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A few months ago I was checking out the weather forecast for my upcoming trip to southern Texas, thinking about how I was going to be able to finally wear something other than jeans or leggings for the first time since October. I knew my neon-white sun deprived legs needed something to help get them ready for shorts and swimsuits. I turned to the internet to find the best exfoliating sugar scrub in my price range.

After some Amazon hunting for the top reviewed exfoliating scrubs I couldn’t find anything under $10 that didn’t have exfoliating beads or would be enough to last me the whole week (my legs are giraffey and I go through anything skin related in half the time of a normal human). One of the product reviews I read mentioned that they were surprised anyone ordered scrubs offline when they were so easy to make at home, along with a link to a Pinterest board full of DIY and how to links for homemade sugar scrubs.

I did some research and got a general idea of what went into a good scrub, and hit up Walmart. I’m impatient; I didn’t want to order the supplies online and have to wait for them to be shipped and I knew I had a good chance of finding everything in one stop there. $14 later, I had enough supplies to make about fourteen half-pint sugar scrubs and mason jars to store them in for less than the price of one scrub with shipping online. I couldn’t believe how easy it was to actually make them, and after using them on my trip I’m never looking back.

I narrowed it down to two scrubs I wanted to try.

The first I attempted was a coffee based scrub and the second was a cinnamon + brown sugar based scrub. During my research I read that the caffeine in the coffee based scrub temporarily caused the small capillaries near the skin to dilate, improving circulation and reducing the appearance of cellulite dimples and fine lines. This allegedly causes a sort of “firming” effect for a few hours after use. After trying it out myself, it was hard to say if I actually noticed a difference in that aspect. Yet my shower and I smelled like a $7 latte, and I was about it.

What I did notice was the coffee and/or sugar did a good job getting rid of the dead skin without being too harsh or scratching me like some salt scrubs. Sugar is also a humectant, meaning it pulls moisture from the air (great for dry skin).  Love how the coconut oil mostly absorbed into the skin, didn’t feel greasy after but still had that “just put lotion on” smooth feel. Overall really impressed with this Pinterest idea. I’ll post my personal scrub recipes here for anyone who wants to give them a try.

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Peppermint Latte Coffee Based Scrub

Ingredients:

1 Cup Ground Coffee
1/2 Cup Coconut Oil
1 Cup Brown Sugar
1/2 Tablespoon Peppermint Extract (optional)
1 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract (optional)

Instructions:

1. Put coffee grounds into a bowl. Add brown sugar, + mix.
   (bonus points if you put the coffee in a ziplock bag first + crush up any large grounds that might scratch you)
2. Add coconut oil, vanilla + peppermint extract.
3. Mix, then store in jars or any airtight container.
   (I use a blender to make mine, but the friction warms the coconut oil to a liquid and can separate. This isn’t a problem, but you might prefer to hand mix with a whisk). Makes about one pint.

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Snickerdoodle Sugar Scrub

Ingredients:

1 Cup Coconut Oil
2 Cups Brown Sugar
1 Tablespoon Cinnamon
1 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract

Instructions:

1. Put sugar into a bowl.
2. Add coconut oil, cinnamon + vanilla extract.
3. Mix, then store in jars or any airtight container.
   (Like I said earlier, I use a blender to make mine, but it makes the coconut oil go liquid and can separate. You might prefer to hand mix with a whisk). Makes about one pint.

This one is really great because it literally tastes like cookie dough when you’re making it. Which I wish I hadn’t noticed… but there’s no going back now.

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If you notice the coconut oil has separated out or is sitting in a clump, you can just mix it back in with your finger. It’ll warm up in your hand and melt when you use it either way. Make sure not to get any water in the jar, I’ve heard it can mold but haven’t had that experience myself.

I’m not sure which one I like better. Both scrubs are great for different reasons. I enjoy the coffee one more in the morning to help wake me up but the snickerdoodle reminds me a little of the Warm Vanilla Sugar line from Bath and Body Works that I love. They’re honestly both great.

If you’re not a brown sugar or coconut oil fan, feel free to use plain white sugar and olive oil in your scrub.

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Do you make your own DIY body products? Share and let me know what I should try next!