Finding a great sugar scrub recipe that smells amazing and exfoliates your skin gently is a must for anyone who wants great looking skin. This homemade sugar scrub is just what you’re looking for! Perfect for anytime you want the sweet scent of summer watermelons combined with a gently and effective sugar scrub! Make it as a true sugar scrub or as portable sugar scrub bars.
I have ridiculously dry skin and have for most of my adult life. My homemade lotion recipe works to help moisturize my skin, but lotion doesn’t exfoliate. Instead, when I need exfoliation to remove dead skin cells, I make one of my favorite sugar scrub recipes.
What I adore about homemade sugar scrub is that you can customize it so easily. For instance, this sugar scrub recipe is a watermelon scent but it is just as easy to swap the ingredients like the fragrance oil or carrier oil to make it your own. They also make fantastic gifts for anyone who might enjoy a spa night at home.
Salt Scrubs vs Sugar Scrubs
If you’re looking to exfoliate your skin, you may be trying to decide between using a sugar scrub or a salt scrub. Both are made using the same basic process and both will exfoliate your skin with incredible results.
Salt scrubs, however, are more abrasive against your skin than sugar scrubs. Grains of salt have rather sharp edges and because of this, they can irritate and even cause microscopic tears in the upper layer of your skin. If you have sensitive skin, opt for a sugar scrub unless you need that extra oomph to your product. Salt scrubs also have a bit of detoxifying effect on the skin which makes them great if you’re in need of a bit of clearing as well.
What Scents Make Great Sugar Scrubs?
Homemade sugar scrubs can be make in any scent that you prefer. You could make lavender sugar scrub using lavender essential oil if you wanted to be calmed while you exfoliated. For a fruity experience make a lemon sugar scrub using lemon essential oil.
Other oils or extracts that work well in sugar scrub recipes are peppermint, spearmint, grapefruit, sweet orange, geranium, bergamot and even cinnamon! I personally prefer to use essential oils whenever I can and only default to a fragrance oil when it’s for a scent such as this watermelon sugar scrub recipe.
What carrier oils work best for homemade body scrub?
Carrier oils tend to be interchangeable for most DIY beauty recipes, but since this is a skincare recipe, you’ll want to use one that has some benefits for the skin. This includes fractionated coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil, jojoba oil, avocado oil or like my recipe calls for, sweet almond oil.
Is Homemade Sugar Scrub Good for Skin?
Yes! Sugar is one of the best exfoliators that you could use on your skin all without adding any toxins to the recipe! Not only does it help remove dead skin cells, but it also helps to clear pores. After using a homemade sugar scrub, your skin will be totally rejuvenated and glowing!
How Long Does Homemade Sugar Scrub Last?
Sugar scrubs are typically good for around six-months before they should be replaced, but there are some things that will cause it to have a shorter shelf life.
First, the container they are stored in. If you are storing the recipe in clear mason jars, light pollution will cause it to become less effective pretty quickly. Instead, store it in an amber or blue glass jar. No matter what container you choose to use, make sure it has a tight fitting lid that will keep moisture out.
One way to avoid the light issue is to make homemade sugar scrub bars. The recipe card below gives you the instructions for both types of sugar scrubs. Bars tend to last longer and stay fresh longer than a loose sugar scrub. They also have a different consistency and texture when you’re using them which can be a benefit for those with more sensitive skin.
Another thing that will cause your sugar scrub to go bad faster is humidity. Because of this, I do not recommend you store homemade sugar scrub in the bathroom. Instead, store it in an area that keeps a consistent temperature most of the time.
Finally, adding vitamin E oil – either as an addition using only a tablespoon or two or as your carrier oil- to your sugar scrub recipe can act as a preservative helping your sugar scrub last longer. No only does vitamin E oil act with preservative effects, but it is also amazing for healthy, glowing skin!
What Type of Sugar Works Best in Sugar Scrub Recipes?
Any type of sugar will work in a sugar scrub, but if you want a truly natural product, I suggest using raw sugar. Raw sugar such as turbinado sugar is a brown sugar that has not been processed to remove the natural molasses in the sugar itself. It has also not been bleached as white sugar is. But, if all you have is white sugar, feel free to use it. It won’t change your sugar scrub and it isn’t likely to cause any harm.
How to Use DIY Sugar Scrubs
To use a DIY sugar scrub, wet your skin in the shower using hot or warm water at a temperature comfortable for you. Don’t go too terribly hot though as this will act against the benefits of the sugar scrub itself and can cause your skin to dry out even more.
Add a small amount of product to your skin and rub in a circular motion. Once you have exfoliated to your satisfaction, rinse the skin well.
Watermelon Sugar Scrub Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ C. Raw Cane Sugar or white granulated
- 2 Tbsp. Sweet Almond Oil
- 2 squares Goats Milk Soap Base 1×1" squares
- ½ tsp. Rubbing Alcohol
- 30 drops Watermelon fragrance oil
- ½ tsp Red Mica Powder optional
Instructions
- Using the measuring cup, microwave the soap base in 30-second increments until fully melted.2 squares Goats Milk Soap Base
- Add the sweet almond oil and sugar. Stir well until fully combined. If it thickens too much as it cools, re-heat for 30-seconds.2 Tbsp. Sweet Almond Oil, 1/2 C. Raw Cane Sugar
- Add the mica powder (if using) and rubbing alcohol to a small bowl and mix well.1/2 tsp Red Mica Powder, 1/2 tsp. Rubbing Alcohol
- Combine the sugar mixture and alcohol mixture and stir until very well combined. Heat for 15-seconds.
- Immediately add the fragrance oil and stir to combine.30 drops Watermelon fragrance oil
- If making sugar scrub bars, immediately pour into a silicone soap mold. If not, pour sugar scrub mixture into an air tight container.
- Allow sugar scrub bars to fully cool then remove from mold. Stir in an airtight container with lid.
- If you're not making sugar scrub bars, add the mixture to a jar. Allow to cool with the lid removed so condensation does not build. Once cooled, add the lid.
Leave a Reply