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Sugar scrubs are so easy to make and will give you the softest skin you’ve ever had, instantly! Whip up my lemon & olive oil sugar scrub in just a couple minutes and enjoy a good exfoliation, added moisture and encourage lymphatic drainage and circulation with this simple, affordable and natural DIY sugar body scrub recipe! Plus, no at home spa day is complete without a diy body scrub!
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Homemade beauty products can be as simple or as complicated as you want. Scrubs are definitely on the very easy spectrum. A basic recipe requires 2 simple ingredients-a granule and an oil. Anything else is extra. Don’t let the simpleness of this DIY fool you though-a scrub will give you big bang for your buck leaving you with the softest, brightest skin ever!
DIY Sugar Scrub Ingredients:
Most homemade sugar scrubs contain natural ingredients. Mine is no exception and my carrier oil of choice is olive oil. Olive oil moisturizes and softens. Plus it’s antibacterial and a powerful anti inflammatory! I love using it for it’s fresh scent plus, it can be found in most everyone’s cabinets at any given time! I love it so much I even created a DIY Olive Oil Cleanser and Cream recipe!
I love using lemons when exfoliating. They brighten the skin, give an extra cleanse as well as exfoliate.
I used plain white sugar but you could use brown sugar as well. I love a brown sugar scrub. They feel great on the skin.
The Importance of Exfoliating the Skin:
As an aesthetician, exfoliating is my number one tip for beautiful skin.
As we age, our skin loses it’s ability to slough off dead skin as efficiently as it once did.
When you have dead skin build up, your skin tends to look dry, dull and dare I say, old. After just one exfoliating session, you’ll be amazed at how different your skin will look and feel.
Long-term exfoliating can actually increase collagen production!
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, exfoliation can leave your skin looking brighter and improve the effectiveness of topical skin care products by enhancing absorption.
Exfoliation is a must to get your money’s worth out fo your skin and body care! Think about it, dead skin blocks your pores and your skin care can’t penetrate. Remove the dead skin and your skin care can sink in deeply delivering nutrients where you need them.
Exfoliating before a shave can give you a closer, smoother shave as well! Check out my recipe for homemade shaving cream.
Regular exfoliation can also help prevent clogged pores and reduce breakouts. This can be super helpful if you experience back acne. Exfoliating your back can be tricky but a loofah with a long handle may help.
Be sure not to over scrub or exfoliate too often! Too much exfoliation can damage the skin leaving it susceptible to over drying, over sensitivity and more blemishes. If you have sensitive skin, proceed with caution and remember, less is more.
Benefits of a Homemade Body Scrub:
Body scrubs are meant to manually remove dead skin cells. They help remove stubborn dirt and excess oil, as well as stimulate circulation.
Because scrubs are loaded with skin nourishing oil, dry skin will be greatly relieved with just one application!
Glycolic acid occurs naturally in sugar and helps cleanse the skin and dissolve dead skin cells. It’s also a humectant and will not strip your skin of it’s own oils.
The Perfect Self Tan Remover Body Scrub!
This scrub is awesome for the whole body. It’s especially perfect for removing self tanner. The lemon will speed up the process.
You’re just going to love it!
What You’ll Need to Make a Lemon Sugar Scrub:
- Sugar
- Extra Virgin Organic Olive Oil
- Lemon Juice
- Bowl
- Spoon
- Airtight container (if you plan to make extra for future use)
This recipe is a one time use product. However, if you want to nix the fresh lemon and use lemon essential oil, you could double or triple it and store it in an airtight glass jar for several uses.
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Easy DIY Sugar Scrub with Lemon & Olive Oil
Yield: 1 application Prep Time: 2 minutes Total Time: 2 minutes
Sugar scrubs are easy to make and will give you the softest skin you’ve ever had, instantly! Whip up my lemon & olive oil sugar scrub in a couple minutes and enjoy a good exfoliation, added moisture and encourage lymphatic drainage and circulation with this simple, affordable and natural DIY sugar body scrub recipe! Plus, no at home spa day is complete without a diy body scrub!
Materials
- 1/4 cup Sugar
- 1 TBSP. Olive Oil
- 1 tsp. Fresh Lemon Juice
Tools
- Bowl
- Spoon
- Airtight container (if you plan to make extra for future use)
Instructions
- Mix ingredients together and gently scrub your body. You can also scrub your face and neck but use great caution since the skin on the face is much more delicate.
- I typically use this scrub after I’ve taken a warm bath. Your skin is softened after a hot bath or shower and will easily slough off.
- I rub the scrub into my skin in a circular motion.
- After scrubbing-rinse and go! With an oil based scrub, you don’t typically need another moisturizer afterwards.
Notes
For best results I recommend you use this scrub 1-3 times a week. Be gentle especially if you’re using it as a face scrub.
Did you make this product?
If you’re looking for a cellulite solution, how about upping your DIY scrub game and trying out my Coffee Scrub recipe and then check out my DIY Anti Cellulite Body Oil! Both are simple yet effective DIYs!
How Long Does a Homemade Sugar Scrub Last?
A basic sugar scrub will last around 6 months or more. The sugar acts as a preservative and oil typically has a shelf life of around 6 months. However, I would not recommend adding food coloring, citrus zest, candy or extracts if you’d like a longer shelf life. Essential oils are fine though and will help keep your scrub fresh.
Alternative DIY Sugar Scrub Ingredients:
Homemade scrubs are so easy to make. Don’t get caught up in ingredients. You can use any kind of sugar. I like a superfine sugar like regular white sugar but you can use brown sugar. raw sugar or even coconut sugar. Coconut sugar tends to be a more coarse sugar. You can even use salt to make a salt scrub but I believe sugar is a better, gentler exfoliant.
Don’t forget you can also use coffee grounds! You can even use a ground up candy cane like I did in my peppermint sugar scrub recipe!
As far as oils go, all carrier oils will work. Jojoba oil, fractionated coconut oil, sweet almond oil, apricot seed oil, avocado oil, grapeseed oil, etc. will all be great in a scrub! Any kind of oil will work but regular coconut oil. You can use it, however it’s hard to mix the sugar in due to it’s solid consistency at room temperature. Plus, if you don’t use all the the scrub in one setting, coconut oil will harden and make it hard to use for the next time.
Additional Ingredients to Customize Your DIY Sugar Scrub:
A few drops of essential oils are a great addition to customize your sugar scrub. My favorite essential oils to add to a scrub are lavender and ylang ylang. Play around with essential oil combos to find different scents that appeal to your senses!
Adding citrus zest (lemon zest in particular) is a great way to add some natural color as well a fresh, uplifting aroma.
You can also scent your sugar scrub by using vanilla extract and feel free to add in a little cinnamon or pumpkin spice!
Food coloring is a possibility as well if you’re looking to give your scrub a color.
Vitamin E oil will help prolong the shelf life of your scrub as well as up the anti aging power! Vitamin E is loaded with antioxidants as well as hydration.
Enjoy making your own homemade sugar scrub and say hello to smooth, soft skin. Your skin will be glowing! And don’t forget that scrubs make great homemade gifts. Add a pretty jar and a cute label and you’ve just made your holiday season a bit easier! I love giving the gift of handmade, natural products.
xx, Jenni
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