A Gift For YOU
One of the most loved products in on our very first website offering was a gift set with a scrumptious cinnamon spice sugar scrub! People who got the gift set used to call me asking to buy just the sugar scrub…by the jar full… it’s THAT good!
Unfortunately in the past 5 years the product line has expanded to the point that we just couldn’t keep everything! Sugar scrubs are something we may come back to, BUT in the mean time we are sharing the recipe with all of you! Believe it or not, it’s a super simple DIY project and it will make a great gift for anyone on your list!
The best part? It’s a great way to reuse the cleaned out candle jars from your Free Reign Wood Wick Candles! We are all about recycling and keeping the earth clean and this is a fabulous way to do it!
Why Sugar Scrubs?
It will make your skin glow! Sugar itself has lots to offer skin. It is a gentle topical abrasive making it a great exfoliant for getting rid of old, or damaged skin cells. It is also a natural Alpha Hydroxy Acid which helps in exfoliation also. Plus, it’s a humectant… meaning it holds in moisture. All this is a plus for making your skin glow!
This scrub recipe doesn’t stop there, however, we also added Sweet Almond Oil. This oil is loaded with beneficial skin properties! It contains high amounts of vitamin E–an antioxidant that helps prevent the collagen damage that causes wrinkles. It’s also high in vitamin A which supports healthy skin cell production. It also stimulates growth of the cells that keep the deep layers of your skin firm and healthy (think opposite of wrinkles.) The next player in line is monosaturated fatty acids. This is where dry skin’s game end. These fatty acids hydrate the skin deeply and help to heal chapped skin. Sweet Almond oil also contains essential building blocks like protein, potassium, and zinc to aid your skin in repairing damage, and keeping healthy.
Sugar Spice and Everything Nice
Do you know the secret ingredient that makes brown sugar different from white sugar? It’s molasses. We specifically chose to use brown sugar in our scrub. No, it’s not the prettiest or the cheapest option but it’s the best. Molasses is loaded with potassium, copper, calcium, and magnesium,all of which are essential minerals for healthy skin. Molasses is also mildly anti-inflammatory and full of antioxidants (wrinkle fighters.)
We also chose NOT to scent our scrub with essential oils but instead to use the ground spices instead. Cinnamon, All Spice, Nutmeg, and Clove all have wonderful benefits for skin BUT they can be mildly irritating (ever noticed the “not for sensitive skin” warning on the back of our Grandma’s Kitchen and Lumber Jack soaps?) In a soap these oils will wash right off but on a scrub that’s designed to penetrate layers of the skin and stay there we wanted to be more cautious but still get all the benefits.
Cinnamon is always anti-inflammatory, antifungal. It’s also been shown effective against certain viruses.
Clove is an antibacterial.
All Spice contains vitamin A, B6 and C, meaning it will moisturize, build collagen and repair damaged skin.
Nutmeg is a natural astringent meaning it tightens skin a closes pores. This makes it a must have for acne sufferers. It is also rumored to reduce the appearance of scarring and dark spots.
Vanilla is another powerful antioxidant with mild anti-inflammatory effects.
Ready to Start Mixing? Here’s the Recipe!
Another great thing about this recipe? If you do any baking at all you probably already have everything you need! Let’s get right down to it!
- 1 Cleaned Out Empty Wood Wick Candle Jar with lid
- 2 cups Packed Brown Sugar
- 3/4 cup Sweet Almond Oil (can also be replaced with Olive Oil, Avocado Oil, or other liquid oil)
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1 tsp Cinnamon
- 1 tsp All Spice
- 1 tsp Nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp Clove
- 1 tsp Vitamin E (optional… but always a huge plus for moisturizing/antioxidant boost!)
Instructions:
1.Put your sugar in a bowl.
2. Add the Almond Oil and combine thoroughly with a spoon.
3. Sprinkle your spices on top and mix again. Make sure you don’t have clumps of spices.
4. Add Vanilla and mix.
5. Add Vitamin E Extract if desired and mix again.
6. Spoon into your cleaned our candle jar. Warning: try not to spoon directly into your mouth it smells delicious but can have devastating effects on the waistline.
7. Pack tightly and try to squish out any air bubbles. Screw the lid on and you’re ready!
Here’s a quick video tutorial to show just how easy this is!
To use:
Apply this scrub in the shower or at the sink for dry hands. To use apply to washed, wet skin in a circular motion rubbing gently against the skin. Then rinse thoroughly. Please note: if using this in the shower the oils can make the tub VERY slippery! Use caution or if giving as a gift be sure to put a note on it about the tub being slippery… you don’t want to accidentally give anyone a trip to the emergency room! This can also be used in the bath if preferred. However you choose to use it, it will make a wonderful addition to anyone’s winter skincare routine. It smells delightful, is non-toxic, and loaded with skin moisturizing and exfoliating benefits!
Happy gift giving everyone!
Disclaimer: This page is for educational purposes only. All new skincare products should be tested on a small area and please stop using them if they cause irritation. None of the statements on this page have been evaluated by the FDA and all products mentioned in this post are not intended to treat, or cure any diseases. All medical concerns should be addressed with a medical professional.