Can you substitute peppermint extract for peppermint oil?

Yes, you can use peppermint extract for a peppermint sugar scrub. However, you may need to increase the quantity of oil added by 2-3 times to achieve the same potency. Extracts may also have other ingredients beyond peppermint (like alcohol).

How long does sugar scrub last?

A sugar scrub may last 3-5 months as long as the mixture remains uncontaminated. For best results, avoid using your hands to scoop out the sugar scrub, which could introduce bacteria.

What are other uses for essential oils?

You can use essential oils for aromatherapy, diffusers, DIY room spray, or potpourri. Essential oils are often blended with carrier oils for certain uses, such as in sugar scrubs or other beauty products.

Easy Peppermint Sugar Scrub (Free Printable Labels)

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Sugar scrubs are some of my favorite homemade gifts to make. This peppermint sugar scrub has only three main ingredients and is the perfect gift idea for anyone who loves natural skincare.

Peppermint sugar scrub in a mason jar with a label and baker's twine ribbon.

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What is a sugar scrub?

If you’re new to sugar scrubs, you’ll soon wonder why you didn’t discover them sooner!

A sugar scrub is a soothing mixture that both softens and moisturizes the skin. The sugar helps with exfoliation, while the oil base provides moisture. By blending these ingredients with scented oils, you can create any type of body scrub your heart desires.

Peppermint sugar scrub in small glass mason jars, shown with wooden spoons and peppermints.

I first made sugar scrub with co-workers at a women’s networking event, and that’s when my obsession began. You could easily turn this project into a fun craft night with friends.

What is Peppermint Sugar Scrub for?

Peppermint is one of the most popular scents of the holiday season. It’s not just about festive red-and-white candy, though. The oil found in the peppermint herb has pain-relieving properties and even helps with treating coughs and colds, according to the National Institutes of Health. I especially love the scent of peppermint when I’m suffering from holiday congestion.

Peppermint sugar scrub in small mason jar with wooden spoon, shown next to baker's twine and peppermint candies.

In the past, I’ve made lavender sugar scrub to give as DIY gifts to teachers and friends. I can’t decide which scent I like more now. The fragrance in peppermint sugar scrub is not overpowering but gives a reviving mint aroma to get the day started on the right foot.

How do you use Peppermint Sugar Scrub?

Although peppermint sugar scrub may look appetizing, it’s only meant for external use.

To use the sugar scrub, scoop out a small amount with a spoon and then add water while you apply the scrub over your hands or body in a circular motion. It’s a refreshing way to exfoliate in the shower.

To remove the scrub, simply rinse off the sugar crystals. You’ll be left with smooth, moisturized skin.

Tip

Always test the sugar scrub on a small portion of skin to ensure you have no skin irritation from the ingredients.

To avoid getting water in the jar, I love using these small wooden spoons for scooping. This helps prevent any contamination in the jar itself.

Easy Peppermint Sugar Scrub Recipe

By mixing a few drops of peppermint essential oil with two simple ingredients, you can whip up the most refreshing sugar scrub to enjoy during the winter months.

If you’re planning to make homemade sugar scrub for Christmas gifts, you’re in luck! I’m also sharing free printable labels so you can prepare a few batches and dress them up too.

Ingredients

1.5 cups sugar – white sugar or brown sugar preferred
0.5 cup coconut oil – extra-virgin, melted
15-20 drops Peppermint Essential Oil
Red food coloring (optional)
Mason jars
Small wooden spoons (optional)

You can shop for all of these ingredients in my Amazon storefront for your convenience.

Step 1: Melt the coconut oil

Before you begin, you’ll need to melt the coconut oil either on the stove or in the microwave. I’ve found that microwaving the oil in 10-second increments for about 30 seconds total works well. You simply want to melt the oil, not heat it.

Note icon with heart image on a piece of paper

Note: You can either use fractionated coconut oil or extra virgin coconut oil. While fractionated coconut oil remains in a liquid form at room temperature, I like using extra virgin coconut oil. Fractionated oil is odorless and is not suitable for cooking, while extra virgin coconut oil has a subtle coconut scent.

