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Rosemary Mint Sugar Scrub
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Not only is it incredibly easy and fast whip up a batch of homemade sugar scrub for yourself, jars of homemade sugar scrubs make great inexpensive gifts for any occasion. This homemade sugar scrub recipe is something you’ll want to take note of for the upcoming holiday season, but don’t forget to pamper yourself once in a while too!
Homemade Sugar Scrub Supplies
To make a batch of homemade sugar scrub for gifting purposes you’ll need just a few things.
- Sugar
- Kosher or Epsom Salt
- Carrier Oil
- Pure Essential Oils
- Pretty Jars
- Ribbon and/or tags
I like a combination of sugar and salt in my scrubs, but you can use all salt or all sugar if you desire. The choice is up to you. I like the cute little Weck Jars for gifting, but you can use any canning jar as a cute container when gifting homemade sugar scrub. If the finished product is for yourself, you might like Ball Plastic 8-Ounce Freezer Jars for practical shower storage.
What is a Carrier Oil?
A carrier oil is a base oil that is added to homemade sugar scrub recipes. Carrier oil options include oils such as fractionated coconut oil (liquid, not solid), sunflower, sweet almond oil, grapeseed oil, vegetable oil, or light olive oil. I like fractionated coconut oil that I purchase through doTerra, but you can use whatever carrier oil you prefer or a combination of a few.
Pure Essential Oils need to be diluted with a carrier oil because they are too strong to use full strength to moisten the sugar/salt scrub portion of the mixture alone.
If you are using this homemade sugar recipe for gifting purposes, please be aware of your your receiver’s personal and/or family allergies when choosing carrier and pure essential oils.
How to Make a Homemade Sugar Scrub
It’s simple to make homemade sugar scrubs! In a bowl, combine the sugar/salt with the oil in a 2:1 ratio. Meaning, for every 2 cups of salt or sugar (or a combo) you’ll add 1 cup of your choice of carrier oil. Stir those well, then add a few drops of your desired pure essential oil or oils until you achieve the scent strength you want.
Package the scrub in a pretty jar, tie it with a bow and attach a tag or label (if desired) and you’re ready! It takes just a few minutes.
It is fun to come up with different scent blends by combining small amounts of different coordinating essential oils. I love this invigorating blend of rosemary and mint to help energize my body during my morning shower.
For this particular batch I chose Rosemary Mint as my scent combo. Mint and Rosemary combine for a pleasant aroma and are invigorating to a tired body in the morning.
Click the image to download your own printable rosemary mint sugar scrub gift tags.
Disclaimer: Copyright GoodLife Eats. For personal use only. These Rosemary Mint Sugar Scrub labels are shareable, however I ask that you please credit appropriately and link directly to this post – not the printable file. Thank you for understanding!
To Use: Print the rosemary mint sugar scrub labels on card stock, cut out, and attach the label to the jar with a pretty ribbon through a punched hole or print on Avery® White Full-Sheet Labels,cut out, and stick to the jar.
More Homemade Gift Ideas:
- Homemade Lemon Kitchen Hand Scrub
- Chocolate Raspberry Vanilla Bean Marshmallows
- Kitchen Gift: Homemade Pancake Mix Jars
- Simple Homemade Hostess Gifts
- Vanilla Scented Sugar Recipe
Rosemary Mint Sugar Scrub Recipe
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups Sugar
1/2 cup Kosher or Epsom Salt
1 cup Carrier Oil, such as Fractionated Coconut Oil
5-10 drops Rosemary Essential Oil
5-10 Drops Peppermint Essential OilDirections
In a medium bowl, combine the sugar, salt, and fractionated coconut oil. Stir until well mixed. Add 2 drops each of rosemary and peppermint pure essential oil. Stir until the scent is evenly distributed throughout the sugar and salt mixture. Add the scrub to a jar and tighten the lid to seal.
Fractionated Coconut Oil, Rosemary Essential Oil, and Peppermint Essential Oil are available for purchase via www.mydoterra.com/katiegoodman (click for a free sample)
About the Author:
Katie’s lifelong interest in cooking good food has shown her that part of the goodness in life is enjoying delicious food with friends and family. She is: Writer. Photographer. Recipe Developer. Website Founder. Lover of all things good in life. Wife & Mom. A mix of great recipes, family memories, and yummy photography is what Katie serves up each week at GoodLife Eats™. Katie resides in Colorado with her husband and two children.
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Hello! I'm Katie Goodman, author of GoodLife Eats Etc. where I share what I find in my life. A mix of great recipes, family memories, adventures, good reads, and anything else that I love is what you will discover here.
Rosemary and mint sounds really refreshing. Love the new look Katie!
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This almost looks good enough to eat, Katie!
Congrats on the beautiful new look.
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What a fantastic idea for holiday gift giving!
