When I first started making scrubs, I used olive oil. But after trial and error, I have to say that coconut oil is one of the best body moisturizers I’ve ever used. I keep two jars at home; one in the kitchen and one in the medicine cabinet. It absorbs right into my skin with no oily residue (I sound like such a commercial, but it’s true). Regular sugar can be substituted for the turbinado if you have very sensitive skin. I prefer raw turbinado sugar because it has the most texture for exfoliating and makes my skin feel amazing. And I’m starting to see forum discussions about anti-aging properties in sugar but I have no idea if they’re scientifically accurate. With regards to fragrance, any essential oil will work. My favorites have always been eucalyptus and rosemary because I find them refreshing and invigorating. But you could go with rose, lavender, even vanilla… whatever you fancy.
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup turbinado sugar
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil
- 4-10 drops rosemary oil (or essential oil of your choice)
Instructions
- Measure the sugar into a mixing bowl.
- Melt coconut oil for 15-30 seconds to liquify it.
- Stir the oil into the sugar.
- Stir in essential oil.
- Store in the shower. Heat from the shower will keep the oil liquified during use.
I’ve made my own sugar scrub as well and LOVE it! Why spend $30 on a scrub that lasts just as long as one I make myself? I’ve only used olive oil so far, but hear good things about sweet almond oil in addition to coconut.
I haven’t tried sweet almond oil yet! It sounds so lovely.
I use ultra fine sugar to make one for my face. The one thing that I learned, before I had to give up using the essential oils, is that you never want to use peppermint oil for body scrubs, I love it for my legs, but if you get that stuff anywhere near your hoo-ha, you are going to feel it the rest of the day.
That’s hilarious. Thank you for the important tip!
À la façon gommage Oriental, une idée gourmande
Je te souhaite une très beau WE
Valérie.
This sounds wonderful!
I too have been moving toward more natural beauty products. I make an avocado & honey conditioner for my hair and rinse my hair with diluted cider vinegar after shampooing. I’m very eager to try your sugar scrub recipe. Thanks so much for sharing!
Love this J. and will try! I keep coconut oil in the bathroom too…and besides on thirsty skin, rubbing a bit into hair every once in a while at night before bed keeps hair very happy.
I’ve heard it works great in hair! I really have to try it.
So easy and refreshing! My family does “homemade Christmas” and this would be perfect. I’m totally filing…
This sounds great!! What kind of coconut oil do you use?
I use this brand.
Thanks!! I love that I can buy it through Amazon :) I heard that you don’t really get a coconut fragrance when you use the oil as a lotion, is that true?
That’s true. It has a very faint smell of coconut but it doesn’t carry over. I can, however, taste it in cooking.
I love this idea, it would make a great gift too!
Thank you for sharing today.
Our skin is a sponge, it soaks up whatever you put on it, so yes, it makes a HUGE difference what you use on your skin. I switched to natural soaps and detergents (what you wash your clothes and dishes in matters too!) years ago and immediately noticed the difference. I have yet to make my own beauty products, though … but now you’ve inspired me … I think I’m going to give it a try! I just bought some lavender oil; maybe I’ll make a lavender scrub :)
This sounds so wonderful! Will definitely try. Thanks for posting!
i love homemade scrubs! will definately try this, sounds like it would smell amazing.
This is seriously awesome. I love how you can basically use any essential oil to make a variety of flavors. I’ve been experimenting with coconut oil around the kitchen, but now I will have to incorporate it into my beauty regimen as well. Great post!
Oh wow! That scrub looks good enough to eat! I make my own face scrub, but nothing fancy. Maybe I’ll have to treat myself :-)… I’ve been doing the natural thing for quite a while now, and agree that it makes all the difference. After almost a lifetime of problem skin, it all cleared up when I switched to 100% natural… Regarding almond oil, that’s what I’ve been using for my moisturizer and love it. Though coconut oil feels more luxurious, I’ve read that it is prone to clogging pores (where almond was recommended as ideal for all skin types). Not a problem for everyone, but I thought I’d mention it for those of us less fortunate.
