I’ve been making some more homemade body scrubs, and I might be a little obsessed with all the different things we can use to make them. So today, I’m sharing four delightful new brown sugar scrub recipes.
First up is a scrub that’s all about indulging in the natural goodness of honey without using actual honey – say hello to my Sugar & Honey Powder Scrub.
Benefits Of This Homemade Sugar Scrub
I’m in love with the benefits and the texture of honey in my skincare recipes. So, I wanted to make something that has the essence of honey but is also very practical and simple to use
But why honey powder, you ask?
Well honey is a marvel in skincare, known for its moisturizing and soothing properties. However, using actual honey in DIY scrubs can be sticky and tricky to work with.
That’s where honey powder comes in! It provides all the sweet benefits of honey minus the mess. Combined with the gentle exfoliation of brown sugar, this scrub is a dream for anyone seeking a soft, radiant complexion.
In this unique formula, we’ve blended honey powder with nourishing sunflower oil, ensuring your skin is left feeling supple and moisturized. Polysorbate 80 is our secret ingredient to make sure the scrub washes off cleanly without leaving any oily residue.
Vitamin E adds an antioxidant boost, and the honey fragrance oil envelops you in a subtle, comforting aroma that’s like a warm, sweet embrace for your skin. But we also need a preservative to keep the product fresh and safe for every use.
Ingredient Insights:
Sugar & Honey Powder
Our scrub begins with the sweet combination of brown sugar and honey powder. Brown sugar, with its natural humectant properties, helps ensure proper exfoliation that, in turn, also helps your skin retain moisture, making it smoother and softer.
I prefer using brown sugar as my exfoliant, but you can also use white cane sugar or fine salt here for a different texture.
The honey powder adds antibacterial, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties, excellent for soothing and calming irritated skin.
Sunflower Oil
I’m using sunflower oil here; it’s a beautiful, lightweight oil that absorbs quickly. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, is ideal for skin irritations, and works well in controlling excess oil production.
Sunflower oil is gentle on the skin, so it is suitable for all skin types.
If you don’t have sunflower oil, try jojoba, olive, sweet almond, grapeseed, or apricot kernel oil; they are all excellent carrier oil options.
Also, you need to use raw sunflower oil intended for use in cosmetics. Not the everyday refined versions; they don’t really work as well.
Polysorbate 80
Polysorbate 80 helps the scrub wash off easily, leaving your skin clean and preventing a slippery shower surface. If you’re considering an alternative, more of the chosen carrier oil can be used. However, it may result in a richer, oilier scrub.
Vitamin E
The recipe is enriched with Vitamin E, a potent antioxidant that helps protect the skin but also keeps the oils in our scrub stable. If you’re looking for a substitute, a small amount of rosemary CO2 extract could be used, but remember, its potent nature requires it to be used sparingly.
Honey Fragrance Oil
To complete the sensory experience, we’ve infused the scrub with honey fragrance oil, creating a subtle and comforting scent that elevates the scrubbing ritual. For those seeking a different aroma, natural CO2 extract like vanilla can be a wonderful substitute, maintaining the sweet theme.
Preserving Sugar Scrubs
A preservative is key in maintaining the longevity and safety of our scrub, especially important in products exposed to wet environments. If you wish to switch it up, ensure the alternative is a broad-spectrum preservative compatible with the product’s formulation.
Quick Substitution Guide
Exfoliant (Brown Sugar): Use white sugar for a less intense exfoliation. Fine sea salt can also be used, but expect a coarser scrub.
Key Active Ingredient (Honey Powder): If unavailable, you can use dried milk powder or finely ground oatmeal for similar soothing properties.
Carrier Oil (Sunflower Oil): Grapeseed oil, almond oil, or jojoba oil, all have excellent moisturizing benefits.
Emulsifier (Polysorbate 80): Consider using Polysorbate 20, though the consistency and rinse-off experience might not be the same.
Antioxidant (Vitamin E): Rosemary CO2 extract can be used in small quantities as an alternative.
