Rosemary Mint Sugar Scrub
This Rosemary Mint Sugar Scrub is perfect for homemade gifting. This homemade sugar scrub exfoliates and moisturizes dry winter skin while offering a pleasant and invigorating aroma to a tired body in the morning. Read on to learn everything you need to know about how to make this sugar scrub recipe, the benefits of using it, and gifting ideas.
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Homemade Sugar Scrub Recipe
Not only is it incredibly easy and fast whip up a batch of homemade sugar scrub for yourself, but jars of homemade sugar scrubs also make great hostess gifts for any occasion.
This coconut oil sugar scrub recipe is something you’ll want to take note of for the upcoming holiday season, but don’t forget to pamper yourself once in a while too!
What Does Sugar Scrub Do
There are several sugar scrub benefits when using this recipe. Here are some of the ways using this luxurious sugar scrub will improve the appearance of your skin:
- Sugar is a natural exfoliant and helps remove dead skin cells.
- Oil is a natural humectant and helps to seal moisture into the skin.
- Between removing dry, dead skin cells and improved moisture, you’ll experience super soft skin when using this!
- Massaging the scrub in a circular motion can improve blood flow by increasing your blood circulation.
Save this Easy Sugar Scrub Recipe to Pinterest!
Sugar Scrub Ingredients
To make a batch of this homemade rosemary mint sugar scrub for gifting purposes, you’ll need just a few things.
- Granulated Sugar
- Sea Salt, Kosher Salt, or Epsom Salt
- Carrier Oil (I used coconut oil)
- Pure Essential Oils
- Pretty Mason Jar (I love Weck Jars!)
- Ribbon and/or Tags
For the complete ingredient list and detailed instructions to make this DIY sugar body scrub, scroll to the bottom of this post for the FREE printable recipe card.
What is a Carrier Oil?
A carrier oil is a base oil that is added to this rosemary mint homemade sugar scrub recipe.
Carrier Oils You Can Use in Sugar Scrubs
Carrier oil options include oils such as:
- Fractionated coconut oil (liquid, not solid)
- Jojoba Oil
- Sweet almond oil
- Grapeseed oil
- Sunflower
- Vegetable oil
- Light olive oil
What is the Best Oil to Use for DIY Sugar Scrubs
I like to make this sugar scrub recipe with coconut oil or jojoba oil the best, but you can use whatever carrier oil you prefer or a combination of a few.
Sweet almond oil adds a nice scent. When using this recipe for rosemary mint sugar scrub as a gift, make sure you are aware of any allergies when choosing the carrier oil. For example, you wouldn’t want to use sweet almond oil for someone who has a tree nut allergy.
For more about the benefits and uses of coconut oil, check out these 7 Easy Ways to Use Coconut Oil in your Beauty Routine.
Essential Oils for Homemade Sugar Scrub
Pure Essential Oils need to be diluted with a carrier oil because they are too strong to use full strength to moisten the sugar/salt scrub portion of the mixture alone.
If you are using this homemade sugar recipe for gifting purposes, please be aware of your your receiver’s personal and/or family allergies when choosing carrier and pure essential oils.
Save this How-To for Rosemary Mint Sugar Scrub to Pinterest!
How to Make Sugar Scrub
It’s simple to make homemade sugar scrubs! In a bowl, combine the sugar/salt with the oil in a 2:1 ratio. Meaning, for every 2 cups of salt or sugar (or a combo) you’ll add 1 cup of your choice of carrier oil.
Stir those well, then add a few drops of your desired pure essential oil or oils until you achieve the scent strength you want.
Package the scrub in a pretty jar, tie it with a bow and attach a tag or label (if desired) and you’re ready! It takes just a few minutes. It is fun to come up with different scent blends by combining small amounts of different coordinating essential oils.
For this particular batch I chose Rosemary Mint as my scent combo. Mint and Rosemary combine for a pleasant aroma and are invigorating to the entire body in the morning.
The above is simply a quick summary of this simple sugar scrub recipe. Check out the full recipe in the free printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for all the detailed instructions.
Tips for Making the Best DIY Sugar Scrub Recipe
- I like a combination of sugar and salt in my scrubs. You can use all salt or all sugar if you desire. The choice is up to you. Experiment to see what you prefer.
- I recommend using granulated sugar rather than raw sugar or turbinado sugar. It provides a more gentle exfoliation which is better for sensitive skin.
- For a gentler scrub, leave out the salt and replace with extra granulated sugar.
- Be careful with citrus essential oils if you plan to spend time in the sun after using this homemade body scrub. Citrus oils, such as lemon essential oil, can cause skin sensitivity in the sun.
Adapting this DIY Sugar Scrub
Use this as a basic recipe and substitute your favorite essential oils according to your personal preference to create new scent combinations.
How to Store this Sugar Scrub Recipe
I like the cute little Weck Jars for gifting, but you can use any canning jar as a cute container when gifting homemade sugar scrub.
