Homemade Sugar Scrub

OK, folks. Get ready for almost unbelievably soft skin (even for those of us with older skin).

The other day I was speaking with Larry Pleasant, CEO of The Vermont Soapworks, and he mentioned that he and his staff had spent the morning testing homemade sugar scrubs, and that everyone was commenting on how incredibly soft their skin felt. Aware that sugar cane produces glycolic acid, one of the natural alpha hydroxy acids that exfoliates the skin, I was immediately curious about his recipes.

Ingredients

50 percent white cane sugar (note that organic sucanat, while the best choice for food, doesn’t work as well for this recipe)
50 percent vegetable glycerin to moisten the sugar (I used avocado oil since I was out of vegetable glycerin and it proved to be a successful substitute)
Small amounts of aloe vera gel, vitamin C crystals, or anything healing that dissolves in water
1 or 2 drops of essential oil if desired (Larry recommends combining orange and lavender)
Enough ground hibiscus powder for pink color (if desired)

Combine the ingredients in a bowl. Scoop some of the scrub onto your hand and massage gently onto your skin for a minute (the scrub will actually tighten onto your skin like a masque). Leave on for 3 to 4 minutes before rinsing.

Let me warn you in advance that you’ll want to use this sugar scrub on your entire body. I started on my face, returned to my desk, and my skin felt so baby soft that the skin on my neck felt like sandpaper, so I needed to use the sugar scrub there, and on and on.

Click here for more about Vermont Soap.

By Annie B. Bond

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Paige Fair M.

10:04PM PDT on Apr 15, 2012

Can I use Coconut oil as the oil in the sugar scrub? Paige

send a green star

Debbie B.

5:11AM PDT on Apr 3, 2012

Awesome thanks so much!

Kenneth D.

11:31AM PDT on Mar 22, 2012

thanks

Sheri P.

11:15AM PST on Dec 20, 2011

Awesome!! Thanks for the recipe!!

Sarah M.

12:26PM PST on Dec 10, 2011

thanks!

Lauren H.

3:36PM PST on Nov 23, 2011

This sounds wonderful! I was thinking about giving some as Christmas gifts...Does it keep ok if it is in a sealed jar? Or should it be refrigerated? I don't know that much about vegetable glycerin or using oils...Thanks!

Cheri J.

1:51PM PST on Nov 18, 2011

When making a homemade body oil, I also add macadamia nut oil. It’s one of the most moisturizing oils out there.

1:01PM PST on Nov 11, 2011

This is a great recipe for a homemade sugar scrub. I like to put fresh coffee grounds in my scrub as well for a little pick-me-up! The coffee doesn’t leave a scent on the body, but does add a little more exfoliation.

Michele W.

9:39AM PST on Nov 7, 2011

Thank you

Grace D.

8:44AM PDT on Aug 9, 2011

I love a good homemade sugar scrub! They work wonders!
I made a very quick one last night using olive oil, sugar, lemon and honey!
If you get a minute, head to www.alohagrace.blogspot.com and take a look at how it turned out!

Grace xxx