea.
another question: What is the difference between a basic emulsifying scrub and the scrubs with the natural/ castille soap with a butter and sugar/salt added? how do the characteristics differ?
Kelsey with Bramble Berry says
Yes, you can use salt and jojoba beads in your emulsified scrub. Just add those at the same time you’d add sugar.
What makes the emulsified scrub different is the addition of water and e-wax, which gives it a lotion-like texture. Scrubs made with soap and butter don’t need to be emulsified. Learn more in this video: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/soaks-and-scrubs/emulsified-scrub-scratch-soap-queen-tv/
Learn more about emulsified products like lotion here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/lotion/how-to-create-homemade-lotion-recipes/
Jenna Dunn says
Have you ever put seaweed flakes in a salt scrub?
Kelsey says
We haven’t done a lot of testing with seaweed flakes, so I’m not sure how they work. I would recommend making a small test batch, adding the flakes, and seeing how it does. If you like the way they look and feel, you can add it to a larger batch. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Ileana Grinnell says
Im looking for a scrub that does not leave the tub with an oily residue, is this scrub that kind? Thank you!
Kelsey says
It is! The Foaming Bath Butter is essentially a cream soap, so it helps wash your skin. The scrub doesn’t contain any oil besides the small amount of extract and fragrance, so it’s very cleansing. 🙂
Foaming Bath Butter: https://www.brambleberry.com/Foaming-Bath-Butter-P4955.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Sandra Serrano says
Hi,
I am new to this, I would like to know do the extract and oil have to be the same? Ex: can I use lavender oil with the cucumber extract?
Thank you
Kelsey says
You can use any combination of oil and extract you like! Lavender oil and cucumber extract would be an awesome pairing. 🙂
Read more about extracts here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bramble-berry-news/sunday-night-spotligh-extracts/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
bernita says
hi,,
sorry so many questions should have asked all @ once but things come to my mind after lol anyway should i use a preservative because takin it in the shower and if so how much do i add in the scrub & when to add it? thx 🙂
Kelsey says
No worries Bernita, we’re happy to help! Because the Foaming Bath Butter already contains a preservative, we didn’t use an extra one in this recipe. If you would like to add a preservative, a .5% usage rate is recommended so as to not over preserve the product. Optiphen or Phenonip will work nicely. 🙂
Read more in the Talk It Out Tuesday: Preservatives post: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/lotion/talk-it-out-tuesday-preservatives/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Bernita says
hi,,
can i use calendula extract in place of the cucumber extract.will it have the same moisturizing properties that the cucumber does? or i have green tea extract. help lol
Kelsey says
You can use calendula or green tea extract! Calendula and green tea extracts are thought to soothe, so they’re great for sensitive skin. 🙂
Read more about extracts here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bramble-berry-news/sunday-night-spotligh-extracts/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Bernita says
hi there,,
i would luv to make this but i don’t have any cucumber extract…what else could i use in place of it?
Kelsey says
You can use any other extract you like! For instance, mallow extract is nice and moisturizing. Read more about extract options here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bramble-berry-news/sunday-night-spotligh-extracts/
You can also leave it out if you like. We love the way it feels, but it is optional. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Mauren Olsen says
How long is the shelf life of the finished product as shown in the glass jar?
Kelsey says
This scrub will last about 1-2 years! To make sure it lasts longer, store it in a cool, dry place. 🙂
Read more about storing your products here: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/how-to-store-handmade-bath-products/
And more about the shelf lives of products here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/shelf-life-bath-products-ingredients-rancidity-vs-mold/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Terry-Lollis Barrett says
Omg guys please create a google playstore version of your app..
Kelsey says
We are looking into an Android version for the app! Thank you for your suggestion. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Anna Sumner says
Soap Queen, after this cucumber scrubs/soap/bath bomb recipes, could you start making some recipes themed thanksgiving and Christmas? Because those would be very useful to my company. Thank You
Kelsey says
We do have some fun holiday tutorials coming up! Watch out for those here on the blog. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Jiamei Zhai says
nice recipe, but is there something i can use to still make it a nice scrub without bath whip? i want it to be as natural as possible.
Kelsey says
If you like, you can leave the Foaming Bath Butter out and use a butter instead! Avocado or shea butter would feel awesome. With the avocado butter you can whip as is. The shea we recommend cutting into small pieces and then whipping. That will create a fluffy, moisturizing texture.
Avocado butter: https://www.brambleberry.com/Avocado-Butter-Solid-P3207.aspx
Shea butter: https://www.brambleberry.com/Shea-Butter-P3220.aspx
With the butter, the scrub can feel a bit greasy. If you want to cut that down, you can add potassium cocoate or liquid soap. That will add some cleansing properties and cut some of the heavy butter feeling. 🙂
Potassium cocoate: https://www.brambleberry.com/Potassium-Cocoate-P5902.aspx
Natural Liquid Castile Soap Base: https://www.brambleberry.com/Natural-Castile-Liquid-Soap-Base-P4609.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Jiamei Zhai says
that is an amazing idea! thank you so much!!!
Kelsey says
You’re welcome! 🙂
Ash says
Hi. Removing the foaming bath whip. Adding castille soap and a butter, how much do u add to replace the bath whip? And what and how much preservative?
Kelsey with Bramble Berry says
How much soap and butter you use depends on the consistency you want. If you want a stiffer, fluffier consistency, you can start with a 4:1 ratio of butter to soap and adjust from there. If you prefer a looser and more cleansing scrub, you can start with 2:1.
For the preservative, you can use Phenonip or Optiphen at 1% of the total weight of the scrub.
Phenonip: https://www.brambleberry.com/Phenonip-P4038.aspx
Optiphen: https://www.brambleberry.com/Optiphen-P3682.aspx