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This easy home made sugar scrub is perfect to make over the weekend. All you need is 3 basic kitchen ingredients and a container!
I know DIY sugar scrubs have been around for a while, but I actually first heard of sugar scrubs throughone of the TV shows that I watch, called Shark Tank.
Do any of you watch the TV series? It’s a show where hopeful entrepreneurs get a chance to pitch their money making schemes, brands, and ideas to a select group of multi-millionaire investors called sharks (the serious ones pictured below). It’s kind of like Kickstarter, but on real TV.
The “sharks” either invest in the entrepreneurs idea or they don’t–depending on how good the idea is, and if they think the idea will make them their investment back.
Generally, I don’t like watching real TV, but in this case I have to admit it’s pretty interesting to see the types of ideas that people come up with, as well as the ideas that don’t seem to sell.
How did I hear of sugar scrubs through this TV show? Well, on one of the episodes this young woman named Lani Lazarri, came on the show looking for investors to help her grow her beauty line, Simple Sugars (which btw, they ended up investing in–good for her!).
Simple Sugars is essentially a sugar scrub that she created for her sensitive skin, as her skin would react badly to chemicals found in other scrubs.
Here’s what she says on her website:
Since I was a baby I have had very sensitive skin and have been prone to eczema breakouts. I have never been able to use a commercially produced product without experiencing skin irritation or a major rash. So, I decided to make an all-natural product that would be safe for very sensitive skin like mine, would be fun to use and smell great too. I did lots of research, came up with my formulation, gave my scrubs out to family and friends, all of whom clamored for more and Simple Sugars was born!
Her story as a young entrepreneur is inspiring, and it makes me happy to know that there are a growing number of people out there fighting against chemical products! It also inspired me to try to make a sugar scrub to help soothe and moisturize the skin and eczema.
If you have the money to spare, then you can check out Simple Sugars online, there are a lot of sugar scrubs that look really good! I wish I could buy all of them, but unfortunately I would need like 10 of those to last me (ha!), so that would be too expensive.
Thankfully, a basic sugar scrub can be made at home, so if you’re like me and prefer the cheaper DIY route, then read on to learn how to make your own sugar scrub!
Why use a sugar scrub for eczema?
In the past, sugar scrubs were originally used to heal wounds and avoid large scarring on the skin. Natural sugar is full of glycolic acid which has skin regenerating properties. Glycolic acid helps to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, hydrate the skin and protect it from toxins. When the sugar was mixed with a type of oil, it worked as both an exfoliate to remove the dead skin cells and a moisturizer.
When you use a sugar scrub for your eczema, it will help to facilitate the removal of dead skin cells to prevent your skin from flaking or cracking. Most average soaps and exfoliants claim to do the same thing, but in reality they have a lot of harsh chemicals that strip the skin of its natural oils. Using a sugar scrub will leave your skin soft and smooth while still retaining its natural moisture.
A sugar scrub works best for dry types of eczema. If you have flaky, crusty eczema on your hands, feet, or scalp, that needs to be exfoliated gently, then a sugar scrub would work for you! A sugar scrub also works for removing blackheads, whiteheads, acne, and scars.
Ingredients to make a good sugar scrub
A good sugar scrub has 4 elements: sugar, an antiseptic, a skin rejuvenator, and a moisturizer.
First I played around with a few variations of sugar.
I had brown sugar at home, so I used that for this sugar scrub. However, if you want to use cane sugar, that’s okay too.
Next I looked into adding antiseptics.
I tried using lemon, but combined with the sugar it had a really hard sting. Ouch! In the end I decided to omit acids like lemon and vinegar from the mix and go with baking soda for an antiseptic instead.
For rejuvenating properties I chose nutmeg (optional).
Nutmeg has natural anti fungal and antibacterial properties. It’s also been used to reduce infection and swelling, and lighten acne spots and scars. If you don’t have nutmeg or are allergic to it, you don’t have to use it—the scrub will still work without it.
Lastly for the moisturizing part, I used my favorite: coconut oil!
Coconut oil is full of healthy fats that moisturize and maintain the integrity of your skin. I also happen to have a few jars lying around, so it was kind of a no brainer. 😛
DIY Sugar Scrub for Dry Eczema: 3 Basic Ingredients
This amount is usually enough to last a few days or more, depending on much you use it. You can adjust the amounts to make less or more.
What you’ll need:
1 soft bath towel or sponge
1 watertight jar or container to hold the sugar scrub
1 cup brown sugar or regular cane sugar
1/2 cup coconut oil
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp nutmeg (optional)
Directions:
Assemble all ingredients in your jar or container. Lightly dampen (not dripping wet!) the bath sponge and put an adequate amount of the sugar scrub on it.
Exfoliate gently, using the bath sponge. Don’t scrub too much, just enough to remove the dead skin cells, but not so it irritates the skin.
Rinse off with lukewarm water. Using a soft towel, pat dry your skin. Don’t towel rub or wipe off, it irritates the skin!
There you go, you just used your own eczema sugar scrub! Now enjoy because your skin should feel immediately soft and smooth afterwards! 😀 I also use this sugar scrub for blackheads and whiteheads—it makes my face soooo smooth.
Tips:
• Some people might be more skin sensitive than others. Always “test” with a small amount first, before using it everywhere completely.
• You can use the sugar scrub 1-3x a week, depending on the necessity and how your skin reacts.
