homemade sugar scrub recipes {how to}

I haven't gotten around to unpacking my craft room yet (how did that get so low on the priority list?), so I haven't had any crafty things to show lately. Thanks to Jess for all the fun giveaways in the meantime! But I needed a quick and easy fall teacher gift this week, so I pulled out the ribbon box and an old favorite recipe: sugar hand and body scrub. One of my favorite sweet-but-not-to-eat-treats. That's what our teachers are getting for Halloween this year.

I've tried a lot of homemade sugar scrub recipes and come up with a basic combination that can be used to make lots of yummy scents. Sugar scrubs are wonderful because they soften the skin by exfoliating (sugar) and moisturizing (oil). Just wet hands or body and massage a little sugar scrub onto the skin, then rinse well. I love to keep a jar of scrub by sink in my hall bathroom for guests, and it makes a really fun gift for teachers, friends, and hostesses. You could take one to your Thanksgiving dinner host--she'll appreciate a sweet treat without the calories!

Sugar Scrub Basic Recipe
Ingredients & supplies

 

2 parts turbinado sugar (sugar in the raw--I found mine at Walmart) OR brown sugar (or half and half each)
1 part coconut oil OR cold-pressed oil like almond oil, grapeseed oil, sunflower, safflower oil, etc. (or half and half each)
Glass jars (canning jars work great--you just need something with a lid)
Essential oils for scents (optional)

To create your scrub, mix your sugars with your oils, store in an airtight jar near the sink or in the shower for about a month. I like using half coconut oil and half cold-pressed oil for a thinner mixture. Use all coconut oil for a thicker scrub, or all cold-pressed oil for an even thinner scrub. You can use all brown sugar, but I like using some turbinado sugar because the big crystals are better for exfoliation.

 

 

 

Now here are some of my favorite combinations for good-enough-to-eat sugar scrubs! Or stick with the basic recipe and add essential oils like lavendar for your own custom scents.

Pumpkin Spice Sugar Scrub Recipe

1/2 cup turbinado sugar (sugar in the raw)

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup coconut oil

1/4 cup almond oil (or other cold-pressed oil)

1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

Mix dry ingredients together. Add oils and mix until no lumps remain. Divide into glass jars with lids. 

Apple Crisp Sugar Scrub Recipe

1/2 cup turbinado sugar (sugar in the raw)

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup coconut oil

1/4 cup almond oil (or other cold-pressed oil)

1 tsp. apple pie spice

Mix dry ingredients together. Add oils and mix until no lumps remain. Divide into canning jars with lids.

Coconut Ginger Sugar Scrub Recipe

1 cup turbinado sugar (sugar in the raw)
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup almond oil or other cold-pressed oil
1 Tbsp. coarsely chopped fresh ginger

Heat coconut oil and ginger in a small saucepan over medium heat for about 5 minutes. This will allow the ginger to infuse into the oil. Allow to cool a few minutes. Strain through a mesh strainer or coffee filter to remove ginger. Discard ginger.

Mix warm coconut oil with cold-pressed oil. Add sugar and stir well. Spoon into glass jars and cover with a tight lid.

Vanilla Brown Sugar Scrub Recipe

1/2 cup turbinado sugar (sugar in the raw)

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup coconut oil

1/4 cup almond oil or other cold-pressed oil

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

Bring coconut oil to liquid form (room temp, or microwave 10-20 seconds). Mix with cold-pressed oil. Stir in sugars and vanilla. Spoon into glass jars and cover with a tight lid.

I love to tie up my jars with ribbon and add a tag. I also like including a cute spoon for extra cuteness.

Sugar scrubs make a great holiday gift, too! Just change up the ribbon and tag to Christmas colors.