Have you tried a sugar scrub? I am hooked on these sweet concoctions. Sugar scrubs have amazing beauty and health benefits and they’re super easy to make. You can make a simple sugar scrub at home using sugar, oils, and a few drops of your favorite essential oil for fragrance. I chose four recipes that are my favorite and I think any of these would make a thoughtful gift for Mother’s Day. Place them in a small mason jar and add my free labels for a super easy DIY gift. If your kids like making things, this is a great activity for them and they’ll love the smells from all the yummy ingredients.
Even just making these scrubs is therapeutic. Although I can’t claim that using these sugar scrubs will produce dramatic health benefits, the ingredients in all four scrub recipes have amazing properties and will definitely be a nice aromatherapy and beauty treatment. When choosing a sugar scrub, consider the key ingredient: sugar. Granulated sugar is softer and can generally be used on the face and sensitive skin. Raw cane sugar is more naturally coarse, so is usually reserved for the body. Do a small patch test if you’re not sure how your skin will react.
These recipes make about a cup and a half – the perfect size to fit in a small heritage mason jar. You can easily adjust the recipes to make larger batches too. I chose coconut oil and olive oil because they paired well with the other ingredients. However, you can substitute avocado, grapeseed, or almond oil with either of them. Here are just a few of the amazing health and beauty benefits of the ingredients in my four favorite sugar scrub recipes.
Sugar: a natural humectant, it draws moisture into the skin. So products with sugar actually help hydrate your skin. Sugar is also a natural source of glycolic acid – penetrating the skin and encouraging cell turnover. Sugar’s small particles make it an excellent topical exfoliant to shed dead surface skin cells to reveal a more glowing skin underneath.
Olive Oil: Moisturizes, nourishes, and cleanses the skin.
Coconut Oil: A nourishing oil – it makes a great natural moisturizer. It’s natural antioxidant properties help stop wrinkles and skin irritation.
Honey: A powerful moisturizer and antioxidant.
Vitamin E: A natural preservative that nourishes the skin with wonderful antioxidant properties.
Vanilla: Relaxing properties and it smells so yummy.
Green Tea: An excellent antioxidant that flushes out toxins and aids in skin rejuvenation.
Lavender (essential oil): Relieves stress and is used to aid in sleeplessness.
Lemon (essential oil): Natural cleanser with antiseptic properties. Both uplifting and relaxing.
Peppermint (essential oil): Relieves sore muscles and invigorates the mind and senses.
Click here to research essential oils. I purchased a Young Living Starter Kit and I’ve used them in so many ways including natural home cleaning, beauty and bath products, and dietary aids.
Ingredients for each sugar scrub recipe:
PEPPERMINT SUGAR SCRUB
- 1 Cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 Cup coconut oil
- 10 Drops peppermint essential oil
- 2 Drops green food coloring, if desired
GREEN TEA & GRAPEFRUIT SUGAR SCRUB
- 1 Cup raw cane sugar
- 1/8 Cup of olive oil
- 1 Bag of Green Tea (not brewed)
- 15 drops grapefruit essential oil
LEMON SUGAR SCRUB
- 1 Cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 Cup coconut oil
- 1/2 tsp vitamin E oil
- Rind from half a lemon
- 15 drops lemon essential oil
LAVENDER & VANILLA SUGAR SCRUB
- 1 Cup raw cane sugar
- 1/3 Cup olive oil
- 2 Tbs honey
- 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- Dried lavender
Instructions to make sugar scrubs:
If you’re using coconut oil, you’ll need to soften it first. Place it in a bowl and microwave on HIGH 15-25 seconds until softened.
Simply mix all ingredients together until they are well combined. They’re that easy! Spoon scrub into air-tight containers (such as a mason jar).
I designed these labels for each scrub. I made two versions of each – one specifically for Mom and another for whoever you choose (even yourself!). Visit my freebies page to print them*, cut out them out and attach them to the top of a 2.5″ mason jar cover. Or you can punch a hole in them and tie them around any jar you choose.Decorate the jars with twine, ribbon, beads, fabric flowers, pom-poms – anything to make them more unique and personal. Store in a glass container for up to 3 months.
*To get my freebies, you must be a subscriber to my blog. If you’re not yet a subscriber to my blog, it’s easy to do, there’s no commitment and you get access to lots of free stuff. Enter your email address in the box on the right (above the SUBSCRIBE button). Follow the instructions fully – be sure to confirm your subscription – and then you’ll have access to all my free stuff! If you’re already a subscriber, you should have received an email with a password to access these fun freebies already.
To use sugar scrubs:
These scrubs are good to use on your face, body and hands. Although some people choose not to use scrubs on their face. Be careful not to scrub vigorously. Use a circular motion and work the scrub into your skin. Avoid the eye area completely as this area is too delicate to be exfoliated with a scrub. Always finish with a cool rinse and pat skin dry with a clean towel. I love using these scrubs on my hands – they really make them feel like silk and the smells are amazing. These recipes contain oil so if you plan on using the scrubs in the tub or shower you’ll want to be careful – the floor of your tub or shower could become slick. You always want to test any beauty product on a small area to make sure you are not sensitive to any of the ingredients.
So even though these sugary scrubs are sure to produce great results, unfortunately eating a diet high in sugars will not. bummer. These make beautiful, thoughtful and sweet (pun intended) gifts for that special Mom, sister, daughter, friend, aunt or grandmother. Enjoy!
I'd love to hear your comments!