• The sugar and oil might separate, so make sure you mix the ingredients each time, before using it on your skin.
• You can also use the sugar scrub as a facial exfoliant for blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples.
• Use the sugar scrub to exfoliate hard or calloused areas like the elbows, knees, feet, etc.
• If you don’t have coconut oil you can use extra virgin olive oil.
• If you don’t have brown sugar you can use regular cane sugar instead.
So now I want to know, do you have any sugar scrubs to share? Would you buy a sugar scrub or do you prefer to make your own? Maybe on a special day I can treat myself and buy some, but for now, this works pretty good! 😀
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Hello,
my best friend has eczema really bad but no lotions ever really help him. I heard adding honey can help in the mix as well. Is this true? other people use oils, like lemon, tree oil, etc. what do you think? I really want to help him by making this.
Simply you should try a blob of organic raw honey and a pitch of organic brown sugar for eczema. I heard this worked great for a lot of people. Let me know.
Thanks for the tip James!
Hi Sylvia, you can try adding raw honey with the sugar. If you have very sensitive skin, I suggest omitting the baking soda to make the scrub more gentle.
I just wanted to quickly comment on your question, Sylvia. I have to steer clear of citrus, because that really aggravates my eczema and stings like a booger!
I’d be curious to hear someone’s answer on using honey.
Have you tried baking soda? Citrus also hurts my face, but baking soda is more gentle. Of course, if you have very sensitive skin, you can always omit the baking soda in the recipe, and it would still work well!
Honey works great for me. I can’t use coconut oil because it causes breakouts for me so I have to swap it out for olive or grapeseed oil but it’s an amazing scrub!!
Thanks for this recipe! Just wondering if I would need to use a cleanser too before/after this scrub?
Hi Karen, glad you liked it! It works good enough as a cleanser by itself, just rinse with warm water afterwards.
Hello. I’m Kay, and I use manuka honey in my sugar scrubs for its antiseptic and antibacterial properties. As far as my eczema, I think it has worked wonders when combined with the sugar, but I was wondering if you suggest leaving the baking soda listed in your recipe, or removing it and replacing it with the honey.
Hi Kay! I haven’t tried the eczema sugar scrub with honey before, but honey is a great natural remedy for eczema, so it will probably go well!
I think with or without the baking soda it would work. Let us know how it goes. 🙂
My skin is ridiculously sensitive and I want to support what Kay said: Manuka honey is amazing. I’m convinced my flare ups are less severe and painful now, that the flaking and uncomfortableness of it is lesser, and that my skin recovers better overall after every flare. I also notice that it’s a lot softer and retains moisture better for several hours after I apply it. Thank you for this article (and for making the recipe so customisable)! I’ve been looking for a sugar scrub, but was super nervous about finding the right one for me, but I feel really optimistic after reading this! Hopefully I’ll be able to find a good combination to add to my new all-natural eczema-fighting arsenal!
I LOVE this scrub! I’ve searched long to find a scrub that works for my ultra sensitive dry eczema, and this works great. It works great after a shower to lock in the moisture and keep my skin soft all day!
Thanks Rachel! It’s one of my favorite’s too. So glad you liked it and that the sugar scrub helped your dry eczema.
Can you help clarify: if sugar should be avoided for eating, why would it be beneficial as a scrub?
The mechanical action of sugar is different than the dietary form. The benefits of sugar as a scrub are outlined in the article.
Are there different kinds of coconut oil? What I have is solid, not liquid. What is the difference?
All coconut oil gets solid if you’re in a temperature under 18-15 degrees (C).
If you buy the fractioned Coconut oil, it will be in liquid form. It is fragrance less.
May I use Epsom salt for my dry flaky facial skin instead of sugar
I have used a handful of sugar as a scrub for about 20 years. The amount of water you add can alter how ‘scrubby’ it is.
Leaves my eczema skin soft, smooth and flake free, without a flare up.
I can’t wait to try this for my daughter. She has suffered from eczema since she was 2. And it has now also left her with patches of unpigmented skin on her arms. Is there anything you k own of that may help get her skin pigmentation back?
Hi there! I have yet to post about pigmentation, but let me know if the sugar scrub can help her.
This recipe is TERRIFIC. I’m in my fifties and the eczema started after menopause. I cannot afford the $200 creams. I’ve been using this scrub fir 2months bows and it feels great and works wonderfully. Loving the nutmeg aroma too. Thank you so much for posting
Thanks for the feedback! So glad the sugar scrub works for your eczema.
I have been using pure sugar to scrub my face in the shower at least three times per week since I was 22 years old, and I am now 47 years, so I can confirm it works great – I definitely have fewer wrinkles and lines in my face than my fellows…to be honest I look at least 10 years younger than my age haha….and still surprising people when they ask how old I am..!
HI just to ask if milk can replace coconut oil?
I don’t think so
Great scrub idea – used it today! It is fantastic for my incredibly sensitive, eczema face!
Yes I love it, it’s so good for the face 😀
If you have eczema on your scalp and behind your ears how do you use the scrub? Do you shampoo first, then use the scrub, then use conditioner? I have really bad breakouts on my scalp, behind my ears and my eyebrows. My breakouts have gone away on the rest of my face and skin, because I use a similar scrub, but instead of sugar I uses hymalayan and dead sea salts. That is too harsh for my head, ears, and brows. I just don’t know how to handel washing the hair and using the srub the right way. Thanks for all your help. 🙂