We all have them {well at least I do}; poor, exhausted, DIY doing, spray painting extraordinaire, crafters hands. I have been using this simple mix for a few years and it is the best recipe to rejuvenate your skin and bring your fingertips back to life. The sugar is an excellent exfoliate to remove the craft leftovers from your nail beds and cuticles too! It takes only minutes to mix and you most likely have all the necessary ingredients sitting right in your pantry.
Packaged up just right this makes another inexpensive Mother's Day gift; a perfect addition to tuck in a little gift basket.
Begin my mixing 2 1/2 Cups of Sugar with 1 Cup of Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Add in 4 Tablespoons of Lemon Juice {or scented essential oils to your liking}. This mixture will make enough to fill a 12oz. Mason Jar {and you'll have just enough left over to clean your hands afterwards too}
Mix really well until a gritty paste forms and spoon into a glass container. {make sure your container has a lid that seals}
I have to say I love this mix and use it all the time. After sitting for awhile you may need to mix prior to using as the sugar may settle. A tiny bit is all you need and it leaves your skin extra soft and smooth. {plus not to mention it scrubs away all craft evidence so my hands do not look like a mechanics out in public}Enjoy!
Don't forget the Sunday Showcase Party and UPrinting Giveaway ends tonight! There is still time to link up and enter...Click Here
{Edit to Add} Ashley from Joyful Creations was kind enough to make some printable tags and share. If anyone would like to use them, click here, Thanks So Much Ashley! {I ♥ my readers}
{Edit to Add} Ashley from Joyful Creations was kind enough to make some printable tags and share. If anyone would like to use them, click here, Thanks So Much Ashley! {I ♥ my readers}
113 comments:
what a great idea!! Thanks for helping me figure out part of my moms gift!!
Thank you for this recipe...I will be trying this later today. I am a nurse and have the driest hands from washing them so frequently. I think I'll make extra for my mom too!
Thanks for sharing the recipe! I think I may even have a few empty jars in my craft cabinet.
Great gift idea! But I'm thinking it might make a great little "me" gift, too!
Nancy
LOVE this. I'm definitely going to be doing this. My grandmother does a lot of cooking with jalapenos and onions and she just uses straight lemon juice to get rid of the smell. I think this would work too!
I even went ahead and created a printable tag that I'll be using. I featured this post (with a link of course) over at my blog and I also shared the link to download my printable tags for free. I hope you don't mind and you are welcome to share the link with your readers if you'd like.
Stephanie, this is awesome! I am really loving your blog, you are so inspiring, thank you!
SO cute! Making this for the moms and also for the teachers!
I've been wanting to make something like this for a while... even got a jar for it the other day. Thanks!
This looks great! I want to try it for myself. It sounds like it smells amazing and works well too.
-heather
Yum! Thanks so much because I was needing a couple of last minute Mother's Day Gifts. I love the smell of lemon too!
Oh my! How pretty! Thanks so much! I will be making this for Mother's Day!! -Karen
I've been using sugar and olive oil as a scrub for years, but it never occurred to me to add lemon. I love the scent of lemon and always keep some in the house. I think I'll whip up a batch tonight. Thanks for sharing!
Love this idea. I will be printing it off and giving it to my two daughters. They will be thrilled to have a great, free idea for me. Thanks greatly.
I wanted to say thank you for this recipe. I'm off to make it.
Blessings,
Nancy
I love these type scrubs, but have never made my own. Thanks for sharing the recipe. Love & blessings from NC!
Happy Mother's Day to me... :) I
Your awesome Stephanie!!!!!
I really like this idea! May use it for some of the moms in my MOPS group. Thanks for sharing. :) Visiting from Kimba's party. :)
You are the first click out of DIY day - had to check out this little idea. LOVE it. I definitely know what you mean about the worker's hands. Thanks for sharing!
I can't wait to try this out - it sounds lovely!! Thanks for sharing.
I must make this! How great!
Thanks for sharing the recipe @ Anything Related!
~Rebekah
This is such a great idea! I totally want to use some right now!! What a great gift too!!
~Morgan
Meet Virginia!
Meet Virginia!
