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Heart-Shaped Exfoliating Hand Scrub for Smooth, Soft Skin

So many things can cause hands to become dry and rough.

Changing seasons

Washing dishes

Gardening

Dry winter air

Frequent hand washing

 

Thankfully, it’s easy to keep skin smooth, soft, and well moisturized.

Step 1: Exfoliate to remove dead skin and reveal fresh, healthy skin.

Regular exfoliation is an important part of a skincare routine.

This includes the hands — these exfoliating hand scrub hearts are a great option,

feet — try a lemongrass and chamomile foot scrub recipe for rough soles,

lips — a gentle lip scrub can help smooth chapped lips,

all over — a sugar scrub works well to soften and renew skin across the body.

Step 2: Apply a moisturizer such as a whipped body butter or a rich, creamy hand lotion. Exfoliation helps moisturizers penetrate more deeply, making them more effective.

 

These hand scrub hearts are easy to make, all natural, and very inexpensive.

They use only a few simple ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen or bathroom.

 

Easy homemade hand scrub recipe with essential oils to exfoliate dry skin. All natural, inexpensive, & easy to make. Adorable labels. Made with Epsom salt, baking soda, and lemon and lavender essential oil.

 

What you need to make these homemade exfoliating hand scrub hearts

This recipe uses common household ingredients and optional essential oils for scent and skin benefits.

Epsom salt – gently removes dead skin and polishes hands to a soft, smooth finish.

Baking soda – softens skin and offers mild, silky exfoliation.

Filtered or distilled water – helps bind the dry ingredients into a moldable dough.

Lemon essential oil (optional) – brightens and helps remove grease and grime from hands.

Lavender essential oil (optional) – soothing scent that supports skin regeneration and calms dry, reddened hands.

Heart-shaped silicone molds – any small silicone molds work for shaping the scrub hearts.

Airtight glass jar – for storing the dry scrub hearts and keeping them fresh.

Spice grinder – useful for grinding Epsom salt into a fine powder for a smoother texture.

 

Homemade hand scrub hearts packed in a jar as a gift

 

How to make homemade exfoliating hand scrub hearts

Step 1: Grind the Epsom salt

Use a spice grinder to grind 1 cup of Epsom salt to a fine powder.

Grinding Epsom salt for scrubFine powdered Epsom salt ready to mix

 

Step 2: Combine dry ingredients

Add the ground Epsom salt and 1 cup of baking soda to a glass mixing bowl.

Mixing dry ingredientsReady to add essential oils

 

Step 3: Add essential oils

Add 24 drops total of essential oil to the dry mixture and mix well, breaking up any clumps. A good balance is:

12 drops lemon essential oil

12 drops lavender essential oil

Adding essential oils to scrub mixture

 

Step 4: Add water

Add 2–3 tablespoons of filtered or distilled water. Start with 2 tablespoons, then add more if needed. The mixture should be the consistency of stiff cookie dough.

Adding water to reach correct consistency

 

Step 5: Adjust and mix

Mix thoroughly. If the dough is too crumbly, add a little more water. If it’s too soft, add a bit more baking soda until it holds shape like stiff cookie dough.

Mix until dough formsDough ready to press into molds

 

Step 6: Shape into molds

Divide the dough in half and place half on each silicone mold, pressing it into each cavity. You can also roll the mix into small balls and press into the molds if preferred.

Pressing scrub dough into heart molds

 

Step 7: Air dry

Let the hearts air dry in the molds until completely hard. Drying usually takes several hours to overnight. The mixture may expand as it dries; to prevent or manage expansion you can:

  1. Check and press the mixture down a few times during the first hours of drying.
  2. Cover the molds with a flat object and weigh it down so the dough stays compact as it dries.

Air drying scrub hearts in molds

 

Step 8: Remove and store

Once fully dry, remove the scrub hearts from the molds and store them in an airtight glass jar to keep them fresh.

Hand scrub hearts stored in a jar

Hand scrub recipe summary

  1. Grind 1 cup Epsom salt into a fine powder.
  2. Combine the ground Epsom salt with 1 cup baking soda.
  3. Add 12 drops lemon essential oil and 12 drops lavender essential oil (optional).
  4. Mix, breaking up clumps, then add 2–3 tablespoons filtered or distilled water until the mixture is the consistency of stiff cookie dough.
  5. Adjust water or baking soda to reach the correct firmness.
  6. Divide the dough and press into silicone molds.
  7. Let the molds air dry until completely hard, managing expansion as needed.
  8. Remove the scrub hearts and store in an airtight jar.

 

How to use the exfoliating hand scrub hearts

  1. Take one heart into the palm of your hand.
  2. Run warm water over it to soften.
  3. Gently rub the heart into your hands, breaking it up as you scrub.
  4. Rinse thoroughly.
  5. Pat hands dry.
  6. Apply a moisturizer such as a whipped body butter or a rich hand lotion to seal in softness.

 

Where to get supplies

Most ingredients and tools can be found at grocery stores, craft stores, or general retailers. Epsom salt and baking soda are common in the household and supermarket sections. Silicone molds, spice grinders, and airtight jars are available at kitchen and craft retailers.

Finished hand scrub hearts ready to gift

 

Related DIY ideas

Soft & Silky Whipped Body Butter

Ultimate Sugar Scrub for soft, smooth skin

Lemongrass and Chamomile Foot Scrub

Super Rich & Creamy Dry Hand Lotion

DIY face serum with essential oils for various skin types

Exfoliating Sugar Scrub Cubes

Essential oil accessories and supply suggestions

 

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Please note: Products mentioned in this article have not been evaluated by the FDA. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This website is not a substitute for professional medical care. Always consult your medical doctor regarding medical concerns.