Exfoliating Sugar Scrub Recipe

Introduction

As we age, our skin can often use a little help in shedding dead skin cells. So many chemical based exfoliating products are available, but they can be harsh and expensive. Natural sugar scrubs are a wonderful alternative and can be found online and in many natural and specialty stores. They more gently polish and exfoliate the skin, are luxurious and smell naturally delicious. They can be used on the body and feet. With gentle application, they can be used on the face.

You can make Exfoliating Sugar Scrubs yourself. It's quick, easy, affordable and allows you to tailor the proportions to match your skin type and preferences.

This customizable recipe will make approximately one 8 ounce jar or two 4 ounce jars of Exfoliating Sugar Scrub.

Ingredients

• 8 net wt. ounces Turbinado Sugar or Demerara Sugar
• 1 fl. ounce cold pressed Vegetable Oil. I personally like to use highly stable vegetable oils in this recipe such as Watermelon Seed Oil, Jojoba or Fractionated Coconut Oil
• 1 fl. ounce Vegetable Glycerin
• 1 fl. ounce Liquid Castille Soap
• 1/2 tsp. Vitamin E Oil (1400 IU is Ideal)
• 1/4 tsp. Lavender Essential Oil

Directions

• Be sure to follow all safety precautions and always research the safety info and contraindications for each essential oil that you are considering working with.
• Add the sugar to a small-medium mixing bowl.
• Add the oils, glycerin and castille soap to the sugar and mix well with a fork.
• Add the essential oil and mix well.

Notes/Tips

• This recipe makes a moist sugar scrub. If you prefer a "dryer" sugar scrub, you may adjust the proportions of vegetable oil, vegetable glycerin and castille soap.
• Turbinado and Demerara sugars contain molasses, but are not as dark or moist as brown sugars. They lend a natural brown color to your scrubs. A selection of natural sugars can be found through several of AromaWeb's valued advertisers (you can support AromaWeb and its advertisers by clicking on the banner ads throughout AromaWeb and by visiting the Essential Oil and Aromatherapy Business Directory. If you're in a pinch, Turbinado sugar can be found at some grocery stores in the baking/sugar isle.
• Refined, white sugar may be substituted for turbinado or demerara sugar.
• The finer the texture of the sugar, the more exfoliation that it will impart onto the skin.
• Sea or Dead Sea Salt can be substituted in this recipe, but do not use salt scrubs on the face even if you have oily skin.
• Vegetable glycerin acts as a natural moisturizer and humectant that draws moisture to the skin. Its use allows less vegetable to be used in the scrub. Too much vegetable oil can leave the face feeling too oily.
• Nourishing vegetable oils and vegetable glycerin are used to help fortify the skin that is revealed after exfoliation. If you have oily skin, you can experiment by reducing the proportion of vegetable oil used in the recipe. Be sure to stick with light vegetable oils.
• Avoid Olive Oil. Its aroma and color can be unappealing in this recipe.
• Avoid using mineral oil (also known as baby oil). Mineral oil clogs the pores and can be harmful to the skin. See the Harmful Skin Care Ingredients article for more information.
• The Vitamin E Oil can be left out of this recipe if necessary, but it helps to nourish the skin and also helps to extend the shelf life of the scrub. Vitamin E capsules can be used in place of Vitamin E Oil. To use capsules in the recipe, carefully cut the tips off 2-3 capsules and squeeze the capsule contents into the sugar scrub and mix well.
• If you have a sensitive shower or sink drain, use caution when using sugar scrubs. Over time, the sugar/oil combo can slow your drain, especially if you use a lot of the exfoliant during your applications.

Packaging

Spoon your Exfoliating Sugar Scrub into an 8 ounce jar or into two four ounce jars with and label them. Select jars that are clean, sterilized and have tight fitting lids. Many of AromaWeb's advertisers have beautiful jars that are perfect for storing Sugar Scrubs. Include the date that you made the sugar scrub on your label.

To Use

• This scrub is best used on the body. Do not use it on the face.
• Avoid use if you have sensitive skin or skin conditions such as eczema, and avoid use on wounds, cuts, abrasions or damaged skin.
• Scoop a tiny amount of the scrub onto your fingers and apply to wet skin.
• Scrub very gently in a slow, circular motion. Do not ever grind the scrub into your skin.
• Discontinue use immediately if you experience any discomfort or irritation.
• Rinse off.
• If desired, follow the exfoliating scrub with gentle cleansing.
• Moisturize the skin with a natural moisturizer after exfoliating.

Shelf Life

The Vitamin E Oil contained in this recipe offers anti-oxidant properties. However, this sugar scrub does not contain preservatives.

This scrub will have a much shorter shelf life than similar commercial products. For maximum freshness, use the scrub within 1 week and discard any that hasn't been used within that time.

Ideally, use a clean utensil to scoop the desired amount of scrub into a clean, tiny jar and work from that small portion as you exfoliate.

General Safety Information

These recipes are offered for educational purposes only. Before using any essential oil, carefully read AromaWeb's Essential Oil Safety Information page. For in-depth information on oil safety issues, read Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young. Do not take any oils internally and do not apply undiluted essential oils, absolutes, CO2s or other concentrated essences onto the skin without advanced essential oil knowledge or consultation from a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. For general dilution information, read AromaWeb's Guide to Diluting Essential Oils. If you are pregnant, epileptic, have liver damage, have cancer, or have any other medical problem, use oils only under the proper guidance of a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. Use extreme caution when using oils with children and consult a qualified aromatherapy practitioner before using oils with children, the elderly, if you have medical issues or are taking medications.

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