Meet Virginia!
Wow, gorgeous gift presentation, and what a fun idea.
I LOVE this idea! Thanks so much for sharing - I can't wait to make some. I posted a link on my blog: http://ificould-ificould.blogspot.com/2010/05/lemon-sugar-scrub.html
btw, where did you get that adorable spoon??
Thanks again for the great ideas!!
Missy
I'm making some TODAY!!! Great idea and so useful...thanks!
visiting from TCB...I'll be back ;-)
Janet xox
I so need this! Thanks ;)
LOVE this stuff and can't wait to try to make my own. Thanks for the inspiration and recipe!
I just love these simple natural gifts....and LEMON! Thank you so much for sharing!
Definitely going to have to try this one! :) Perfect for the kids to make their grandma!
I'm a total lemon addict & of course my hands need a really good scrub with all the crafty stuff I do....I'm SO going to make this! Thanks!!
Stephanie, Love it!!! I made it last night and it works beautiful on the hands! I made one for my mom-in-law and featured you on my blog! Thanks for the awesome idea! - Karen
I see you say mix if it separates, how long does it keep in a nicely sealed jar?
Great that you used the lemon so guys like me don't smell too girly. After a day of working in the garage, this is a nice treatment for getting the grime off with a little tlc for hands that take alot of abuse. Rory
I can't wait to make this for my mom and mother in law. Thank you for the idea and I can't wait to see what you do tomorrow!
This sounds heavenly. I'm definitely going to try it!
This is great! I never thought of using lemon juice.
Just made some! Thank you so much for your scrub recipes!! I'm giving them as Mother's Day gifts for sure. Wishing you a Happy Mother's Day.
Thank you so much for sharing this1 It would make a great gift idea for may occaisions. I'm thinking about all of the unique apothecary type jars I see at the thrift store/goodwill that could be used as containers!
I discovered this project at Trendy TreeHouse!
Sharon
Just wanted to let you know that we featured your sugar scrubs in our Mother's Day gift idea post!
http://allthingzrelated.blogspot.com/2010/05/mothers-day-gift-ideas-made-by-you.html
This look so scrumptious, I am sending it to my little sister now as an idea for favors for her wedding. Than you SOOO much for sharing :)
Since I have procrastinated a gift for my mom, I'm thinking this is something quick and easy that I can make. My mom will love it! Thanks!
Does this need to be refrigerated? Thanks for this great idea!
hi! I will be offering this to my SIL who's celebrating her birthday tomorrow. Thanks so much for the tutorial.
have a great day! I will surely comeback for more of your crafts.
www.missusbountybasket.blogspot.com
I LOVE THIS!! I used it for Mother's Day gifts for my Mother and my brothers' wives. They all loved it! You can check out my post at: http://meganandkyle2009.blogspot.com/search/label/Grapefruit%20Sugar%20Hand%20Scrub
Thanks for all the great ideas!!
As many others have noted, I too LOVE THIS! I whipped some up for my girls' teachers for teacher appreciation week. I also made some for some of my favorite moms! I added some lemon zest to the mixture! Thank you for sharing your quick and easy ideas! I have linked to several of your ideas on my blog! Oh...I made the crepe paper flowers too. AWESOME, so easy, so cheap! Thank you again!
I made this for mom + m.i.l and just a heads up - I needed LOTS more extra lemon juice and even lemon essential oil to get it not smelling heavily of EVOO. It smooths hands like a charm, but needs more lemon-love than the recipe calls for in order to leave your hands smelling lovely, too. :)
Thank you for making this post so beautiful!!! I love sugar scrub it saved me and my skin. Hope you don't mind I linked this on my post today ** Hugs** Laura
http://lolobye5.blogspot.com/2010/05/sugar-scrub-me.html
Just wanted to let you know that I did a blog today that included this scrub as a gift I received from my daughters for Mother's Day. I LOVE IT! Thanks.
This looks great, I will try it! Thanks for the recipe...
Heard about this from Going Jane. Great idea & love your projects. Am now a follower:)
I love this!! I'm saving this for a gift idea -- thank you so much for sharing!
