Dry Skin Solutions: Quick & Easy Sugar Scrubs

When the harsh winter winds cause dry skin, it’s time to pamper ourselves. A DIY sugar scrub is not only oh-so easy to make…the fragrance combinations seem endless!

Reader Contribution by Mary Murray
Published on February 8, 2019
article image
by AdobeStock/Africa Studio

Blustery days, howling winds, and layers of ice…that’s been the weather in our part of the Midwest the last two weeks. Like so many of you across the country, each morning we woke up to drifting snow and temperatures that plummeted way below freezing.

While I would have loved to curl up by a crackling fire with some chocolaty cocoa and a good book, winter on a farm means going out into the weather several times a day. And so, if you would have stopped by last week, I would have been found bundled up head-to-toe, and while I was certainly not stylish, I was definitely warm!

If you’re like me, when it’s this cold and windy, my skin dries out quickly. The best solution I’ve found is to exfoliate with a sugar scrub. While sugar scrubs can be found in many shops, they can not only be expensive, they will most likely contain a list of ingredients that are far from organic and simple.

Which is why I make my own! Once or twice a week I’ll use a sugar scrub on my hands and feet, and they’re even gentle enough for my face. There are countless variations from refreshing mint to calming lavender, and even decadent chocolate!

Why sugar and not salt?  Well for me, I prefer sugar because the grains are smaller than salt, meaning it’s more gentle on the skin. And unlike salt, sugar naturally draws moisture from the air helping to hydrate skin.

Here are a few of my favorites. Sometimes I’ll add a little less oil or a bit more sugar; you can easily adjust them to your personal preferences. You can also use any oil you prefer; I like sunflower oil because it doesn’t have the strong aroma that many oils do.

Cinnamon Scrub

Substitute pumpkin or apple pie spice for the cinnamon…perfect for autumn!

• 1/2 c. white sugar
• 1 c. brown sugar, packed
• 2 T. cinnamon
• 1/2 c. plus 1/2 T. sunflower oil

Whisk together sugars and cinnamon. Add oil; stir to blend. Spoon into jars and secure the lid.

Peppermint Sugar Scrub

Great for gift-giving…tie a little wooden scoop to the jar.

• 3 c. white sugar
• 1 c sunflower oil
• 10 drops peppermint oil

Combine sugar and oils; blend well. Spoon into jars and secure the lid.

Honey-Vanilla Sugar Scrub

We have our own honey bees, so this scrub is one of my favorites.

• 1 c. white sugar
• 1/4  c. honey
• 1 t. vanilla extract
• 2 t. sunflower oil

Combine all ingredients; spoon into a jar and secure the lid.

Chocolate Sugar Scrub

For all of us chocolate lovers out there!

• 1 c. white sugar
• 1/4 c. cocoa
• 1/8 c. coconut oil, melted

Combine all ingredients well; spoon into a jar and secure the lid.

Vanilla Sugar Scrub

Mmmm, smells like a sugar cookie.

• 1 c. white sugar
• 1/2 c. sunflower oil
• 1 t. vanilla extract

Combine ingredients; blending well. Spoon into a jar and secure the lid.

With just a few ingredients, sugar scrubs are so easy to make…try whipping up one just for fun. Better yet, get a few girlfriends together and make an afternoon of it!


Mary is a Midwest farmgirl who enjoys the simple pleasures of living in the country. “For us, living where there is plenty of room for gardens, chickens, goats, honey bees, and for our family to relax, is the best kind of life.” You can visit Windy Meadows Farm here, Windy Meadows Farm.

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