Wednesday, June 1, 2011

30 Days of Creativity - Day 1: Sugar Scrub Recipe

I'm very excited to be taking part in the 30 Days of Creativity challenge and had a bunch of ideas of what I could to do for my first day.  But then, one of my 3 Day Tweeps (3 Day walkers on Twitter) asked me for an exfoliating sugar scrub recipe.  Decision made!  This is for you @fatgirlwalkin!

Making a sugar scrub is a super fun, easy project to pamper yourself.  I think between gathering ingredients, making it, taking pictures, and cleaning up, it took me all of about 15-20 minutes.  If you don't take pictures or hand wash your dishes, it will take less than half that amount of time.  It can be as simple as combining sugar and oil together for a quick, basic scrub.  I got a little more creative (part of the point of the 30 Days of Creativity, after all)...

Let's gather our ingredients:
sugar scrub - ingredients

1 cup of sugar
I just used regular white sugar because it's what I had, but you can also use brown, raw, or cane sugar or any combination for different scents/consistencies.

13 tsp olive oil
Okay, that really is an approximate amount.  I've seen recipes calling for 10 tsp and some calling for a 1:1 ratio with the sugar.  I usually start with around 10 tsp (to a cup of sugar) and then eye ball it from there.  I don't like having too oily of a scrub, so I usually just make sure everything is moist plus some.  Also, you can use pretty much any oil or combination of oils you like; I just really love olive oil & it's medicinal qualities.

3-4 tblspn Epsom Salts
Again, that's an approximation.  Epsom salts are amazing for you (it draws toxins from the body, sedates the nervous system, reduces swelling, relaxes muscles, it is emollient, a wonderful exfoliator, and more) and they add texture to the plain white sugar.

3 bags of green tea
Just rip open the bags and empty the contents.  I drink green tea all the time and use green tea infusions in many concoctions.  The antioxidants in green tea and it's anti-inflammatory properties are both excellent for the skin.

2 tblspn honey
Honey has many wonderful qualities but the #1 reason for using it in this recipe is that it's a natural humectant which means that it seals moisture into your skin.  

Vitamin E
Totally optional, but I like to include it because it's good for your skin in addition to being a natural preservative.  You can empty the contents from a couple of capsules or use a dropper full.

Essential Oil
I used lemon because I love the refreshing scent and it also has preservative properties.  Other popular options include orange, vanilla, lavender, ylang ylang, etc.

*This is not an exact science and it's meant to be fun, so use your own judgement with measurements and ingredients!*

Some simple instructions:
  • First step is to combine all of your dry ingredients.
sugar scrub - mix dry ingredients


  • Mix in your olive oil next.  Followed by the honey, then the Vitamin E and essential oil.
sugar scrub - mix wet & dry ingredients


  • Last, store in an air tight container.  Try to keep moisture out including during use.  *Please be careful if you decide to store your sugar scrub in a glass jar as your hands WILL be slippery when you use it!*

sugar scrub - store in an air tight jar

For gift giving: you can add a pretty label to it or even put a seashell in it to use as a scoop.  I've given away a few of these and everyone raves how soft their skin is after use.  This one, however, is going in my shower.

sugar scrub - finished product

Enjoy!

8 comments:

Catherine said...

Thank you, thank you, thank you! This looks like a fabulous recipe. I think it's exactly what I need -- exfoliating and moisturizing. I have vanilla and lavender epsom salts that I'm going to use. (Yummy smell!) You have no idea how much I (and my snake skin) appreciate this. You rock, lady! XO!

AJ said...

Oooh, the green tea gave it a pretty color! Thank you for posting the recipe, I think I will make myself some next week. I hate the store-bought scrub I have.

Kate said...

I like the green tea -- I'd never thought of that! AJ's right, it's pretty, too.

I use demerara sugar a lot in scrubs -- it's scrubbier (and since it's brown the green tea wouldn't show up as well), and it's got a nice feel, too. This would be good for a face scrub, though.

Me likey!

Athena's Armoury said...

Catherine: You're very welcome! The vanilla & lavender together will smell amazing. And be really relaxing, too.

AJ: It's crazy all of the extra additives and preservatives that come in the store bought kind. It seems silly to use it after knowing how super easy it is to craft your own.

Kate: That sugar *is* scrubbier! lol. Great word.

Faerie♥Kat said...

Looks good enough to eat! And looks like something I could actually make, too. Mwah!

Athena's Armoury said...

Of course you can make it, Kat! I bet you can come up with some fun variations, too. =)

Its A Blog Party said...

Thanks for sharing on Show-Me-How, I didn't realize this was so quick and easy.

Athena's Armoury said...

Sure. =) I hope you get a chance to make it & enjoy it!