What is a Sugar Scrub?
A sugar scrub is a type of scrub that contains sugar and is used to exfoliate the skin. The sugar is usually paired with an oil, such as coconut oil, and can also contain botanicals or essential oils.
Sugar granules can help exfoliate your skin gently as you rub it against your body. At the same time, the oil will moisturize your skin, and the essential oils will provide therapeutic aromatherapy benefits.
You can make your own sugar scrub at home with this helpful guide. Get all the tips and recipes you need to make a luxurious sugar scrub for yourself or your friends.
Why DIY?
I started making homemade sugar scrub because I wanted to save money and control my ingredients. Sugar is cheap, so why are store-bought sugar scrubs so expensive?
I prefer to know what ingredients are in the products I use, especially when I make them myself. This way I can be sure there are no artificial or unnecessary ingredients included.
I exfoliate my skin with sugar scrubs. They’re an easy and cheap way to get soft, smooth skin. You can find lots of different recipes online.
Is refined sugar bad for you?
Sugar that has been processed to remove impurities is bad for your intestines, but it turns out that it is a great way to remove dead skin cells from your face.
Sugar is also a good source of glycolic acid.
Glycolic acid is found in many skin care products and sugar. It is a safe exfoliant that leaves you looking fresh and rejuvenated.
Glycolic acid can help to improve the appearance of sun-damaged and aging skin by breaking down the bonds between skin cells. This encourages the turnover of new cells, resulting in a more youthful appearance.
Uses
Sugar scrubs are an effective way to exfoliate your skin and get rid of dead skin cells, leaving your skin looking soft and glowing. Sugar is a safe and gentle exfoliant that can be used on all parts of the body.
Frequency
The frequency of using a facial sauna is entirely your choice. You can find sources online that recommend using one daily or a couple of times a week. I usually use a facial sauna more often during the winter months when my skin is particularly dry.
Coloring
The skin is the largest organ and what you put on it can get into your bloodstream quickly.
I use India Tree colorants for my DIY sugar scrubs because they are high quality vegetable colorings without any corn syrup or synthetic dyes.
Essential oils
The oils that are extracted from plants are called essential oils. These oils contain the concentrated form of the fragrance and benefits of the plant. Many people use these oils to add a pleasant scent to sugar scrubs.
The essential oils used in sugar scrubs vary depending on the desired fragrance or health benefits.
So, choose your skin care products carefully. Your skin is your body’s largest organ, and anything you put on it can be absorbed into your bloodstream faster than the food you eat. So choose your skin care products carefully.
The important thing is to buy high-quality essential oils from a reputable company. There is no perfect company, but many reputable companies exist. Remember that all companies have quirks and problems.
Just make sure to look at them closely and make your own decision.
I only use doTerra essential oils for myself and my family because I trust their quality. I use them for all my DIY projects and diffusing.
Here are a few popularly used essential oils for homemade sugar scrubs and there are many others available:
- Lavender – calming, soothing, supports skin regeneration
- Peppermint – refreshing, calming
- Wild Orange – energizing, invigorating
- Lemon – energizing, cleansing
- Frankincense – supports youthful healthy skin
- Melaleuca – also known as tea tree oil is good for acne prone skin as it is known for its cleansing properties. Test on a small area of skin as it can also be irritating to some.
Combining oils
Even though it might be tempting to use only a single oil in your sugar scrub, don’t be afraid to mix multiple oils together to get an even better smelling scrub for aromatherapy.
It is important not to add too many essential oils at once, as they are concentrated and a few drops will be enough. For the following combinations, start with 2-4 drops of each oil and increase as desired.
Combos to try:
- Lemon, Lavender
- Orange, Lemon, Grapefruit
- Orange, Peppermint
- Lemon, Rosemary
- Any citrus oil, Peppermint
- Cedarwood, Lavender
- Frankincense, Myrrh
- Clove, Lemon, Cinnamon (or Cassia)
Sugar variations
A variety of sugars can be used for sugar scrubs so let’s look at a few of the most popular:
- Refined Sugar – It is a good source of glycolic acid which is a good, natural exfoliant. It is also readily available and inexpensive. Another plus to using white sugar is the final appearance of the sugar scrub if you choose to use colorant.
- Brown Sugar – It is also hydrating and exfoliating. It is a bit softer than refined sugar making it a good choice for a face sugar scrub recipe. Homemade Sugar Scrubs made with brown sugar have a bit more of a “homey” or warm look to them. Brown sugar’s color does affect the color of the final product when using colorants.
- Raw Sugar or Turbinado Sugar can also be used but will yield a coarser sugar scrub. It is best used for hand and foot scrubs.
- Coconut Sugar may also be used and is a good exfoliant. Keep in mind, that is will be more expensive.
Carrier oils
Carrier oils are the base oil used for homemade sugar scrubs. They are used as moisturizers and help deliver the other ingredients into the skin.
Cold pressed oils are those that have not been heated and thus retain their beneficial qualities.
Different oils can be used for different purposes. I usually use coconut oil or jojoba oil, but there are other options located in the recipes below.
- Coconut oil is my go-to oil. Coconut oil helps absorb the accumulated impurities from your skin, as well as, nourishes it. It keeps the skin moisturized, and this helps bring excess oil production under control. It is especially good for acne prone skin. Coconut oil is made up of medium chain fatty acids that act as an antimicrobial agent to help kill viruses and bacteria. It will be solid at temps under about 76F.This is the coconut oil that I use.
