Make Your Own DIY Sugar Scrub

Wake Up with a Rejuvenating Sugar Scrub for Your Skin

This is one of the easiest, yet most beneficial Do-It-Yourself products you can make at home. And what’s even better, you probably don’t have to run to the store as you most likely have what you need right in your kitchen (other than the essential oils)! Sugar and salt scrubs are excellent ways to exfoliate old, dead skin from your face and body, while unclogging pores and providing a hydrating protective barrier for your skin.

An exfoliant is necessary in your scrub, as it is what removes the dead skin. Of course, the sugar. in our recipe is the exfoliant. *Optionally you can use Himalayan Sea Salt, but remember salt is dehydrating, so it is not for daily use. Some scrubs include Coffee Grounds or Green twig tea! Basically, you need an exfoliant to scrub off any dead skin and increase circulation while rubbing it on your body.

We’re going to use sugar in our recipe. It is best to apply sugar scrubs after you have been in hot water for a few minutes, to help open pores.

A general rule for making perfect Sugar Scrub is 2 parts sugar to 1 part oil.

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What You’ll Need:

—Organic Sugar:  The exfoliant in this scrub, is organic sugar. The finer the sugar, the less abrasive the scrub, so if you have sensitive skin, use the fine granulated organic sugar. If you like, you can use coconut sugar, or even brown sugar! (*Make your own brown sugar by combining organic sugar with organic molasses… about 1 cup sugar to 1 Tablespoon molasses…you can make it darker or lighter, as you wish.)

—Organic Emollient Oil: This is going to soften and condition your skin. My favorite is organic Jojoba oil, a luxurious oil that has a long shelf life, blended with organic Coconut oil or Castor oil. Jojoba is a bit more pricey than other oils, but offers a longer shelf life than most, and I like the quality of the scrub. Both are excellent for the skin. You can also use organic Olive oil (although adding essential oils is a good idea to mask the scent of the oil), organic Avocado oil, organic Apricot kernel oil, organic Sweet Almond oil, organic Grapeseed oil…or a host of others.  Besides acting as a carrier oil for essential oils and your sugar, the oils in your scrub will leave your skin hydrated, and conditioned.

For more information on oils…click here

–Organic Essential Oils: Lavender, Lemongrass, German Chamomile, Frankincense, Sandalwood (Australian), Neroli, and Rose are all wonderful oils for the skin, and generally well tolerated by sensitive skin types, when used in the correct dilutions.

For 1 oz (3 tbls.) of carrier oil, use between 9 and 15 drops essential oil. If children or the tender-skinned elderly will be using your scrub, use between 3 to 5 drops essential oil per 1 oz (3TBLS.) of carrier oil. Do not use essential oils on infants and children under 3.

–Stainless Steel Bowl

–Measuring Cup

–Measuring Spoons

–Glass jar with tight fitting lid, both washed and dried well.

–A Label

Option 1. Activated Charcoal Powder: Adding activated charcoal to your scrub will make it a cleansing, exfoliating and detoxifying scrub, and is excellent for acne prone skin, but not when active open acne is present.. (When using charcoal, you can use your scrub several times  a week in the shower, but we do not suggest using it daily. Also, the charcoal will darken your water and you’ll need to wash out your tub.)

Option 2.  Organic Honey: When making a scrub for super soft skin, you can add a Tablespoon of organic honey to the mix. Careful where you store it…ants would love this scrub!

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So Let’s Make It!

What you’ll need:

• 1/2 cup organic fine granulated sugar
• 2 Tablespoons organic Jojoba oil
• 4 Tablespoons organic extra virgin Coconut oil
• *Optional: 1 teaspoon Activate Charcoal powder.
• *Optional 1 teaspoon Honey
• 5 drops organic Lavender essential oil
• 5 drops organic Lemongrass essential oil or German Chamomile essential oil
• 3 drops organic Frankincense essential oil
• 2 drops organic Neroli essential oil
• 2 drops organic Sandalwood essential oil

• You can use fewer oils, just don’t include more than 15-20 drops total. Although Lemon, Orange, Grapefruit, Mandarin, Tangerine, and other citrus essential oils are also wonderful in a sugar scrub, they can be a problem for sensitive skin. The are also phytotoxic, so you should stay out of the sun if applying them to your skin. Always use your finished product on a test area first if you haven’t used that essential oil before, and of course, discontinue use if any irritation develops. See General Essential Oil Dilution Information below.

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Combine:

1. Place the sugar, carrier oils, (activated charcoal, and/or honey, if using) into a stainless steel bowl, and stir together with a stainless steel spoon until well combined.
2. Add organic essential oils into the mix and stir until oils are evenly distributed throughout mixture, and there are no clumps.
3. Spoon into your glass jar and seal tightly.  Label.

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How to Use:

Wet your body thoroughly in the shower in water as hot as you can handle. After several minutes, turn shower water off and apply about a teaspoon to a Tablespoon of your scrub to a soft wash cloth, (or for more abrasive rub, use a loofa sponge).  Rub into your legs, arms, and back, and pay special attention to your heels and elbows where skin is the toughest. Go easier on your chest, underarms, neck, and stomach, where the skin is thinner. When combining only fine granulated sugar, carrier oils, and gentle essential oils, you can safely use this scrub daily.

If using your sugar scrub on your face, always wash face first. Apply small amount of scrub with fingers to face and gently massage using small circular motions. No need to over do it…a little goes a long way. Rinse with warm water and pat dry with towel.

Warning: Not for use immediately before or after shaving your legs (or face, men!) You’ll feel a burn, and could invite a rash on sensitive skin. Not for use with sunburned skin, active acne, or overly sensitive skin.

TIP: If you want to make a Soap & Sugar Scrub for daily cleansing and exfoliating, add 3 Tablespoons of Organic Castile Liquid Soap to the mix! Be sure to mix it in thoroughly. Follow directions above. When using in the shower/tub, be sure to use caution as the oils can make the tub slippery. Clean tub after use.

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On a side note: Here on Ranch Runamuck, we have our hands in the dirt, planting, digging, and harvesting all summer long. Our hands began to look like they had been submerged in Sahara Desert sand for way too long!

So, naturally, we came up with a formula to save our hands and keep the splits and roughness at bay…Ranch & Garden Hand Rescue!