From face to feet, four DIY sugar scrubs to keep you sweet!
Talk about a bum rap. Sugar has taken the heat for everything from acne to adult-onset diabetes. And while it certainly does make a beeline to the hips when eaten in the form of a cupcake, sugar can do wonders when directly applied to the hips — in a home spa treatment, that is. Good ol’ fashioned white table sugar makes an excellent exfoliant to remove dull, dead skin cells and when paired with complementary ingredients found in your kitchen, can nourish and hydrate skin.
Read on for four easy DIY sugar scrubs to bring out your glow from head to toe!
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For Face: Sugar + Coconut Oil
Buff away dead skin cells with this nourishing facial polish. While the sugar releases dead skin cells from clinging on and dulling your complexion, the coconut oil helps retain the skin’s moisture.
Mix 3 tablespoons of white sugar with 1 tablespoon of unrefined virgin coconut oil. Gently massage the mixture onto clean skin in circular motions. Resist the urge to scrub. Rinse and pat dry.
For Bod: Sugar + Lime Zest
Unleash your glow with this zesty concoction. The natural oils in the lime peel condition and soothe skin.
Mix ½ cup white sugar with ¼ cup olive oil. Add the zest of one lime. Massage the mixture all over damp skin, paying close attention to elbows, knees and dry areas.
For Trouble Spots: Sugar + Coffee
Treat trouble spots with this dynamic duo. Caffeine helps to dehydrate fat cells with the sugar smooths away dull skin.
Mix ½ cup white sugar with ¼ cup olive oil and 1 tablespoon of ground coffee. Massage the mixture onto damp legs, derriere and any other body parts in need of a lift. For an extra boost, leave the mixture on for 10 minutes to allow the caffeine to penetrate skin.
For Feet: Sugar + Peppermint Oil
Revive tired soles and dry heels with this minty exfoliant. Bonus: The tingly peppermint is a natural deodorizer and muscle relaxant.
Mix ½ cup white sugar with ¼ cup olive oil and up to 5 drops of peppermint essential oil. Rub bottoms of feet, heels and ankles with the mixture. For an added treat, wrap sugary feet in plastic wrap and put your feet up for 10 minutes before rinsing.
Recipe ingredients can be adjusted to your preferences for consistency and aromas. You can also substitute the olive oil with another carrier oil (safflower, almond, jojoba and grapeseed oil work well). If you use the mixture in the shower, be sure to wipe it down afterward to avoid slipping. And yes, it’s okay to lick your fingers after applying these DIY mixtures — a little sugar never hurt anyone, right?
The Sugar Scrub recipe with a little Peppermint Essential Oil is awesome!
I haven’t been able to find a shelf life for the scrub– Any ideas?
Hi there! Most of these scrubs last up to 2 weeks if stored in a tight-fitting jar. I usually go by smell honestly because sometimes if they have fresh ingredients (like lime zest), they don’t make it as long.
Hi, Just in response to rumbl3 I thought I’d share this article http://howtomakesugarscrub.com/natural-preservatives/ that tells you about natural preservatives and skin care…if you want your scrubs to last longer. Otherwise if you want your scrubs to last longer than two weeks without preservatives stay away from using nut based oils in your scrub mixture and keep the portion size of your mixture smaller. You might also find this useful http://howtomakesugarscrub.com/sugarscrubecourse/
I have yet to try peppermint oil in my own recipes, but I might consider it after seeing your post! I enjoy using hazelnut oil because it’s very soothing and healing for dry and irritated skin. It’s also known to have a firming and tightening effect. Sweet almond oil is also another one of my favorites because it’s non-clogging, light, and quickly absorbed by the skin. Thanks for sharing your recipes by the way!
Great tips, thanks for sharing!