DIY Skincare
HOW TO MAKE A DIY CRANBERRY BODY SCRUB
SAY HELLO TO BRIGHTER, SOFTER SKIN WITH THIS HEALTHY DIY CRANBERRY BODY SCRUB RECIPE. NOT ONLY IS IT EASY TO MAKE, IT SMELLS GREAT TOO.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here.
WHY WE LOVE DIY BODY SCRUBS
DIY body scrubs are insanely easy to make and very customizable. Store bought body scrubs are often filled with chemicals, and that’s something we prefer to skip when possible. Making scrubs at home often only uses a couple of ingredients from the pantry, so you’ll know exactly what is in your scrub (plus it will be a lot cheaper too).
If you are just starting off making your own skincare products, the task can sometimes seem daunting. Once you’ve made a recipe or two, you will discover how quick and simple it can be to DIY.
Body scrub recipes are limitless, depending on what you want to use in your scrubs (or what purpose you want your scrubs to have). I had leftover cranberries after making a holiday recipe and cranberry body scrub was born.
SUGAR SCRUB VS SALT SCRUB
While there are many benefits to both sugar and salt scrubs, today’s recipe is made with a sugar scrub base. Salt scrubs can be a little more abrasive, which makes them perfect for tougher skin such as elbows or knees. Salt also provides essential minerals which are absorbed through the skin. One of my Mom’s all-time favorite scrubs is this Pink Himalayan Salt Scrub Recipe.
I chose to make this cranberry body scrub with sugar because cranberries contain acids which act as exfoliants to our skin. So, a gentler scrub base of sugar was a good place to start for those who tend to have more sensitive skin like me.
WHY USE CRANBERRIES IN SKINCARE?
We know cranberries are a superfood, so it makes sense they are super for our skin too. Cranberries are anti-oxidant rich, plus they’re high in Vitamin C.
What does that mean for your skin? Vitamin C is responsible for lightening, brightening and tightening skin. Three highly sought-after qualities in skincare! Let’s break them down:
- Lightening: if you have areas of hyperpigmentation (such as from melasma from pregnancy), Vitamin C can help to even out skin tone.
- Brightening: of course this goes along with lightening, Vitamin C can help brighten the appearance of our skin by evening out our skin tone but also exfoliating our skin to reveal a brighter complexion. When we exfoliate our skin, we are essentially removing the top layer of dead skin cells which can make our skin look dull. Hello brighter complexion!
- Tightening: yep, you heard that right. When we regularly exfoliate, we are of course removing dead skin cells but we are also getting circulation going in that area. Vitamin C also helps our collagen production, and collagen helps to fight wrinkles and firm up our skin. Together, through exfoliation, circulation and more collagen our skin can begin to become more firm and more youthful looking.
Let’s not forget about antioxidants here. Antioxidants are also just as powerful for our skin as they are for the inside of our bodies! They help to reduce inflammation, aid in the repair of sun damage, and also assist with tightening our skin.
When embarking on any skincare journey, it’s important to always do a little test spot to make sure your body can tolerate the scrub/body product appropriately.
HOW TO STORE CRANBERRY BODY SCRUB
Here’s where this DIY body scrub may be a little different than the rest. Generally, we leave our body scrub in the bathroom or shower until we are ready to use it again. Because we’ve used fresh crushed cranberries, it’s best practice to keep this recipe in the refrigerator in between uses.
Because cranberry sugar scrub is used with coconut oil, it will harden a bit in the fridge. I sort of like it a little thicker, actually! The scrub will soften up nicely as soon as the warm shower water hits it.
HOW TO USE CRANBERRY BODY SCRUB
Most body scrubs should be used the same way, on wet skin! I go pretty in depth about how to use a body scrub in this post, but essentially scrub should be used before shaving but after skin has been softened in the shower or tub for several moments.
It’s always important to save shaving for last to reduce irritation. Much more on that in my homemade shaving cream post.
Exfoliating can help to prevent ingrown hairs, because we are essentially removing a layer of dead skin cells that could be building up and causing pesky ingrown hairs.
TOOLS AND INGREDIENTS NEEDED TO MAKE DIY CRANBERRY BODY SCRUB
This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here.
- Strainer
- Bowl
- Jars
- Blender or Food Processor
- 1 C Sugar
- 1/2 C Coconut Oil
- 1/2-3/4 C Cranberries
- Orange essential oil (optional)
THE RECIPE!
Rinse cranberries in a strainer. If cranberries were frozen, they can be thawed on the counter or simply run hot water over them in the strainer.
Dice cranberries in a blender or small food processor until they are fully crumbled.
In a large bowl, add sugar and coconut oil together and mix well. If the coconut oil is solid, using hands to mix is a great tip.
Once sugar and coconut oil are well incorporated, add cranberries and mix with a spoon.
If you’ve chosen to add orange essential oils, add a few drops and continue to mix with a spoon.
Add to your favorite jar and enjoy!
PRINTABLE RECIPE CARD
HOMEMADE CRANBERRY BODY SCRUB
Say hello to brighter, softer skin with this healthy DIY cranberry body scrub recipe. Not only is it easy to make, it smells great too.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 C Sugar
- 1/2 C Coconut Oil
- 1/2C – 3/4C Cranberries
INSTRUCTIONS
Rinse cranberries in a strainer. If cranberries were frozen, they can be thawed on the counter or simply run hot water over them in the strainer.
Dice cranberries in a blender or small food processor until they are fully crumbled.
In a large bowl, add sugar and coconut oil together and mix well. If the coconut oil is solid, using hands to mix is a great tip.
Once sugar and coconut oil are well incorporated, add cranberries and mix with a spoon.
If you’ve chosen to add orange essential oils, add a few drops and continue to mix with a spoon.
Add to your favorite jar and enjoy!
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