DIY Sugar Scrub; Sans Chemicals!

With the entrance of the snow, also comes dry, arid weather. Prior to moving to Vernon BC, I thought I knew what "dry" was. After a few years of seasonal eczema on fantastic places like my forehead, I realized that the regular "moisturizer" wasn't going to cut it. 

That's when I discovered sugar scrubs. The first was from Aveda and I adored how soft and moisturized it left my skin. Close to thirty dollars in the hole for this magical product I had to admit that I couldn't afford to use their scrub regularly. I had just started to read ingredients on my beauty products, so checked out the sugar scrub. You'd assume- "sugar scrub" would imply, well natural ingredients. That's what you could assume by reading the list on their website: 

Amyris, Avocado oil, bay leaf, Caribbean cane sugar (ahem- fair trade?), Coconut oil, Lime, Passionfruit oil, Salt, Vetiver.

Right, what about the other 30 ingredients on the container?? Are they just for show... since they aren't listed anywhere on the website I'm assuming they're just taking up space on the bottle... right? *cough*. We all know how I feel about misleading the consumer in this "I'm green" crap.


As soon as I finished the scrub I set about to see if I could actually make my own. Honestly, I assumed that there was a reason for all the extra synthetic chemicals, like it would start to smell like rotten socks within a few days. I had my doubts I wouldn't just create a moldy mess that would cause major breakouts (ok, a bit dramatic, but it happens! the catastrophizing I mean). 


I found a recipe on Make Your Own Cosmetics (awesome site) and was... successful!! Perfectly so! Oddly enough, my scrub was JUST as moisturizing, yummy smelling (if not better!) and exfoliating as Aveda's. The difference; mine had ZERO synthetic chemicals, and less ingredients than their "fake" list above. One batch will last for a few weeks with no weird smell and doesn't need to be refrigerated. I can now say no weird rashes or death-mold has grown from not having supposedly necessary preservatives. 


I also love that once you buy a bit of the ingredients in bulk you can make different scents or consistencies. I've even made candycane versions with natural dyes and layers as a Christmas gift.

Sugar Scrub Basic Recipe:
3/4 cup of fair trade organic brown sugar (adds a nice smell, but white would do)
1/4 cup of epsom salts
2 tbsp of local (organic) honey
4 tbsp of sweet almond oil (jojoba=rejuvinating, grapeseed= less oily)
essential oil to scent


Epsom salts and the oils are easy to find at any local health food store. My favourite essential oils include cinnamon and clove, but I've found some yummy cacoa extract that smell delish!


Mix together and store in a glass resealable container (I like anchor, you can find them at Canadian Tire or the Superstore). Be very careful when you shower as the tub could be slippery afterwards! I usually keep mine in the shower area so that I remember to use it a few times a week (frequent exfoliating isn't so fantastic for your delicate skin!).



Really what I've started doing is just generally mixing stuff together to the consistency that I like, but then I'm haphazard like that...


Blessings!



article and photos copyright of EcoYogini at ecoyogini.blogspot.com