I absolutely love a chai tea latte, and the same spices used in the drink also make an incredible chai sugar scrub. This scrub not only smells amazing but also helps boost circulation and improve skin tone.
We often hear about the benefits of exfoliating, but what does it really do? Exfoliation goes beyond just removing dead skin. It also stimulates blood flow and helps the lymphatic system move effectively.
Our blood carries nutrients and oxygen to keep our cells healthy and facilitate repair, while also picking up toxins for removal. The lymphatic system, unlike the circulatory system, doesn’t have a heart to pump it. Instead, it relies on activities like dry brushing, rebounding, and exfoliating to keep things moving.
Adding to the benefits of massage, the warming spices in chai like cinnamon, clove, and ginger enhance circulation by bringing blood to the skin’s surface. These spices offer additional skin benefits. Cinnamon helps tighten pores and fights bacteria and fungus, acting as an antioxidant against free radicals.
Ginger, known for soothing stomachs and adding flavor to cookies, also has antioxidant properties. It calms inflammation and promotes blood flow near the skin. Cloves aid in combating harmful bacteria and fungus. Nutmeg, besides being a taste highlight in eggnog, is both antibacterial and antiviral. Consuming spices like cardamom and nutmeg may even offer anti-cancer benefits—so go ahead, enjoy that chai latte!
Raw honey, celebrated for its wound healing and skin health properties, is naturally antimicrobial and full of antioxidants. I often use raw honey for facial cleansing, and it works wonders in this chai sugar scrub as well.
While I frequently use essential oils in my skincare recipes, you won’t find them in this scrub. Essential oils, although beneficial, can be harsh on the skin. By the time they are diluted enough for safe use, their scent might not be as strong. Ground spices, being less irritating and enhancing the scrubbing action, are a better choice.
Interested in trying more scrubs? Here are some to consider! And if you’re inspired to make your own sugar scrubs, or craving a chai latte, you’re not alone!
