Exfoliating Citrus Mint DIY Sugar Scrub Cubes

Did winter leave you with dry or rough skin? Summer is unofficially here and it too can be hard on skin. From the drying effects of the sun to the chlorine in the pool, you need to prepare your skin for what’s coming. Before summer has a chance to dry and damage your skin further, scrub it back to health with these exfoliating DIY sugar scrub cubes. They’re really easy to make at home!

DIY Salt Scrub

Guys suffer from dry skin too, and if your favorite guy is a little hesitant to try out one of your floral body scrubs, he’ll love these citrus mint DIY sugar scrub cubes! Your skin and his skin will feel and look amazing, you may not want to stop snuggling! 😉

I prefer making scrubs in cubes because I don’t have to worry that I’ve left any moisture inside the jar. I get a cube out before I get in the bath or shower. I also don’t have to worry about dumping scrub on my counter or the rim of the tub. My hubby prefers the cubes too because he finds them more convenient and easier to handle.

The ingredients in these homemade sugar scrub squares are what make them work so well!

Homemade Sugar Scrub Bars

Sugar is a natural humectant, which means it draws moisture into the skin to keep it hydrated. It’s also an excellent natural exfoliant. Its small particles exfoliate and remove dead skin cells to reveal the glowing, healthy-looking skin underneath.

Coconut oil has many benefits for the skin. It’s great at keeping skin moisturized and decreasing water loss in dry skin. It reduces inflammation and helps speed up wound healing! It even possesses antibacterial and anti-fungal properties that can help treat acne and protect skin from harmful bacteria and fungi.

Sweet almond oil is a mild oil that’s hypoallergenic, keeps your skin moisturized, and heals chapped and irritated skin. It also contains a lot of vitamin E, a great antioxidant that keeps your skin cells healthy, protects your skin from the damaging effects of UV radiation, and keeps your skin looking smooth, soft, and free of fine lines.

Shea butter is incredibly moisturizing and nourishing for the skin. It’s great for softening skin and even has anti-inflammatory and healing properties. It conditions, soothes, and tones your skin, and is often used as a remedy for acne and dry skin plus to protect skin’s natural oils.

The essential oils I chose for this scrub work for everyone. The lemongrass, eucalyptus, bergamot, and peppermint come together for a crisp and incredibly refreshing blend that’s perfect for both men and women.

Exfoliating Citrus Mint DIY Sugar Scrub Cubes

This recipe makes about 15 sugar scrub cubes.

Ingredients:

8 ounces white granulated sugar
2 ounces coconut oil *See note below*
2 ounces sweet almond oil *See note below*
1 ounce natural bar soap—finely chopped (I used Irish Spring soap)
1 ounce shea butter—chopped
6 drops lemongrass essential oil
6 drops eucalyptus essential oil
4 drops bergamot essential oil
4 drops peppermint essential oil
2-4 drops green natural food coloring (optional)
Silicone mold or ice tray

Note: If you don’t have these oils on hand, you can use different oils if you prefer. Argan, grapeseed, and jojoba oils are good substitutes for coconut oil while apricot kernel, grapeseed, and sunflower oils are good substitutes for sweet almond oil. You will need a total of 2 ounces of nourishing oils.

Tip: Gather all of your ingredients before you start making your DIY sugar scrub cubes. Once you get started, the process moves pretty quickly so the bar soap and shea butter don’t firm up again.

Directions:

Watch this short video to learn how to make these exfoliating citrus mint sugar scrubs.

Add the coconut oil, sweet almond oil, bar soap, and shea butter to a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at 50% power for 30 seconds. Stir and continue to microwave at 50% power in 10-second increments until completely melted.
Remove from microwave and stir the soap mixture a few times. Allow to cool for 1 minute.
Add the green food coloring and stir until you reach your preferred shade of green.
Add the essential oils and stir to incorporate.
Add the granulated sugar to the soap mixture and mix well to fully combine.
Place your silicone mold on a cookie sheet to give it stability when it is moved. Fill each cavity up to the top with the sugar scrub mixture, making sure you press them tightly into the mold. Smooth off the top of each sugar scrub cube with the back of a spoon.
Chill in the freezer for 30-45 minutes to allow to harden.
Gently pop out the exfoliating citrus mint DIY sugar scrub bars from their molds and store them in an airtight container.

Store in a cool, dry place and enjoy!

If your house is relatively warm, store the sugar scrub cubes in the fridge or freezer to prevent melting.

How to Use

Grab an exfoliating homemade sugar scrub cube and rub it onto wet skin when taking a shower. Gently massage in a circular motion. Focus on body parts with thicker skin, like your elbows, knees, and feet.

Rinse off with warm water and pat dry with a towel. Then apply your favorite moisturizer to your skin. My antibacterial lemongrass DIY lotion bars will work well!

Benefits

The sugar in this recipe will exfoliate and scrub away dull, dead skin, leaving behind healthy skin. The coconut and sweet almond oils will moisturize and nourish that newly revealed skin and make it shine. Enjoy the energizing and uplifting aroma of citrus mint!

DIY Salt Scrub

With so many beneficial properties and such a short prep time, there’s no reason not to make these amazing citrus mint DIY sugar scrub cubes!

These DIY sugar scrub cubes also make great DIY gifts, for a Father’s Day gift, a Mother’s Day gift, a birthday gift, or a “just because” gift—one that your kids can help you make! For gifting, put them in a pretty Mason jar, and add a tag, bow, or ribbon.

Pretty easy, right?

Hope you love these exfoliating sugar scrub bars as much as we do!