In need of a last minute present or hostess gift? You can make these safe, non-toxic skincare products right in your kitchen with ingredients you already have on hand!
Candy Cane Body Scrub
1 cup of sugar
1/4 cup coconut oil
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp jojoba oil (or another oil you may have on hand such as sunflower or soy)
20 drops peppermint essential oil
In a bowl mix sugar, olive oil and jojoba oil. Melt coconut oil in a double boiler until just melted. Add to sugar mixture and stir until mixed. Add peppermint oil and stir. Pour into a container. You can use a cute holiday plastic container or a mason jar. Make sure to remind the recipient to be careful with a glass jar in the shower.
Note: This is a flexible recipe! Use what you have on hand! if you don't have peppermint essential oil, you can use peppermint extract or change things up and make a lavender scrub or a vanilla scrub (just add vanilla extract). Partial to spices? Add a teaspoon of cinnamon, ginger, cardamom or nutmeg or a combination of those. Increase spices for additional scent.
Label your product with the ingredients and these directions:
Directions: Using a spoon or spatula scoop a small amount into your hand. Rub onto wet skin. Rinse off and pat dry. Do not get water into the scrub or it will spoil.
Here is a link to some cute tags you can print and attach to your gift:
https://www.avery.com/ideas/galleries/christmas
Body Oil
1 cup of vegetable oil (try to use a combination of 3 different oils)
20 drops of essential oil.
Add the essential oil to the vegetable oil and stir to mix. Add to a cute container and add a label with the ingredients and these directions: Apply a quarter-sized amount to damp skin and rub in. Allow 1 minute to absorb before dressing.
Note: Use peppermint, lavender or for a Christmas tree like smell try balsam fir or spruce essential oil. If you don't have essential oils, you can find them in stores like TJ Maxx, Target, Trader Joe's or Whole Foods.
Try different vegetable oils depending on how you want the product to feel. Olive oil is wonderful for dry skin and is moderately heavy. Sunflower oil is lighter and absorbs quickly. To add coconut oil, use no more than 1/4 cup and melt in a double boiler before adding to other oils. Others to try are soybean, grapeseed, jojoba and avocado. All of these except for the jojoba are available at your grocery store.
You can find inexpensive bottles at your local Dollar Store. Click the link for an idea:
https://www.dollartree.com/Travel-Storage-Bottle-Sets/p302725/index.pro