Make Your Own Organic Homemade Sugar Scrubs with 10 Recipes

Sugar scrubs are used are in spas and have become so popular that they are readily available in most grocery stores as well as online. They also carry a pretty hefty price tag. I am far too frugal to pay big prices for something I can easily make myself. The ingredients are probably something you already have at home in your pantry. Scrubs are wonderful for your skin, they exfoliate along with providing much needed moisture to the skin that we all need, especially in the cold winter months when our skin is more susceptible to drying weather conditions.
The formulas are basically very simple 50 percent sugar to 50 percent oil. You can then add small amounts of extracts or essential oils, or you can add aloe vera gel or vitamin C crystals, basically anything of your choosing that is easily dissolvable. Aside from the health benefits, the great advantage of making your own body scrub is that you get something that is just right for you, and the investment is minimal. Cut the basic recipe in half and try different combinations till you find something you love. Sugar scrubs make great gifts, especially when you create your own labels and decorate with ribbon or raffia.
Note: These recipes have been shared by numerous people, some of whom do not have MCS, EI, or CI, hence the use of flavoring extracts in some recipes. If you are making this for anyone with MCS, EI, or CI, be sure to leave out any extract or essential oil, to avoid causing any health problems.
All of these recipes are fabulous without  the use of extracts or essential oils.

Sugar Scrub Tips
*Mix and store ingredients in glass bowls and jars to prevent reactions with other materials.
*Shelf life is only a couple weeks or so (if kept cool in an airtight container) unless a preservative of some sort is added, such as Vitamin E Oil, Rosemary Oil Extract, Grapefruit Seed Extract, etc.
*Use a loofah or bristle brush when gently applying, will give a nice massage while exfoliating.
*Succanet does not work well for a sugar scrub.

*Remember if you use this in the shower or tub, it can be slippery, so use caution.

Try Using Different Sugars for Different Skin Smoothing Results

If you use turbinado (raw sugar), you will probably want more oil because turbinado has a coarser texture than light brown sugar. Turbinado, being a specialty ingredient, also costs a lot more than brown sugar. You can use either form of sugar, just make sure that with the brown sugar, you’re keeping a careful eye on the liquid ingredients so your scrub doesn’t dissolve into a thin paste. Use honey only if you find your scrub is too dry, or just increase the amount of oil you use instead.

 

Sugar Scrub Mixing Instructions
Mix oils into the sugar slowly, stirring to keep the consistency smooth, and stop when you can form the mixture into a slightly wet ball without it dripping through your fingers. Add the extracts last: they are If you decide to add essential oils, be careful about labels. Never use “fragrance oils”—they are chemical fakes that have never been near a plant and can cause irritation or even allergic symptoms. Instead, make sure to use essential oils, which are the true plant oils expressed by pressing or by steam distillation from the actual plants. Before choosing an essential oil, make sure that it is considered to be good for the skin—some essential oils are irritants and are meant for other purposes. Some skin friendly oils include rose, rosemary, lemon, mandarin, lavender and chamomile.

 

Ten Recipes

Original Sugar Scrub
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/4 cup olive oil
Mix well and store in a cool area in a tightly sealed container. Remember to label and date your creations.

almonds1

Almond Lover’s Scrub
1 C white sugar
1 C raw sugars
1- 1/2 C almond oil
1 T liquid lecithin
1 T vitamin E
Mix well. Remember to label and date, and store in a cool area in a tightly sealed container.

 

Almond Brown Sugar Scrub for Sensitive Skin
1 Cup natural brown sugar
1/2 cup sweetened almond oil
1 tsp of vitamin E
1/2 tsp of vanilla extract (optional)
1/2 tsp of honey
Mix well. Remember to label and date and store in a tightly sealed container.

 

aloe-vera
Aloe Vera Scrub
1 C sugar
1 C extra virgin olive oil
2 Tbsp. aloe vera gel
Mix well. Remember to label and date and store in a tightly sealed container.

