This moisturizing rosemary mint sugar scrub recipe for glowing skin is a great addition to your DIY skincare routine. It’s made with natural ingredients such as finely ground sugar, camellia oil, and it’s naturally scented with essential oils.
Homemade sugar scrubs are one of those little luxuries that are incredibly simple to make. Body scrubs also have a plethora of benefits, including leaving the skin smoother and more vibrant. The gentle exfoliation this homemade rosemary sugar scrub provides can help to slough off the dead skin cells that can clog pores and lead to duller looking skin.
Additionally, gently exfoliating the skin with a DIY rosemary scrub can boost circulation and contribute to collagen production. Sugar scrubs are also equally beneficial for smoothing callused heels and invigorating the feet after a long day.
I usually prefer sugar scrubs vs. salt scrubs, as the finer granules of sugar are much gentler on delicate skin. But salt scrubs are great in moderation, especially for the feet. I also prefer using monounsaturated carrier oils such as camellia oil in sugar scrub recipes over low quality, polyunsaturated oils such as sunflower or sweet almond.
Ingredients for Rosemary Mint Sugar Scrub
I used camellia oil as the carrier oil in this rosemary scrub recipe. It’s a lovely, light, non-greasy, non-comedogenic and fast-absorbing oil. The benefit of its fast absorption is that camellia oil will not leave a greasy film on the skin like many oils.
It’s also equally fantastic for use on sensitive or mature skin due to its high antioxidant and oleic acid content which is why it’s the perfect carrier oil for a nourishing rosemary body scrub recipe.
The camellia oil in this sugar scrub recipe was obtained from the seeds of camellia oleifera plants. There are approximately 250 types of camellia plants which produce beautiful rose-like flowers in shades of red, white or pink.
However, camellia oil is predominantly produced from 3 main types of camellia – camellia japonica, camellia sinesis and camellia oleifera.
It is camellia japonica, also called Tsubaki oil, that is used most often in expensive skincare products as it is said to be odourless when compared to the oil derived from camellia sinesis or camellia oleifera.
However since camellia sinesis and camellia oleifera are less expensive and more readily available, they are more suitable for use in DIY body products such as in this rosemary mint scrub.
The fatty acid profile of camellia oil is also similar to that of olive oil. Camellia oil is high in monounsaturated fatty acids like oleic acid, and low in polyunsaturated acids like linoleic acid.
Since polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are very unstable and prone to oxidation, it’s ideal to avoid them in sugar scrub recipes. For more information on how oils high in PUFAs contribute to aging, refer to this article outlining the risks of using PUFA’s on your skin.
It’s also important to note that camellia oil is also called tea seed oil and thus can be confused with tea tree oil. But camellia oil and tea tree oil are two very different oils with different uses and benefits and should not be used interchangeably.
Please be certain that you purchase camellia (or tea seed oil) rather than tea tree oil for this rosemary sugar scrub recipe. Also, when utilizing any type of camellia oil in your DIY skincare products, be certain that it’s organic, cold-pressed and not diluted with any other type of oil.
Substitutions: The price of camellia oil has gone up so if you don’t want to purchase it for this rosemary mint body scrub recipe, you can always substitute the camellia oil for another monounsaturated oil such as cold-pressed olive oil or avocado oil. You can also use fractionated coconut oil or MCT in this rosemary body scrub, which is liquid at room temperature.
Also, if you have sensitive skin or are allergic to peppermint essential oil, you can omit it and still make this hydrating rosemary sugar scrub but without the mint.
Rosemary Mint Sugar Scrub Benefits
This DIY rosemary mint scrub with essential oils is perfect for reducing stress and alleviating aches and pains. Both rosemary and peppermint, two very invigorating essentials oils, have been shown to boost circulation, improve memory and aid in the relief of body aches, tension and sore muscles.
Studies have also shown that smelling rosemary can decrease oxidative stress as well as lower the level of cortisol (the stress hormone) in saliva.
As always, it’s important that when buying essential oils for your DIY skincare products, to make sure they are organic and purchased from a reputable source.
DIY Rosemary Mint Sugar Scrub with Camellia Oil
What You'll Need
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup camellia oil
- 9 drops peppermint essential oil
- 7 drops rosemary essential oil
Instructions
- In a glass mixing bowl, mix sugar and camellia oil until combined.
- Add peppermint and rosemary essential oils and mix thoroughly with a clean utensil.
- Transfer to a glass container or mason jar with an airtight lid.
- Apply to clean, just-washed skin in a circular motion. Rinse off lightly in the shower or bath with water only. You don't want to remove the beneficial moisturizing properties of the camellia oil with soap or body wash, so be sure to bathe before using the scrub.
Notes
How to use rosemary sugar scrub?
Prepare your skin for exfoliation by rinsing your body with warm water to open your pores. Apply a handful of rosemary sugar scrub to your skin, and gently massage your body, using a circular motion. Rinse off lightly, then apply a nourishing body lotion or body butter to lock in even more moisture. However, the camellia oil in your body scrub should also provide hydration to your skin.
How often to use rosemary body scrub?
Use this homemade sugar scrub 2 times per week on average. Those with allergy-prone or sensitive skin should use body scrubs more infrequently, if at all.
Can you use this sugar scrub on your feet?
Yes, as mentioned above, you can definitely use this rosemary mint scrub on your feet. A rosemary scrub recipe is perfect for getting your feet sandal ready by softening callouses and dry heels. Plus, rosemary essential oil and peppermint essential oil can also help combat odor, which makes them ideal oils for use in a foot scrub.
We hope you enjoyed this rosemary mint sugar scrub recipe tutorial. Feel free to leave any questions or comments below!
rebeccassoapdeli
Thursday 9th of August 2018
Camellia oil is SO divine. What a great way to incorporate it into a sugar scrub!
Kim
Thursday 9th of August 2018
We agree! It’s one of our favourite oils!
Lisa Mecham
Thursday 28th of June 2018
I just LOVE how knowledgeable you are about every single ingredient. Not only had I never heard of this kind of oil, I never knew how much I was missing! Seriously, your blog is awesome and I always leave so inspired. :)
Kim
Thursday 28th of June 2018
Hi Lisa, thanks for taking the time to comment! We always do our research before recommending an ingredient so it's so nice to hear that it's appreciated!