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Winter can be brutal on our skin, especially if you’ve also been cursed with sensitive skin like I am. What better way to take care of your skin than with a little pampering in the shower with an easy to make sugar scrub?
A few months ago I saw an episode of The Doctors in which one doctor recommended using a sugar scrub so I thought I’d give making some a try. I initially tried the scrub they recommended, sugar and olive oil, but, despite my love for Italian food, I don’t like to walk around smelling like an Italian dinner. I needed a different oil that would moisturize but without leaving an odor. Coconut oil is a great alternative.
In the spirit of the holidays (and my love for peppermint hot chocolate), I added a bit of peppermint essential oil too. I’d much rather smell of peppermint than a spaghetti dinner.
Here’s what you’ll need to make your own Peppermint Candy Cane Sugar Scrub:
- Containers (mine are 12 oz Mason jars)
- Sugar (LOTS of sugar! A single recipe takes 2 whole cups)
- Peppermint Essential Oil (not Peppermint Extract for cooking and baking)
- Coconut Oil
- Coloring (I used frozen raspberry juice, but you could also use food coloring or the juice of a different berry for a different color)
!. Warm 1/3 of a cup of Coconut Oil on the stove until liquefied. (More coconut oil can be added, but too much will make the scrub hard since coconut oil is solid at room temperature. This can easily be remedied in a warm shower by running the jar under warm water and scooping out the desired amount of scrub.)
2. Put 2 cups of sugar into large bowl, liquefied coconut oil, and peppermint oil, and stir.
3. Put half of the sugar and oil mixture into another bowl, add color, and stir. (More or less peppermint oil can be used based on how strong of a scent you’re working to achieve.)
4. Layer the scrub in your container and enjoy! (Compacting the layers a bit will help to keep the colors differentiated.)
This is an extremely easy gift to make, and to make it a little easier I’ve made FIVE different printable label options. Five is a little excessive, but I was on a roll love having options.
You can access this and all of my other free printables by signing up for my newsletter. Just enter your e-mail address in the sidebar right over there —–> After you confirm your subscription, a welcome message will be automatically e-mailed to you soon afterwards with a link to all of my available printables.
I also have to say that I love the mini jar as a stocking stuffer. So cute, but rest assured that no candy canes were injured in the writing of this post.
If you like this, you’ll love my Vanilla Pumpkin Sugar Scrub. It smells amazing!
Are you making any of the gifts this year?
Hey Emily! This sounds like it would feel and smell SO good. I love the minty scrub from Bath and Body but it’s like 30 bucks! It would be way more fun to make some for myself and give them away too. I love the printables! This just might be my gift to my friends this year 🙂
$30?! Ain’t nobody got money for dat! This is what I’m giving away this year. I’ve already warned my family to expect the little ones in their stockings. 🙂
Haha, “no time fo dat” indeed! The end product turns out so cute, I don’t think I’d want to use it (but I bet the peppermint scent is so refreshing). I’m glad no candy canes were injured in the making of this scrub. A candy cane is a terrible thing to waste on a scrub. However, as a stirrer for some hot chocolate…
Ugh, I always mess that up! I always write “FOR dat” or “FOR THAT.” I will never be cool (which my kids remind me of constantly! haha). As for peppermint hot chocolate, it’s my weakness, my kryptonite… that and ice cream.
I love sugar scrubs and this sounds wonderful! I may need to try it for myself and, if I don’t mess it up, I will make it for gifts next year. Thank you so much for sharing this!
I’m sure you won’t screw it up. Honestly, I found them strangely enjoyable to make (probably because they’re so easy). I hope you’ll let me know what you think of it.
I love peppermint foot scrubs. I like the addition of the coconut oil. I will pin this so I have the recipe and remember to try it out.
I’d love to hear how you like it after you try it. I love coconut oil. I can’t believe it took me this long to discover it!
This looks so fun and easy! And the printables are cute as well. Where do you find peppermint oil? I keep looking for it, but I must be missing it. Thanks for linking up to the Do Tell Tuesday link party–see you again next week!
HI Lisa, I got mine on Amazon. Here’s the link: http://www.amazon.com/Peppermint-Essential-Undiluted-Therapeutic-Grade/dp/B005V2UIM2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1387291986&sr=8-2&keywords=peppermint+essential+oil
Thanks for this! I was just thinking yesterday about what I was going to give as little gifts to friends I invite to a Christmas party. This would be perfect for the ladies. I would probably make smaller jars though. Do you know how far in advance you can make them? Do the colors bleed together after a while?
Thanks
Stacy
Hi Stacy,
I made a huge batch and used it for 4-6 months. It’s mainly just sugar and coconut oil, both of which are usually kept at room temperature, so I’d go with the recommendations on the packages when you buy them. As for the colors, they didn’t bleed at all. They did get a little mixed up if I dug my hand in to get some, but overall they had a great shelf life and looked just as good as the day I made them. Please come back and let me know how everyone likes them. I’d love to hear 🙂
Hi, just found this recipe and can’t wait to make it! How many drops of essential oil did you start with?
Just a few, and more if I want a stronger scent. 🙂
I’m planning my sister is laws shower or would love access to the free printable labels for peppermint sugar scrub . thank you
How much peppermint oil do you use?
Hi Bethany, I believe I only put in a few drops. It’s really up to personal preference and how strong you want the scent to be.
Thanks so much for the free printable labels – they were perfect! I used a similar recipe – used olive oil instead of cocunut oil – although to be honest if I did it again, I’d probably use the coconut oil or baby oil because the olive oil turned the sugar slightly off white. Used red food coloring to make the red. I had my 11 year old and 6 year old step kids help make them and they loved it and it was easy enough and fun for them to do. Using them for gifts from them to teachers, girl scout leaders, babysitter, etc. Thanks again!
You’re so welcome, Deidre! Thanks so much for letting me know. I love hearing about how people are using what I share and that the kiddos were able to help! 🙂
How did I miss this one from a few years ago?! lol I’m making this one TODAY! We leave for San Francisco tomorrow and this will make a nice pampering scrub to get my skin silky smooth! Hope all is well with you 🙂
I hope you have a wonderful time in San Francisco! (and with the sugar scrub haha) Sounds like a great trip. 🙂
How many pint jars does this recipe fill? Only one?
Yes, this is for one jar.