Thank you so much for sharing!! I can't wait to make some! I <3 crafts...and I am a nurse, so I wash my hands ALL the time!
I love it! Thanks!
Your site is fantastic! Thanks for all of the great ideas.
This has been sitting in my "things to try" file for a long time, but I was sitting here bored today and wanted a crafty project I could whip up quickly. Love, love, loved it! I ended up adding about a half a bottle of lemon extract as well (to a double recipe) just to cut the olive oil scent, as my EVOO seemed to overpower the stuff. Don't know how good extract is for your skin, but it seemed to help the scent.
Thanks a million for sharing this project!
I made this hand scrub today, and I can't get it to smell like lemon, all I get is olive oil. Any suggestions?
Hi , I've made your scrub and mentioned it on my blog post here,
http://ritamay-days.blogspot.com/2010/07/when-life-gives-you-lemonsdecorate.html
Cheers!
Rita
Okay, so because this has lemon juice in it does it have to be stored in the fridge? I'm wanting to make this as a gift for a friend but am curious about that. Thanks for the great ideas!
I LoVe this scrub! I made some for a neighbor and added some lemon extract! It gave it some extra pazazzzz!
I then made another 2 batches and used food coloring to give them some color! I used a purple and it looked like purple Sherbet and the other like lemon Sherbet! The also smelled incredible!
You can check out my blog (I posted about it) at www.sarasurprise.blogspot.com
Thanks for sharing!
Sara
Hi! I'm visiting from Pink Dandy and followed a link to your blog from someone elses (I think). Great blog and I will definitely be coming back for ideas for Christmas gifts!
Tina "The Book Lady"
http://www.familyliteracyandyou.blogspot.com
http://givingnsharing.blogspot.com
This is awesome! I'm going to make some of it this afternoon!
I am so happy to be your newest follower! I cant wait to make this!
www.melonbelly.blogspot.com
I made this afternoon and I too had the same trouble with it smelling heavily of EVOO. I had to add loads and loads of lemon juice. But this could equally of been because "cups" don't translate that well into metric measurements. I think I will have to invest in some american measuring device in order make my trying crafts from this site that bit easier!
This is a great idea though thank you. I know several people who will enjoy getting little pots of this as gifts :)
Can you uae this as a body scrub?
triciaarnold65@yahoo.com
I was wondering if I make this today (Wed, Dec 15th) will it still be good for Christmas? How long can it sit?
You can email jak0009@yahoo.com Thanks.
My daughter used this recipe to fill a 4 ounce jar for each of her teachers this Christmas. This made several perfect gifts! ~ Thank you!! Marie
I Love this Blog... It ROCKS Man! I could spend alot of time roaming on here... great job!
I Will Be Back, I promise!
Christina
This might be a silly question but can I sub regular olive oil for EVOO. I didn't re-read your post before buying a giant bottle at Sam's Club. I am planning on making this for the teachers for Valentine's day.
This sounds great! I have the same questions as several others tho -- does it need refrigeration, how long will it keep, and what if you wanted to use something other than lemon (you mentioned essential oils) -- what is the ratio on that, since essential oils tend to be a bit more concentrated? I'm partial to rose over lemon and wondered if that would work.
I could of used some of that after my warrior dash race (my first 5k and it was through mud)! I was COVERED in mud!
http://itsacowgirlthing.blogspot.com/
I really like your idea!! Thanks so much for sharing the recipe! I think i'm going to go make some up!! :)
how is this not sticky?
Oh my! I am a blacksmith, welder and gardener. My hands, even using Lava brand soap, look like mechanic's hands. They also feel like rough sandpaper. I'm going to have to make some of this and see if it will work on my hands!
For all of those who have made it, is it sticky? Also, I am wondering if I sub Sunflower oil for the Olive oil, will that cut out the olive oil smell everyone is complaining of having to over compensate for?
Thanks for sharing!
hey! i think this is he best idea, but it is actually quite expensive to make over here in new zealand! the olive oil is very expensive, as i live in a rural area and most of the oil comes from up a valley! but i still think it is a great thing! i am so going to try it with mandarins!
oh, and kinda copied this and put it on my website, a blogger one, hope you don't mind! if you do, tell me and i will remove it immediately! i put a link with it to your website, and therefore increasing traffic.
