A batch of lemon blueberry muffins is what set off the formulation of this scrub. Well, that and the sad state of my winter-weary lips. Gotta warn you, the scent of this lemon blueberry lip scrub might drive you a bit wild — it’s that good!
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It’s like cooking with no calories
In the late 90’s, because I’m always curious and love making stuff, I went to a soap making demonstration. It was held on a goat farm (of course) in the lady’s kitchen, and I was amazed by how similar it was to preparing food. She used stainless cooking pots, stirring spoons — even a blender! Well that’s familiar, said I, and thus began my soap making career.
For many years I made only soap and sold it at art markets and home shows. Customers began asking for lotions and body scrubs to go along with the soap, and since the only thing I love more than making stuff is selling stuff, I jumped right in!
Making soap and bath and body products really is a lot like cooking, and I tend to approach them the same way with looking at color, flavor and texture:
- Start with something I already have on hand
- What color(s) work with it/intensify it?
- What flavor/scent does it need to give it a kick/spark/vibrancy?
- What texture am I going for? Do I want a uniform consistency or interesting bits of this and that in the final food/product?
A batch of lemon blueberry muffins is what set off the formulation of this scrub. Well, that and the sad state of my winter-weary lips. Gotta warn you, the scent of this lemon blueberry lip scrub might drive you a bit wild — it’s that good!
Lemon Blueberry Lip Scrub ingredients
You’ll need:
Sugar. White sugar is both exfoliating and also a humectant which means it draws moisture to itself and thus to your skin! It can be a little abrasive so I like to grind it up in a coffee grinder or small blender for a softer consistency.
Fresh Lemon Peel. You’ll be amazed how just a tiny sliver of fresh lemon peel can scent the entire batch. Try to get only the yellow part and not the bitter white underneath part of the peel.
Fresh Blueberries. Toss a few blueberries into the mix! Not only are they high in antioxidants but they create a fantastic and uplifting purpley color AND the tiny blueberry seed act as an extra exfoliant.
Avocado Oil. My favorite oil to use in soap and bath and body products for its skin nourishing and healing properties. I also like that it doesn’t have a scent so can quietly linger in the background and let the lemon and blueberry aromas shine.
In addition to vitamin E, avocado oil contains potassium, lecithin, and many other nutrients that can nourish and moisturize the skin.
The outermost layer of skin, known as the epidermis, easily absorbs these nutrients, which also help to form new skin. Medical News Today
If you can’t find avocado oil you may substitute sweet almond oil or even olive oil.
Edible Blueberry Flavor Oil. This edible flavor oil just makes the scrub mouthwateringly yummy smelling! Make sure you’re using flavor oil, which is safe to use on your lips, and NOT fragrance oil, which is not. Update: The oil I used has been discontinued, so I’m suggesting this Blueberry Flavor Oil from Rustic Escentuals, a company I use and trust.
You’ll also need:
Electric coffee grinder or small blender
Flavor oil dropper
Mixing bowl
how to make Lemon Blueberry Lip Scrub
- Place sugar, lemon peel and blueberries in an electric coffee grinder or small blender and blend or pulse til fruit is incorporated. You may have to stir the mixture halfway through — the whole process should take only about 10 seconds.
- Dump sugar mixture into bowl, then add avocado oil and blueberry flavor oil. With your fingers, rub the oil into the sugar until you achieve a consistency you like (if it’s too dry, just add a tiny bit more oil).
- Package the lip scrub in a small jar or several small jars if you’re sharing. Keep scrub in a covered container in the fridge and discard if it begins to smell odd or to show presence of mold (unlikely, but I gotta say it).
project notes
- If you’re not adding fresh blueberries, you’ll probably need to add more avocado oil to make up for the berries juiciness.
- The scrub may look quite wet when you first make it, but the sugar will absorb the oil and return to its granulated state. Add more or less oil to achieve your desired consistency.
- If even after pulverizing the white sugar it still feels too abrasive, try using brown sugar. It contains molasses which makes it softer on your skin.
- This is so good on your lips, yes, but it’s equally nice as a cuticle scrub! Just rub it around your nail beds to smooth and get rid of dead skin.
More projects to pamper your lips:
DIY Moisturizing Shea Butter Lip Balm
Did you make this project? I’d love for you to leave a comment below! And if you take a photo please tag me on Instagram @camptopisaw.Be sure to join my weekly newsletter group and to follow along on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest!
Lemon Blueberry Lip Scrub
Equipment
- Electric coffee grinder or small blender
- Small jar, preferably glass
Ingredients
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ tsp fresh lemon peel
- 2 fresh blueberries optional
- 3 Tbsp avocado oil
- 12 drops edible blueberry flavor oil
Instructions
- Place sugar, lemon peel and blueberries in an electric coffee grinder or small blender and blend or pulse til fruit is incorporated. You may have to stir the mixture halfway through -- the whole process should take only about 10 seconds.
- Dump sugar mixture into bowl, then add avocado oil and blueberry flavor oil. With your fingers, rub the oil into the sugar until you achieve a consistency you like (if it's too dry, just add a tiny bit more oil).
- Package the lip scrub in a small jar or several small jars if you're sharing. Keep scrub in a covered container in the fridge and discard if it begins to smell odd or to show presence of mold (unlikely, but I gotta say it).