Activity, Food & Swine

Vanilla Mint Sugar Scrub

Vanilla Mint Sugar Scrub

Homemade gifts are a top priority in my Christmas gift giving this year.  Gifts for pampering the recipient are my favorite to make.  This homemade sugar scrub is inexpensive and delightful. After you scrub your hands or tired aching feet with this scrub, your skin will feel revitalized and refreshed… not to mention, ultra smoooooooth!  The first sugar scrub I ever received was from my friend Shannon who lives in Idaho.  I hoarded that stuff like a mad-woman and vowed to make my own someday.  I started with Lemon Sugar Scrub this spring, it was so invigorating!  Now onto mint, of course!  (And I do have one significant reason.)
vanilla mint sugar scrub prep
For my pig farming friends… ever have trouble getting that stubborn ‘piggy-smell’ off of your hands (or your kids’ hands)?  Well here’s a little secret, peppermint is the Old-Wives-Tale cure for attacking the glorious smell of pig-manure.
sugar scrub
Many of our friends use Peppermint Shampoo to remove the scent from their hair.  Try this scrub for your hands and see if it helps. (*I’m not promising a miracle here, but it does help for sure!)

vanilla mint scrub
Buy cute little jars that have wide mouths for easy access to the scrub.  (A tall jar with a traditional sized lid will leave you digging at the bottom of the jar with a cereal spoon to snag the rest of the scrub.)

This recipe will make 4 jars of sugar scrub, for use on hands and arms, feet and legs.  There are tons of sugar scrub recipes on the internet, I just threw this one together with what I had on hand today.  The color of the scrub was inspired by my Cream Cheese Mints… crazy.

Here’s the recipe, and below are a few pictures.

vanilla mint sugar scrub recipe

Homemade Vanilla Mint Sugar Scrub
Ingredients:
6 C granulated sugar
1 C vegetable oil, coconut oil, light olive oil, jojoba oil, etc.
2 tsp vanilla flavoring or extract (you can also substitute essential oils here 5-8 drops)
1 tsp peppermint extract (you can also substitute essential oils here 3-5 drops)
*I use extracts because it is what I have on hand regularly in my kitchen.
6 drops green food coloring
3 drops of blue food coloring (no worries, the color will not get on your hands. Omit if desired)
Combine all ingredients, spoon into small jars, seal tightly.  Label jar accordingly.  Makes enough for 4 small (squatty) large mouthed mason jars.
Optional: Add a few pumps of Peppermint or Vanilla hand soap to each jar if you’d like.
When ready to use, wet hands, then scrub a couple of tablespoons of the mixture into your hands.  Use special attention and scrub well on the areas that need exfoliating.  Rinse with warm water, pat dry with a towel.

Ready to be mixed… be sure to mix WELL.  (I only made 1 jar’s worth here.)

vanilla mint sugar scrub prep

Isn’t it gorgeous?

prepping vanilla mint sugar scrub

My little helper has a birthday tomorrow, he will be 3.

vanilla mint sugar scrub

Happy birthday big boy.

vanilla mint sugar scrub

vanilla mint sugar scrub

vanilla mint sugar scrub 2

vanilla mint sugar scrub 3

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16 Comments

  • Reply Robin December 2, 2014 at 12:23 am

    can’t wait to try this one. Monster makes soap so she’ll probably use her soap colorant. But l love to do things like this!

    • Reply Cristen December 2, 2014 at 1:27 pm

      Wonderful! I would love to learn how to make soap Robin! That sounds like so much fun. I used to buy a wonderful lavender soap from a local lady at our nearby craft show… but she doesn’t attend anymore. So now I must learn!

  • Reply Emily Grace December 2, 2014 at 3:58 pm

    This is a great idea! I typically shy away from such projects, but I think I will give it a try since it’s so simple. Thanks for sharing!

  • Reply Linds December 10, 2014 at 1:51 pm

    This is Great! Thank you! I have just been having my husband spray apple cider vinegar in his hair to get the hog smell out…. as well as making brown sugar/coconut oil scrubs, but I like your recipe above even better. I will do this for a Christmas gift to the hubby:) Thanks!

    • Reply Cristen December 10, 2014 at 3:17 pm

      Thank you! It is so hard to get that smell out sometimes! If you use the peppermint essential oil it is a stronger staying-smell. Have a good one!

      • Reply Linds December 10, 2014 at 5:34 pm

        Thanks! I will get my materials today… looking forward to having a non-hog or vinegar smelling husband;)

  • Reply Emily Grace December 12, 2014 at 4:23 pm

    Reblogged this on Beef and Sweet Tea and commented:
    `Twould seem I am not the only one putting a lid on things this Christmas. I intend to procure the materials for this delightful bit of holiday bath cheer and make some for me – and maybe I’ll put a lid on my Christmas list by dispersing these to a few very special gals around here….
    …but I can’t say as I will. `Twould ruin the surprise if I did!

    It’s the Friday Favored, y’all and we’re putting a lid on everything this Christmas!!

    :) eg

  • Reply eg December 16, 2014 at 1:37 am

    My Farmer and I just finished a batch of your scrub. He says it smells so awesome! I agree.

  • Reply Mz. Jae Renee June 14, 2015 at 8:41 pm

    I tried it with the food coloring and it stained my hands.. any suggestions?

    • Reply Cristen June 14, 2015 at 8:50 pm

      Just omit the food coloring!

      • Reply Mz. Jae Renee June 14, 2015 at 8:56 pm

        I’m wanting to color my scrubs though

        • Reply Cristen June 14, 2015 at 8:57 pm

          I’ve never had an issue but I color mine pretty lightly. Are you desiring a darker hue? Try gel based color? Natural colors will still adhere to skin like beet color etc.

  • Reply Cristen June 16, 2016 at 2:57 am

    Alana, thank you for the tips! I’m glad this worked for you. I’m looking into different essential oils to use as well. Thanks girl!

  • Reply natalielovesbaking March 27, 2017 at 4:11 pm

    I can’t wait to try this for my next girls night with my 2 best friends. I was wondering if the vanilla and mint scents can be changed to other scents without any trouble? Just out of curiosity.

  • Reply DIY Coconut Sugar Scrub October 1, 2018 at 9:08 am

    […] image via Food and Swine […]

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