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Great Idea! Loving the new look Katie
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Great idea! I love the smell of rosemary and mint together! My suave shampoo has that smell and I loooooove smelling it all day!!
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Curious as to how long this will “keep”…if I was giving this as a gift, how soon before Christmas could I make this? Thanks…I Love this idea!!
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Katie replied: — November 3rd, 2011 @ 8:28 AM
I think it should keep quite a while since there is nothing perishable in it. Essential oils have a pretty long shelf life as long as they’re not left in extreme heat or the sun’s exposure. You should be plenty safe making a week or two in advance.
Gorgeous and a perfect homemade Christmas gift!
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looooove this! Pinned;-)
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Gorgeous Katie!!
Thanks so much for linking up!!
I featured your post in my wrap up! http://tidymom.net/2011/great-ideas-9/
Have a great weekend!
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I stumbled the Rosemary Mint Sugar Scrub.
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I need to make some of this, it sounds heavenly.
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Thanks, pinned this so I can make a big batch for Christmas gifts this year!
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Is this used to wash your hands? Or is it a face scrub? Sounds silly, bit I wasn’t sure!
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Katie replied: — November 9th, 2011 @ 3:32 PM
It is a hand, foot and/or body scrub.
i stumbled the rosemary mint scrub
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i have Caleb’s Crossing on my “read next” list
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I love the idea of rosemary and mint together! Can’t wait to try this myself before making it for friends this year. I made Lavendar Sugar Scrub last year and my family members loved it! Just shared this recipe on my blog! Thanks!
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Would like to know what this sugar scrub is useful for.
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Katie replied: — November 18th, 2011 @ 5:52 AM
To exfoliate dry skin on your body. I use it in the shower.
What an awesome idea! I just received a huge rosemary plant. Would I be able let a few sprigs sit in the mixture to infuse the rosemary scent?
Thanks
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Katie replied: — November 18th, 2011 @ 5:54 AM
Perhaps if you used the technique for scenting sugar in this post on Vanilla Scented Sugar. It might take longer than a day though to scent it with rosemary. I’m not 100% sure.
I have never made a sugar scrub, but I’m thinking of making this for Christmas gifts. I was thinking of chopping up some rosemary and putting it in there. Is there any reason why this wouldn’t work? Thanks!
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Katie replied: — November 21st, 2011 @ 8:03 AM
It would affect the shelf life of the scrub since fresh rosemary is perishable, but other than that it should be fine.
If I use coconut oil, would it add the coconut scent? I would like to try making a peppermint scented scrub, and I’ve heard a lot about the coconut oil being the best, but don’t want coconut scent in there…
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Katie replied: — November 29th, 2011 @ 11:28 AM
The fractionated coconut oil that I purchase through doTERRA does not have any scent.
Do you ever use any preservatives? If so, what are the quantities? I have been researching something to add since I’m not sure how long my recipients will use this. Vitamin E was mentioned.. just not sure of quantities.
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Katie replied: — December 1st, 2011 @ 1:55 PM
I do not include any preservatives or really know anything about incorporating that into the recipe. It is my understanding that oil is a natural preservative and as long as it is used within several months (because some oils can go rancid) you will not have a problem. There isn’t really anything in the recipe that would spoil quickly and the essential oils that I use are 100% pure and are anti-microbial. I haven’t gifted this to anyone that took longer than a couple of months to use it. If you are especially concerned about that, you could gift smaller jars/quantities. Hope that helps.
I just made this scrub and my hands feel so soft! I plan on making them as Christmas gifts, but before I do so I want to double check on the consistency. Should it look a little runny?
Thank you!
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Katie replied: — December 1st, 2011 @ 2:57 PM
Different oils are thicker/more liquid than others. It is completely a personal preference thing. If you want a thicker scrub, just add a bit more salt and sugar until your desired consistency is reached.
What size of jar do your printable labels fit? And is that the size you used for the sugar scrub pictured above?
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Katie replied: — December 2nd, 2011 @ 6:56 PM
The labels will fit a standard sized canning jar lid. I used an extra small jar for the photo because that is what I had on hand. I would recommend printing the labels first in black and white on regular paper to test the size. If needed, you can shrink the printing size for a smaller label. Alternatively, print them on white card stock, cut them out, and secure around the jar tied to a bow.
This looks amazing! I can’t wait to make it! Would olive oil work? Also, where are essential oils sold (in stores)? Or are they mostly sold online?
Thanks!
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Katie replied: — December 2nd, 2011 @ 6:55 PM
You may use olive oil if you desire, however you will have the smell of that with the smell of the oils since olive oil is not an odorless oil. I purchase my oils through doTERRA because I think they are the highest quality available out there.
