Maldivian Body Scrub

Remember the old Calgon commercials?

“Calgon—take me away.”

Yes, a relaxing soak would be nice right about now, but this is what I have in mind regarding “being taken away.”

A luxury villa at Laamu (about $700 per night)

This trip to paradise is definitely out of our price range but you can make your own luxurious gift packs inspired by the spices of the Maldives.

This  scrub is inspired from the spa at  Six Senses Laamu in the Maldives.   No, I have not been there but our paper did a story on a DIY skin-saving detox inspired from this resort.     Apparently all these spices are found on the island and this scrub will keep your winter skin hydrated and smooth.

According to Laamu’s spa menu, this scrub will have calming effects and increase clarity and vitality.  (We all need that during the holidays, right?)  The treatment at the spa is  a bit pricey at $110 for 45 minutes.  (Actually, I don’t know the currency and the exchange rate for the Maldives.   It may be more; it may be less.)

Here is a do it yourself recipe.

Maldivian Scrub
adapted from “Try an exotic fix for your skin” (Tulsa World , November 19, 2103)

1/4 c. ground nutmeg
1/4 c. ground ginger
1/4 c. brown rice flour*
1/4 c. cinnamon
1/4 c. ground cloves
1/8 c. turmeric

Mix together.

So aromatic!

Mix with enough hot water to form a paste.   Apply to skin and scrub.  May leave on for 15 minutes or until it begins to warm.   Rinse.

Yields:   This recipe made almost 1 pint.

*You can find brown rice flour at Whole Foods.

The original recipe called to mix equal parts of each ingredient.   On my first batch, I found that the turmeric caused a faint yellowing to the skin after rinsing so I decreased the amount of that spice.  I didn’t want the gift recipients walking around looking jaundiced.  I would include a warning that temporary skin yellowing may occur!

The rice flour gives a subtle grittiness to the scrub.   This scrub smells heavenly and delicious.

I first did my hands (which look like an old lady’s and truly needed some revitalization) and made myself sit in a comfy chair and meditate for about 15 minutes.   This smells heavenly.     And, if you have crocodile legs in the winter like I do, I drew a hot bath, slathered this on my legs and again made myself meditate for 15 minutes before rinsing.   I have also mixed it with hot water and a bit of shea oil which works really well.

To package this for gifts, place the spices in a jar with the ingredient list and instructions and give this aromatic gift to someone needing calming, clarity and vitality this holiday season.

 My gift to you.   Feel free to use this tag if you make this scrub to give as gifts.  Make sure to keep some for yourself, too.