This DIY easy homemade peppermint body scrub exfoliates and moisturizes all at once. Your skin will feel brand new and incredibly soft and luxurious. It is simple to make yourself with just two main ingredients that you likely have on hand already. It takes less than five minutes and is much less expensive than store-bought body scrubs. This body scrub makes a thoughtful holiday gift when given in cute little reusable glass jars tied with a bow!
During the east coast winters my skin immediately dries up. This is especially true for my hands, which I’m constantly washing to avoid getting sick this time of year! Add in dishes and baths and my poor hands definitely need some TLC every now and then to avoid cracking and bleeding from all the harsh water and soap they are exposed to constantly. Whipping up a batch of this body scrub is a quick and easy way to soften and hydrate those babies right up! And since it is homemade you know exactly what is in it. Nothing toxic. Only the good stuff.
This winter, treat your skin to this luxurious homemade peppermint body scrub. It moisturizes and exfoliates all at once. I keep mine in the shower and use it a couple times a week, especially throughout the dry winter months. As much as I love using it on myself, I love gifting it to others. It's a useful homemade gift that's just right for neighbors, teachers, friends...anyone who could use a little extra self care! Put it into a glass jar and tie it off with a cute ribbon for the sweetest gift.
DIY Peppermint Body Scrub
It could not be easier to make yourself with just two main ingredients that you likely have on hand already: coconut oil and salt (or sugar). That's it! From there you can customize this scrub with any essential oils you have on hand. I love peppermint for a candy cane twist, but you could also try:
- Lavender and bergamot for a relaxing scent
- I use this eucalyptus and lavender essential oil for a spa vibe
- Orange, lemon, or grapefruit for an invigorating citrus scrub
- Ginger and peppermint would be a soothing combination that could help with nausea
- Eucalyptus and tea tree is great for congestion and allergies
- During cold and flu season I like to add OnGuard essential oil
This is a great basic starter set of essential oils. Each of those scents would make a wonderful addition to the scrub and add extra benefits. If you don’t want any fragrance or benefits other than the scrub you can simply leave the essential oils out.
Gifting this Easy Homemade Candy Cane Body Scrub
It takes less than five minutes to make and is much less expensive than store-bought body scrubs. Everyone goes crazy over thoughtful DIY gifts...and this one is really the gift that keeps on giving! It lasts a long time and reminds your loved ones to take times for moments of self-care. Plus, the tiny glass jar is so cute and can be cleaned and reused for storing food. This set of six tiny glass jars are adorable and would be great for gifting the body scrub in. I love them and use them to store sauces, chia jam, smoothie jar ingredients and chia seed pudding. Remember to add a sweet note and it's a gift they'll cherish!
I hope you decide to give yourself or someone you know the gift of silky skin this holiday season. If you give this homemade body scrub a try, please snap a pic and tag #eatingbyelaine and @eatingbyelaine on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook so I can see you enjoying your candy cane body scrub creations.
More Gift Ideas
Easy Homemade Sugar Scrub
Vegan Snickerdoodles
Spiced Lentil & Split Pea Soup in a Jar
Healthy Maple Candied Pecans
Easy Homemade Hanukkah Gelt
Vegan Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bread
Easy Granola Recipe
Dark Chocolate Avocado Truffles
Vegan Almond Butter Cups
Giftable Candy Cane Body Scrub
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 ¼ cup 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This DIY easy homemade peppermint body scrub exfoliates and moisturizes all at once. Your skin will feel brand new and incredibly soft and luxurious. It is simple to make yourself with just two main ingredients that you likely have on hand already. It takes less than five minutes to make and is much less expensive than store-bought body scrubs. This body scrub makes a great holiday gift when given in cute little reusable glass jars.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Himalayan Pink Salt (or organic cane sugar)*
- ¼ cup room temperature coconut oil (use refined for no coconut smell)
- ¼ teaspoon peppermint essential oil (optional)
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a glass mixing bowl with a metal spoon.
- Portion into glass jars with lids. Place a festive ribbon around the rim and add a gift tag with the ingredients and a message if desired. Store sealed at room temperature.
