Salt or Sugar Scrub
Both sugar and salt scrubs are very easy and inexpensive to make, and they each have their own benefits. I prefer a sugar scrub, mostly because if you have any kind of cut or scrape, salt stings, sugar doesn't. Also, sugar scrubs are particularly exfoliating due to the glycolic acid in sugar. Salt, on the other hand, promotes healing beautifully, so they each have their place. I think that salt seems a bit more classy, spa like, but sugar seems a lot more decadent and fun, even though they both do the same things.
So, to make a scrub (I say "sugar" throughout this, but it's the same process for salt), you just mix some sugar (I like brown sugar) with a bit of vegetable oil (I like sweet almond oil). Some people like them to be more oily, some more dry. I make mine with two to three tablespoons of oil to a half cup of sugar. You want the sugar to moisten a bit into a workable texture, but not clump or get pasty. And... you're done!
I always add essential oils to mine, but that's not necessary, especially if you just want a good abrasive rub for yourself. This stuff keeps really well, just try to avoid getting water into the mixture as you use it. I use about a quarter to a half a cup for my whole body.
To use, at the end of a shower, so that you're already wet, turn the water off, apply the sugar scrub and rub it into the skin. Rinse well. That's it! It exfoliates the skin and the oil moisturizes, so you come out with skin that feels fresh, smooth and new! This is a great extra pampering treatment for your hands or feet, especially if you follow up right away with a rich moisturizer. It is too abrasive for the face, but you can use it everywhere else.