Sugar scrubs are incredibly popular for several reasons; they exfoliate your skin, they help to keep it feeling soft and smooth, and they are pretty easy to make at home. They can also be used for your lips, face, hands, and feet, and cost very little to make.
If you’re thinking about leaving your shop-bought scrubs on the shelf and replacing them with your pantry ingredients, this article can help. We’ll take a look at how to make your very own sugar scrub as well as the benefits of creating your very own beauty products.
Why Use a Sugar Scrub?
There are so many great benefits of using a sugar scrub. Not only is it considered a gentle yet effective way to exfoliate, but it also helps to restore skin cells as it’s a natural humectant.
By locking in as much moisture as possible, a sugar scrub will leave your skin feeling hydrated and blissfully smooth.
Sugar cane also contains minerals, such as glycolic acid, that are incredibly good for your body and help to keep toxins out. Using a sugar scrub regularly can also help fight signs of aging on the skin, and by naturally doing this, you can ensure that no harmful chemicals come into contact with your skin.
They’re great for those with sensitive skin as the ingredients are all-natural and if you’re making it yourself, you can choose what to include and what to leave out.
Sugar scrubs are also versatile and can be used all over. Whether it’s your face that needs exfoliating, or your hands that need moisturizing, a sugar scrub is a perfect solution.
It’s also a great and less abrasive way to free ingrown hairs than other products you may come across.
When placed into a mason jar and decorated with a label and string, they can also be given as gifts to family members or friends. Thanks to the low cost and ease of creating a sugar scrub, it is a perfect solution for any last-minute gifts you may need.
How to Use a Sugar Scrub
Using a sugar scrub as an exfoliator can not be easier! No matter where on the body you are using it, you’ll feel the benefits when used correctly.
Hands
Place around half a tablespoon of the sugar scrub in the palm of your hand and rub your hands together for around 30 seconds. Make sure you scrub between the fingers and up to your wrists before rinsing off with warm water. Your skin will be left feeling silky soft.
Lips
Place a small amount of the sugar scrub directly on your lips, keeping your mouth closed. Using your index finger, rub the scrub over your lips in a circular motion and rinse off with warm water when finished. Your lips will feel tingly, soft, and plump.
Face
Place around a teaspoon of sugar scrub onto your fingers and spread the mixture over your forehead, cheeks, nose, chin, and neck area, taking care to avoid the eye area. In circular motions, with either your fingers or a soft bristle facial brush, work the exfoliator into your skin.
Start at the base of the neck and work your way up to your forehead. After a few minutes, use a damp facial cloth to remove the scrub from your face, or splash your face with water, and pat dry.
Body
For your body, it’s best to use a sugar scrub in the shower as you can easily rinse it off. Use a tablespoon for each area of your body – legs, torso, back, arms, etc, – and with a soft bristle body brush, hand mitt, or loofah, rub the scrub into your skin using circular motions for a couple of minutes.
Start at your feet and work your way up the body, adding more mixture as and when needed. Pay particular attention to your knees and elbows as these tend to be the problem areas.
When finished, rinse under warm water and enjoy the feeling of the soft, smooth skin you are left with.
What Kind of Sugars and Oils Can I Use?
When it comes to choosing which type of sugar and oil to use in your scrub, you have a wide selection to choose from, each with its benefits.
Sugar
Regular Granulated Sugar
This option works well for scrubs and is typically something most people would already have in their pantry.
Superfine Sugar
If you suffer from sensitive skin or want a more gentle scrub for delicate areas such as your face, this option is perfect for you.
Brown Sugar
Not only will this sugar make your scrub smell delicious, but as it is quite coarse, you will be able to get a deeper exfoliation. You can also use a mix of brown sugar and granulated sugar to jazz up your scrub.
Himalayan Sea Salt
Sea salt can be used in place of sugar in some scrubs but it’s best to use fine sea salt instead of coarse as it can potentially damage delicate skin. That being said, sea salt is great for using on rough skin, such as knees and elbows, and contains plenty of minerals for your skin to absorb.
Oil
Olive Oil
Olive oil is incredibly moisturizing and is a great oil for reducing the appearance of stretch marks. However, it is extremely greasy and can often clog pores, so this may not be the best option for facial scrubs.
Grapeseed Oil
This light oil absorbs quickly and has been proven to decrease clogged pores and help clear acne. It is full of skin-loving antioxidants, making this a great option for facial scrubs.
