In the days after a new baby arrives, it’s easy for the new tired mama to slip into the background. Everyone wants to lavish the new baby with attention, which is only natural, but mamas need some TLC and pampering, too. If you really want to make a new mama’s day or night, whip up a batch (or two) of this amazing, inexpensive, and great smelling homemade organic sugar scrub. And if you really want to make an impression, stay and baby-sit for an hour or more so your mama pal can take a luxurious bath, and actually enjoy soak up this new body scrub experience.

Making a sugar body scrub is very simple, and a homemade version will cost far less than the scrubs you find at specialty spa boutiques. The following is a basic organic sugar scrub recipe along with some additional ideas for making other yummy scrub flavors!

Organic lavender vanilla sugar scrub…

You’ll need to gather:

1. 2 cups of sugar. Use turbinado sugar for a strong scrub, and plain white table sugar for a gentle scrub.
2. Whole organic vanilla beans. You can find these at food co-ops in the bulk section, most natural food stores, or at a tea or herb shop. In a pinch, I’ve used a dash or two of organic vanilla extract. It works, but will tint your sugar a bit darker.
3. A few sprigs of organic dried lavender OR organic lavender essential oil. I use oil, because I always have it on hand. Oil will create a stronger lavender scent than dried sprigs.
4. A few cups of oil. I like apricot oil or light olive oil best. You can choose any oil from a nut or fruit. Baby oil (non-scented) will also work. Never use cooking oil as it’s way too slick and creates an odd scent.
5. Packaging: Any container with a lid plus a sticker label.

To create your scrub:

1. If using vanilla beans and dried lavender, place both in your 2 cups of sugar. Cover and let sit for 1-2 weeks. This allows the sugar to infuse with scent.
2. Remove the vanilla beans and lavender from your sugar. Pour oil over your sugar until it’s fully saturated. If you pour too much, you can always add a bit more sugar, so no worries.
3. If you’re using lavender essential oil and/or vanilla extract, add a few drops of each into the sugar mixture.
4. Stir your mixture.
5. Pour mixture into nice container, and be sure to add a label. Draw a little picture on the label and include all ingredients; this way if your mama friend is allergic to any of the ingredients, there won’t be an issue.
6. Tie a nice ribbon around the container and maybe add a small sprig of dried lavender.

You’re done! Now you have a beautiful, spa worthy gift, that’s sure to relax any new mama.

How to use your homemade scrub:

This might be something you’d like to include on your scrub label. Scoop a bit of scrub into your hand or washcloth and scrub down in the bath or shower. Alternatively, you can scrub down your skin with the scrub, and then jump in the shower and rinse. Scrubbing dry skin with this mixture really softens skin. Lavender is a naturally relaxing scent, sugar makes your whole body smooth, and one use of this scrub is addictive – so look out.

Other ideas:

New mamas also might enjoy a lemon or orange energizing scrub. Just switch out the lavender essential oil for a citrus scent. You can make mint essential oil wake-up scrub, tea-tree oil skin soothing scrub, spicy cinnamon orange scrub, or whatever other scent your imagination can create. Don’t be afraid to experiment.

This scrub makes the perfect new mama gift, but it’s also appropriate for new dads (try a cedar essential oil scent), and is a great pick-me-up for pregnant mamas as well.

*NOTE: Essential oils, herbs, flowers, and other ingredients you might use in a homemade scrub are not always safe for each skin type. Also, some essential oils are not safe during pregnancy. If you’re unfamiliar with homemade beauty safety read: Homemade Beauty Products – Safety 101.