4 DIY Body Wraps for Smooth and Supple Skin

The name “body wrap” is pretty literal; this spa treatment involves wrapping different parts of the body with plastic or special bandages to detox, fight cellulite and lose weight. Between the skin and the wrapping, there’s usually a layer of some cosmetic preparation (cream, body pack, etc.) that nourishes and moisturizes the skin.

Slimming Body Wrap

This all-natural body wrap is an effective way to detox your body, lose a few inches, and provide your skin with moisture and minerals. It consists of easily obtainable ingredients: cosmetic clay (kaolin, bentonite, multani mitti, French green or any other), aloe vera gel, castor oil, and sea salt or Epsom salt.

Combine ½ cup of cosmetic clay and 2 tbsp of sea/Epsom salt in a non-metal bowl. The salt will provide your skin with minerals, while the clay will absorb toxins from your skin. Add ¼ cup of castor oil or any other cosmetic oil of your choice. Olive, coconut or almond oil should work great. Finally, add ¼ cup of aloe vera gel, a widely used cosmetic ingredient with moisturizing, anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. Mix all ingredients together until well-blended and smooth. If the texture is too thick, add some water until it becomes easily spreadable.

Apply a thin layer of the body wrap to your skin. Wrap in plastic wrap or a towel, lie down and relax for about an hour. Then unwrap, rinse off the pack with warm water and moisturize.

Papaya Body Wrap

Papaya is a rich source of enzymes that soften the skin and stimulate its renewal. It contains a unique enzyme named papain that has exfoliating properties; it delicately removes dead skin cells and excess oil from the skin surface, making it incredibly soft and smooth.

All you need for this simple DIY body wrap is a very ripe papaya. Puree its pulp until smooth (it will take just a few seconds if you use a hand blender; if you don’t own one, just mash the pulp with a fork) and spread it over your cleansed skin. Wrap your body in plastic, lie down on some towels that you won’t mind to stain, and wrap them around your body too. Let the wrap sit for 20 minutes. When the time is up, unwrap the towels and the plastic and take a warm shower.

Detox Body Wrap

This body wrap is a bit similar to the first one and at the same time different. Its main goal is to help detox your skin. The ingredients that you’ll need are Dead Sea mud, Dead Sea salt, almond oil and lavender essential oil. You can substitute cosmetic clay mixed with water for Dead Sea mud and use any other essential oil of your choice instead of lavender oil.

Dissolve the salt in 2 cups of warm water. Take some linen or cotton bandages, dip them into the salt solution and let them soak for 2 minutes. While the bandages are soaking, combine the mud, almond oil and lavender essential oil in a non-metal bowl. Stir until well-blended. If the mixture is too thick, add some water and stir again.

Apply the paste on your problem areas, wrap them with the salt-soaked bandages and relax for an hour. After that, remove the bandages and rinse with warm water.

Warming Body Wrap

Warming body wraps stimulate blood and lymph stimulation, reduce the amount of subcutaneous fat, and help alleviate muscle pains. However, you should be careful with them if you have sensitive skin because warming ingredients can cause skin redness, itching and even chemical burns. Before making a warming wrap, test a small amount of mixture on your forearm to make sure there aren’t any adverse effects.

Combine 1 tbsp of cayenne powder or 2 tbsp of ginger powder, 5 tbsp of white or bentonite clay powder, and 10 tbsp of warm water. Mix all ingredients together to make a smooth paste. Add 2 drops of your favorite essential oil and mix again (you can skip this step).

Apply the wrap to the areas of your body where you want to improve circulation, wrap with plastic and allow it to sit for 10–20 minutes. If the burning sensation becomes unbearable, rinse the mixture off immediately, no matter how much time has passed! When the time is up, unwrap and rinse with warm water, than splash your skin with cool water.