7.10.2008

How to make a brown sugar scrub

My sister has always raved about body scrubs and how they were her favorite thing. She would even use them in place of shaving cream, saying that they made her skin so much smoother. 

So, a few years ago I decided to pick one up and try it out for myself. Except, I guess I didn't pay attention to what she was saying, because I tried shaving with a salt scrub. Shaving. With a razor. And salt. In cuts. Mmmm, that felt good

After realizing that she was talking about sugar scrubs, I tried a few and loved them, but hated the price tag. Luckily, I was able to find this brown sugar recipe to make my own, and wow - it not only smells delicious, but moisturizes, and makes your skin glow.


I'm sure that you have the ingredients in your pantry right now. All that it requires is:

1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons honey



With ingredients like this you will have to stop yourself from sampling it. 
 

I still had my $2.99 glass jar from my IKEA trip, reserved just for this purpose. Another great place to buy cute jars is Hobby Lobby, especially when they are half off.


All that you do is mix. Can you believe I used to pay $20 for this?


Imagine wrapping it up with a ribbon and tag: such a thoughtful (and inexpensive) gift! 

Once I'm finished with the brown sugar, I'm going to try a coffee scrub:

2 cups of coarsely ground coffee
1/2 cup raw sugar 
3 tablespoons olive oil
 
(Whether ingested or slathered on; you can't go wrong with coffee)
 

47 comments:

Runaway Farm said...

Wow! I was just thinking about "sugar scrubs" last night too and wondered if I just took sugar and something if it would work and tah dah here's a recipe for me this morning . . . I love the gift idea too! Thanks for sharing!

Laura said...

Kristin - what a great idea for a holiday gift - wrapped up with a scrubby and a razor! It looks yummy, and can double as a spread on toast - LOL! Thanks for sharing.

Mikki said...

I am going to have to try this. Will I eat it, or use it? hmmmm...

Anonymous said...

I like your scrub with the Brown Sugar. We made Salt Scrubs in June for our LNO Group and we scented them with Pina Colada, Lime and Raspberry. I love them. They leave my skin feeling so soft and supple. However - I shaved right before I used it the first time on my legs...That's a big No! No! lol! I couldn't believe that I was that dumb. You can use regular sugar with the recipe on my blog...but salt keeps it's texture longer.

Check it out Kristin @ www.girlwithcurlz.blogspot.com. I put it under LNO and Recipes.

Jill -Forever and Ever House said...

Oh my goodness, I am laughing at Laura's comment!!! Yummy!!

What a great idea. So inexpensive and also unique!!

Erin said...

i know what the women on my Christmas list will get this year! thanks for the recipes. i love your blog and all of your tips, advice, and ideas.

Tiffany said...

I'll be saving this in my "projects for Christmas" file. I've been looking for some neat ideas.

Southern Mom said...

Recently found your blog and love all of your creative ideas. I have already bought clipboards and Modge Podge -just waiting on some free time to start my project. The brown sugar scrub will make wonderful teacher surprises at the first of the year.

{amy k.} said...

Perfect gift idea- thanks! How long will it stay good?

McKenna Gordon said...

I am completely in love with making my own bath and body products also! This one is a great recipe. I have done a variation of it before. I LOVE the jar you used. So cute. I have a bunch of recipes I've compiled/created and put them on a little homemade website:
www.homemade-spa.com

I've been reading your blog for months, but have been a bad little commenter (read: haven't done it) but I HAD to say something today because I'm so with you on the horrible price tag!

Anonymous said...

Wow!!! Thanks so much for the recipes for these great scrubs! I will definatly be making some for Christmas gifts this year and for me of course! Love it!!! Julie

Anonymous said...

WOW! What a great idea..Thanks a million for all your wonderful ideas, I just love your blog.

A Spoonful Of Sugar said...

I love it when I see a new project and I already have the supplies on hand! Looks amazing and would be a great project for the school holidays. Love your presentation.

Cassie said...

Oh my I think I'm going to have to try this one out. I love sugar scrubs but stopped buying them once I was staying home with the girls (tight budget!). Thanks for sharing the recipe!

muralimanohar said...

Yah..when you pay $20, you are paying for the perfume, and the packaging. Save yourself, make your own, and add a few drops of your own scent, and wa-la!! To die for sugar scrubs!!! Mmmmm.....

Preppy Pink Crocodile said...

I LOVE this idea!! I think I might have a hard time refraining from tasting it though!

aimee said...

just when i thought you had covered everything...you have the best ideas! thanks for sharing

Dayna said...

Thanks for the recipe, that looks great! And an awesome gift idea, too.

Blake O'Quin said...

Yay!! I am so glad you made this and I am definitely going to make some for myself:) I imagine the salt experience was not a pleasant one and I am glad you have found the joy of SUGAR! I don't shave with anything else now:)

Lacy said...

I cant wait to try some.Hopefully, I wont eat it all first! I am with Laura....great gift idea.

kristi lee said...

