DIY Holiday Gift Idea: Peppermint Sugar Scrub

If you’re a female human being you’ve most likely received a basket of bath products during the holidays, or may have even purchased one yourself for a family member as a last-minute gift when you had no idea what to get her. If you aren’t feeling thoughtful after many years of holidays, why not get crafty and create your own beauty products? Fun and easy to make, sugar scrubs are fantastic gifts, especially when they come with a personal touch.

You’ll need just a few basic ingredients for your sugar scrub: sugar, your oil of choice (coconut oil works great), and an essential oil to scent your scrub — peppermint is perfect for the holidays.

These three ingredients can be found in your local grocery store, though an organic market such as Whole Foods or Earth Fare will be your best bet for a wider selection of essential oils.

If you’re sticking with coconut oil as your main oil, you’ll find it helpful to microwave it for about 15 seconds so that it softens, since it’s solid at room temperature. Once that’s done, mix it in a bowl with the sugar and essential oil until the consistency of the scrub is to your liking.

The texture of the scrub is up to you — there’s no set ratio for your ingredients, though having your scrub feel more grainy than oily is preferred, since a coarse texture makes it better for exfoliating. Sugar scrubs are typically used on dry hands and feet.

As for packaging your scrub, half-pint mason jars complete the look of a lovely homemade gift. Personalize it further by wrapping twine around the jar, or decorate it to your heart’s content.

Ingredients

1/2 cup coconut oil

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 tablespoon essential oil