ReadyMade: Instructions for everyday life

Combine four ingredients for sublimely scented and moisturized skin.

1. Start with clean, dry equipment and a freshly cleaned workspace. Put on the rubber gloves. Add the oil, honey, lavender, and any additions you choose to the mixing bowl. Mix well with a fork for about a minute, breaking up any clumps of honey.

2. Use a spoon to slowly stir in salt, adding a little at a time. Add more salt, bit-by-bit, and the texture of the scrub will begin to take shape. Mix well. As you add more salt, a thick, gooey mass begins to form in the oil. There will be a little excess oil seeping out of the goo. Continue mixing for about a minute after all of the salt has been added blending in all of the oil.

3. Immediately spoon mixture into the jars, then wipe the rims off and close tightly. Voilá! You have a gorgeous, naturally moisturizing exfoliating body scrub for use in the bath or shower. Use up with in a few months (or within a week if you added any fresh ingredients below).

4. Optional: Print out and affix the EXCLUSIVE LABEL DOWNLOAD, which Jessica Ress designed for us (and you!) onto your scrub.

5. To use: massage onto skin using circular motions. Begin with the legs and arms, moving toward the torso and the heart. Rinse well but be careful—the tub may become slippery after use. Emerge ultra-soft, sweetly scented, and positively glowing! (Note: If you leave out the lavender and sub in sugar for salt, the scrub is completely edible and you can, ahem, get “creative” with it.)



Scrub Substitutions


It’s a gorgeous scrub using the four original ingredients, but you can also get creative and mix and match from these options.

From the Pantry (will result in a scrub with a 3-4 month shelf life)

1. Substitute your favorite essential oil for the lavender

2. Add a few dashes of cardamom, cinnamon, or nutmeg—any of which pairs nicely with lavender

3. Substitute vanilla, lemon, or sweet orange essential oil for the lavender and add 1 tablespoon finely ground coffee

4. Substitute runny honey—the kind fresh from the store—for the crystallized and add ½ cup more salt to the recipe to bring it to a less runny, scrubbier texture

5. Substitute granulated sugar for the salt to create a slightly softer texture scrub

6. Substitute extra-virgin olive oil to make a richer, more moisturizing scrub with a pungent olive oil scent

7. Substitute sweet almond oil, apricot seed oil, or grapeseed oil—all are moisturizing and especially good for problem or dry skin—found in the personal care section at most health food stores

From the Produce Aisle (Use immediately or store in refrigerator and use within 1 week.)

1. Handful of fresh rose petals and/or lavender buds

2. 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary or parsley

3. ¼ cup macerated fresh strawberries or raspberries

4. 1 teaspoon freshly grated lemon, lime, or orange zest

Intelligent Ingredients:
Know what the components of your scrub are good for.

Olive Oil: moisturizing, soothing, and healing to all skin types. It has many antioxidant properties. Olive oil absorbs UV radiation and assists in repairing cells and in preventing cell damage.

Honey: increases circulation and encourages a natural, healthy radiance; helps skin absorb and retain moisture, which keeps it from drying out; packed with natural antioxidants and antimicrobial properties that protect, repair, and prevent skin damage.

Sea Salt: known to increase circulation and assist in the rejuvenation of your cells, leaving your skin, mind, body and soul refreshed.

Lavender Essential Oil: soothes and calms the skin; balances oil production; heals blemishes and stimulates circulation, which improves skin tone. It also aids depression, insomnia, mood swings, and stress.