- To use: In a hot shower, scoop a tablespoon of the peppermint body scrub onto clean, wet hands with a clean spoon. Scrub all over your body. I love to focus on my hands, knees, tops of feet, chest and legs. Gently scrub it in in a circular motion using more body scrub as needed. Rinse thoroughly with warm water and gently pat dry. Your skin should feel incredibly smooth and soft. The coconut oil helps to moisturize your skin while the salt (or sugar) exfoliates your skin. The peppermint essential oil is mostly just a lovely scent but it does help to reinvigorate you as you smell it!
- TIP: Do not allow moisture to get into the body scrub. Always reseal it with the lid after use. Do not reintroduce the spoon into the body scrub jar for best results. It is fine if this happens it will just start to get soggy and not last as long but it will still be lovely to use.
- After using the scrub, rinsing and drying off I sometimes follow up with lotion to help lock in the moisture. This is not necessary - just a suggestion. See note below for more tips and suggestions for best results.
Notes
* If you do not have Himalayan Pink Salt you can use any course salt or granulated sugar. I buy my Himalayan Pink Salt in bulk at Costco.
Do not use near eyes or on your forehead as the peppermint essential oil could sting your eyes. Do not use inside any body crevices. Do not use on the bottom of your feet unless you wipe immediately or you could slip in the shower. Just be careful. Use only on skin.
If using just on hands you don't have to be in the shower. You can just use it at the sink.
You can use any essential oil in this scrub. Peppermint gives it a lovely candy cane scent. It is personally my absolute favorite scent and always makes me feel so good when I smell it. You could also use lavender essential oil, eucalyptus, vanilla, orange, lemon or whatever essential oil scent you prefer!
I typically save lidded glass jars from jam, yogurt etc. and clean them out thoroughly. Once dry you can fill them with the scrub, decorate and gift it.
The mini candy canes in the photos are just for decoration. Do not actually insert them into the scrub when gifting it. You could gift them on the side.
Recently one of my readers shared these adorable mini wooden scoopers that they tied to the jar of gifted sugar scrub. They pair perfectly with the scrub.
- Prep Time: 5
- Category: Self Care
Issa :) says
Looks like a nice recipe, thank you for sharing! I'll try it over the holidays!
Elaine Gordon says
Thank you so much, Issa! I hope you enjoy! Happy holidays!
Sheila says
I am confused about the ratios. On the sugar scrub recipe, it says to use 1/2 c coconut oil to 1/4 c sugar. This salt scrub says 1/2 c coconut oil to 4 c salt. Those ratios are EXTREMELY different. Is it that different to use salt than sugar? Could you help me understand why 16 times more salt than sugar?
Elaine Gordon says
Hi, Sheila: I'm reviewing your question and the recipe card and the recipe card says "4 cups Himalayan Pink Salt (or organic cane sugar)*" so you can use either. Where are you seeing 1/4 cup sugar listed?
Sheila says
Hi. My sister-in-law gave me some lovely scrub for Christmas. I wanted to make more so she sent me the link to your “easy homemade sugar scrub recipe”. From there, I saw the link to this recipe which checked out because I was considering using salt. But then the amounts were so different, that I am confused as to how much to use.
Elaine Gordon says
Thank you so much, Sheila! I hope you enjoyed this one!
kim c acosta says
Do you use solid or liquid coconut oil?
Elaine Gordon says
It should be mostly solid at room temperature and that is what you want for this recipe. You do not want it rock solid hard but also not liquid. Soft and "scoop-able" is ideal.
Yvette says
What brand of the peppermint essential oil do you use ?
Elaine Gordon says
Hi Yvette! I love using NOWFoods peppermint essential oil — here’s the one I use: https://amzn.to/3YwjBfh 🌿 I also talk more about this brand’s essential oils in this post if you’d like to check it out: https://www.eatingbyelaine.com/easy-homemade-salt-scrub/. Let me know if you give the scrub a try! 💚
Yvette says
Thank you!
Elaine Gordon says
You're welcome, Yvette! Best, Elaine