If the finished product is for yourself, you might like Ball Plastic 8-Ounce Freezer Jars or another plastic airtight container for practical shower storage.
Disclaimer: Copyright Good Life Eats. For personal use only.
Printable Labels for Sugar Scrub
Click the image above to download your own printable rosemary mint sugar scrub gift tags.
These homemade sugar scrub labels are shareable, however I ask that you please credit appropriately and link directly to this post, not the printable file.
To Use: Print the rosemary mint sugar scrub labels on card stock, cut out, and attach the label to the jar with a pretty ribbon through a punched hole.
You can also print on Avery® White Full-Sheet Labels, cut out, and stick to the jar if you prefer that way of labeling.
Try this Sugar Scrub Recipe at Home!
Next time you’re looking for recipes to make your own sugar body scrubs, give this Rosemary Mint Body Scrub a try!
Did you love learning how to make a sugar scrub? Leave a comment below and give this DIY recipe a review for others to see what you thought of it.
On Instagram? Share your photo and tag me with @goodlifeeats and #goodlifeeatsrecipes. I’d love to see your photo of your body scrub!
More Easy Homemade Sugar Scrub Recipes
Lemon Sugar Scrub with Salt is great for use in the kitchen! I love it to remove dry skin and odors from the hands while leaving the skin moisturized.
Vanilla Lavender Sugar Scrub features vanilla scented sugar and dried lavender buds.
More Homemade Beauty Ideas
A Lavender Eucalyptus Green Tea Detox Bath is a great way to rejuvenate the mind, body, and skin. Read all about why detox baths work and tips for the best, most beneficial detox bath. Package it up pretty for a nice homemade gift.
These DIY Moisturizing Bath Bombs only contain 4 ingredients, are incredibly simple to make and are perfect for soothing dry, scaly, itchy winter skin. Homemade Bath Bombs will look like a special luxury spa item.
1-Ingredient Whipped Coconut Oil is a fantastic, all-natural, chemical-free addition to your regular beauty routine. It stays light and smooth unlike solid coconut oil. You can fancy it up by adding some essential oils to scent it and packaging it nicely.
Don’t see what you’re looking for here? You can always head over to check out the recipe index to look for more recipes.
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Rosemary Mint Sugar Scrub
This Rosemary Mint Sugar Scrub is perfect for homemade gifting.
It exfoliates and moisturizes dry winter skin while offering a pleasant and invigorating aroma to a tired body in the morning.
Materials
For the Scrub
- 1 1/2 cups Sugar
- 1/2 cup Kosher or Epsom Salt
- 1 cup Carrier Oil, such as Fractionated Coconut Oil
- 5-10 drops Rosemary Essential Oil
- 5-10 Drops Peppermint Essential Oil
Tools
- Mixing Bowl
- Spoon
- Jars
- Adhesive Labels
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine the sugar, salt, and fractionated coconut oil.
- Stir until well mixed.
- Add 2 drops each of rosemary and peppermint pure essential oil.
- Stir until the scent is evenly distributed throughout the sugar and salt mixture. Add the scrub to a jar and tighten the lid to seal.
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Bethany says
Can I use drops of vanilla instead of using real beans/pods?
Katie says
I prefer scenting the sugar with vanilla bean pods as I’m not sure how vanilla extract would react with the skin in a scrub. You don’t have to actually add any vanilla bean, just scent the sugar like here: Simple and Inexpensive Hostess Gifts – Recipe for Vanilla Scented Sugar
Jessica Jones-Hughes says
I made this awesome scrub with a few tweeks (only used peppermint essential oil and did a bit of cirtus zest). I gave it as gifts, and the one I kept for myself turned really hard and unusable in about a month. I’m wondering if you have tips to revive the scrub? I assume I should have mixed it in between every use? THanks!
Katie says
Hi Jessica – sorry that happened. I really can’t say because I’ve never had that experience and have made this scrub many times. Maybe next time try adding a bit more oil to the combination. Might depend on what brand of oil you’re using. I’ve never deliberately mixed it in between uses – just usually stick my hand in the jar and grab a handful out.
Yankee Homestead says
For what it’s worth, a friend gave me a scrub that stays hard all the time. It’s not a problem; I just use a rigid measuring spoon to scrape a bit out. When I apply it to my hands and rub it around, it softens right up. I also add a little warm water. My scrub contains regular coconut oil, which is probably why it solidifies.
Kelly says
I also just made this using grapeseed oil and I LOVE it! I have made lemon and orange-clove scrubs using your olive oil recipe and I definitely prefer the lighter scent of the grapeseed oil. The lighter color is also nice. I incorporated some dried rosemary and dried mint leaves from my garden. It looks and smells beautiful!
Katie says
Just made this – so simple and quick! I’m giving it to one of my friends for Christmas. Ended up using grapeseed oil instead of refractionated coconut oil and it turned out perfectly.
