Before you slather on the lotions and sunscreens this summer, prep your skin for show by sloughing away dead skin with a homemade sugar body scrub.

Forget the parabens, sulfates, silicones, phthalates and artificial colors. Do-it-yourself versions mean you won’t have any unnecessary chemicals or preservatives in your body scrubs. You can’t beat the price, either. Homemade sugar scrubs require simple ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry.  

This recipe for a do-it-yourself coconut vanilla sugar body scrub will leave your skin ready to flaunt, even in the dreaded swimsuit! The graininess of the sugar exfoliates skin, even tough areas like feet, elbows and knees, while the oil hydrates and nourishes. And the scent, well, it couldn’t smell more like summertime!

Ingredients

Method

In a bowl, combine all ingredients. Add more or less oil depending on how oily you like your scrub.

Scoop the mixture into a reusable container, like a mason jar, pickle jar or previously used beauty product container.

Slather across your skin in the shower and enjoy! Just be careful. The bottom of your shower will likely get slippery.

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image: Kirsten Hudson