 

 

Brown Sugar and Vanilla
1 cup Dark Brown Sugar
1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil, can substitute Sweetened Almond Oil or Vegetable Oil
1 teaspoon Vitamin E (cut open Vitamin E liquid gel caps)
1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract (optional)
1 tablespoon honey, optional for dry skin
In a medium mixing bowl, combine oil, vitamin E and vanilla. Add the brown sugar and mix well. Remember to label and date. Store in a cool area in a tightly sealed container.

chamomile

 

Chamomile Honey Almond Scrub
1-1/2 C sugar
1/2 C honey
1 tsp. almond extract (optional)
2 Tbsp chamomile tea (brew a cup of strong tea and save 2 Tbsp. for this recipe)
Mix well, label and date. Store in a cool area in a tightly sealed container.

 

Coffee Sugar Scrub
1/4 C packed brown sugar
1/4 C white sugar
3 Tbsp. fresh coffee grounds
5 tsp almond oil
5 tsp jojoba oil
2 tsp honey
1 tsp vitamin E
1 tsp vanilla (optional)
Mix well, label and date. Store in a cool area in a tightly sealed container.

 

healthy-living-lemon-2

Lemon Sugar Scrub
2 – 1/2 cups of white sugar
1 cup extra virgin olive oil
4 Tbsp. of lemon juice.
Mix all the ingredients until you have a gritty paste. Put in a 12-ounce container with a tight seal lid.

If you want to preserve your lemon sugar scrub past two months or you are giving it as a gift, add the oil of a vitamin E capsule, or some sea salt. Mix well, label and date. Store in a cool area in a tightly sealed container.

 

Peppermint Sugar Scrub
1-1/2 C sugar
1/2 C honey
1 tsp. peppermint extract
Mix well, label and date. Store in a cool area in a tightly sealed container.

 

Vanilla Brown Sugar
2 C. brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
1 C. Sunflower oil
1 Tbsp. vanilla extract (optional)
Mix well and store in a cool area in a tightly sealed container.

 

Which Carrier Oil Should You Use?
Carrier oils are based on your preference, your budget, and what your skin care needs are. For example, if you’re looking for something odorless, grapeseed or sesame oil would be a great choice. If your skin is cracked, calendula may be the choice for you, for softness sunflower would be a great choice. Refer to the chart below, to find something that works best for you.

 

Consider Buying Oils and Herbs in Bulk

I frequently buy items in bulk and split the order with 2 or 3 friends to save money. It will last you for a very long time, and depending on the oil you buy  it can  be used in foods and for cosmetic use. Mountain Rose Herbs is my one stop shop for the herbs, salts and oils used in these recipes.
Choose Your Oil
Almond (sweet)- Relieves itches, softens skin, for all skin types

Apricot kernel– Restores the glow, rehydrates, used in facial massage

Avocado -For dry skin, easily absorbed, plumps up prematurely lined skin

Borage -Treats eczema and psoriasis, anti-aging properties

Calendula -Heals rashes and cracked skin

Carrot seed– Reduces premature aging and scarring, restores elasticity, and rejuvenates

Coconut– Great for brittle or cracked skin, retains skin’s moisture

Evening Primrose– For dry skin, rich in fatty acids

Grapeseed -For full body massage, odorless and easily absorbed

Hazelnut– For oily skin, easily absorbed

Jojoba-Anti bacterial, anti inflammatory, hydrating and emollient

Macadamia– Maintains natural moisture of the skin

Olive Oil-Disinfecting, healing, excellent to soothe cracked skin

Passion fruit -Maintains skin’s elasticity

Rosehip– Regenerates tissue, good for scars, burns and wrinkles

Safflower– Easily absorbed

Sesame– Natural sunscreen, odorless

Sunflower– Softens skin, maintains skin’s natural moisture

Wheat germ– For dry skin, antioxidant, has strong odor

 

Choose your Sugars (listed finer to courser)
Fine Sugar
Brown Sugar
White Sugar
Turbinado (raw sugar)

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My Health Maven offers information on a wholistic approach to healthy lifestyle choices.