Uh, Hannah, you didn't kinda copy this, you outright copied it word for word. That's not cool.
I love food gifts in a jar but my husband's grandma doesn't cook. So this is going to be perfect for xmas! Thanks!
I made this today for my myself and MIL. I used vegatable oil instead of EVOO. I used five tbsp of lemon juice and then five drops of peppermint essential oil. OMG it smells just like lemonaid with a mint sprig in it. My husband saw me using it on my feet and asked if he could do it to. So he sat next to me on the tub ledge and scrubbed his toesies. Afterwards he told me his feet feel great and could I made some for the four girl work mates he has at work (they are always bringing him some baked goods and he wanted to recipricate, lol). This stuff is awesome!!!
I have had some email regarding some questions about the scrub and thought I would post here if it may help any others...
{Question}lemon juice (can I use the stuff in a bottle or are you calling for real lemon juice)...
You can use the bottled lemon juice – that is what I have used in mine. Either works well and you could even use essential oils – It is basically for the scent.
{Question} shelf life (can it be left out on the counter or should it be put in the fridge)
It does not need to be refrigerated. I would suggest storing it as you would olive oil – in a cool place out of direct sunlight so the oils do not go bad. I still have the original container I made when I wrote the tutorial and it is still good. Just make sure the containers you are using to store it are sealed well and cleaned properly prior to use.
{Question} smell (there were several who posted about the strong oil smell...is it something they are doing wrong or there a certain brand that has less of an odor)
Some people do not like the scent of the olive oil. Since it is the main ingredient in the scrub it does have a scent of olive oil. There are many different varieties of oil available I would suggest using a medium grade brand – also I use Extra Virgin Olive Oil in mine – not sure if that makes a significant difference but the scent does not bother me - Mixed with the lemon I find it to be ok for scrubbing my hands. To some the scent of olive oil is just not that appealing. If you are looking for more of a bath and body type scrub I would suggest trying the Pumpkin Spice Sugar Scrub found here: http://www.bystephanielynn.com/2010/11/make-your-own-pumpkin-spice-sugar-scrub.html . In addition, the olive oil in the lemon scrub can be replaced with sunflower or safflower oils.
This is a great idea...I definitely want to make this!
Where have I been all your life?!? The Sugar Scrub ideas and recipes are the perfect idea for home made Christmas presents this year! And to top it off, your Blog is brilliant!
Katz
My mom and I got talked in to buying a ridiculously high priced product that really wasn't much nicer than this. Now that we know how simple it is, we can make it ourselves. Thanks!
This may be a silly question, but after you apply and rub on hands do you wash this off with water?
I have been experimenting with all 3 of the scrubs you have listed on your blog and so far I have to say that I have tried olive oil, and sunflower oil, and coconut oil (do not use coconut oil as it hardens when it sets) and now today I tried grape seed oil (all of which I found on the oil aisle at walmart) the grape seed oil is the least scented. I am so happy with it! As for the Lemon scent... I was a little bummed when I used the lemon juice (in the yellow lemon container) and my scrub has no sent at all... maybe I should look for a yummy lemon essential oil to add scent. Just my review, to each their own but thank you so much for sharing I am loving all this homemade goodness!
Great idea! I found it on Pinterest and will be trying this as gifts for Christmas. Thanks again!
I made the lemon sugar scrub today and was very disappointed. The oil smell totally overpowered the lemon. I used the entire container of the lemon juice and I still couldn't smell the lemon. I used EVOO like you suggested. Any suggestions?
I love this idea. I can't wait to make some for myself as well as making some up for gifts.
I have a suggestion for those that want a more lemon scent in their scrub: use lemon zest in addition to the lemon juice. Also, using a light oil like grapeseed, sunflower or safflower, or apricot kernel. You can grate lemon zest directly into the mixture or you can add strips of lemon peel. The essential oil from the peel will scent your scrub.
