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As promised, here is my absolute favorite recipe for a homemade sugar body scrub. It is an addiction of mine that I’m thankful is fairly inexpensive to make at home because I certainly can’t afford to buy this in a specialty shop any more like I did a lifetime ago before the kidlets.
In that previous life, I even had a part time job at a well known bath and body store located at many, many malls and outlets across the country. I loved it. I actually only really worked there so that I could take advantage of the great discounts on my favorite products and so I could sample and smell all that lovely goodness while I was working. Needless to say, without the discount, and three high-maintenance kidlets around the house and those days are long gone.
For this sugar scrub I usually like to use a unrefined, raw sugar – fine or coarse grain is fine, it’s really up to you and your preference. In this case I used some unrefined organic cane sugar from Wholesome Sweeteners that I was able to buy at Costco. If I remember correctly, it was about $9 for a 10 lb bag. Anyway, I keep it on hand for baking anyway, and the recipe doesn’t take a lot, so it’s something easy to have on hand. You could use regular white sugar if you wanted, but I think the raw sugars (especially the ones that are just a little coarse) do a better job of exfoliating.
Since two of my absolute most favorite smells on the planet are citrus and vanilla, and they both make me happy when I smell them – especially together – it is always a natural combination for this scrub in my book. Add in a little honey for extra softness, a little bit of almond oil for extra moisturizing and some vegetable glycerin to keep it all nice and plush for scrubbing without clumping and drying out and you’ve got a nice scrub for yourself or as a great gift. Think just how nice it would be (especially for a new mom or one of your preggers friends) to get a nice jar of homemade scrub, possibly even with the recipe attached.
If you try this one out, I’d love to know what you think!
For more spa recipes you might like the following links, plus check back later this week for the homemade bath salts!
Coffee and Lavender Sugar Body Scrub from Joy the Baker
Spa Ideas and Info Links from Renaissance Culinaire
Vanilla Citrus Sugar Body Scrub
8 oz (about 2 cups) raw (preferably organic) sugar (cane, turbinado or demerara work best)
3 – 5 tablespoons sweet almond oil (use the higher amount depending on the dryness of your skin)
3 tablespoons vegetable glycerin (you can skip this if you just don’t have it, but your scrub will not be as workable which you can still use with some extra stirring)
6 – 8 drops essential oil (citrus blend like wild orange or grapefruit, or whatever scent you love)
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl and stir well to combine thoroughly. Store in a cool, dry place in an airtight container. To use just take a small amount and scrub it into your skin while in the bath or shower, especially great for exfoliating before shaving or for helping get rid of dry skin after a sunburn or during the winter months. If your skin is especially dry, use the scrub while in the shower at the end of your shower just rinsing to leave the oils on your skin.
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ve never thought about making a body scrub at home before but I think you just inspired me! Thanks for the post
I’m soooooo all over this! Awesome idea!!!!
I can’t wait to try these recipes! Love your blog – so many great ideas!!
I love scrubs. My favorite was some hot chocolate one that is kinda pricey, but it smells delicious. Thanks for the recipe. I’ll definitely give it a try. I think these would make great little gifts.
Hi Holly, I appreciate the link to my blog! Love your blog. Cheers!
love the body scrub recipe – thanks for posting
I was recently given some of this as a gift. I really love it. I have always had issues with soap and body washes drying my skin I was useing dove it was the only one that wouldn’t dry me out. But now I use this I was happy that the person gave me a big container because I didn’t know how to make it and don’t talk to the person anymore. I saw this and said yes now I can make it and I sent the recipe to my friends. Thank you for the post.
How long does this store for? I want to fill large baby food jars and give as party favors at an upcoming baby shower.
To be honest I used mine over about a month, so I’m not sure past that. It just needs a stir if it hardens a bit. I used about two tablespoons per usage so large baby food jars would probably be used up quickly. I would think you could prepare them a week or two in advance without any problems. Good luck! I’d love to hear how it goes!
This may sound silly, but how much does the final product yield? I want to make this as gifts for my girlfriends this holiday.
I like silly! Even though no question is silly. Since the ingredients basically just saturate the sugar there isn’t a lot of increase in how much it makes. The amounts given in the recipe makes roughly two cups of scrub. The jar shown in the picture is one cup capacity, so I got two jars out of it. It made the recipe amount easy to multiply. For one 1-cup jar I probably emptied it in about 4 uses, but I’m pretty generous when using the scrub so that will depend on the person. I hope that helps! I’d love to hear how yours turns out!
Thank you so very much. I was thinking that would be the case, but i just wanted to check. I’m really excited about this DIY. One more…. Where can you find the vegetable glycerin and the essential oils? Health food stores?
I’m glad that helps! I do remember I found the vegetable glycerin at Whole Foods, and I had some essential oils from doTerra. I’ve noticed there are quite a few available in the health section even just at a couple of my regular grocery stores now too, so hopefully that helps. Specialized health stores would be a good resource too.
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