Easy Vanilla Peppermint Sugar Scrub Recipe - The Kitchen Garten

What is Sugar Scrub?

Sugar scrubs are sugar, oil and sometimes salt that is mixed together in a bowl with essential oils, herbs, or extracts. The sugar helps to smooth out rough skin while the oil moisturizes it.

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While there are lots of combinations and variations you can use, I love to use coconut oil as my oil of choice, as well as small amounts of essential oil for a lot of bang for your buck. On the coconut oil topic, I do use refined coconut oil, so there isn’t any coconut scent in my sugar scrub. If the coconut scent works for you, then by all means, use unrefined coconut oil.

Why Use Sugar Scrub?

In winter, the cold, dry air not only causes you to lose moisture in your skin but also leaves it feeling tight and uncomfortable. One of the best ways to combat this is by using a sugar scrub on your skin.

Sugar scrub will exfoliate the surface layer of dead cells while moisturizing at the same time! And since this scrub can be made with ingredients you may already have on hand, it’s a cost effective way to have a little low-cost self care.

Homemade sugar scrub is also a wonderful gift to give to others, and while it can be bought at the store, making sugar scrub at home lets you know exactly what’s in it. Many commercially produced sugar scrubs use artificial fragrances and dyes that can actually irritate instead of soothing the skin.

This recipe calls for both vanilla extract and peppermint oil, but if you’re uncertain about using peppermint oil, I do give a substitution for peppermint extract in the recipe.

Here’s what you’ll need to make vanilla peppermint sugar scrub at home:

Vanilla Peppermint Sugar Scrub Ingredients

• 2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup refined coconut oil (unrefined works as well, but it will have a coconut smell.)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (learn how to make your own vanilla extract at home!)
• 6 drops peppermint oil or substitute 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract.)
• 4 glass 1/4 pint jars

How to Make Sugar Scrub at Home

1. Begin by setting out all of the ingredients within easy reach. In a glass measuring cup, scoop out coconut oil if it’s solid, and warm for 30 seconds in the microwave to return to liquid state.
2. Next, measure sugar into medium size bowl. Pour liquid coconut oil on top and stir until combined.
3. Add vanilla extract and peppermint oil (or extract if using). Stir well.
4. Spoon sugar scrub into 4 glass 1/4 pint jars (for gifting) or into a 1 pint jar (to keep for use at home).

How to Use Sugar Scrub

To use homemade sugar scrub, you will want to wet your skin and then apply a small amount of the scrub to your hands. Rub the sugar scrub in circular motions all over your body, taking care to avoid sensitive areas like your face and neck. Rinse off with warm water and pat dry.

I like to keep my jar in the shower for use there, but it can also be used exclusively on hands and kept next to the sink.

Sugar Scrub Variations

• Try almond oil or olive oil in place of the coconut.
• Add lemon zest for a bright citrus scent.
• Leave out the vanilla extract or peppermint oil to create a sugar scrub that is simply vanilla or peppermint.
• Try dried herbs from your garden. Rosemary, basil, thyme, oregano and lavender all make great sugar scrub flavors.
• Combine almond extract and vanilla extract for a fun variation.
• Use brown sugar instead of white for a richer scent and coarser scrub.

Prep Time

5 minutes

Active Time

5 minutes

Total Time

5 minutes

Difficulty

Easy

Materials

• 2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup refined coconut oil (unrefined works as well, but it will have a coconut smell.)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (learn how to make your own vanilla extract at home!)
• 6 drops peppermint oil (or substitute 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract.)
• 4 glass 1/4 pint jars

Tools

• Medium bowl
• Spoon

Instructions

1. Begin by setting out all of the ingredients within easy reach. In a glass measuring cup, scoop out coconut oil if it's solid, and warm for 30 seconds in the microwave to return to liquid state.
2. Next, measure sugar into medium size bowl. Pour liquid coconut oil on top and stir until combined.
3. Add vanilla extract and peppermint oil (or extract if using). Stir well.
4. Spoon sugar scrub into 4 glass 1/4 pint jars (for gifting) or into a 1 pint jar (to keep for use at home).

Notes

Sugar Scrub Variations:

• Add lemon zest for a bright citrus scent.
• Leave out the vanilla extract or peppermint oil to create a sugar scrub that is simply vanilla or peppermint.
• Try dried herbs from your garden. Rosemary, basil, thyme, oregano and lavender all make great sugar scrub flavors.
• Combine almond extract and vanilla extract for a fun variation.
• Use brown sugar instead of white for a richer scent and coarser scrub.

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