I’ve been gifted homemade sugar scrubs a few times over the past few years, and I have always loved the way they make my skin feel so smooth.

So, for something different from Jena’s Tiny Kitchen, I wanted to give something inspired by food, but not made to be eaten. Sugar scrubs are a great thing to make at home, especially if you’re trying to cut down on plastic waste, or waste in general. 

Sugar can be bought in bulk and from zero waste shops (like Live Zero, here in HK), coconut oil can be bought in large tubs or in glass jars (glass is much more readily recycled here in HK), and fruit or coffee can be bought plastic free. 

These sugar scrubs make great gifts – which is exactly why I made them. I wanted to make my Christmas presents this year for a few friends, as I wanted to try and make sure I stuck to a budget, but also because I wanted things to be from my kitchen – given that that is what I’m now known for among my friends.

Below are recipes for four different sugar scrubs, but get creative and mix your favourite flavours: cranberry, vanilla, grapefruit, cinnamon. 

Scrubs will keep for a month in an air-tight container next to your shower, but I’m sure they won’t last that long. I have loved trying all of these mixtures out, and am thoroughly enjoying having extremely soft skin!

Treat yourself, or some friends, to a bit of pampering this Christmas with a sugar scrub.

Lemon Sugar Scrub
1 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup coconut oil, softened
zest of 1 lemon
juice of 1 lemon

Orange Sugar Scrub
1 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup coconut oil, softened
zest of 1 orange
juice of 1 orange

Lime Sugar Scrub
1 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup coconut oil, softened
zest of 3 limes
juice of 1 lime

Coffee Sugar Scrub
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup coffee grounds
1/4 cup coconut oil, softened
1 teaspoon cinnamon

1. Mix the ingredients in a bowl, or container.
2. To use – rub over skin during your shower, and rinse off before washing with soap.