Ok, I've commented a few times on your blog and I get so excited each time you post because I know you'll have another WONDERFUL idea. I was blog walking this morning and came across this lady http://lauragunn.typepad.com/paintinmyhair/. Not sure if you've seen her stuff or not but the fabric covered brads she did would be FAB with your fabric flowers.

ReminisceHeirlooms said...

Rock on! I love your blog and will be making some for the holidays! Thank you.

Greta said...

Thanks for the great gift idea! Also thanks for the mod-podge tips. My daughter wanted a new "scrapbook" this morning so we made one with a notebook and Mickey Paper!

Anonymous said...

totally excited about using this.
I have two roommates and I know they are going to be jealous!
: D

Anonymous said...

you really don't need to buy a jar for this, just re-use one that you are done with!!! this sounds like a great idea and i hope to try it soon!

Anonymous said...

THis sounds wonderful smoother skin yummy will try it soon and tell my sister too.

Anonymous said...

This is great! Have you had trouble with getting ants though? I made a regular sugar scrub with EVOO and had a huge ant problem!

EllE said...

Mmmm made myself some just now... with a little vanilla added... going to try it out right away! Thanks for the great idea! :)

Anonymous said...

another one is 1 cup sugar, 1 cup oats,1 cup sea salt. mix in jar. it does leave a mess in tub its great exfoliating and skin softner. just put a small amount in hand and rub it all over and rinse.

Anonymous said...

I made the coffee one today. It left some mess in the tub, but was worth it. Very energizing and I smell like coffee! If that isn't awesome I don't know what is :D Thanks for the recipe!

Cathasach said...

i have one made with cocoa and I L-O-V-E it!!!

Anonymous said...

I love how soft my skin was after I used this! It was truly amazing. No lotion needed, even during these cold winter months! Don't get it in your hair though or you'll have an oily mess unless you shampoo over again!

Anonymous said...

WOW!!! I just tried the brown sugar scrub a few moments ago in the shower and it was AMAZING! You are right about shaving! My legs are sooooo smooth! Another thing I realized is that I didn't scratch or cut myself the way I normally do with shaving gel. Even after getting out of the shower my legs still feel like soft and smooth! Thanks so Much!

Anonymous said...

great idea, I normally use Sabon salt scrub ($80 a jar... don't tell me, I know...)but having the alternative, I'll go for the homemade stuff. I have one question though - how can I scent it and not get an allergic reaction? I have some essential oils but I'm not sure if I can mix them with olive oil and apply on skin

Anonymous said...

I think honey is good for skin. Olive oil??? It looks of good quality but i think the simple ingredients would be questionable to acne prone skin!!! Lavender oil is a bacteria fighter as few others are. Its worth looking into. Maybe you can go into business making products. Some people may not be as talented to mix in the right consistantcy of ingredients. I think you might have a shot making natural products for the skin. You should look into oils that are really good for skin and start selling sugar srubs and salt glows, and safe exfoliaters for the face. A person should only exfoliate once every two weeks tops. (For Face)

Anonymous said...

I am a spa owner, and can i just say that i love this recipe......

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing the recipe!! I love to know that I can replace an expensive beauty product to something I can make by myself!!

Anonymous said...

Yes, its a great recipe with gifts and things like that. However, a good sugar scrub doesn't stick to the tub and the oils soak readily into the skin, that takes a more sophisticated mixed product. Great beginners recipe though!

SouthernDogwoods said...

I just tried this recipes & it was easy to make & worked wonderfully! Thank you for sharing!

Melissa said...

Whats the shelf life of this product?

Cathy said...

Oh this sounds really good. I'm going to try it. I just love homemade products. I have some recipes you may like too. Let me know if you're interested. Thanks again.

Anonymous said...

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh! I can't figure out how to escape from here, but I'm undoubtedly certain that my soul has become trapped within the parameters of this webpage and until I figure out how to escape, I am doomed to a brown sugary scrub of a limbo before awaiting my final judgment. Please keep this page running or manually remove my soul before doing so. A thousand thank yous.

Grace said...

When I read that you had first tried out a salt scrub the first thing that came into my mind was "ouch!"

But your homemade idea is excellent. I will have to try it for sure and like many people have commented, it does make a good inexpensive gift. :)

Audrey T said...

I have made this several times now and am about to make another batch for my sorority big! I just love it! This is a must use recipe for everyone..cheap and all natural ingredients, so unless you're allergic to honey, you dont have to worry about skin irritations! Thanks so much!

Courtney @ Sweeter Than Cupcakes said...

I'm saving this idea for my next shower. I can just see a tag saying, "from our shower to yours," for the favors.

Jamie said...

Glad you reposted this! Will make a great teacher gift!

haircutting in high heels said...

I just added a link to this fabulous and easy recipe you posted. I hope you enjoy as I did finding you!
Thank you,
Gina