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I love all things pumpkin and peppermint at this time of year, but this Vanilla Pumpkin Sugar Scrub is my most favorite way to say goodbye to summer and welcome the cooler temps.
I love a lot of things about fall even thought it usually doesn’t last very long. Here in the Midwest, fall usually feels like this…
I seriously have not been able to stop watching and cracking up at that video since I first saw it because it’s sooo accurate!
Fall is such a tease, but while she’s here, I love opening the windows to fill the house will cool, fresh air, getting my diffusers going with some fall scents, and cuddling up under blankets and sweaters. Best. Season. Ever!
Unfortunately for me, cooler weather usually also means dryer skin so a couple years ago I made my first sugar scrub recipe for Christmas, and I couldn’t believe how much better my skin felt after using it.
It didn’t take long before I ran out so I decided to play around a little, and this yummy new recipe was born.
Other sugar scrub recipes by Happy Organized Life:
- Peppermint Candy Cane Sugar Scrub
- DIY Peppermint Sugar Scrub Recipe
- Gingerbread Sugar Scrub
- Cranberry Sugar Scrub
I made this recipe in two batches so I could color the layers and make it look like candy corn so the white layer is only scented with vanilla.
The Vanilla Pumpkin batch comes out a sandy brown color so if you decide to make both batches and want a pure white layer, it’s a great idea to make the vanilla first so you can reuse the same pot without having to clean in between.
This makes a really great and easy to make gift (like maybe for a fall birthday or Thanksgiving hostess), and because a cute package isn’t complete without a cute label, I made a free printable to go along with it.
It’s available in two different sizes (approximately 1.5 and 3 inches), both of which can be downloaded here.
Ingredients you’ll need
Vanilla Sugar Scrub
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Vanilla Pumpkin Sugar Scrub
- 2 cups sugar
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon ground clove
- optional: red and yellow liquid food coloring
Directions
Vanilla Sugar Scrub
- Heat the coconut oil on the stove until melted.
- Add vanilla extract and stir until fully combined.
- Add vanilla and coconut mixture to the sugar and stir.
Vanilla Pumpkin Sugar Scrub
- Heat the coconut oil on the stove until melted.
- 2. Add spices and vanilla, and stir until fully combined.
- 3. Add liquid to sugar, and stir.
- At this point, the mixture will be a light brown color. It can be used now, if you’d like, or you can divide it into two bowls for coloring
- To create the yellow layer, add 4 drops of yellow food coloring
- To create the orange layer, add 4 drops of yellow and 3 drops of red*
This small amount of food coloring in the scrub will not stain your skin.
*Since this post was originally published in 2014, I’ve personally become more careful about what we put in and on our bodies so if that is also a concern of yours, you can look into natural food dyes as an alternative to food coloring.
Happy Pumpkin season!
Leslie
I’ve found my fall gifts! I bet this smells so good too. Thanks for sharing.
Emily
You’re so welcome. They smell amazing! The spice mix was good on its own, but adding the vanilla really brought it all together. I’d love to hear how people like it 🙂
Leigh Anne
I bet this smells amazing! Thanks for sharing at Link It or Lump It this week!
Emily
Thanks, Leigh Anne. It’s definitely my new favorite recipe.
Julie S.
Sounds like a good DIY tip, I’ll go check out the full post.
Emily
Thanks, Julie. I hope you love it.
laura @eye candy creative studio
loving the scrub, I can only imagine how fabulous it smells. Why is it computers can’t offer a smell-ivision? lol Found you on the TT&J link party & wanted to check you out! Nice to meet you! 😉
Emily
Great to meet you, Laura! Smell-ivision would be great (for most things haha). I hope you’ll let me know what you think if you try it. I’ve really been enjoying it, but I’m a sucker for all things pumpkin spiced.
Momma Court
I can’t find the recipe 🙁
Emily
The recipe’s being shared at Smart School House. You can find it here: http://www.smartschoolhouse.com/diy-crafts/vanilla-pumpkin-sugar-scrub/2
Heather NC
I just want to say thanks for sharing this. Pumpkin, or anything pumpkin is my favorite especially the coffee flavored. I am so excite about this but where is this recipe at on your site? I can’t locate it?
Emily
Thanks, Heather! From one pumpkin fan to another, I’m happy to say this recipe won’t disappoint. The recipe’s featured on the Smart School House site. The link is in the post and right here: http://www.smartschoolhouse.com/diy-crafts/vanilla-pumpkin-sugar-scrub/2 I hope you love it!
Shann Eva
Great gift idea! Thank you for linking up at #HomeMattersParty and hope to see you again soon!
Tana
Thanks so much for sharing! I bet it smells amazing. We have a blog hop Wed-Sun and would love to have you! https://www.floydfamilyhomestead.com/
Emily
Thanks, Tana! I’m not going to lie… it really smell amazing! 🙂
sahana
What a perfect scrub for fall! Thank you for sharing with us at #HomeMattersParty . We would love to have you again next week.
Emily
Thanks, Sahana! It really is a great, easy to make recipe.
Patty
You can’t help but feel like! you’re in the midst of the fall season using a pumpkin spiced sugar rub. I can almost taste it! It definitely would be a great gift, thanks for the idea.
Mother of 3
I love fall and I love sugar scrubs! Thanks for sharing.
Emily
Me too! It’s my favorite time of the year 🙂 I’m off to check out your blog now. We’ve just started unschooling, and I love reading about what others are doing!
Grandmas House DIY
This looks divine! Our To grandma’s house we go link party starts over at our place tomorrow morning, would love to see you there!
Nicole
Great idea! Thank you for sharing your blog post with us at the #HomeMattersParty this week. Hope to see you link up again when the party opens on Friday at midnight EST!
Emily
Thanks, Nicole!