Sweet Almond Oil
This oil is light and very moisturizing, but it is also quite greasy, so if you already suffer from greasy skin, you should avoid using this oil. It contains Vitamin E, which is great for protecting and healing the skin so this could work well in a body scrub. However, if you have nut allergies, obviously avoid this oil altogether.
Coconut Oil
This oil is full to the brim with antioxidants that your skin will thank you for and it can be found in most grocery stores and health food shops. It’s antifungal and can also help repair sun-damaged sun.
It is typically a heavy, greasy oil, however, it turns solid when at room temperature which helps make the scrub incredibly creamy. The smell is also glorious!
Using Essential Oil in Your Sugar Scrub
Speaking of smelling glorious, you also have the option of adding your favorite essential oils to your scrub to make it even more luxurious and unique.
As well as adding a specific scent to your scrub, a lot of essential oils also come with a load of health benefits, so depending on what your body and skin needs, you can make your scrub to suit.
Here are just a few essential oils that work well when added to sugar scrubs:
Lavender Oil
A firm favorite, lavender oil is great for balancing moisture levels and reducing inflammation of the skin. Perfect if you suffer from sensitive skin, this oil is a gentle fragrance to add to your scrub. Lavender oil is also great for helping with sleep issues. If you’re suffering from a lack of sleep, try adding this to your scrub and use it just before bed.
Geranium Oil
This oil is said to reduce wrinkles and slow premature aging, so adding this to your facial scrub is a must. The floral scent of this oil will also leave your skin smelling delicious throughout the day.
Chamomile Oil
Chamomile oil is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, and adding this to your sugar scrub can help ease any skin issues you may be experiencing.
Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil has that minty cooling effect, so adding this to body or foot scrubs is a great idea. If you’re suffering from muscle aches, this is also a great oil to use as it can bring a cooling sensation to any pains.
Tea Tree Oil
If you suffer from acne or skin issues, tea tree oil is great to use. Its healing properties will ensure your skin issues are treated without stripping your skin of its natural moisture and oils. The smell is also clean, fresh, and powerful, and will leave you feeling refreshed.
Eucalyptus Oil
If you’re trying to recreate that spa vibe that we all know and love, eucalyptus oil is just what you need. Pairing it with lavender oil creates a perfect soothing blend that will leave your skin feeling smooth, refreshed, and revitalized all day long.
If you’re not too sure about using essential oils, you can also try using citrus zest, extracts, herbs, or flavorings to create your unique scent. Adding skin-loving vitamins, such as Vitamin E oil, is also a perfect way of providing your skin the extra moisture boost it may need.
How to Make a Homemade Sugar Scrub
To make a homemade body scrub, all you need are a few ingredients that are probably already hiding away at the back of your kitchen cupboards. Before you begin making your scrub, ensure that you have either a small mason jar or an airtight container for your new product.
Once you have decided on what ingredients to use, follow these 4 simple steps to create your scrub:
Using a bowl, fill it with 1 cup of your selected sugar.
Add between ¾ to 1 cup of oil to the bowl. If you would like a drier scrub, add less oil and for a more oily scrub add more. The more oil you add to your scrub mixture, the more moisturizing benefits you will have.
Using a wooden spoon, mix the sugar and oil until you have a good consistency.
If you are using essential oils, add 1-2 drops and stir into the mixture.
Handy Tips
If you are using coconut oil, as it’s a solid oil, you should use at least equal amounts of sugar (or slightly more) to your oil.
A little essential oil tends to go a long way, so 1-2 drops should be plenty for this mixture.
If your scrub turns out too dry, simply add some more oil, and if it’s too oily, just add some more sugar.
Final Thoughts
Making your sugar scrub is a great way to give yourself an at-home pamper session, and you can truly make it your own by adding all of your favorite ingredients and scents.
So whether it’s for your body, face, lips, hands, or feet, a sugar scrub is a simple and effective way to treat tired and dull skin, and help bring out that glow hiding underneath.
Now, the only trouble you may have is deciding what to include and which flavors to try first.
Hi, my name is Hannah Shiftle, and I started using essential oils 15 years ago. At first, I was dubious of them, much like a lot of people. However, as I began to use them on a daily basis, I quickly discovered how much of a difference they had on both my physical and mental health.
Through Oil Health Benefits, I will be sharing my knowledge and passion for essential oils with you, providing readers with all the information they need to know. From the best oils to use for illnesses, to understanding what makes essential oils pure, I have covered all these topics.