Jennifer Hussaini says
So excited to make this with the kids tomorrow, however I have purchased rosemary in powder form at my local spice shop…how do you think it will work instead of using oil?
Katie says
I’ve never used rosemary powder. Best advice I can offer is start small and add more if you need to. Better than adding too much to begin with. Let me know how it goes!
Jennifer Hussaini says
I used about 2 tsp of rosemary powder and it gave just a hint of rosemary smell, its perfect!! Thanks so much…Merry Christmas!
shannon says
I just got done making this, i made and orange and lemon, a vanilla and orange (it smells like a creamsicle), a lavander and rosemary. they smell so good thank you for the info
MrsWJAA says
I wonder if it would work if you used a homemade infusion oil instead of carrier + essential oils?
I think it would be a cheaper method for those that are able to plan ahead and have a supply of fresh mint/rosemary (or lavender would be nice).
All you would have to do is bruise a few fresh sprigs (washed and COMPLETELY dried), place them in a sterilized bottle, and pour the carrier oil over. Let set for a couple of weeks or so, then strain the oil into a different sterilized container (to keep the vegetation from ruining the oil).
Erin says
Hi Katie! I am planning to make this over the weekend and have a question about the oils. Why is fractionated coconut oil better than regular? I actually purchased the sweet almond oil you linked to since I the fractionated coconut oil was so expensive, but I’m wondering if it will be ‘runnier’ (as alluded to in one of the comments above) since coconut oil is solid at room temperature in its original state…
Katie says
I like the fractionated coconut oil because it is odorless and colorless. The brand I purchase is through doTERRA because I have a wholesale membership to purchase it at a 25% discount (if you’re interested in that email me at goodlife.eats@yahoo.com and I’ll tell you how you can get one too. I get all my oils through them).
I don’t have experience with other brands of fractionated coconut oil so I can’t comment on that. I didn’t feel that my scrub was runny but you can always remedy that by adding more salt and sugar if you want a thicker scrub. If possible I shy away from almond oil since I know some people have nut allergies. Hope I answered your question.
Jan says
This looks amazing! I can’t wait to make it! Would olive oil work? Also, where are essential oils sold (in stores)? Or are they mostly sold online?
Thanks! 😉
Katie says
You may use olive oil if you desire, however you will have the smell of that with the smell of the oils since olive oil is not an odorless oil. I purchase my oils through doTERRA because I think they are the highest quality available out there.
Kayla says
What size of jar do your printable labels fit? And is that the size you used for the sugar scrub pictured above?
Katie says
The labels will fit a standard sized canning jar lid. I used an extra small jar for the photo because that is what I had on hand. I would recommend printing the labels first in black and white on regular paper to test the size. If needed, you can shrink the printing size for a smaller label. Alternatively, print them on white card stock, cut them out, and secure around the jar tied to a bow.
Melanie says
I just made this scrub and my hands feel so soft! I plan on making them as Christmas gifts, but before I do so I want to double check on the consistency. Should it look a little runny?
Thank you!
Katie says
Different oils are thicker/more liquid than others. It is completely a personal preference thing. If you want a thicker scrub, just add a bit more salt and sugar until your desired consistency is reached.
lora says
Do you ever use any preservatives? If so, what are the quantities? I have been researching something to add since I’m not sure how long my recipients will use this. Vitamin E was mentioned.. just not sure of quantities.
Katie says
I do not include any preservatives or really know anything about incorporating that into the recipe. It is my understanding that oil is a natural preservative and as long as it is used within several months (because some oils can go rancid) you will not have a problem. There isn’t really anything in the recipe that would spoil quickly and the essential oils that I use are 100% pure and are anti-microbial. I haven’t gifted this to anyone that took longer than a couple of months to use it. If you are especially concerned about that, you could gift smaller jars/quantities. Hope that helps.
Ashleigh says
If I use coconut oil, would it add the coconut scent? I would like to try making a peppermint scented scrub, and I’ve heard a lot about the coconut oil being the best, but don’t want coconut scent in there…
Katie says
The fractionated coconut oil that I purchase through doTERRA does not have any scent.
Rachel says
I have never made a sugar scrub, but I’m thinking of making this for Christmas gifts. I was thinking of chopping up some rosemary and putting it in there. Is there any reason why this wouldn’t work? Thanks!
Katie says
It would affect the shelf life of the scrub since fresh rosemary is perishable, but other than that it should be fine.
Evolver says
What an awesome idea! I just received a huge rosemary plant. Would I be able let a few sprigs sit in the mixture to infuse the rosemary scent?
Thanks
Katie says
Perhaps if you used the technique for scenting sugar in this post on Vanilla Scented Sugar. It might take longer than a day though to scent it with rosemary. I’m not 100% sure.
Dixie says
Would like to know what this sugar scrub is useful for.
Katie says
To exfoliate dry skin on your body. I use it in the shower.