‘Tis the craziest time of year, for all of us wrapping it up with festivities galore. And ’tis also the season for gift giving. So I decided to try my hand at something a little simple for a super thoughtful gift. Whether it’s for a fabulous teacher, mother’s day, or something for yourself… we think you’re gonna love it.
Sugar scrub. It’s an all natural way to exfoliate those icky places from your face to your feet that need a little extra polishing before a big event… or just because. I’ve been making it for a while when I was frustrated with what I could find at the store… and I’ve been in awe at what a big difference it can make in giving everything from your face to your elbows that extra glow. Minus a whole lot of chemicals. Here’s my fave three recipes.
What you’ll need:
Coconut oil. You can purchase it at any whole foods store, but I when I’m not using the fractionated version {it stays in liquid form and is a great carrier oil for use with essential oils} I prefer to use this for bigger quantities. (I scooped up ours at Costco.)
Sugar {use finely granulated for a softer scrub with use for sensitive skin}
And any scent you want.
Here’s what I start with – I recommend eyeballing all of it, depending on what kind of container you plan to place your mixture in/how much you wish to make at once. This will be your base to decide how much to use. But I start with a generous helping of coconut oil. It’s what moisturizes and gives the scrub that silky feeling. I use one part coconut oil with two parts sugar. Mix it in well, and make sure all the lumps are gone.
If you don’t use essential oils, you can stop right here with a great, basic sweet scrub. But I love adding essential oils for that extra added benefit of aromatherapy… amongst other things.
Once all the lumps are mixed in well, I use 3 drops peppermint + 2 drops lavender {peppermint lavender}
Adjust to your own preferences, but this little scrub has a nice tingly feeling to it, and a touch of the relaxing as well.
Vanilla Lavender: Vanilla extract {I use a 3-5 drops with a larger mixture} + a 2-3 drops of lavender essential oils}
Or Lemon Lavender {This one is my personal fave: 4 drops lemon + 2 drops lavender} I could eat it, it smells so wonderful.
Again, use sparingly, and decide on the number of drops you want to use as you go. You can also use things like lemon zest for a bit of added zing. The beauty of this stuff is that it has a pretty nice little shelf life.
Simply lather up, and wash off with water and soap. {Be careful not to get it in your eyes} I use this in the shower all the time – it’s like an in-house spa treatment.
At least that’s what I keep telling myself.
I found these little jars on sale at our local Michael’s.
And then added some tags {same as the cleaning labels from last week – I couldn’t resist a remix of sorts because they were so fun.}
If you want to give these as a gift, the little handmade tags take them to a whole, I-really-care-but-aintnobodygottimeforthat-level. A special handmade touch that only takes a few minutes!
If you’d like the labels: sugar scrub. Just print and click {heavier stock recommended for tags!}
A little something special for a loved one… or yourself! {I may have saved a few of the leftovers just for me.}
Take that, Bath and Body Works. 
If you use these, let us know! I hope you love them like I do!
Psssst: If you’re curious, or to read more about essential oils… check out this post, here!
Have an inspired, non-stressful end of the year, y’all!
THANK YOU!!! Will be totally adding jars of this to my Christmas gifts! And what a great hostess gift!!
So, I have a question – I love the “mixed font” things you do! I am NOT a graphic designer (I totally wish I was but for some reason my brain works better in 3D than 2D!!!!) – do you have any “rules that you use when “mixing” fonts? Or any tips that you could share with us? I often think of making fun art for my wall with a song lyrics or something and want to mix fonts and it ends up looking horrible!
Hey Ann! So glad you can use them! I would recommend checking out our font snob series… I have quite a few links in there that you may find helpful and some nice free fonts as well! Check them out here: https://www.thehandmadehome.net/category/font-snob/?doing_wp_cron=1399383855.6749010086059570312500 I hope that helps! ;}
What a great idea! I love sugar scrubs, but have never really thought about making my own. I think I’ll mix up a batch as a present for myself!
Barcy
http://Barcyblogs.blogspot.com
These labels will come in so handy – I just made a batch of scrub this morning for my mom and mother in law. I can’t wait to try your lemon lavendar mix 🙂
How long will this last once mixed up? Does it need to be refrigerated? Sounds ike a fun and easy project to do with my sister!
Hey Patricia! I can’t say exactly how long, but I’ve had some sit for quite a while (weeks to a month) and haven’t had any trouble with it. I should experiment with these. ;} I hope that helps!
PS no refrigeration.
Soooo, since you’re the teacher now, are you doing a week of massively elaborate festivities for Teacher Appreciation Week? Because you totally should. Or at least I would 😉
Love those jars from Michaels! Did your store have the large white stoneware canisters with the little chalkboard on the front? The tops have a cute little mushroom shape for a handle of sorts. Anyway, they’re from that same collection and I went back 2 days in a row so I could use the same 40% off coupon (1 per customer per day is very annoying) and now they hold the sugar and flour on my kitchen counter. I’m always so impressed with the quality of Michaels random collections. Anyway, all that to say I love those jars and I’m pinning the scrub recipes for later use!
HAHA yes. I’ll take a spa treatment and a new refrigerator. Thannnnnkkkssss ;}
I was surprised to see those canisters there! SUPER cute!;}
Hi!
I was wondering about how long the family physicians kit lasts? I’m really interested in starting to use oils in the home and would love some more info!
Thanks for your time!! Great posts!
Nicole
Hey Nicole! I think it all depends on how much you use it at first, and for what. It’s a great starter kit, to give you a good idea of the main oils, and what you will use. For instance, I still haven’t run out of oregano, and we ordered it in the fall. But I’m at least on my fifth LARGE bottle of lemon, on guard and breathe. So it will be different for everyone. I know that isn’t much help- a little will do the trick, but it all depends on all the uses – it is a great place to start!
THANKS!!! I am already getting a jump on holiday gift ideas and this will fit the bill.
I made a batch of sugar scrub and love it! Especially since I’m in a coconut oil craze right now! (Tropical Traditions has the best!) I just found your site not long ago and love everything about your style of decorating! It has finally given me the needed inspiration to do some decorating and painting (white!) since it’s been 1 1/2 years since we live here. Anyway, just wanted to say, I enjoy Handmade Home very much! thanks!
Thank you so very much for your sweet words, Regina! You will not regret that white. We have quite a few handprints over here but I say that’s what magic erasers are for! ;}
Hello I just came across your site. I am interested in your sugar scrub but I have a question. Is the sugar just regular granulated table sugar or some other kind?
Hey Stacy! We just used standard granulated sugar – it gives a great texture for the skin. I hope that helps! ;}