Homemade Beeswax Lotion Update!

My skin has been so dry this winter. Well actually it is every winter, but I used the last of my homemade beeswax lotion and misplaced my beeswax in the move. I haven't had a chance to make a sugar scrub again and my skin has been suffering terribly. I finally ordered more beeswax online and it came in Wednesday. I received some essential oils for Christmas and also ordered more along with the wax. I made a new batch of lotion as soon as I opened my packages. In this batch I made it as directed in my original post and added a mix of lavender and tea tree essential oils to it, both are supposed to be very beneficial to your skin. I typically do not like lavender scented things but the lavender essential oil smells different and good, I think because it is more natural than the perfumy lavender. The tea tree oil is a kind of odd smell and pretty much covers up the lavender smell. I slathered it on the night I made it and, like every time I make it, I was amazed in the difference in my skin when I woke up the next day. Has anyone else tried it?

Frugal Friday...Exfoliating/Moisturizing "Mud" Scrub

Every winter my skin gets even drier than it's already very dry state. I used to pay over $5 a bottle for that "in-shower" body lotion that you use after your body wash. It seemed to be the only thing that worked to remotely control my dry skin. Buying a bottle a month of that really adds up, plus I'm not exactly thrilled with putting all of those chemicals on my skin. That's why I love sugar scrubs! They exfoliate, moisturize, are 100 % natural, are very inexpensive and can be made in a variety of scents. You may remember my first sugar scrub, I've been out of that for quite awhile and the winter is really starting to take it's toll on my skin. I was very excited when I came across another sugar scrub recipe to make. It looks like mud, hence the name.

"Mud" Scrub
1 C. Sugar
5 Tbsp Coffee Grounds
1/4 C. Oil*
1 tsp Peppermint Extract**
1 tsp Vanilla Extract

Mix the sugar and coffee. Add oil to coat the dry ingredients, then add extracts.


*I made it at first with 1/4c oil and found that after the first day it was too dry, so I added more oil. You can add oil or sugar/coffee to make it more or less dry.

**I didn't have peppermint extract so I just used vanilla.

Just rub a bit over your body while your in the shower and rinse. I use mine after my body wash, right before I get out and pat dry, so I don't rub off all the oil. Try not get water in mix as the mix of oil and water will spoil.

This smells so good first thing in the morning!

Frugal Friday...Foaming Vanilla Honey Bath!

Foaming Vanilla Honey Bath

1 cup sweet almond oil (light olive or sesame oil may be substituted)
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup liquid soap
1 TBS vanilla extract

Measure the oil into a medium bowl, then carefully stir in remaining ingredients until mixture is fully blended.

Pour into a clean plastic bottle with a tight-fitting stopper or lid. Shake gently before using. Enough for four large luxurious baths.

Swirl desired amount into the bathtub under running water – then step in and descend into a warm, silky escape.

Frugal Friday - Homemade Lemon Sugar Scrub

Today's edition of Frugal Friday features a Homemade Lemon Sugar Scrub I made last weekend and have been using all week! I found this recipe on www.TipNut.com. The recipe is so simple you cannot mess it up and it leaves your skin feeling so soft! You can pay good money for similar products, but why when you can make it for pennies?! There are other recipes and I plan to try them also so if you like the whole sugar scrub experience stay tuned! Ok that's enough yakking on to the recipe...

Lemon Sugar Scrub
1 cup granulated white sugar(I used brown sugar because it was all I had)
1/2 cup olive oil
1 Tbsp Lemon Zest

Simply mix everything together. I did find it to be very oily and ended up adding about twice the amount of sugar. Not sure if that had anything to do with using brown sugar instead of white or not. I did think the brown sugar gave it kind of a darker scent and the white sugar would be much lighter! I do intend to make it with white sugar next time.

Now that you know how to make it you need to know how to use it. Just scoop some onto your hands and rub together for several seconds, before rinsing with water. Pat dry and enjoy the soft feel of your skin. I have been taking this into the shower or bath with me and scooping out about 2 Tbsp and rubbing it over my whole body and then rinsing as an all over exfoliating moisturizer! Just make sure you don't get water into the unused portion as that could lead to bacteria growth!

This recipe doesn't really have a very long shelf life, it only lasts a few weeks. So its best to make small batches more often rather than a large batch. I ended up splitting the recipe with a friend and with using it all week still have plenty left. When I do run out I plan to try a different recipe and I'll let you know how and what it is. If you have any recipes you like please share them with me, I'd love to try them out!

Happy Scrubbing!