You can read more about the benefits of coconut oil to learn other common uses.

Step 2: Combine the oil and sugar

In a glass mixing bowl, combine the sugar and coconut oil until well blended.

Blending coconut oil with sugar in a glass mixing bowl.

At this point, I think the mixture already smells amazing! (That’s why I prefer the subtle coconut scent of extra virgin oil.)

Step 3: Add the peppermint oil

Add 15-20 drops of peppermint essential oil to the sugar scrub mixture. Depending on your brand of peppermint essential oil, you may want to add more or fewer drops.

Adding Peppermint Essential Oil to glass bowl to make sugar scrub.

Make sure the oil is blended into the sugar scrub. At this point, you could choose to bottle it up and leave it a white color or move on to the next step for more holiday cheer.

Step 4: Add food coloring, if desired

While I think peppermint sugar scrub looks beautiful without color, you can always add a drop of red food coloring to make it more festive.

I added 2 drops of gel food color, and that was plenty. Just stir the food coloring into the mixture for a few minutes to remove any clumps of color.

Peppermint sugar scrub in mixing bowl after adding food coloring.

You could even create red and white layers of sugar scrub to make it look like a candy cane in a jar.

Gifting your DIY Peppermint Sugar Scrub

Place your sugar scrub into a glass jar and wrap it with ribbon or baker’s twine to add a personal touch to your DIY gift.

I found the perfect set of 4-oz mason jars that allowed me to make two batches of this homemade peppermint sugar scrub (8 jars total). It was the perfect stocking stuffer! The mason jars have a smooth texture, so it makes labeling them a breeze.

Peppermint sugar scrub in mason jars with wooden spoons.

I chose to decorate the lid of each jar with a patterned circle of scrapbook paper. You could also choose a pretty circle of fabric instead. To top off the jars, I attached mini wooden spoons with a bow.

I have plenty of spoons left over, so I can foresee sharing more scrubs, salts, and scoopable projects in future blog posts!

While sugar scrubs are a great Christmas idea, I think they also make great gifts for teacher holidays, Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day, or birthdays. Anyone would appreciate this small token because you took the time to make it for them.

Common Substitutions

If you’d like to switch things up in this recipe, here are some other fun combinations to try.

Substitute salt for sugar to create a soothing bath salt blend.
Substitute almond oil, olive oil, grapeseed oil, avocado oil, or jojoba
Add vanilla for additional fragrance.
Include Vitamin E oil for extra skincare benefits.

Leave a comment below if you come up with your own signature concoction. I’d love to hear all about it!

Free Peppermint Sugar Scrub labels

I’m happy to provide my readers with free printable labels to give you a head start on your gift-making. You’ll also receive regular blog updates and special offers.

These labels can either be printed on sticker paper or used with these pre-cut Avery labels.

Please keep in mind these labels are intended for personal use only, and you’ll need Adobe Acrobat Reader (free download) to view the files.

Need more DIY gift ideas?

Don’t forget to check out my full list of DIY gifts you can make in a jiffy. You can also visit my posts on DIY lavender sugar scrub and lavender room spray for more essential oil crafts.

Pin it for later!

Peppermint sugar scrub in mason jars with wooden spoons. Text overlay reads "Peppermint Sugar Scrub".

FAQs

Can you substitute peppermint extract for peppermint oil?

Yes, you can use peppermint extract for a peppermint sugar scrub. However, you may need to increase the quantity of oil added by 2-3 times to achieve the same potency. Extracts may also have other ingredients beyond peppermint (like alcohol).
How long does sugar scrub last?

A sugar scrub may last 3-5 months as long as the mixture remains uncontaminated. For best results, avoid using your hands to scoop out the sugar scrub, which could introduce bacteria.
What are other uses for essential oils?

You can use essential oils for aromatherapy, diffusers, DIY room spray, or potpourri. Essential oils are often blended with carrier oils for certain uses, such as in sugar scrubs or other beauty products.