Sugar Scrub

My new passion - Sugar Scrub.  It's absolutely heavenly!  Here in the dry Colorado mountains, we constantly struggle to keep our skin nourished.  And with a house full of boys with cracked, calloused hands, I simply MUST keep mine looking feminine!  This is, by far, the most luxurious way I've been able to do just that.   (...and I've witnessed my men using this from time to time as well!)

I have fiddled around with several different styles of scrubs.  Salt scrubs are also popular, but I personally don't like them as much.  And I can't even imagine how they'd feel on a cut!  No, I prefer sugar... just look at this richness...

There are several different ways to make it, but I will share with you my favorite (aren't you lucky?).  Many people on the internet say to just use sugar and olive oil.  Well, I like to step mine up a notch.   Olive oil has a yucky odor that is hard to mask.  If I'm going to pamper myself, why not treat myself to the very best?!  Below you will see the ingredients I like to use.

My local Vitamin Cottage (Natural Grocers) carries this inexpensive brand called "Now".  There are higher priced brands out there, but this is my compromise.  I like to use apricot kernel oil and vegetable glycerin for my oil base.  Then I experiment with different essential oils to add a lovely fragrance.  The green container has Grapefruit and the yellow is Lavender... mmmmmm!  I found these little rubber-sealed crocks at our local kitchen specialty store - the tiny spoons came from there as well.

To use a sugar scrub, start by taking off your rings.  Then wet your hands with warm water and scoop out a small dollop of scrub. 

"Wash" your hands with it as if you were using soap - paying particular attention to the backs of your hands.  Below is my hand with the scrub all rubbed in - yes, this was a tricky photo to take.  :)

Rinse your hands as usual.  See below how the water beads up on my skin?  (click on the photo to make it bigger and then you should see what I mean).  When you reach for the towel, dry your palms as usual (rubbing) because you don't want them slippery, but only PAT the backs of your hands.  You want that oil to have time to soak in and nourish!  Oh, it's divine!!

It's like treating your hands to a spa treatment each time you use it!  ...and if you put some in a plastic, water-tight container, you can keep some in the shower or tub... NOW we're talking!  Below is how I make mine. Experiment - use this as a base and play around with it.  I guarantee you'll love the way it makes you feel!

Sugar Scrub

1/4 cup white sugar (vanilla sugar if you want to go all out!)
1/4 cup brown sugar
3 Tbsp apricot oil
1 1/2 Tbsp vegetable glycerin
10-12 drops essential oil

Start by mixing the sugars in a small bowl.  Add the apricot oil and the glycerin.  Stir until well combined and fully coated.  Let it sit for a few minutes to really incorporate.  Even if you think it needs more oil (and it may), you'll be surprised how the oil "settles".  Add essential oils to your liking and stir again.  Scoop it into a pretty covered container and keep it at your sink so you'll remember to use it.  Enjoy!