Easy Coconut Oil Sugar Scrub Recipes

Photo by Jessica Espinoza

by Jessica Espinoza

Did you know that the process of cosmetic exfoliation has been practiced for thousands of years? Credit is given to the early Egyptians for the creating the practice of exfoliating for cosmetic purposes. Exfoliating is beneficial to everyone and it is recommended that you do light exfoliations once or twice a week. The process of exfoliation removes the old, dead skin cells, and allows new, fresh skin to shine through.

If you’ve ever looked at the fancy sugar scrubs in stores, they are often full of unnecessary ingredients, preservatives, and artificial colors and/or scents, all of which have no place on our delicate skin. Thankfully, you can make your own coconut oil sugar scrubs for a fraction of the price and it allows you to control the quality of ingredients used. Coconut oil has long been used on the skin (see: Coconut Oil for Skin Health), and sugar adds gentle, non-drying exfoliating power. The nice thing about these coconut oil sugar scrubs is that they are fast and easy to make, plus they also make great gifts for loved ones! You can use these sugar scrubs on the hands, feet, body, and face.

The following three recipes can be made in small or large batches, depending on what you need. I find that I like to make them in smaller batches to preserve freshness, but you can make them in larger amounts and store them in the fridge if desired. I keep the small jars near the shower and use them a couple times a week. I recommend using a clean utensil each time you scoop some out, to prevent any harmful bacteria from entering the jar and spoiling the product. If using the scrubs in the shower, be aware that the oil can sometimes make the bottom of the tub slippery. As with most DIY recipes, feel free to adjust the proportions to suit your own needs or scent preferences. The sky’s the limit!

Citrus Blast Sugar Scrub

1 cup organic cane sugar
¼ cup coconut oil, melted (expeller-pressed or virgin)
¼ cup jojoba oil
10 drops each of lemon, lime, and tangerine (or orange) essential oils

Mix all ingredients together and store in an airtight container.

Wake Up and Smell the Coffee Sugar Scrub

½ cup organic cane sugar
½ cup organic coffee grounds
¼ cup coconut oil, melted (expeller-pressed or virgin)
¼ cup jojoba oil
15 drops vanilla and/or cinnamon essential oil (optional)

Mix all ingredients together and store in an airtight container.

Honey Vanilla Chamomile Sugar Scrub

1 cup organic cane sugar
¼ cup coconut oil, melted (expeller-pressed or virgin)
¼ cup jojoba oil
¼ cup raw honey, liquefied
10-15 drops each of vanilla and chamomile essential oils

Mix all ingredients together and store in an airtight container.

Sources:
“Exfoliation (cosmetology)”. Wikipedia. Access 4/9/13

Copyright 2013 Health Impact News. Permission is granted by Jessica Espinoza and Health Impact News to republish according to Creative Commons standards with proper citation (including photo) and link back to this article.

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