Supplies:

1. 2 cups sugar – I like a mix of coarse natural brown, and basic white; it makes a good scrub worthy feel. You can use just coarse brown or just plain white though. Do not use soft brown baking sugar.
2. Oil: I like apricot or light olive best. Any oil that’s natural and from a nut or fruit will work. Baby oil (non-scented) will also work. Do not use cooking oil like corn – that will make a funky smell and a too-slick feel.
3. Vanilla beans: Use whole organic, or in a pinch I’ve used organic vanilla extract (seriously, I was hard up). However, extract will darken your mix – no biggie though.
4. Organic lavender essential oil.
5. Any old container with a lid.

Instructions:

1. Place vanilla beans in dry sugar. Cover and let sit for a week or two – the longer it sits the better the smell. If using vanilla extract, skip this step.
2. Remove vanilla beans. Cover sugar until saturated (but not over saturated) with oil. Short on oil? You can also use a mix of oil and water – I know the two don’t mix, but in sugar it will work.
3. Add a few drops of lavender oil. If you’re using vanilla extract add a few drops now.
4. Use to scrub down your body either before you start the shower or during. Rinse well. Do not use on face or hair.
5. This last a long time – i.e. it won’t mold or anything before you use it up. You can keep it in your bathroom. Also, contrary to what you may think, you won’t be sticky. You don’t need to wash this off with soap; plain water is fine.

One, you will feel smooth and smell delicious. Two, your bathroom will also smell great all day long. I’ve been reusing the same container for years. If you want to give this as a gift, look for short, squat, wide glass containers at thrift stores. You can also mix this up with various herbs and essential oils.

Other nice mixes I’ve tried include:

• Grapefruit and peppermint
• Orange, clove, and lemon
• Tea tree
• Basil and lemon
• Cedar and lavender
• Coffee (I ground a bit of espresso) and grapefruit
• Almond and orange

Really the sky is the limit. The best thing about homemade body scrubs is how versatile and cheap they are. If you mess up, no big loss. It’s natural and degrades so no worries. If you don’t have essential oils around they can be a be more costly to get started with. I use oils for everything though so I have many. Also, one small bottle of organic lavender oil will make tons of this stuff. TONS. I saw some sugar scrub at the store and it was $22 – holy. I can make batches for that much money. Plus mine has no artificial anything in it.

Give it a try, you’ll love it.

Post from: Tree Hugging Family