Sugar scrub is a very easy personal gift for someone. Can’t think of what to get someone? Well, self care is big now, and no better gift then exfoliation! Or so I’m told. I am not big on exfoliates, scrubs, or lotions because it turns out that I’m allergic to most of them. This one did make my face breakout but thats because I have stupid sensitive skin. The rest of my body I had no issues.
I decided to try this homemade recipe out since it was literally 2-3 ingredients. I never realized before how easy it is to make. Very customizable too if you’re giving it out as a gift!
My hands get very dry in the winter. Since moving to Florida I have not had as much of an issue with cracked and dry hands. However, at the time of writing this we are still in a pandemic. I wash my hands constantly to do what I can to stop the spread. That has definitely taken a toll on my hands. So I decided to try and make this exfoliate sugar scrub to see if it would help!
Couple things I learned making this:
- Inexpensive
- Effective for dry skin
- Smells oh so nice
- Not too greasy
Ingredients:
- 1 cup granulated or brown sugar*
- 1/2 cup coconut oil, softened but not melted**
- 1 teaspoon of your favorite extract. I like peppermint, but vanilla or another extract of choice.
- (optional) If you don’t want to use the extracts you can use around 15 drops of essential oils. 15 is a suggestion, you can use more or less as desired.
For the coconut oil I had “Refined” and I learned afterwards that you should use “unrefined”… However I’ve been using this for a week or two and it seems to work just fine! I don’t know if there is much of a difference.
The scent will differ based on which sugar you choose. The White sugar is more sweet and will work with the coconut scents better than the brown sugar. The brown sugar gives it a more caramel scent. Its pretty much all up to preference.
Essential oils give you more freedom with scents. Extracts are limited but some essential oils can be harmful to animals or other things around you. Just be careful in the ones you choose.
some essential oils that are not safe around animals:
- Cinnamon
- Citrus
- Peppermint
- Pine
- Sweet birch
- Tea tree
- Wintergreen
- Anise
- Clove
- Juniper
- Yarrow
- Pine
- Eucalyptus
- Thyme
- Oregano
- Lavender
that is just SOME but not all of the harmful oils. Every animal is different and since this is not airborne it may not have the same effect. However our furry friends come first in my house so I will be avoiding those scents and just wanted to give you a heads up as well!
Let’s get started:
Room temperature is best for the coconut oil. If it gets too warm it can melt the sugar. We want the sugar to be granulated so it does the exfoliating part. If its being difficult to spread you can always warm it up, just be careful not to go too warm.
Start by simply smashing together the sugar and the coconut oil with a fork. Mix it up real good, and if you want more exfoliating power then add some more sugar.
Add your extracts or oil as desired. Do be careful not to go too much over the teaspoon of extracts as it can not mix as well if there’s too much.
Let’s finish up:
Spoon your mixture into a glass container with a lid to keep it fresh.I used apothecary jars I had left over that I stole from my cousin’s wedding. They were used as party favors and barely anyone took theirs home. I may or may not have taken 12 home BUT they obviously came in handy so don’t judge me!
This scrub has a shelf life of a couple of months.
Use 2-3 times a week.
Put a cute little tag on it! Maybe a bow or something fancy- Instant gift! Very inexpensive and VERY easy to make with things you probably already have lying around!
If you want any other quick & easy last minute gift ideas please see below!
