Prepare a baking soda facial and body scrub at home as a daily exfoliate to remove dead skin cells from the skin. Baking soda is made from sodium bicarbonate or sodium carbonate and is available for about 75 cents per pound. Generally, even people with sensitive skin find it effective without being irritating. Tailor the scrubs according to your skin type (dry, oily, acne-prone, or sensitive), by adding different essential oils extracted from plants and flowers. The body scrub can be used on calluses and made more effective by adding lemon juice for its alpha hydroxyl acids.
Combine 2 tablespoons of baking soda with water to create a thin paste. Mix 5 to 7 tablespoons of baking soda and adequate water to form the body scrub and use as needed. Rinse thoroughly and moisturize.
Tailor the scrubs according to your skin type. For sensitive skin add 3 to 5 drops of Lavender essential oil and 3 to 5 drops of Roman Chamomile. For oily and acne-prone skin add 3 to 5 drops of Lavender and 3 to 5 drops of Tea Tree Oil. For dry skin add 3 to 5 drops of Lavender and 3 to 5 drops of Ylang Ylang or 3 to 5 drops of Clary Sage essential oils.
Use according to your skin type. For the body scrub, the same types of essential oils can be added according to your skin type. Use 7 to 9 drops for this purpose. The body scrub can be used to soften calluses. It is made more effective by adding lemon juice for its Alpha Hydroxyl Acids.
Make a version for your child. Children enjoy using cut fruit rinds as a body scrub. For example, rub a pineapple rind with the sharp edges carefully removed (or an orange or lemon peel) over the feet with the baking powder scrub.
Tips
Prepare the mixture you intend to use and dab it on the inner elbow or inner wrist to do a simple patch test. Wait 12 hours. If you have any skin reactions, rinse immediately and discontinue use.