A quick shower massage with this multi-tasking sugar scrub bar moisturizes skin while giving it a perfect polish. Exfoliating castor sugar is balanced by skin-softening shea butter and coconut oil to cleanse and hydrate. The citrusy scent of orange, along with a dash of rose petals, leave you with bright skin and a sunny disposition!
Thanks to the cool, dry winter air, my skin is drier and flakier than ever. Let me guess—you too? I turned to my favorite sugar scrub for relief, this time turning it into a solid bar scrub for easy shower application. Plus, these babies don’t contain soap, so they won’t dry you out even further.
And did I mention that they hold their shape through hot showers? Since they don't melt, they last pretty much forever. Plus, this recipe makes a ton, so you have extra body scrub bars to stash away for the next time you need a quick buff and polish.
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Scrub Bar Ingredients
When it comes to a solid sugar scrub bar recipe, you want ingredients that moisturize and exfoliate:
Shea Butter — Because it's loaded with skin-soothing fats, shea butter helps rejuvenate dry skin and lock in moisture.
Orange Essential Oil — Not only does it smell amazing, but the essential oil of orange is an antioxidant powerhouse. Just a few drops can help fight those skin-damaging free radicals, encourage cell turnover, and calm any inflammation [source].
Plus, it's said to help reduce anxiety during stressful events [source] and boost mood. If you're worried about photosensitivity (always make sure to wear extra sunscreen when using citrus oils), you can substitute with whatever oils you prefer.
Beet Root Powder — Dry skin usually needs a little extra nourishment, which is why I like to toss in a heaping teaspoon of organic beetroot powder. It isn’t necessary, but beet powder is loaded with anti-inflammatories, antioxidants, and vitamins A and C [source] to help encourage cell regeneration and brighten skin.
It’s not as hard to find as you might think, and you can probably spot it in the bulk food sections at your local health food store. Plus, it doubles as a natural lip and cheek stain, so it's always fun to have a little extra lying around.
Caster Sugar — Caster sugar is super-fine and gives these bars a gentle, non-irritating texture that helps slough away dead skin cells. If you don't have caster sugar, go ahead and use white table sugar or brown sugar.
Last but not least, finish your bars with a dollop of coconut oil and some beeswax to bind everything together. Plus, top it off with some rose petals for looks.
Instructions
Step 1 | Combine and Melt
Combine the oil, butter, and beeswax in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high in 20-second intervals until melted.
Step 2 | Add Essential Oils
Add the essential oil and whisk to combine.
Step 3 | Add Sugar
Slowly add the sugar (and the beetroot and rose petals—if using) and mix it all together. If you have trouble with the mixture solidifying too quickly, just pop it back in the microwave for another 20–30 seconds.
Step 4 | Pour into Molds + Cool
Let the mixture cool slightly before pouring into molds. If the oils are still hot, the sugar will settle at the bottom, so you might need to spoon the sugar into the mold. Then place in the freezer for 20 minutes to cool.
Substitutions
Sugar — If you don't have caster sugar, then any other sugar will work. Try regular white sugar, sucanat, coconut sugar, or brown sugar.
Beeswax — A wax is needed to help these bars hold their shape. But it doesn’t have to be beeswax. Feel free, especially if you are vegan, to use carnauba wax instead.
Body Scrub Bar Variations
Make softer bars: Skip the beeswax and just use cocoa and shea butter like in these Lush Scrubee dupes.
Add soap: Try these exfoliating scrub bars made with melt & pour soap for a sudsing scrub.
Make a lotion bar: Prefer to keep your scrub and lotion separate? No problem, leave out the sugar and just make lotion bars or even a solid face serum.
Make a face scrub bar: Use a fine-grain sugar like caster sugar or brown sugar if you plan to use the bar as a face scrub. And remember to go easy on the scrubbing.
Using Sugar Scrub Bars
To use, take a cube into the shower or bath and follow these steps:
Wet Your Skin: This helps the bar glide more smoothly over your skin.
Wet the Scrub Bar: The warm water will soften the bar and make it easier to apply.
Gently Rub Areas in Need: Rub it onto your skin in a circular motion. Go easy; let the exfoliating particles do the work!
Don't forget areas that may need extra exfoliation, like elbows, knees, heels, or any rough patches. I always hit the bikini area (to ward off ingrown hairs) and my underarms as well.
Rinse Thoroughly: Make sure all the scrubbing particles are completely removed. I find it super annoying to find stray bits of scrub on my skin after I'm out of the shower!
Moisturize: I still apply a moisturizer after using a scrub bar to help lock in the skin's hydration.
Store the Scrub Bar: Rinse the scrub bar, pat it dry, and store it in an airtight container. Keeping it dry and away from heat will help your scrub bar last longer.
FAQ
Store any unused bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator. As long as they stay dry, they should keep for months.
No, these particular bars do not. They're mainly meant to slough away dry skin and lock in moisture.
As long as you use fine-grain sugar (such as caster sugar), then go for it! If you are making scrub bars with a coarser sugar, it would be best to use them on the body only.
Looking for more dry skin remedies?
We swear by these matcha lotion bars or this shea butter body scrub for revitalizing parched skin.
Citrus-Rose Sugar Scrub Bars
Equipment
- Microwave safe bowl
- Wire whisk
- Silicon mold or paper-lined muffin tins
Materials
- 1 cup caster sugar
- ⅓ cup coconut oil
- 1-½ tablespoons shea butter
- ¼ cup beeswax granules
- 10 drops orange essential oil or any essential oil of your choosing
- 1 tablespoon rose petals
- 1 teaspoon beet root powder
Instructions
- Combine the coconut oil, shea butter, and beeswax in a small microwave-proof bowl (a bowl you don't mind getting messy). Microwave on high in 30-second intervals until everything is just melted.
- Add the essential oil and whisk to combine.
- Slowly add the sugar (and the beetroot and rose petals—if using) and mix it all together. If you have trouble with the mixture solidifying too quickly, just pop it in the microwave for another 20–30 seconds.
- Let the mixture cool slightly before pouring into your molds. If you pour while the oils are still hot, the sugar will settle at the bottom, in which case you might need to spoon the settled sugar into the mold. Then place in the freezer for 20 minutes to cool.
Notes
This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Gina Jansheski, a licensed, board-certified physician who has been practicing for more than 20 years. Learn more about Hello Glow's medical reviewers here. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.
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