Peppermint Sugar Scrub

Sugar scrubs are relatively easy to make and I find they are great little gifts for friends, coworkers and teachers. Part of the appeal is the sensory details that make up the scrub. The first one that most people notice is the scent. This recipe has a fun peppermint scent perfect for holiday time. The other detail is the grainy texture of the scrub. This is where our ingredients come into play.

One major component of this sugar scrub is coconut oil. I love the way my skin feels after I’ve used coconut oil on it. It feels so much more hydrated and soft. Aside from deep hydration, coconut oil can be beneficial to your skin. It has been suggested that it contains antimicrobial properties and also may help reduce inflammation. Another huge positive for me is that coconut oil doesn’t have a strong scent, or color, like olive oil. It pairs well with the peppermint scent and helps keep the scrub a beautiful pearly white color.

The other major component of the sugar scrub is sugar. For my sugar I used just regular granulated sugar; I don’t mind the finer texture. If you’re looking for something a bit more coarse you can use cane sugar. Part of the appeal with this recipe is the pretty white color it comes out to be – the other is the fun peppermint scent. For both of these reasons I do not recommend using brown sugar. One mixed together you will want to store the scrub in an airtight container – like a glass mason jar. Beware that glass can become slippery when using this product around water. I combat this minor issue by using a silicone sleeve on my mason jar making it much safer in the shower.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of melted coconut oil
• 2 1/2 cups of granulated sugar
• 15 drops of peppermint essential oil (or 10 drops of peppermint and 5 drops of vanilla)

Method:

1. Stir essential oil into coconut oil.
2. Mix together coconut oil and sugar until mixed through.
3. Store in a glass container for up to three months.

It is not recommended to use this sugar scrub on your face. Though most of these ingredients are edible, do not ingest this scrub.