Homemade Lemon and Lime Hand Scrub

Very few of us do not love the freshness of lemons and lime. Both citrus fruits have been long used in commercial beauty, household and fragrance products due their extensive range of benefits.

The smell of lemons is one I personally love and the wafts of lemon fragrance on a gentle breeze always denotes a lemon grove is nearby and are a sight I love to see when travelling.

Immediately I think of a scent that is fresh, crisp, invigorating, clean and uplifting.

One day in the not too distant future, I will have my own lemon tree and lime tree make no mistake as they are the top of my list of fruits to grow in Italy.

• Removes Excess Oil and Dirt
• Deep Pore Cleansing
• Unclogs Pores
• Prevents Pimples
• Removes Blackheads, Whiteheads
• Removes Dead Skin Cells
• Moisturizes
• Stimulates Blood Circulation
• Removes Dry Skin

Hand scrubs may imply a scrubbing of the hands is required of a harsh nature which is not the case whatsoever.

I prefer to use skin exfoliator as that is a more appropriate “does what it says on the tin” description of this essential product, whose main aim is to exfoliate the dead skin revealing fresh new skin.

Our hands are often forgotten about where skin exfoliation is concerned. Yes we may use a face scrub, body scrub, foot scrub or even a lip scrub . . . but hand scrub?

The skin is our largest organ of the body, believe it or not and the skin on our hands is continually exposed and subjected to all types of wear and tear daily.

It needs some tender loving care to keep it healthy and this is where a a weekly hand scrub will make all the difference.

This simple but highly effective scrub has only 4 ingredients which are easily found or sourced at reasonable prices so it will not break the bank.

Being free of chemicals, synthetic fragrance and toxins is another great reason to start making your own cosmetics and skin care products.

The beauty of this one is it is a unisex one.

I wanted to create one that was ideal for both male and female, couples, gift giving for both sexes and one that would be easy to make, be cost effective, work on different age groups and would have a fragrance appeal to men and women.

I took inspiration from reading a recipe by Stephanie Lynn and added in the limes for a further citrus boost.

Sugar

Sugar naturally produces glycolic acid an alpha-hydroxy acid which is crucial in skin maintenance. It naturally helps moisturize and condition the skin. It provides the scrub like quality and is responsible for removing all dead skin cell build up, unclogging the pores of grime and excess oil, stimulating blood flow and aids in the regeneration of fresh new skin cells. Sugar is a gentler form of exfoliator than salt and is less dehydrating.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

The skin benefits of this power house are lengthy. It features in my top 10 carrier oils to use in homemade beauty products. Some of the major benefits includes deep moisturizing abilities, softens skin tissue, anti-aging, rich in antioxidants, Vitamins A, D, E and K, heals damaged skin, removes dead skin cells, nourishes and protects the skin. This is one ingredient that has 101 uses and is an excellent addition to many skin care recipes.

Lemon Juice

Qualities include: a natural astringent, a natural antioxidant, skin exfoliator, helps diminish scarring, lightens age spots and freckles, brightens the skin, helps treat acne and eliminates pimples. Lemons may be used by most skin types but those with sensitive skins do need to be cautious. Lemons are a must to have at home as they are so versatile not only in cookery but in homemade beauty products too. A few to check out using lemon are citrus lip gloss and rosewater and lemon face wash.

Lime Juice

Limes are particularly high in Vitamin C and antioxidants, are a natural skin efoliator like lemons, they help heal rashes and bruises, and they are antibacterial and act as a disinfectant. Limes add a refreshing and rejuvenating quality when added to this recipe.

Lemon and Lime Essential Oils

When using cold pressed Citrus Oils please note they are photosentizers. This means they should not be used on the skin within 12 hours of exposure to sunrays or ultra violet rays. Lemon juice and Lime juice should also be used in this fashion so this face scrub should be applied only at nighttime.

This recipe will make a little over 12 oz of zesty, refreshing scrub which will rejuvenate your hands in no time.

21/2 cups Granulated Sugar

½ cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil

2 tbsp Fresh Lemon Juice or Lemon Essential Oil

2 tbsp Fresh Lime Juice or Lime Essential Oil

12 oz Mason Jar or Recycle Glass Jar (similar size or bit bigger)

Or

3 or 4 Small 4 oz Glass Jars

Mixing bowl

Spoon / Spatula

Method:

• Mix the sugar and olive oil together in the bowl.
• Add in your fresh lemon juice and lime juice.
• Mix well to combine the lemon and lime through the hand scrub which will be similar to a gritty paste.
• If you wish to use essential oils add them instead a teaspoon at a time and check for fragrance. You may not wish to add the full amount so adjust just don’t use any more than 2 teaspoons of each.
• Spoon your scrub into your glass jar and make sure it has a secure fitting lid that seals.
• How easy was that?

How to Apply:

Take a teaspoon amount of scrub into the palms of your hand and gently start to massage in all over the fronts and backs of hands. Don’t forget to include the fingers.

To remove rinse in lukewarm water and if you have a few slices of lemon or lime left, rub these over the hands too as it will remove any sticky residue of sugar left.

Pat the skin dry and apply your homemade hand cream.

Keep your hand scrub stored in a cool dark cupboard, out of direct sunlight, to avoid the oils going bad.

Stored in this fashion it should last 3-6 months providing the container is well sealed and that it was thoroughly cleaned, and dried before use

• For Sensitive skin substitute the lemon and lime from any of the following essential oils that are more suited to your skin type: Frankincense, Roman & German Chamomile, Rose, Neroli, Jasmine, Palma Rosa, Helichrysum, Rosewood or Carrot.
• Ideal gifts for teachers, friends, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, New Mom, wedding favors, party favors for teens, any special occasion or why not turn it into a business idea?
• If you prefer to use different oil try sweet almond oil, sunflower oil or apricot kernel oil.
• If you fancy an even quicker easy scrub recipe you could use on your hands then check out my sugar facial scrub with a tomato which only involves half a tomato and some sugar!

"Creating health awareness through homemade beauty solutions"

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