DIY Travel Beauty

I’m the last person to talk about the benefits about sugar, but I’m not talking about eating it here. Most beauty junkies are no stranger to the many sugar-based body scrubs on the market, the most of popular of which is the brown sugar scrub from Fresh. However, this is definitely something everyone can make at home and save money on  just by stocking some sugar or sea salt, and a few types of oil, such as almond oil or olive oil.

So I’m in New Mexico on vacation and my skin is dry and ruddy. The climate here is hot and dry and requires saline rinses, Afrin and much moisturizing. Add five hours on an airplane to get here and you have skin in need of attention. I came armed with a sample face wash, Jack Black Pure Clean Daily Facial Cleanser, a Sophyto serum, and day cream with SPF from Just Say Yes To Carrots. Still, that’s not enough. Thankfully there’s a mini coffee pot in most hotel rooms and with the coffee pot comes sugar packets.

Here comes the DIY part. Grab a packet of sugar, regular or raw, and pour it in the palm of your hand. Next add a pump of your usual facial cleanser. Mix those together in your hands and spread on slightly moistened face, neck, and all over your hands. Rinse with lukewarm water. Now you’ve got a cheap quick way to exfoliate wherever you go. For a body scrub, use the rest of the sugar, or try the decaf coffee packet that usually remains untouched.

At home, try a local Indian grocer for good oils, such as almond or coconut. Buy some Kosher sea salt or brown sugar from the supermarket. Blend those ingredients in jar for a good body scrub. To add some fragrance, opt for essential oils, which are available at local healthfood stores. Or, try this great online shop, Mountain Rose Herbs, which has excellent products from herbal supplements to supplies to make candles, body products, and teas.