Honey-Oat Facial Scrub

Summer is a perfect time to experience this soothing & gentle exfoliating scrub made from all natural anti-inflammatory ingredients found in your pantry (fully edible too!)

Great for sloughing off dead skin cells, removing debris and unclogging pores packed with mineral-based sunblock (or is that just me? i look like casper the ghost these day coming in and out of the lap pool, stuff is like glue!) — beyond its cleansing function, this emollient rich exfoliant will leave your skin feeling oh so soft and radiant.

this beautifully fragranced exfoliating scrub combines organic oatmeal with anti-bacterial & wound healing honey together with mucilaginous sabja seeds for a heavenly experience (muuucilagenous – the word alone soothes my soul … ahhhh).

Sourcing Ingredients

Chemical exfoliants are generally made up of hydroxy acids that can be harsh on the skin and ultimately damaging over time.  Physical (granular) exfoliants made from foods, including plant enzymes, tend to be gentler on the skin with the added bonus that you can source them from every day ingredients at a fraction of the cost of commercial preparations.

The key is to apply the exfoliant gently to the skin and to not overdo it.  Exfoliating too often or too harshly can strip the skin of its natural oils and give rise to microtears that can cause pain and swelling and disrupt the skin’s important barrier function.

Sabja Seeds (also known as Sweet Basil Seeds & Tukmaria)

Sabja seeds, popularly known as sweet basil seeds from the plant they come from, are tiny black seeds that are very reminiscent of chia seeds in appearance, functionality & nutrition profile.  Both sabja and chia absorb liquid (that swelling effect/gelatinous texture that chia is known for) and they are also both nutrition powerhouses replete with protein, essential fatty acids, fiber and antioxidants (basil seeds are especially rich in fiber which makes them an excellent choice to add to breakfast cereals/muffins/smoothies. Note: sabja seeds may not be suitable for ingestion by pregnant women, be sure to consult your physician).

falooda — some may associate sabja seeds with the popular Indian drink falooda (reminds me of tapioca ‘bubble’ tea) — commonly enjoyed in the summer, falooda is sought out for the seeds’ cooling properties and capacity to absorb liquid (the seeds are said to absorb up to 4-times their weight in water) creating a hydrogel that locks in moisture and provides extra hydration and electrolytes on hot days. This hydrogel also creates a unique mouthfeel that many enjoy.

in the scrub — in this scrub, the sabja seeds perform double duty as both a demulcent softening agent (in tandem with the honey) and a gentle abrasive thanks to the shell of the seed that remains somewhat intact at the center of the gel; the result is a soothing, invigorating experience with a smoothing & softening effect.

recent scientific review — although sabja seeds have been used in TCM and Ayurvedic medicine for centuries for a host of reasons, their role in food medicine, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics is still emerging. A fascinating snapshot of the current scientific knowledge on these seeds is linked here: Basil Seeds as a Novel Food, Source of Nutrients and Functional Ingredients with Beneficial Properties: A Review.

The Oils

I’ve listed a variety of possibilities for the facial oils in the recipe card below and have suggested rosemary & lavender as the essential oils to bring in some heavenly aromatherapy but this is entirely up to you!  You can substitute your favorite fragrance/s or skip the fragrance altogether.  As for the combination of rosemary & lavender I find it works really well in this scrub for its clearing, cleansing, calming & restoring properties.  Always work with fragrances that work best for you.

Oatmeal Honey Facial Scrub with Sabja Seed

 

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Prep time

5 mins

Total time

5 mins

 

An all natural and gentle exfoliating scrub made from organic oatmeal, wound healing honey and mucilaginous sabja seeds ~ it will leave your skin feeling refreshed, revitalized and radiant

Author: kelly

Ingredients

• 6 Tbsp (36 g) organic rolled oats
• 2 Tbsp (25 g) brown sugar (or other granulated sugar)
• 1.5 tsp (5 g) basil seed, substitute chia seed (texture might differ slightly)
• 2 Tbsp (40 g) raw honey
• 2 Tbsp (30 ml) facial oil of choice (examples: almond oil; fractionated coconut oil; jojoba oil; olive oil)
• 6-8 drops lavender essential oil
• 6-8 drops rosemary essential oil

Instructions

1. In a small blender/grinder pulse together the oatmeal & granulated sugar -- it does not have to be ground to a fine (nor uniform) powder but it should be on its way and well broken down;
2. Add the remaining ingredients: basil seeds, facial oil of choice, honey & essential oils and pulse again until combined -- it will be an ooey, gooey, sticky (glorious!) mess -- use a spatula to transfer scrub contents and residual oils into a small clean container with a fitted lid.
3. Store the sealed scrub in a dry spot away from direct sunlight.
4. To use, splash some warm water on your face -- gather a couple tsp of the scrub on your fingers and gently massage onto your face (and neck if you wish) for a half minute or so adding a bit more water as necessary to get the scrub going. Be sure to avoid the eye area. Rinse thoroughly. I like to do this in the shower - it is ideal - turn off the water for a minute while you gently massage the scrub onto your face/neck and then rinse. Your skin will feel so soft and glowy!
5. Follow-up with your regular moisturizer.
6. If properly stored, this scrub can last up to several weeks.

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This post is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician or other health care professional directly before beginning or changing a course of health treatment.