Recipe for cleansing the body with rose

Many years ago I realized how easy (and cheap!) cleaning with sugar were to do. Since then, I've been playing around with many different versions of the exfoliating body scrub. This rose body scrub smells heavenly and leaves skin feeling smooth and refreshed.

Sugar scrubs

It's not hard to find rose-scented body spray, but the ingredients aren't always the best. Most of the rose fragrance comes from synthetic chemical fragrances, not real roses. Making your own is really simple and you can customize the exact ingredients.

I have also included the option to use rose petal infused oil here. This way you get the added benefits and fragrance of roses. If you prefer to skip this step, then just use regular carrier oil.

Here are the ingredients I used in this sugar scrub and what they do:

Ingredients for cleansing the body with rose

Sugar – While I do not recommend it eating it, sugar makes an excellent exfoliator for dead skin cells. You can also use pink Himalayan salt instead for more of a pink color if you prefer.
Carrier oil – This is what helps make the scrub easier to use and is great for hydrating dry skin. I used sweet almond oil because it has a neutral scent, but fractionated coconut oil would also work. Something like olive oil can feel a little too heavy for certain skin types and overpower the delicate rose scent.
Coconut oil – Since coconut oil is solid at room temperature, it helps the scrub stick a little better. It is also moisturizing and nourishing for the skin.
Shea butter – Just a touch of shea butter adds a silky smooth feel. It also has vitamin E and vitamin A, and is great for dry skin.
Rosehip seed oil – This is the star ingredient in my popularity better than botox facial moisturizer. It is rich in vitamins A, C and E to nourish the skin and promote skin cell renewal for younger looking skin.
Rose petals – Roses not only smell good, but are slightly astringent. This means they help tighten and tone loose skin.
Pink kaolin clay – Kaolin clay is good for dry skin and this version gets its pink color from natural iron oxides. It's also a bit of an exfoliant and helps draw dirt out of the pores. It also adds a nice pink color to this scrub.
Essential oils – These add a pleasant aroma and help enhance skin benefits. Real rose essential oil is very expensive, over $150 per bottle. A more affordable option is to use iror absolute. It still comes from real roses, but it's distilled in a different way that creates more product. You can also opt for geranium, jasmine, lavender or another floral scent if you don't want to use rose.

How to make rose powder

If you don't have ground or powdered rose petals, you can easily make some.

Add a few tablespoons of rose petals to a coffee grinder and pulse until they become a fine powder.
Use a fine mesh strainer to remove the larger pieces.

How to use a rose sugar scrub

It is quite simple, but there are some tips for cleaning the body. I use a tablespoon or so all over for smooth skin. You can also use the sugar scrub on your face for a gentle exfoliation as long as you don't scrub too hard. Apply the scrub in circular motions.

This scrub will last for several months since there is no water in it, as long as it is stored properly. Be sure to keep it out of direct light which can cause the oils to oxidize and go bad faster. Adding a little vitamin E oil helps slow the oxidation of the oil.

It is also important to only remove the scrub with dry hands as water introduces bacteria.

Since the scrub removes dead skin cells, you can skip it Body wash or cleaner before use. I like to follow it up with a light layer of body lotion if my skin is extra dry. You can also use rose water then if you use this on your face!