Toxic Free DIY Mini Series: Sugar Scrub
You might be asking why use a sugar scrub? One word, desquamation. Des-qua-what?
Desquamation is the natural shedding and peeling of the outermost layers of the skin. When you use an exfoliant it helps the desquamation process move a little quicker, therefore leaving you with more radiant looking skin. Sugar scrubs, which can be considered an exfoliant, help remove the impurities, excess oil and dead skin cells (doing this improves the appearance of the skin). Also, when you exfoliate your blood circulation increases, bringing more oxygen and nutrients to the skin cells, therefore also improving the color of your skin.
This is why you need more than just a face wash to cleanse your skin.
By using a sugar scrub weekly, you will see a huge difference in the way your skin looks and feels. Please keep in mind exfoliating too much can damage the skin so it’s best to do it 1-3 times weekly, with the sessions spread out.
The creativity is endless with this scrub so take my recipe and make it your own by personalizing it and choosing scents and oil combinations to your preference. You may even want to get a book on aromatherapy to see which essential oils are best to use. I recommend looking up nourishing oils, essential oils and butters and their individual benefits online to see which ones you are drawn to and go from there. They are all wonderful so it’s a personal preference type of thing. I rarely buy books on this subject anymore when there is so much free and great information online.
My favorite container for this scrub is a glass jar with lid and seashell to use as a scooper. You can however use a BPA free plastic container with a lid and a mini scooper of any kind will do just fine. This recipe makes a full 4 oz container but you can double the recipe to make it larger. Start with the least amount of scent and increase to your liking.
Also please experiment with different types of sugars. I have made this scrub with all kinds of sugars and combos. My favorite is turbinado because of how course it is but I love finer sugars, even brown sugar or a combination. You can even add real salt to change it up a little, anything exfoliating is great for your skin!
If you are unsure if your face will be too sensitive it’s always good to test it on the back of your hand.
As always, organic is usually best for these ingredients.
DIY Sugar Scrub
- 1 cup Raw Turbinado Cane Sugar (find it here)
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1/4 cup Coconut oil (find it here)
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1 TBL avocado or olive oil (or other nutrient rich oil of choice)
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*optional* 3 drops vitamin E oil (find it here)
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1/8 tsp essential oil of choice or combination of choice (add more to your liking if you want)
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1, 4oz glass jar with lid
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sea shell or some other mini scooper
Directions:
- Mix all the ingredients together and place in desired container
To use the scrub, wash your face with warm water and take a small amount of scrub on your finger tips and massage gently. Massage a minute or so and wash off with warm water.
Thanks for this recipe and note. I really love the shell scoop in the photo, it really appeals to me, it’s connected to my name. I am also reading a book about being plastic free called, “Plastic Free - How I Kicked the Plastic Habit and How you Can Too” by Beth Terry, so it’s even more meaningful to me. Great work for making healthy choices! Thanks!
Hi Shelley! I’m so happy this appeals to you. That sounds like a great book — I will have to add it to my “to read” list. 🙂 I hope you enjoy the recipe!
should the coconut oil be 1/4 cup melted or room temp?
Lisa, it should be melted.