This customizable, boutique-worthy scrub is effective, economical, and smells good enough to eat. It also makes a thoughtful gift that can be made in minutes!
Dry, cracked, or otherwise flaky skin isn’t the most exciting topic of conversation, although I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one who deals with it. But guess what? I have the easiest, non-greasy, 100% gift-worthy way to combat this nagging problem. Soft, delicious-smelling skin is just two (or three if you’re feeling adventurous!) ingredients away.
Because I do A LOT of dishes (in hot water, without gloves, no less), I keep a jar of this fragrant mixture by my sink year-round. It’s a moisturizer and exfoliant all in one, and it couldn’t be simpler to make.
The funny thing is, when Barlean’s asked me to create a holiday gift using coconut oil, I got busy creating something altogether new. I spent several hours making lotion, lotion bars, and even scored the secret recipe for homemade chapstick from a good friend’s daughter who truly makes the best lip balm I’ve ever used. (She even named it — Happy Chappy. Don’t you love that?)
As it turned out, the lotion and lotions bars felt too greasy. Nobody wants to leave a trail of smudge marks after using hand cream, and I decided to guard the Happy Chappy trade secret just a little longer.
The answer to the holiday-themed request was literally at my fingertips. I figured if I rely on this simple scrub daily, maybe others would, too. Plus, of all my ideas, this offers the most accessibility; it can be made with what you likely have on hand, or can access easily, and is perfect for gift giving.
Winter’s cold air and low humidity always exacerbates dry skin. And here’s a fun fact: Did you know that skin is the body’s largest organ? So why not use something pure and natural as a remedy? I use this scrub mostly for my hands, but it will put and end to dry elbows, legs, feet, etc. Note: If you store the jar in the shower and take a long, hot shower, the prolonged heat may melt the coconut oil. Not to worry. Just give it a quick stir and it’ll be good to go.
For an inexpensive, effective fix for dry skin, keep this all-natural scrub beside by your sink or shower all year long. After using, your skin will feel soft but not greasy, and a mild yet delightful aroma will linger.
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Helpful tips and options:
- Essential oils provide a lovely way to customize the scent. That said, experimenting with the extracts you already have in your spice cabinet is a great way to work with what you have.
- I’ve created all sorts of flavors like chai spice, café latte, and pink lemonade, but my favorites are truly the simplest ones. Around the holidays, peppermint always seems fitting. Vanilla and vanilla-almond are two of my year-round favorites.
- I’ve also experimented with the ratio of sugar to coconut oil and provide a range of choices. The lesser amount of sugar provides excellent moisture and light exfoliation. The higher amount of sugar makes for a looser scrub with more abrasiveness. When my hands are drier, I like more sugar. You can start on the low end and then test and add more sugar if desired. Or aim for something in the middle!
- In order to keep things sterile, I recommend using a spoon to scoop out the scrub.
- If this sounds good enough to eat, it is! (To be honest, I’ve sampled on occasion, and I once stirred some into my tea.)
- See the recipe notes section for a few more ideas.
Easy Hand & Body Sugar Scrub
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated or brown sugar*
- 1/2 cup coconut oil, softened but not melted**
- Optional: 1 teaspoon vanilla, almond, or peppermint extract (or another extract of choice; may substitute 10-15 drops, more or less as desired, of your favorite essential oils)
Instructions
- In a medium-size bowl, mash together the sugar and coconut oil.
- Stir in the optional extract or essential oil. Adjust the amount for the desired scent. (Note: if using extracts, take caution not to add too much more as the alcohol in some extracts may be detectable.)
- Spoon into a glass container with a tight-fitting lid to maintain the freshness and fragrance. The scrub will keep for a couple of months--if it lasts that long!
Notes
Coconut oil is an excellent natural moisturizer with a mildly tropical scent, but for those who prefer no scent, Barlean’s makes a culinary option that is flavor- and scent-free. When either are used in a scrub, the result is super soft skin with no greasy residue.
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