Hi Katie! I am planning to make this over the weekend and have a question about the oils. Why is fractionated coconut oil better than regular? I actually purchased the sweet almond oil you linked to since I the fractionated coconut oil was so expensive, but I’m wondering if it will be ‘runnier’ (as alluded to in one of the comments above) since coconut oil is solid at room temperature in its original state…
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Katie replied: — December 9th, 2011 @ 5:02 PM
I like the fractionated coconut oil because it is odorless and colorless. The brand I purchase is through doTERRA because I have a wholesale membership to purchase it at a 25% discount (if you’re interested in that email me at goodlife.eats@yahoo.com and I’ll tell you how you can get one too. I get all my oils through them).
I don’t have experience with other brands of fractionated coconut oil so I can’t comment on that. I didn’t feel that my scrub was runny but you can always remedy that by adding more salt and sugar if you want a thicker scrub. If possible I shy away from almond oil since I know some people have nut allergies. Hope I answered your question.
I wonder if it would work if you used a homemade infusion oil instead of carrier + essential oils?
I think it would be a cheaper method for those that are able to plan ahead and have a supply of fresh mint/rosemary (or lavender would be nice).
All you would have to do is bruise a few fresh sprigs (washed and COMPLETELY dried), place them in a sterilized bottle, and pour the carrier oil over. Let set for a couple of weeks or so, then strain the oil into a different sterilized container (to keep the vegetation from ruining the oil).
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I just got done making this, i made and orange and lemon, a vanilla and orange (it smells like a creamsicle), a lavander and rosemary. they smell so good thank you for the info
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So excited to make this with the kids tomorrow, however I have purchased rosemary in powder form at my local spice shop…how do you think it will work instead of using oil?
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Katie replied: — December 19th, 2011 @ 6:05 PM
I’ve never used rosemary powder. Best advice I can offer is start small and add more if you need to. Better than adding too much to begin with. Let me know how it goes!
Jennifer Hussaini replied: — December 22nd, 2011 @ 9:46 AM
I used about 2 tsp of rosemary powder and it gave just a hint of rosemary smell, its perfect!! Thanks so much…Merry Christmas!
Just made this – so simple and quick! I’m giving it to one of my friends for Christmas. Ended up using grapeseed oil instead of refractionated coconut oil and it turned out perfectly.
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I also just made this using grapeseed oil and I LOVE it! I have made lemon and orange-clove scrubs using your olive oil recipe and I definitely prefer the lighter scent of the grapeseed oil. The lighter color is also nice. I incorporated some dried rosemary and dried mint leaves from my garden. It looks and smells beautiful!
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I made this awesome scrub with a few tweeks (only used peppermint essential oil and did a bit of cirtus zest). I gave it as gifts, and the one I kept for myself turned really hard and unusable in about a month. I’m wondering if you have tips to revive the scrub? I assume I should have mixed it in between every use? THanks!
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Katie replied: — February 6th, 2012 @ 11:30 AM
Hi Jessica – sorry that happened. I really can’t say because I’ve never had that experience and have made this scrub many times. Maybe next time try adding a bit more oil to the combination. Might depend on what brand of oil you’re using. I’ve never deliberately mixed it in between uses – just usually stick my hand in the jar and grab a handful out.
Yankee Homestead replied: — December 6th, 2012 @ 3:29 PM
For what it’s worth, a friend gave me a scrub that stays hard all the time. It’s not a problem; I just use a rigid measuring spoon to scrape a bit out. When I apply it to my hands and rub it around, it softens right up. I also add a little warm water. My scrub contains regular coconut oil, which is probably why it solidifies.
Can I use drops of vanilla instead of using real beans/pods?
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Katie replied: — August 13th, 2012 @ 8:40 AM
I prefer scenting the sugar with vanilla bean pods as I’m not sure how vanilla extract would react with the skin in a scrub. You don’t have to actually add any vanilla bean, just scent the sugar like here: Simple and Inexpensive Hostess Gifts – Recipe for Vanilla Scented Sugar
I LOVE that you use doTERRA! I make and sell my own bath and beauty products and refuse to use anything synthetic. doTERRA is amazing
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I infuse olive oil with rosemary. Do you think I could use that? Seems overly simple, add sugar and done! Would grape seed oil be better, I have that too?
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Katie replied: — November 17th, 2012 @ 8:07 AM
I haven’t tried that, but I’m sure it would work. I don’t see why not. If you’re using it as a hand scrub for at the kitchen sink I like olive oil, but if you’re using it more as a bath item then I think it is best to choose an oil that has a mild scent. It looks nicer if it is a light color or colorless oil such as the liquid coconut oil, but that is just my opinion.
Thanks for the detailed instructions, explanations and suggestions! I’m planning to make scrubs for Christmas gift baskets this year, so this will be super-handy. And I use Doterra, too!
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Does this recipe make enough for 12- 8oz jars of the scrub?
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Katie replied: — December 12th, 2012 @ 1:55 PM
No, it makes about two 8 ounce jars of scrub.