After I shared my RODIN inspired Luxury Facial Serum back in June, I took a look at the rest of their product line, and their cleansing powder caught my eye. Their marketing brags about rice bran and “asea algae” (carrageenan), but the reviews mentioned lather, so there had to be a surfactant in there somewhere. $45 seemed a bit steep for something that’s basically cereal that lathers, so off I went to the DIY kitchen to see what I could whip up.
Most of this scrub is made up of ground rice. I used 100% brown arborio rice, which I chose because I realized I do not have the patience to stir a risotto for the 2 hours required to make a brown rice risotto (perhaps I should try a crock pot…). The brown rice scrub is quite scrubby courtesy of the rice bran. I like it as an occasional use exfoliating scrub, but if you’re looking for something to use on a day-to-day basis you’ll probably want to use some white rice in there with the brown, for a total of three tablespoons. If you skin is extra-sensitive you can also try using a bit of rice starch or rice flour instead of some of the whole rice.
A blend of Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate (SLSa) (USA / Canada) and Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate (SCI) (USA / Canada) give this scrub a lovely, slippery lather. If you’ve just got one or the other, feel free to use 3 tsp of that one, rather than a combination of the two. Both SLSa and SCI are safe, gentle powdered surfactants, but you still don’t want to inhale them (so wear your dust mask). If you don’t want to use them you can use a tablespoon or two or ground up bar soap instead—try one, see what you think, and maybe add another if you want more lather and slip.
The original also brags about “moisturizing sea algae” or “asea algae”, and while that sounds fancy, a quick poke into the ingredients list reveals that’s actually carrageenan, which isn’t nearly as fancy sounding. Carrageenan is commonly used in food as a thickener and gelling agent, but in cosmetics and skin care products we like it because it helps hydrate the skin.
The original uses a blend of jasmine and neroli essential oils. You’re certainly welcome to use a blend of those if you like, but I’m not terribly fond of the scent of either, so I went with a blend of calming lavender, bright cardamom, and juicy lemon instead. We can get away with using photosensitizing lemon essential oil here since we’re washing it right off, rather than leaving it on our skin.
After you’ve got all the ingredients, whipping everything up in a coffee grinder is all that’s left. BAM. Easy peasy. Enjoy your lovely new brown rice cleansing grains!
Brown Rice Cleansing Grains
1 tsp Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate (SLSa) (USA / Canada)
2 tsp Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate (SCI) (USA / Canada)
3 tbsp rice (see note above for brown vs white)
2 tsp carrageenan10 drops lavender essential oil
10 drops cardamom essential oil
10 drops lemon essential oilPop on your dust mask. Measure all the surfactants, rice, and carrageenan into your DIY-only coffee grinder and blitz everything to bits for a minute or two. Let the dust die down, pop off the lid, and give everything a good stir. Make sure you scrape around the bottom to pick up the bits that will get all caked into the bottom corners of the coffee grinder, and do that a couple times until you have a super thorough, uniform blend.
Drop in the essential oils and blitz everything together again. Transfer the scrub to a jar or bottle.To use, take about a teaspoon of the scrub in your palm, gently combine it with a wee bit of water, and scrub away, using more water as needed to make the scrub less exfoliating. Follow up with some moisturizer and enjoy!
I was “shopping” your blog for tomorrow’s kitchen adventures and saw you have a new post! But it makes me very sad. I made a promise to myself that I cannot buy any “new” ingredients (ingredients I’ve never used before). So this recipe will have to be put on the list for later!
At some point, I’ll have to make some time to sit down and comment on all the recipes I’ve made from your blog this past week! I think I made something like 50 to 60 different recipes this week.
My feet be killing me! But my skin be loving me!
DAYUM, that is a lot of recipes! You’re putting me to shame over here haha.
I’m like Penny. I make so many things from this site that have just been amazing, that I almost need a generalized comment section to say thank you for all the great adventures, money saving (has to be, just has to be, New Directions orders notwithstanding), and beautiful results. I *LOVE* my hair and I’ve never had such flawless, soft skin. This site is my painting in the attic that makes me look younger and younger (Oscar Wilde reference, but its been a long time since I read that book).
