Among the very eco-conscious, there's a trend now to avoid scrubs that contain beads that are not bio-degradable. And since it's so easy (and cheaper!) to make your own (biodegradable) scrub, I thought I would open the sugar vs. salt debate (well, and then there's coffee grinds as well but we'll save that for later!).
The main difference boils down to the fact that as sugar particles are finer, they are gentler on the skin (although I wouldn't advocate for using either on the face), so if you have sensitive skin this is a better pick. It's also more scrumptious aromatically if you're blending with coconut oil and perhaps some vanilla extract - yum!
Salt, while a bit harsher on the skin, has cleansing and purifying properties that sugar does not. I'm currently using Valentina's Home Brewed Salt Scrub in Protection, which contains three of my favorite EO's: Frankincense, Myrrh and Patchouli. While I adore the smell and the concept, the salt particles are a bit rough for my skin and tends to irritate it so I likely won't repurchase sadly.
Whichever exfoliant you pick, it's incredibly easy to make your own scrub at home. My mother uses a very simple and effective combination of sugar and olive oil. You can add to that any essential oil of your liking. Clary sage would be a great choice to uplift your mood (and for women it has a positive effect on hormones). Ylang ylang is another affordable and refreshing smelling EO. Or you can keep it simple and simply combine sugar or salt with an oil of your choosing: olive, grapeseed, argan, jojoba, sesame, peanut, almond, etc. etc.
Exfoliating your skin weekly (I wouldn't recommend more than twice a week max) helps prevent body breakouts as well as ingrown hair, and is overall a great addition to your shower or bath routine.
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