I might have to try that as a moisturizer!
Looks like an amazing scrub!
Thanks for the tips about coconut oil too. I have been seeing so much about it, but have been a little hesitant to try it. Your post encourages me to give it a go!
Um, loving this and definitely printing it out so I can make some for my girlfriends and I! So easy and I bet it smells yummy to boot :)
I’ve thought about trying this.. and here you are! Love this idea and you should definitely post more of these. Technically it is food and I’m sure it’s absorbed somehow;) So, yes, please blog more scrubs, etc, I’d love to try them. Where do you recommend getting the essential oils, is there a website you like?? xo Smidge
I just buy them locally. Whole Foods carries them, among other places.
Ahhhh, I’ll try our Community Health then, I think they’ve got this sort of thing. I can’t wait to try!
I tried a body scrub once and stopped using it because it made my shower floor so oily. Do these scrubs need oil?
I wait to use shampoo until after I use the scrub. That usually takes care of oil on the floor.
What a fun idea. Rosemary is one of my favourite fragrances too – my girlfriend would love something like this. Coconut oil is used in so many things like this – I always had the impression it was well used in body products.
That looks amazing! I absolutely love the idea of homemade anything and beauty products make so much sense.
What an awesome idea! This would be great for gifts, too.
That looks good enough to eat!
oh, my, i’m going to have to try this. Anywhere in particular you buy your oils? online or local?
I can find everything at the local grocer, usually. Whole Foods also carries essential oils.
pretty picture, too, by the way
I know it sounds weird but this scrub sounds delicious! I love the smell of rosemary! i need to find some coconut oil and make some homemade scrub now. love this idea!
I love this and yes, please do post more homemade cosmetic and body recipes. Your recipe sounds so easy that even I would try it! I have to agree about the use of peppermint oil…been there and done that…kinda weird.
I definitely need to try this. Thanks for the wonderful idea!
I’ll definitely be trying this. I was in Key West last month and tried this home made coconut body scrub to die for! Why buy it now when I can make it at home!
I’m so trying this! I love that I can pronounce and identify all the ingredients on this one!
I have never made my own body scrub before, but spend way too much money on it to not start making my own. This looks awesome!
Love this! Thank you for the recipe!
Why haven’t I ever done this? This is soooo happening over here this weekend! Thanks :)
I adore this! Nice!
Thanks for sharing this scrub…I’m going to make it this weekend.
Let me know what you think!
I love the smell of rosemary, and I loved how mine turned out. But I was wondering, would this work the same with a different essential oil other than rosemary?
Absolutely! You can use any scent you like. Rosemary and eucalyptus feel very refreshing to me, but you could go in any direction. Rose, lavender, citrus, anything you like!
I am wondering where I would get the sugar – I have never heard of it before.
Check your local grocery store. It’s most likely there; I’ve seen the big name stores carrying it.
I will have a look for it :)
I love this and I’m with you on the coconut oil! I just started cooking with it but have been using on my hands as moisturizer for a while! This would be a great gift too.
This is such a good idea and couldn’t be more perfect as I have a rosemary plant that seems to be on steroids and a huge jar of coconut oil that was just sent to me!
I missed this post and now saw it and I can’t wait to try this!! So easy to make and I need it for my feet especially it’s flip flop season!
Simple and in some ways elegant! I gave up on making my own scrub when I tried a recipe that included cornmeal and mayonnaise. It worked well enough, but there was something about it that turned my stomach. My face felt smooth and the rest of me felt weak. I should have known to get my recipe from a trusted, knowledgeable source! Thanks.
so making this in a variety of oils for my bridesmaids as gifts!! (and of course some for myself as well instead of paying $35 for it in the store!!) cheers!
I haven’t made my own scrub in such a loooooong time! I don’t know why…but I should start again since it is natural and it’s economical! I cannot even begin to name all the benefits of coconut and its product! The oil has anti-bacterial properties, is rich in nutrients. Its sugar is low in glycemic index, making it suitable for diabetics…And it’s delicious to eat! I grew up in the Philippines, and we live for coconuts there :)
Making this!