Aww, thank you so much, Kathie! I’m thrilled I’ve been able to take so many people along on my journey of significantly better hair and skin, and hopefully saved some people some money in the long run (even if that person is not me!).
Good morning,
I was reading your email, which I love by the way, and wanted to know if you had done any research on Carageenan. Years ago, when my kids were small, I read about a study by Consumer Reports. Carageenan was used (and still is) in a LOT of our foods, but it was found to cause cancerous liver lesions in rats. It’s even in our Cool Whip! I am careful to read labels and stay away from a product containing Carageenan. Do you know if this has changed? I cannot find anything to support that it is safe. Thanks!
Hey Sharon! I have researched it, and from everything I have read, it’s very safe. Skin Deep gives it a 1/10 for safety, which is a better rating than castor oil and the same safety rating as olive oil. The Int’l Agency for Research on Cancer says it is “Not likely to be carcinogenic in humans” and the Environment Canada Domestic Substance List has classified it as “not expected to be potentially toxic or harmful”. Hope that helps!
Wow Marie!
This reminds me of Fresh’s discontinued Rice Face Wash. It didn’t foam much. I’ve always wondered how to make it. Can’t wait to try this. Well done!
Thanks, Dorothy! Happy making 🙂
All I have used for a face scrub for the last 4 or so years – to great effect I might add, is PLAIN DRY BROWN RICE FLOUR. I keep some in an old herb-shaker on the shelf in the shower and use it daily. It is fabulous. I wet my face, shake about half a teaspoon full in to my hand and rub it all over my face then wash off. Being a gardener I used to get lots of black heads from effort and perspiration and this has beaten the little black buggers for years now. I use home made lotions and potions and have pretty amazing skin for my age – 61 last week.
Ooh, how interesting! I’ll have to pick some up at the bulk bins next time I’m at the shops to play with 🙂 Thanks for the tip!
I think one of the reasons why I love reading your blog is because you just dissect everyone to pieces. It’s so much nicer hearing you explain what’s actually going on and so-and-so in some product than reading blogs that just sort of repeat general bright-and-happy knowledge. Just love your dry humor!
Thanks so much, Mylan! My favourite part is understanding how and why things work, so I HAVE to share that ’cause it’s awesome 🙂
Marie, What would you guess the shelf life is on this face scrub? Thank you for all you do!
You’ll find your answer in the FAQ 🙂
I had to pause when you said mentioned the reason for not using risotto. I was like, wait, is she cooking this? Have I been doing it wrong? Has she? Then I figured out what you were saying. BTW, I make it in a rice cooker, throw in the shrooms and butter and walk away, adding cheese near the end. It isn’t quite as full flavored as making it on the stove, but much easier.
As to the grains, will try this, thanks! I’ve been experimenting with wheat berries for cleansing grains since I have..cough, a surplus. (It was on sale)
Ha! I can definitely see how that would be confusing LOL. I honestly can’t remember the last time I made risotto, it’s probably been a good 5 years. I’m not much of a rice person, I guess 😛
I bet some wheat berries would work well in this recipe, too!
I dont happen to have carrageenan on hand, and was wondering if Marshmellow root might work as a substitute??? I seem to be amassing a lot of ingredients that I may never use again. Just hoping….
I think marshmallow root would be a great alternative! Let me know how it turns out 🙂
Well, I did it and Marshmallow turned out fine. I can’t compare it to carrageenan so….anyway, I was pleased with my scrub. Made my face smooth and shiney when I was done. Lathered nicely and probably could have blitz the rice a little more, but I still can if I want to. I would make again for little gifts as well. Might use a bit more essential oils as I like lavender a lot!!! Thanks for quick reply, I know how busy you must be. Oh, I love your book, making lots of stuff, but having some trouble with just the right depth of color for blush. Still working on it…
Fantastic! I’m so glad 😀 You could even try adding some lavender buds, though I’m not sure this recipe needs any more exfoliating elements haha. Thanks so much for reading, and have fun playing with the blush! I’ve launched a forum that’s got some great Make it Up chat—that would be a great place to share your experiments and get feedback 🙂
Hi Marie! Looove your blog, and your book is awesome!! 😀 I was just wondering what happened to your Luxury Facial Serum post. No matter which way I try to find the page it keeps giving me this “does not exist” error message.. :s 🙁 I really wanted to try that one! Any idea what’s going on?