- Jojoba is actually a liquid plant wax as opposed to an oil. It is a non-greasy carrier oil for homemade sugar scrubs that closely mimics collagen and your own skin’s natural oil. It moisturizes without clogging pores. Since it is a bit darker, your sugar scrub will have a slightly darker color. Anti-inflammatory effects have been shown. This is the jojoba oil that I have used.
- Sweet Almond Oil is a moisturizing oil that goes on lighter and smoother than heavier oils like coconut. It has the reputation of not clogging pores. It’s emollient properties help to improve skin tone and complexion. Sweet almond oil is especially good for dry and sensitive skin. This is the sweet almond oil I use.
- Grape Seed Oil is a good moisturizing oil for matter skin but it is more expensive. I find Sweet Almond oil is a good, less expensive alternative.
- Olive Oil – Olive oil is an excellent oil to unclog pores and balance the skin’s oil production. It nourishes and moisturizes the skin, and this helps lessen the excess sebum or oil being produced
How to Make a Sugar Scrub
Now that you have the ingredients selected, let’s talk about how to make a sugar scrub.
- Grab a bowl and fill it with 1 cup of sugar.
- Add between 3/4 – 1 cup of oil* into the sugar. If you prefer a drier scrub, do less, and if you want a more oily scurb, add more. This is purely based on personal preference in many cases. One thing to keep in mind that the more oil you add, the more moisturizing benefits you’re likely to get.
- Once you have a good consistency, add 1-2 drops of essential oils. Remember, a little goes a long way!
- If your oil turns out too dry for your liking, add some more oil. Too oily? Add some more sugar.
if your recipe is written using all wet ingredients, you will want to use only half the amount of oil.* -Since coconut oil is a solid oil, you’ll want to use at least an equal amount of sugar (or more) to your oil. -If your recipe is written using all wet ingredients, you’ll only want to use half the amount of oil.
HOW TO STORE HOMEMADE SUGAR SCRUB
A homemade sugar scrub can last up to six months if kept in an airtight container in the fridge.
If you’re looking for ideas for homemade Christmas or birthday presents, sugar scrub is a great option. It’s also a nice addition to homemade lotion or hand cream if you want to include it as part of a set.
How to Use a Sugar Scrub
Sugar scrubs can be used on various parts of the body such as the face, body, lips, and hands. Here is a guide on how to use sugar scrubs at home.
FOOT SCRUB
Rinse your feet with warm water and pat dry. immersed her feet in tepid water for ten minutes to make the skin more malleable. She then anointed them with a substantial amount of sugar scrub before rubbing in small, tight circles. Finally, she rinsed off her feet with lukewarm water before patting them dry with a towel.
After washing your feet with warm water, pat them dry and follow up with this luxurious, healing peppermint foot cream for even more pampering!
HAND SCRUB
To make a sugar scrub, wet your hands and rub them together with sugar for 1-2 minutes. Pay extra attention to the area around the nails. Rinse with warm water and pat dry.
BODY SCRUB
Wash your skin with a sugar scrub in small circles, concentrating on areas that are dry or have cellulite. Rinse it off, dry your skin, and put on lotion.
LIP SCRUB
To make your lips softer, wet them and then apply some sugar scrub. Gently rub it in using circular motions for one minute. Rinse with warm water and then pat your lips dry. Finish by applying a lip balm or coconut oil to lock in moisture.
6 Sugar Scrub Recipes to Try
Some of the author’s favorite sugar scrub recipes are provided.
1. ALMOND OIL BODY SCRUB
You can make a sugar scrub more moisturizing by adding almond oil to it. You can use any scent you want, but some good options for a morning shower are invigorating essential oils like peppermint and eucalyptus. For before bed, you might want to try something more relaxing like lavender.
2. SUGAR SCRUB FACIAL RECIPE
When creating a scrub for your face, consider using a light oil that won’t clog pores, such as grapeseed oil or jojoba oil.
Add 1-2 drops of your chosen essential oil to the mixture.
The best way to make a scrub for your face is to mix a small batch of 1/2 cup or less. You will want to replace it often to avoid bacteria. It is also important to use very fine sugar so that the grains don’t damage delicate facial skin.
3. HONEY LIP SCRUB
The recipe for Honey Dandelion Lip Scrub is a great starting point that can help you exfoliate your lips gently. If you do not have dandelion oil, you can use coconut oil as a replacement.
Manuka honey can help heal cold sores and heavily chapped lips.
4. COCONUT OIL HAND SCRUB
A hand scrub provides many benefits, particularly in the winter months when hands become dry easy. A hand scrub is also useful for people who have to wash their hands regularly, such as healthcare workers, artists, chefs, and gardeners.
Using a hand scrub each night before bed is a great way to relax your hands and moisturize them at the same time.
5. HEALING FOOT SCRUB
This recipe for a Pampering Peppermint Foot Scrub uses a sugar scrub base with coconut oil and peppermint oil to soothe and moisturize feet.
If you have dry, cracked skin on your heels, you can use a coarse sea salt or a 50:50 combination of brown sugar and white sugar. Just scrub gently to avoid damaging the skin further.
6. PRETTY PINK BUT NOT AS SWEET
Himalayan pink salt scrubs are a great sugar alternative. Salt is full of minerals and a bit rougher than sugar, so it’s perfect for scrubbing away dead skin cells. Just be sure to use a fine salt, as coarse salt can be too rough on skin.
You should be careful not to damage your skin when exfoliating. It is better to be gentle.
Therefore, you understand that creating a sugar scrub is a straightforward, productive method to heal, calm and moisturize your skin from head to toe! Which sugar scrub recipe will you attempt first?
