Natural Living & Brown Sugar Hand Scrub Recipe

The last few years, I've become interested in using more natural products. I suppose, it probably started with a trip to the Lush store in Santa Barbara. Lush is a handmade cosmetic company that uses natural ingredients. It's not cheap, but it is a splurge that I enjoy once in awhile. A product from Lush can always bring a smile to my face. Because Lush is not really in the budget, I've been interested in trying to make some of my own natural bath and beauty products.

I'm slowly building a collection of supplies with which to create yummy natural stuff. I really want to get more essential oils and learn how to use them. The different scents always give me a lift. However, it seems as if VA is not as big into "natural living" as CA. Although Williamsburg is a much larger town than Solvang, it doesn't have a natural foods store where you can buy things like essential oils. Or, at least I haven't found one.

So, I do a lot of my research online. I've seen so many ideas that I want to try that I started a Natural Living Pinterest Board to keep them all easily accessible. Maybe this will help keep my thoughts organized and I'll experiment some more.

One product I have made successfully is a Brown Sugar Hand Scrub. We made it at MOPS a couple of years ago. Of course, since it is made of oil, you've got to be careful if you're going to use it in the shower. I keep this above my sink to use after I do the dishes. (Yes, I do the dishes by hand.) After I was it off, I blot my hands with a paper towel to get rid of the slightly greasy feeling. 

If you're interested in "natural living" too, I thought I'd mention a few things that are going on this week:

• "Natural Living" Bundle of the Week: This week's ebook bundle from Bundle of the Week is all about natural living. There are FIVE books packed with recipes and more for just $7.40 (a savings of over 80%). I haven't read any of these, but they do look good.
• Plant Therapy Essential Oil Kit Giveaway: Life Your Way has a giveaway for an Essential Oil Starter Kit from Plant Therapy ($43 value). If you don't win the giveaway, you WILL get a coupon code emailed to you as a thanks for entering. If at least 250 people enter the giveaway, the coupon code will be even better!

Oh, and of course, I'm sharing my recipe for hand scrub!


Brown Sugar Hand Scrub


1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon Vitamin E oil
1/2 cup + 1/3 cup brown sugar

Pour olive oil, vanilla extract and Vitamin E into 8 ounce jar. Mix very well. Then, add sugar and carefully stir until well blended (it will not dissolve). To enjoy, scoop some of the scrub into your hand and massage gently into your skin. For best results, leave on skin for 3 to 4 minutes before rinsing.

Other Scrub Ideas:

• White Sugar Scrub: We made a different version at MOPS last year. I can't remember the exact recipe, but it used white sugar, massage oil, and essential oil of your choice. You can try and experiment to find your own favorite creation!
• Lavender Hand Scrub: Life as MOM posted a recipe for this back in December. Yummy!