Yesterday I made myself a batch of Vanilla Sugar Body Scrub. I found the recipe over on Freutcake yonks ago and as my skin has been looking a little dull lately, I thought I’d give it a try. This recipe comes together fast and so it’s great when you suddenly feel the urge to pamper your skin like I did.
I did make a few substitutions based on what I had in my cupboards which the recipe below reflect. However, if you’d like to see Leah’s original recipe (it includes some additional tips and advice both in the post and comments), you can find it right here.
Vanilla Sugar Body Scrub
Original recipe by Leah of Freutcake (with a few subs)
1/2 cup white, granulated sugar
2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup sunflower oil
1 tbsp honey
1 tbsp vanilla extract
Combine and mix both sugars until they are blended. Stir in sunflower oil until it’s completely incorporated and then mix in honey and vanilla. Pop it in an airtight jar and you’re done!
Easy!
I did a hand test with this yesterday by only exfoliating one hand so I could test the results. I could definitely feel/see a huge difference. My skin looked much brighter and was smooth all day. In fact, my skin on the one hand was still softer this morning.
Today I did a full test by using it all over my body, including my face. Hello silky smooth skin! I can’t stop touching myself (that sounds way kinkier than it is). My skin feels so moisturized and supple. The sugar just melts into your skin as you apply it and leaves it feeling refreshed. Once you’ve rinsed the scrub off, your skin will feel a wee bit oily but that is soon absorbed once you towel off and your skin has had a chance to absorb it more. I was concerned about it leaving my face oily (it does a fine job of that on it’s own) but it’s absolutely fine, even after applying make up.
RE: Using this on my face
As I used regular brown sugar which has a fine grain, this is a very gentle scrub. So, I didn’t think it would be too abrasive for use on my face and it wasn’t. I also didn’t use much – maybe 1/2 tsp or so. However, if you use the turbinado sugar recommended by Leah, she doesn’t advise it be used on your face as it could be too coarse.
In terms of the vanilla scent coming through, when I first mixed up the batch, I could barely smell it. But, once covered and left to marinate so to speak, the vanilla scent does get stronger. That said, I can’t really smell it on my skin after using it so any men in your life possibly adverse to smelling like vanilla could definitely use this too. I’m sure J will. He likes a bit of pampering too!
If you make yourself a batch, make sure you store it in a vessel big enough to allow you to stir it easily. The oil does settle over time and so you’ll want to whip it around quickly to blend it all again. I also read online somewhere that if you’re using your hands to scoop this out, you might want to store it in the fridge when not in use to keep bacteria at bay. I’m no pro at this so do whatever you feel comfortable with. I plan on storing it in the fridge just in case.
The scent options for this body scrub are endless. I’m going to make a batch using almond extract next time. And wouldn’t this scrub make for a perfect gift? Grab some masons jars, print some cute labels and then wrap a little jute twine around it for the perfect handmade finish. With Mother’s Day just around the corner, give it go!
Hi , how long can i keep? If i would like to make more, what can i do to keep it longer?
Hi Ivy,
To be honest, I’m not sure how long this would keep as this was my first time making it. I had mine in the fridge for approximately 3 weeks and it was just fine. I would definitely keep it in the fridge regardless just to be safe.
I’d also like to note that I used grapeseed oil in lieu of sunflower seed.
I love this scrub! My skin feels so so soft, and I can’t wait to jar it up and send it home for Christmas presents! Thank you so much for the recipe :)
So glad you liked the scrub Whitney. I need to make another batch myself. Haven’t used it in a while.
I was wondering if you needed to use brown sugar?
Hey, this is Jessica from last week. I just made it with the olive oil alternative, and it’s great! Thanks so much!
This looks so great! I did get a sea salt scrub from Bath & Body Works, but I’m running out, so this is perfect!
I was just wondering if the sunflower oil could be substituted with a different oil (i.e. vegetable oil, olive oil, etc.)
If you could get back to me on that, that would be so great! Thank you!
Hi Jessica, I’m pretty new to making beauty recipes at home so can’t confirm about the vegetable oil, but I know for sure that olive oil would be a great substitute. Let me know if you give it a go and what you think. Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see you again. :)
I love the smell of vanilla and this looks really easy. Thanks.
I made it and all i can say is wow! It turned out a bit darker than I expected but it is still awesome! :)
So glad to hear you liked it Lydia! I’ve been using it every day and so I’m almost out. Can’t wait to make another. Going to try something different this time though. :)
WOW! I love this idea! I can’t wait to try it! I was just wondering if it would be possible to add anything else instead of vanilla? Does it have to be liquid?
Hi Lydia, for sure you can take out the vanilla. It’s really just there to add a nice scent. You could sub in another liquid but it’s not essential as there is enough moisture from the oil.
I was wondering if I could use vitamin E oil instead of sunflower oil?
Hi Alison, to be honest I’m not sure. I know it’s good for your skin but I’m not sure if you should substitute it for the full amount of oil or just a potion. Sorry I can’t be of more help. I’m new to this. :)
Hi
I was wondering if I have to use the honey or if I could leave that out?
But otherwise I love the scrub!!
Hi Alice, I’m sure leaving out the honey will be fine. Let me know if you try it. Hope to see you again!
yay! i just whipped this up! thanks for posting i’m going to maybe make some of these as gifts for my friends.
Hi Krys, so glad to hear you gave the scrub a try. Hope you and your friends like it. Thanks for stopping by. :)
Hi! Just bumped into this blog, via craftgawker, and I am already in love!
Beautiful pics, and mood, love the vanilla sugar scrub idea, I’ll defintely try it!
roberta
Hi Roberta, thank you so much for your kind words about my blog. Let me know if you give the scrub a try. I’ve been using it every other day and really love it. Hope to see you again.
Gotta be honest, I bet this scrub would be good for my taste buds, too ;)
Well I did do a taste test as well and I wouldn’t complain if I happened to get some in my mouth. ;)
Do u need to use sunflower oil or could u use a different oil instead? Like vegetable oil?
Hi Cassy, I’m not sure about the vegetable oil. I’m new to making beauty recipes at home so don’t feel knowledgeable enough to advise. I’d do some research into what oils are okay for use on the skin before you go ahead and substitute it. The original recipe calls for olive oil if you have that lying around.