Emulsified Scrub Base – Six Ways

Creating unique and effective body scrubs is often a cornerstone for handmade bath and body businesses. These formulations can be made simply, sometimes with as few as two ingredients. But today we are going to explore something a little more complex – the emulsified scrub!

Emulsified scrubs rinse off of the skin easily. This leaves the skin smooth and clean after scrubbing. The slightly thick texture of the base can also help to suspend ingredients more effectively than oil alone. This reduces separation in the scrub, but does not completely eliminate it.

This moisturizing base can be used with a variety of exfoliants, allowing it to be easily customized to suit your own theme or preferences. The base can also be colored and scented! The base itself has a pale yellow color that is slightly opaque. It’s natural aroma is pleasant alone and very mild. It should be easily covered by aromatic ingredients.

Try adding Essential Oils or Plant-Based Fragrance Oils to give your scrubs a gorgeous, naturally inspired aroma. Our favorite way to color this base is by adding Pearlescent Mica. These swirling and shimmering powders can be added “to taste” giving you a range of saturation from pastel to bold color.

From top right: Turbinado Sugar, Apricot Seed Powder, Cherry Seed Powder, Sea Salt, Rice Husk Powder, and Olive Seed Powder. 

We tested this base out with a variety of our Natural Exfoliants to see how each would behave. As you can see from above, exfoliants absorb liquid at different rates, so the ratio of base to solid in each recipe will change depending on which exfoliants you use. In the test bowls above, we used one tablespoon (15 ml) of base along with 4 teaspoons (20ml) of exfoliant.

After formulating our group of test scrubs, we shared them with our employees at FNWL with an impromptu scrub party! Here are a few notes from our group experience:

• Rice Husk was the favorite, by far. So much so, the sample jar is gone. Provided mild exfoliation. Tested on face and most thought it was even mild enough for this application.
• Apricot and Cherry Seed Powders were agreed to be medium exfoliation. Everyone liked these.
• Olive Seed Powder was considered most aggressive of the exfoliants during testing. Though not advised for face, everyone agreed it would make a nice body and foot/elbow exfoliant.
• The usual suspects, salt and sugar are always a hit. But, the group was most excited about the new natural exfoliants.

Emulsified Scrub Base
Makes about 20 ounces (600ml)

Ingredients

• 3 ounces (90 ml) Coconut Oil, RBD
• 3 ounces (90 ml) Cherry Kernel Oil
• 3 ounces (90 ml) Apricot Kernel Oil
• 3 ounces (90 ml) Blackcurrant Oil
• 3 ounces (90 ml) Murumuru Butter
• 3 ounces (90 ml) Aloe Vera Oil
• 2 ounces (60 ml) Emulsifying Wax

Directions

1. In a double boiler, heat Coconut Oil, Murumuru Butter, and Emulsifying Wax until fully melted.
2. Whisk in remaining oils, then remove from heat.
3. Allow base to cool to room temperature before adding exfoliants.

Notes

• Aromatic ingredients should be added according to their own usage rate. (For example, 1-2% for Essential Oils)
• Exfoliants can be added to preference. You’ll probably need between 2 – 4 cups of exfoliant per batch of base.

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