Fragrance (Honey Fragrance Oil): Other natural fragrance oils or essential oils. Try vanilla or almond, keeping to the sweet theme.
Preservative: If substituting, make sure it’s a broad-spectrum preservative suitable water content and pH, such as Optiphen Plus.
Crafting Your Own Sugar Scrub
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Equipment
- Mixing Bowl (Glass, Aluminium or PET)
- Spoon or Spatula
Ingredients
- 130 g Brown Sugar
- 8 g Honey Powder
- 36 g Sunflower Oil
- 20 g Polysorbate 80
- 2 g Vitamin E Oil
- 2 g Honey Fragrance Oil
- 2 g Preservative
- Cosmetic Jar 8oz (200g)
Video
Instructions
- Place the brown sugar and honey powder into a good-sized mixing bowl. Stir until combined and then set it to one side.130 g Brown Sugar, 8 g Honey Powder
- In a separate container, mix the Sunflower Oil, Polysorbate 80, vitamin E, honey fragrance oil, and preservative.36 g Sunflower Oil, 20 g Polysorbate 80, 2 g Vitamin E Oil, 2 g Honey Fragrance Oil, 2 g Preservative
- Pour the oils into the bowl containing the sugar and honey powder. Stir well until thoroughly blended. If you prefer your scrub to be more runny you can add a little more oil. For a dryer scrub, you can add a little more sugar.
- Spoon into a suitable container, PET, glass, or aluminum jars are perfect. Store in a cool dark place ready for use.Cosmetic Jar 8oz
How To Use
- Prep: Start with clean, damp skin. Warm water helps to open up pores and prepares your skin.
- Apply Scrub: Scoop out a generous amount and apply it to your skin, focus on areas that need extra exfoliation, elbows, knees, heels.
- Massage Gently: Massage the scrub onto your skin using circular motions, but remember to be gentle. The scrubbing action of the sugar will do most of the work, no need to apply too much pressure. This gentle massage helps to remove dead skin cells and stimulates circulation.
- Rinse Off: After thoroughly scrubbing, rinse off with warm water.
- Dry and Moisturize: Gently pat your skin dry with a towel. Follow up with your favorite DIY lotion to keep your skin hydrated. The scrub already contains nourishing oils, but a moisturizer will help to lock in hydration.
Frequency of Use: 1-2 times weekly to maintain smooth, soft skin. Regular use helps in removing dead skin cells and promoting healthy skin regeneration.
Important Safety Note: Be cautious when using oil-based scrubs in the shower, as they can make surfaces slippery. The recipe does have plysorbate 80 to combat this but consider using a non-slip mat for extra safety.
Cool Variations To Try
You can use many botanical powders instead of honey, cranberry, raspberry, lemon, orange lavender, and calendula, nettle. All have unique skin properties. Try pairing them with a matching aroma.
3 More Sugar Scrub Recipes
Morning Glory – A DIY Coffee Scrub For Body
My personal ode to the magic of coffee, this DIY coffee scrub not just for waking up our minds but also for cleansing and exfoliating our skin.
Lavender Sugar Scrub Recipe – A Delight For Your Senses
This lavender sugar scrub recipe is a powerhouse of skin-loving goodness. that gently exfoliates, leaving your skin feeling soft, smooth, and rejuvenated.
A DIY Body Scrub For Dry Skin
More than just a skincare product, this homemade body scrub for dry skin is a reflection of my journey with dry skin and my commitment to finding a soothing solution.
Final Thoughts
Ok, that’s a wrap; from the gentle exfoliation of brown sugar and honey powder to the soothing touch of sunflower oil, this brown sugar scrub is a beautiful treat for your skin.
The use of honey powder and honey fragrance oil brings the essence of honey to life in a non-sticky, easy-to-use format. I hope this scrub leaves your skin feeling luxuriously soft and moisturized and brings a moment of sweet indulgence to your daily routine!
Look at this recipe as a canvas for your creativity, and feel free to experiment with the substitutions above or tweak the proportions to suit your skin’s needs.
Thank you for joining me on this sweet skincare journey; I hope you enjoy the sugar scrub recipe as much as I do.
