Make a Homemade Hand Scrub

Whether it's due to cold, dry weather, frequent dish washing, or other manual labor, it's very easy for your hands to be dry and rough. While moisturizing hand cream can help, it won't do much good if there's dead skin on the surface that won't allow it to penetrate. Using a hand scrub can remove that tough layer of skin for softer, smoother hands that readily absorb moisturizer. You can make your own hand scrub with ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen. Try a simple sugar scrub that's scented with lemon, a moisturizing version that uses dish soap as a base, a formula that combines sugar and salt for powerful exfoliation, or a delicious salt scrub that smells like grapefruit.

Ingredients

Lemon Sugar Hand Scrub

  • ⅔ cup (150 g) sugar
  • ¼ cup (52 g) fractionated coconut oil or olive oil
  • 15 drops lemon essential oil

Moisturizing Hand Scrub

  • 1 part moisturizing dish soap
  • 2 parts sugar
  • 3 to 5 drops peppermint essential oil

Sugar and Salt Hand Scrub

  • 1 tablespoon (13 g) coconut oil
  • 2 tablespoons (42.5 g) raw honey
  • ¼ cup (59 g) sea salt
  • ¼ cup (55 g) sugar
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) lemon juice

Grapefruit and Sea Salt Hand Scrub

  • 1 cup (267 g) coarse sea salt
  • ½ cup (118 ml) liquid coconut oil
  • 5 to 7 drops grapefruit essential oil

Steps

Preparing Lemon Sugar Hand Scrub

  1. Combine the sugar and oil. Add ⅔ cup (150 g) of sugar and ¼ cup (52 g) of fractionated coconut oil or olive oil to a medium size bowl. Use a spoon to mix the ingredients together so they’re fully combined.[1]
    • If you don’t have fractionated coconut oil, you can melt solid coconut oil in the microwave.
    • The sugar and oil mixture should have the texture of semi-dry sand. Adjust the amounts of each ingredient accordingly if you find that the mixture is too thick or too thin.
  2. Mix in the essential oil. When the sugar and oil mixture has reached the proper consistency, add 15 drops of lemon essential oil to the bowl. Stir well to incorporate the essential oil throughout the scrub.[1]
    • If you don’t have lemon essential oil, you can substitute 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of fresh lemon juice.
    • You can also mix some lemon zest into the scrub to increase the lemon scent.
  3. Transfer the scrub to a jar with a lid. When the scrub is completely mixed, carefully spoon it into a glass jar. Make sure that the container has a lid so the scrub will be airtight. Leave it next to your kitchen or bathroom sink, and scoop out a small amount to massage over your hands when they get rough.[1]
    • After massaging the scrub over your hands, rinse it off with warm water and pat your hands dry with a clean towel.

Mixing Up a Moisturizing Hand Scrub

  1. Add the sugar to a container. Add 2 parts of sugar to the glass container that you plan to store your scrub in. The jar or container should be approximately ⅔ full with the sugar. It’s important to leave space at the top to add the dish soap.[2]
    • You can make as large or as small batches of the scrub as you’d like by adjusting how much sugar you use. The scrub makes an ideal gift, so you can make a large batch, divide it between several jars, and give it out during the holiday season.
  2. Pour the dish soap in a little at a time. When the sugar is in place, slowly begin to pour 1 part of a moisturizing liquid dish soap into the container. Stop after adding a small amount to mix it with the sugar for a thick paste-like consistency, and repeat the process until you’ve added all of the soap.[2]
    • You can find moisturizing liquid dish soap at the grocery store. It usually contains skin care ingredients that make more soothing and hydrating than other dish soaps.
    • If the consistency of your scrub isn’t right, simply add more sugar to make it thicker or mix in more soap to thin it out.
    • It’s usually easier to use a fork to mix the sugar and soap rather than a spoon.
  3. Mix in the essential oil. Once the scrub has reached the right consistency, add 3 to 5 drops of peppermint essential oil. Mix the oil in well with a fork to ensure that the scent is distributed throughout the scrub.[1]
    • If you prefer, you can use another essential oil. Lime, lemon, and lavender are all nice options.

Creating a Sugar and Salt Hand Scrub

  1. Combine the coconut oil and honey. Add 1 tablespoon (13 g) of coconut oil and 2 tablespoons (42.5 g) of raw honey to a medium size bowl. Stir well with a spoon to ensure that the ingredients are fully combined.[3]
    • If you don’t have raw honey, you can substitute processed honey.
  2. Mix the salt, sugar, and lemon juice in another bowl. In a separate small bowl, combine ¼ cup (59 g) of sea salt, ¼ cup (55 g) of sugar, and 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of lemon juice. Stir the ingredients together until the mixture has a crumbly texture.[3]
    • It’s best to use organic sugar, but you can use whatever you have in your pantry.
  3. Pour the salt mixture into the honey mixture. Once the salt and sugar mixture is combined, add it to the coconut oil and honey. Stir all of the ingredients together until a smooth, thick paste forms.[3]
  4. Transfer to a glass container. When the scrub is completely mixed, use a spoon to carefully place it in a glass storage container or jar. Use the scrub 1 to 2 times a week to keep your hands soft and smooth.[3]
    • To use the scrub, massage a dime-sized amount over your hands for 30 to 60 seconds. Rinse with warm water and pat your hands dry with a towel. The coconut oil is highly moisturizing so you don’t have to apply a hand cream afterward.

Whipping Up Grapefruit and Sea Salt Hand Scrub

  1. Mix the salt and coconut oil. Add 1 cup (267 g) of coarse sea salt to a glass jar or container. Pour in ½ cup (118 ml) of liquid coconut oil, and mix with a fork until the ingredients are fully combined.[4]
    • If you don’t have coconut oil, you can substitute olive oil.
  2. Add the essential oil. Once the salt and coconut oil are fully combined, mix in 5 to 7 drops of grapefruit essential oil. Stir the scrub well to distribute the fragrance throughout the mixture.[4]
    • You can use other citrus essential oils if you prefer, such as lemon, lime, or orange. However, grapefruit is particularly good for the scrub because it has antibacterial and antiseptic properties.
  3. Store the scrub beside your sink. You can use the scrub once or twice a week. Keep it beside your sink so it’s easy to remember to use it when your hands feel dry and rough.[4]
    • Be sure to store the scrub with a lid on to keep it airtight.


Tips

  • These scrubs also work well for dry skin on your elbows.
  • It’s possible to exfoliate your hands too much, so only use these scrubs once or twice a week.
  • For best results, apply a moisturizing hand cream after using the scrubs for softer, smoother hands.

Warnings

  • You shouldn’t use these scrubs on your face. They’re too rough for the delicate skin.
  • If your skin starts to burn or sting when you use the scrub, wash it off immediately.

Things You'll Need

Lemon Sugar Hand Scrub

  • A medium size bowl
  • A spoon
  • A glass jar or container

Moisturizing Hand Scrub

  • A glass jar or container
  • A fork

Sugar and Salt Hand Scrub

  • A medium size bowl
  • A spoon
  • A small bowl
  • A glass jar or container

Grapefruit and Sea Salt Hand Scrub

  • A glass jar or container
  • A fork

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 http://myfrugaladventures.com/2013/12/easy-homemade-hand-scrub-diy-satin-hands/
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 http://www.isavea2z.com/frugal-hand-scrub-recipe-just-like-mary-kays-satin-hands/
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 http://www.livingthenourishedlife.com/want-to-get-soft-hands-try-my-homemade/
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-an-exfoliating-sea-salt-hand-scrub-projects-from-the-kitchen-213554
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