Exfoliating and moisturizing are necessary to keep our skin looking great. There are hundreds of body scrubs on the market that will give you good results. However, you can easily make your own homemade scrub using brown sugar and extra virgin olive oil.
Brown sugar is a natural humectant that draws moisture from the environment into the skin. Brown sugar is also anti-bacterial and contains glycolic acid, an alpha-hydroxy acid ingredient used in a wide range of skin care products. Alpha-hydroxy acids remove dead skin cells and keep the skin healthy. Compared to white sugar, brown sugar is less harsh and ideal for exfoliating the face and sensitive skin.
Although there are several oils you can choose for your scrub, my favorite to use is Extra virgin Olive Oil. Olive oil is extremely moisturizing and has been known to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Olive oil has a tremendous amount of antioxidants, including vitamin A and E. Vitamin E has anti-aging benefits and restores skin elasticity. In addition, olives contain hydroxytyrosol, which some believe to be the most powerful antioxidant. Hydroxytyrosol helps fight off free radicals that cause aging and skin damage.
A brown sugar and olive oil scrub is all natural and easy to make. This scrub is great for exfoliating the body, face, and lips. Both brown sugar and olive oil have enormous benefits and will leave you with soft, radiant, and glowing skin.
Recipe for Brown Sugar and Olive Oil Scrub
- 1 cup of brown sugar
- 1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil or less, depending on preference
- Optional: 1 tablespoon of honey
Mix the ingredients into a bowl or container to form a paste. Gently rub the paste onto the skin in a circular motion. Rinse with warm water.
You can to do this scrub twice a week to keep your skin soft and radiant. The brown sugar and olive oil scrub also makes a great gift for your family and friends.