This time of year I get a little sugar/salt scrub crazy. For good reason! Using a scrub during the winter months is an awesome way to sloughing off dry, dead skin, increasing circulation, and nourishing the bright new skin you’ve uncovered with quality oils. Winter months give way to dry, dull looking skin due to cold temps outdoors with icy snow and blistering wind, and dry heat indoors that can suck the moisture right out of you. What’s left are rough elbows, cracked feet, and overall lifeless looking skin. Not my best look, that’s for sure.
I also get a little scrub crazy because there are literally endless combinations for sugar and salt scrubs and they make AWESOME gifts! They’re so easy to make, completely customizable for the person you’re gifting, and everyone loves them: friends, family, co-workers, the babysitter, the bus driver, your Pilates instructor. You get the picture. All it takes is a few simple ingredients, a little mixing, and a few special touches to the packaging and you’ve got a homemade gift that is sure to please.
Here are a few of my seasonal favorites, including my favorite jars for beautifully packaged holiday gifts.
Cranberry Almond Oatmeal Scrub
Materials:
- 1/2 cup Cranberries
- 4 tablespoons Oatmeal
- 2 tablespoons Coconut oil
- 2 tablespoon Sweet Almond oil
- 2 tablespoons Brown Sugar
- Plastic Jar and Cap
- Twine and Tag
Directions: Place all of the ingredients in a food processor and blend until all ingredients are completely incorporated. Scoop the mixture into the jar and place the lid securely. Finish with twine and print or handwrite a tag with the simple instructions for use.
To use: Gently rub and massage it onto your damp, moist skin in circular motions. Rinse with warm water, pat your skin dry and follow with a thick, creamy moisturizer.
Almond Orange Peel Oatmeal scrub
Materials:
- 1 cup of Dried Orange peels
- 1 cup of Oatmeal
- 2 tablespoons of Natural, Unsalted Almonds
- 1 teaspoon Sweet Orange Essential Oil
- Coconut Oil (melted)
- Studio Jar and Lid
- Ribbon and Tag
Directions: Place the orange peel, oatmeal, almonds, and essential oil in a food processor and pulse until you achieve a soft, fine mixture. Stir in coconut oil until you’ve reached a soft, slightly wet mixture. This can be more or less wet, depending on what consistency you prefer. Scoop the scrub mixture into the jar and place the lid securely. Finish by tying a ribbon around the lid and placing a tag with the simple instructions for use.
To use: Gently rub and massage it onto your damp, moist skin in circular motions. Rinse with warm water, pat your skin dry and follow with a thick, creamy moisturizer.
Holiday Spice Scrub
Materials:
- 1 cup of Brown Sugar
- 1/4 cup almond oil
- 1 tbsp. vitamin E oil
- 2 tsp. nutmeg
- 2 tsp. ginger
- 2 tsp. cinnamon
- Country Comfort Jar and Lid
- Twine, Ribbon, Tag, etc.
Directions: Place all ingredients in a bowl and stir well, being sure that all ingredients are well blended and completely incorporated. Scoop the scrub mixture into the jar and place the lid securely. Finish by tying a piece of twine or ribbon around the lid and placing a tag with the simple instructions for use.
To use: Gently rub and massage it onto your damp, moist skin in circular motions. Rinse with warm water, pat your skin dry and follow with a thick, creamy moisturizer. (Recipe adapted from makeherup.com)
