Vanilla Sugar Body Scrub
For years I worked as the manager of a day spa here in California, and while it was quite the stressful job, there were many obvious benefits that came with it! Now a days I dream of the luxuries of body scrubs, facials and waxing. Oh, how the grass is always greener! That being said, all the benefits (and silky smooth skin) in the world won’t compare to working at a job I love. And I LOVE being a designer. I feel so fortunate to run my own business with the chance to be creative every day. But since life needs balance, and silky smooth skin; I mix up a batch of this Vanilla Olive Oil Sugar Scrub from time to time. It’s the perfect way to pamper myself in the comfort of my own home. And with New Years Eve this weekend, I fully plan to use this scrub from head to toe. After all, baring ones winter legs in a little cocktail dress is never a fun experience! Let the exfoliation begin.
{photos by Freutcake}
Vanilla Olive Oil Sugar Scrub
1/2 cup granulated (white) sugar
2 cups Turbinado sugar (sugar in the raw)
1 Tablespoon honey
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 Tablespoon Vanilla extract (or your favorite essential oil)
Directions: Combine the two sugars in a bowl and mix to incorporate. Add olive oil and stir. Mix in honey and vanilla. Store in an airtight jar and enjoy!
* This is a coarse scrub, if you would like a more gentle scrub you can substitute brown sugar for the turbinado sugar.
* Always exfoliate before shaving to prevent irritation and achieve a better shave.
* You may add more olive oil to your jar after packing if you desire a different consistency.
* Oil will settle in the jar so stir before using.
* I do not recommend using this scrub on your face. It is intended for use on the body only.
I LOVE being a kitchen beautician. I’m totally going to make this. I usually make a sea salt scrub but this sounds much lovelier.
Love the term “kitchen beautician”!
I love making home made scrubs but I’ve never used honey! I’m going to try this
Yes! Honey is supposed to be a natural antioxidant and have anti-microbial properties. Aside from that…it smells great!
love your photos!!
xx, k
What are the differences between using salt and sugar? And Q for a pro: why doesn’t sugar (or salt) dissolve in the oil eventually?
Hi Charlotte, here is some good info on the differences and benefits of both salt and sugar! http://www.buzzle.com/articles/sugar-scrub-vs-salt-scrub.html
Personally I prefer sugar because my skin tends to be more sensitive.
its very scientific salt is polar and oil is non polar it is impossible for a nonpolar element to doisolve a polar solute.
Mmm, I can just imagine how nice this is. I’ve fallen in love with making these this year, I even made a bunch of sugar scrubs to give away this year. I love the vanilla olive oil combo, especially with a fragrant olive oil – I bet it’s so nice!
Hi Leah!
I’m new to your blog and found this recipe via pinterest. I tried it and it’s amazing!!
I posted it on my blog today to share it with all my friends. Happy New Year!
This scrub looks scrumptious! I love mixing up a bunch of ingredients and using it on my body and I’ll definitely follow your recipe
What a great way to pamper yourself! It probably makes a great gift too.
Yes this would make an excellent gift!
Great recipe to rejuvenate winter skin. Refreshing, thank you!
Um.. I know this is dumb but when you say mix is that just with a spoon or do you use an actual mixer?
Hi! Just with a spoon is fine.
Thank you so much: ) I am so excited to have found this page and your whole site
I’m happy you are here! Thanks for reading!
I just made it and it’s wonderful and beautiful. I don’t think I’ll ever buy another scrub again.
Good to hear someone loves it as much as I do!
Thanks for the sweet comment.
Love the scrub, and the photos are awesome!
Thank you Angela!
Nice homemade scrub. It looks so delicious. It’s hard to know whether to eat it or to bake with it.
It smells delicious as well!
One small question, how long could this be stored for?
Good question! Because none of the ingredients need to be refrigerated it can store for a while. Of course oil will go rancid with time but I always seem to use up my batch of scrub before that happens! I keep mine in an air tight container in the shower and it usually lasts me two weeks before I use it all up. As for long term storing I have not tested that.
Thanks so much! That is a big help ^-^
I have been buying Vanilla Sugar products for years. This is going to feed my addiction! I love that it’s a recipe with ordinary products – not hard-to-find ingredients. Tweeted & FBed! Thanks, Leah.
Should I use a regular body wash/ soap after this to rinse off?
Hi Rachel- That is up to you if you would like to use body wash afterwards.
Hi. I was just wondering if you can use a loofah or sponge with this scrub and if you know a good face sugar face scrub? My skin gets so dry in the winter. Thanks
Hi Emily- I personally do not use a loofah or sponge but just apply it directly with my hands. If your face gets dry you should try this recipe for moisturizing avocado mask that I posted! Make sure to add the coconut oil for added moisture. http://www.freutcake.com/in-the-kitchen/winter-avocado-mask/ Hope that helps!
Holy cow. This is great! I used to have a book that had hundreds of pages of skin and hair care recipes. I have to make this happen this week!
Thanks for the post, lady!
I just made this- and tried it on my hands, feels great. A little oily at first, but I washed my hands with regular soap after and they are so soft now. I don’t really like the smell, because all I can smell is olive oil…But I love the effects!
Might be dumb but what happens if used on face?
It’s too abrasive for your face and would likely irritate your skin.
What a lovely scrub! This may be a silly question but what size jar did you use and where did you find that adorable square jar?
Hi Allie,
I think I got this jar a few years back at Walmart! This is a similar jar that I found on their website. http://tinyurl.com/73ajl53 I like it because it has a tightly sealed lid.
I’m going to make this but the jar I want to use doesn’t have a lid! Do you think it’s ok to leave it without a lid?
I would not leave it out without a lid. You can always store it in a tupperware container with a lid.
Is there something I can use in place of the honey?
You can just leave it out completely if you would like.
I love the idea of homemade beauty products. There’s nothing better than being able to control what you put on your body. Thanks for the recipe!
Could you sub the olive oil with sunflower oil? Just wondering! Love the idea of sugar scrub! Why spend our valuable money on it, when we can make our own!!!
I haven’t tried sunflower oil. I use olive oil because of it’s benefits to the skin including vitamins A and E.
Just made this and can’t wait to use it! I’ll also be writing about it on my blog today as well so check it out!
Just posted about it if you want to see! And dont’ worry, I gave you credit for the recipe!
Thanks again, its so cold in France right now, this has been making my day everyday!
i love this! i’m definitely going to try it.
Just made this scrub with coconut and sandalwood essential oils and I LOVE it! Thanks for the tutorial
oooh! Coconut & sandalwood sound divine! I must try that.
would baby food jars work? If so how many do you think one batch will fill?
Thank you soooo much for this! I actually made a batch of these as gifts this year and everybody loved it! The smell is divine!
Warm hugs!