Love this! Just wanted to let you know that I'm including it in my post "Top 10 Gifts in Jars" today at www.cheapcraftymama.com. Feel free to stop by and grab a button or link for your page to show that you are featured! Thanks!
I just want to know where you go the cool spoon or did you make it?
I love this idea. Just wondering if salt would work just as well as the sugar?
newbyfan1(at)yahoo(dot)ca
This would make great christmas gifts. Can't wait to try!
Thank you! What a wonderful idea! I can't wait to give it a try and maybe even give as gifts.
I just found your blog via Sew Mama Sew. Thanks so much for posting this; I'll be making a few of these this weekend to add to Christmas pressies. :-)
love it! Im totally going to make this! happy new follower! You have such cute ideas!
I just made some with coconut oil and lime for xmas gifts. Smells heavenly!
So, I got this link and at the top of the list was your site with this recipe. I just finished making this (and using it!) and must say "oh, la, la!!! Me likey!!!" Now I am foraging around for mason jars at my house so I can share this gift with family and friends for Christmas - thank you!
I wish I read the comments before making this- it reeks of olive oil- you can't smell the lemon at all!
I ran across this from a link on pinterest. Please, please do NOT make this with lemon juice!! Mixing oil with a waterbased ingredient will breed all kinds of nasties. Even if it looks and smells "fine" it can be full of dangerous bacteria and fungi, then you scrub your skin, creating dozens of microscopic scrapes and fissures- a perfect entryway for bacteria to get in and give you a nasty infection! As written, this must have a preservative, or be kept in the fridge and used in a few weeks!
Think of it this way - when you make salad dressing you mix oil and things like citrus juices. Would you eat that dressing if it's been left out for 2 weeks? Your skin is porous and just as susceptible to those germs! Using with scented or essential oils is OK (so long as you write instructions fir the user to not use wet hands or utensils to scoop out the scrub) but the safe use amounts would be
FAR less than called for in the recipe (more like 1tsp max for EOs). I hope you will amend the recipe with this safety information!
Lynne--I'm not an expert, but I do know that sugar acts as a preservative, so maybe that's why this is okay to leave out for a while. But if, as you say, the oil and water mixed make bacteria, etc, I'm guessing the sugar would only help for a week or two.
Anyone have trouble with ants being attracted to this?
Adding a couple of tablespoons of raw honey will make it anti fungal, antibacterial and add all kinds of healing enzymes to it!
The smell of the evoo was overpowering for me too and I used the measurements. I added the zest of a lemon & more lemon juice until it smelled like lemon. I also added more sugar to make it thicker and a huge spoonful of organic raw honey for the softening and healing properties. My son used it on his eczema on he says his hands fell great!
Just wanted to let you know that I used this great recipe on my own blog! You can check it out at http://makeupjunkieconfessions.blogspot.com/ !
Just made a batch of this using vegetable oil, and the juice of one lemon. I also added a little yellow food coloring, and it turned out great. My hands are so soft after using it!
My kids and I made this a few days ago and packed it up as teacher gifts. We kept a jar for ourselves too. Thank you so much for your wonderful ideas!!!
Thank you for sharing this recipe! Found it on Pinterest, made 4 times the recipe and it was enough to fill 12 eight ounce canning jars. Will make great gifts for my friends!
Lemon Hand Scrub sounds so refreshing and relaxing! I featured them in my “Last-Minute” Christmas Gift Ideas, here is the link http://beanbugcrafts.blogspot.com/2011/12/last-minute-christmas-gift-ideas.html. Thanks for sharing!
This recipe for hand scrub is really amazing. I will be trying it out tomorrow.
Thanks for sharing it.
Thank you for a great idea!
If you store the jar upside down every few days, no stirring is necessary.
Hi Stephanie, what is the difference in using EVOO and regular veggie oil?
Don't use a Pure soybean and olive oil mix. The odor from the oil is kind of strong but I added some more sugar and lemon juice to kind of even it out. Tnakes :)
Thanks for the recipe...it seems divine! One question though.. the recipe calls for 4 tablespoons of lemon juice or essential oils so mu question is, do i use 4 tablespoons of essential oil? that seems like a lot. how many drops per jar would you suggest?
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