Hmm—from what I can see, nothing. It’s right here, and looks good to me. Can you try clearing your cookies and cache?
Yay, it worked! Sorry, for the trouble, and thank you!! 🙂
Dear Marie, thank you so much for your blog. You are my first DIY and my number one :-).
I loooooove this rice scrub <3. I have tried som different combinations, for bodyscrub such as 3 parts brown rice, 1 part oat meal and 1 part coconut flour, when used ad a little honey. Best feeling skin ever.
Yours truly Marian, Denmark
Hey Marian! I am so glad you are enjoying this scrub and my blog 😀 Happy making and thanks so much for reading and sharing!
Hi Marie
I Love your posts and receipes. Thanks for sharing. I am at the other hala of the Globe and finding some things here is impossible. I was wondering if I can substitute carrageeenan with gelatine as that is widely available here? What do you think?
Many thx
I’d probably just leave it out; gelatin is extremely prone to clumping, so I predict you’d end up with gelatinous blobs. Just my guess, though!
I’m so glad I stumbled upon your site and cannot wait to try this recipe!
I’d like to try it with only Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate. Would it then be equal parts SCL and rice powder (1:1)? Do you know of any other good ECOCERT options?
Thanks so much! I’m diving into your recipes :))
From the post: “If you’ve just got one or the other, feel free to use 3 tsp of that one, rather than a combination of the two.”
I don’t really pay attention to Ecocert so I don’t have any recommendations. Happy making!
Janna,
There’s a powdered surfactant called “EasyFoam” that’s ECOcert. You can find it at ingredientstodiefor.com
Thank you SO MUCH Jennifer! I’ll check it out!! Have you worked with EasyFoam before? Any tips on dose? xo
Janna,
It’s recommended for use at 4%-20%. I’ve found that 4% doesn’t do much cleaning at all and 20% leaves you with a very tight, stripped feeling. So I go with 8-10%, depending on what I’m making. Hope this helps!
I just love how simplified this recipe is! I’ve been making cleansing grains for years,and that’s all I use to cleanse my face. My skin has changed so much that it looks WAY better now, at 38, than it every did when I was younger! I have hundreds and hundreds of jars of plants, fruits, herbs, roots, and veggies. All of which I’ve dehydrated and powdered myself. Also every clay and salt available on planet earth. You name it, I’ve got it! And I’ve also grown and/or foraged most of my materials. I own 4 city lots and I use the space to grow every kind of herb you can imagine. My only problem is not knowing when to stop. When I’m making a new cleansing grain recipe, I tend to go overboard with ingredients. I made one last year that had 97 different powders (no joke). I love this recipe so much because it’s so simple and that’s something I desperately need to learn!
Wow! You sound like a modern day apothecarian 🙂 And I can DEFINITELY relate to not knowing when to stop! I’m currently sorting through all my things as I move and oooooh dear LOL.
Is there any alternative for carrageenan?
You could try a different gum, like xanthan, as an alternative.
Do you think this will work well without the Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate (SLSa)?
What would you suggest if just using Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate? Trying to avoid SLS… thanks!!
Yup! Do know, though, that Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate (SLSa) is really quite different from SLS 🙂
Hi Marie!
LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE all of your hard work & generous advice & help you give to all of us passionate DIY hobbyists! I also got your book & absolutely LOVE it!
I would really love to hear your thoughts or see some recipes incorporating ROSE POWDER, HONEY POWDER & RICE POWDER! Or if not, your advice on why you may not want to use these powders .. Also, your thoughts on activated charcoal powder! Keep up the inspirational work & passion! It’s really refreshing & always extremely interesting! STAY WELL
Have you thought about making powder shampoo? It sounds interesting & I couldn’t find any.