If you are a fan of coconut, than you are going to love this scrub. It is packed with yummy coconut ingredients, and smells utterly delicious, with or without the addition of Fragrance Oil. One of our newest ingredients, Coconut Shell Powder, adds superfine exfoliation and a lovely rich brown color. Our finely Shredded Coconut pumps up the aroma of the scrub, while adding gentle buffing action.
Coconut Sugar Scrub
Makes about 6 ounces (by volume)
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Demerara Sugar
- 1 ounce Organic Virgin Coconut Cream Oil
- 1 ounce Caprylic Capric Triglycerides (MCT Oil)
- 2 tablespoons Coconut Shell Powder
- 2 tablespoons Finely Shredded Desiccated Coconut
- 1 teaspoon Coconut Cream Fragrance Oil (optional)
Directions
Gently heat the Organic Virgin Coconut Oil until melted using a double boiler, or a microwave. Mix the melted Oil with the MCT Oil, an the Fragrance Oil if you are including it. In a mixing bowl, combine the Sugar, Coconut Shell Powder, and Shredded Coconut. Make sure to break up any clumps in any of the dry ingredients. Add the Oil mixture to the dry ingredients and mix well. You can add a little more of both of the Oils if you prefer a looser texture. If you prefer a drier scrub, try adding a little more Sugar.
Usage & Packaging
This scrub looks great in our 2 oz. Flat PET Jars with White Lids. Use them to exfoliate your hands, feet, legs, arms, and body. This scrub is fairly mild, but is still a little too strong for your more delicate parts, such as your face.
Coconut is one of Emmy’s favorite scents. What do you like to use Coconut ingredients or Fragrances for? 
What is the shelf life?
Hi Barb. If this recipe is created in a sterile environment, with sterile packaging, tools, etc., it could remain stable in the unopened jar for up to 3 months. Once the jar is opened it will be exposed to pathogens when it is handled, shortening the shelf life considerably. Try not to handle the scrub directly. Instead, use a clean spoon to scoop out each individual portion of scrub. Never take the jar into the bath or shower, as moisture is bound to get into the jar. After the jar is opened, the scrub should be used within a week or so, depending on handling. If the scrub changes color, scent, texture, or appearance, it should be discarded immediately.
You can beef up your scrubs defenses by adding a preservative to the mixture. Learn more about preservatives through the articles at the following link: https://naturalbeautyworkshop.com/my_weblog/preservatives.html
Hi Emmy, I love this recipe. Just wondering, what are the benefits of using sugar, as opposed to salt, as an exfoliate?
Or is it just for fun (to see how long before you end up eating the scrub)?
🙂
Hi Jenn,
That is a great question. Sugars can be used in scrubs in place of Salts for a number of reasons. Firstly, Sugar is less drying to the skin than salt. Also, it doesnt sting tiny scrapes and nicks like salt does, so sugar scrubs make a great choice for pre and post shave exfoliation. Some sugars, such as Demerara, also contain beneficial components. Demerara Sugar contains calcium, phosphorous, potassium, and iron. Sugar Scrubs are a popular choice for scrub recipes that contain soap as well. Salt can seize when it is mixed with salt, but sugar and soap get along quite nicely. Last, but not least, sugar is just a scrumptious ingredient in general that adds interest and flair to scrub recipes. It pairs especially well with decedent fragrances like Vanilla, Chocolate, or Caramel!
Is there anything I can do to extend the shelflife of this product, such as using benzoin, citric acid, or vitamin E?
Hi Melissa. You can certainly add a Preservative to help keep this scrub stable. My experience with Benzoin is limited, so I would be more likely to use Grapefruit Seed Extract as a natural option or Liquid Germall Plus as a synthetic. You could also include an antioxidant such as Vitamin E T50 or T80, or Rosemary Oil Extract. For more information on using Preservatives, check out the articles linked on our Preservatives page: https://naturalbeautyworkshop.com/my_weblog/preservatives.html
Can I make this without Coconut shell powder?
Hi Michelle. You could certainly create this scrub without Coconut Shell Powder. Just increase the amount of sugar a little bit to offset the difference in solid ingredients.
I loved this recipe! Then I found COCONUT SUGAR at my local Sprouts store. AWESOME. It is a sugar like the brown Demerara sugar but it is made from the coconut itself. Fabulous!
Im glad you enjoyed the recipe. Coconut Sugar sounds so interesting. I cant wait to check it out.
how long would this scrub last with vitamin e or gse added to it?
Hi Wendy. A homemade scrub can last for 1 – 3 months in a jar, untouched, but as soon as you open the scrub and start to use it, the shelf life will diminish. Depending on your ingredients, and how much you handle it, you can expect the scrub to last about a week after it has been opened. You can help keep the scrub fresh by handling it indirectly, with clean spoons, or spatulas instead of bare hands, and storing it in the fridge between uses. These are guidelines for home use, but for professional use, a challenge testing lab would be needed to determine the true shelf life of a product intended for sale.