Our friends and fellow co-op-ers at Aura Cacia have shared this recipe for homemade Peppermint Sweet Orange Sugar and Coffee Body Scrub. It’s perfect if you’re feeling crafty, in need of some pampering, or looking for an easy DIY gift idea. All it takes are a few simple ingredients from your own kitchen and the Davis Food Co-op. Plus, Aura Cacia essential oils are on sale at the Co-op this month!
Start with the basic formula: something scrubby + skin care oil. For scrubby ingredients, use food-grade, biodegradable ingredients like sugar, salt or coffee grounds (before or after brewing). These will exfoliate the skin, removing dry, dead and dull-looking skin cells and helping to prevent clogged pores. Incredibly, your skin will respond by generating new, fresh skin cells more quickly.
Next, choose plant-based oils that nourish the skin and provide lubrication for the scrubby ingredients. Sweet almond oil is a great choice, with its rich texture and skin-hydrating properties.
Add your favorite essential oils to the mix and take the benefits of your scrub to a whole new level of luxury and efficacy. Not sure where to start? Try this recipe featuring refreshing, vitalizing peppermint and spearmint, and cheering, uplifting sweet orange. This clarifying, energizing scrub will leave both you and your skin feeling invigorated and refreshed, while the coffee/sweet orange aroma evokes warm comforts of snuggling by the fire. As a bonus, peppermint oil has natural antiseptic properties.
Peppermint sweet orange sugar and coffee body scrub
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1/2 tbsp coarsely ground coffee
- 3 1/2 tablespoons Aura Cacia® Sweet Almond Oil
- 30 drops Aura Cacia® Sweet Orange Essential Oil
- 9 drops Aura Cacia® Peppermint Essential Oil
- 9 drops Aura Cacia® Spearmint Essential Oil
- 4-ounce wide-mouth jar
Preparation
In a mixing bowl, combine all ingredients and stir until well blended. Transfer to wide-mouth jar.
To use, scoop scrub out of jar with fingertips and apply to skin using gentle circular motions.
Rinse with warm water and pat dry.
Note: For a sweeter, more citrusy aroma, substitute bergamot (bergaptene-free) essential oil for the spearmint. For a more meditative, calming aroma, substitute frankincense essential oil for the peppermint and spearmint.
Share the joy
Body scrubs make great gifts, so why not make a larger batch and share? Scale up the recipe, divide the scrub into jars and tie with a decorative ribbon. You can even modify the oils in the recipe to personalize them to the recipient—use the suggestions above, or your own creativity!
Aura Cacia essential oils are on sale from 12/2/20 – 12/15/20. Don’t miss out!
This recipe was reprinted with permission from Welcome to the Table, by National Co-op Grocers.