When I get outdoors and garden, I want to garden. By that I mean really digging my hands into that amazing smelling dark soil. No gloves, just me, my spade, and some dirt. I know, I'm weird, right? That comes from only speaking to little people all day long. However, if you are like me you know what that means… dirt stained hands. So I keep a jar of this Lemon & Rosemary Gardener's Hand Scrub at the sink to help when liquid soap just wont quite do the job.
To begin with- the Lemon & Rosemary Gardener's Hand Scrub smells fabulous, second only to my fresh turned earth. And each ingredient does it's own thing to improve your hands. Sugar is a fabulous exfoliate and helps remove stains and rough skin. Olive oil is great for moisturizing, relieving itchy skin, and fights aging- making skin look young and supple. Lemon zest and juice- first you get the energizing aroma therapy benefits while scrubbing and lemon cleanses, brightens, removes dead skin and promotes new skin growth. Finally, Rosemary- Again you are getting wonderful aromatherapy as you scrub while it increases blood flow to skin and it is also has disinfectant and antibiotic properties.
Lemon & Rosemary Gardener's Hand Scrub
Ingredients:
- 1 cup granulated Sugar
- 2 Tbsp. Olive Oil
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice- 1/2 lemon
- 2 sprigs Rosemary
Directions:
Pour sugar into a medium sized bowl, grate the zest of lemon into sugar.
Pull rosemary leaves off stem, rip or chop them into smaller pieces. I normally do them much smaller, as you can see I had little hands “helping” me with the process. One of my favorite things? This rosemary is picked fresh right out of my garden.
Stir in sugar, olive oil, and lemon juice until all ingredients are well combined. Scoop mixture into a jar with a wide opening so your hands will fit in. Store next to your sink.
Hubby likes to use this on his hands too when he comes in from working on cars or other manly things and the grease is more than the dish soap can handle.
I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
More DIY Recipes:
- How to Make Sugar Scrubs for Face, Feet, and Body
- How to Make Your Own Facial Cleansers and Masks
- How to Make Your Own Body Lotion
- How to Make Your Own Body Wash
This looks great, I love the combination of lemon and rosemary. Makes me want to go do something grubby just so I’ll need some today! I bet it would work great for paint or glue on your hands too. I’ll definitely be making this, I like to get my hands dirty with all different kinds of projects.
Theresa, it would be great paint or glue as well! It is really strong and effective for a lot of messes on your hands, but the olive oil is so moisturizing its like a mini spa treatment at the same time.
Jody, you can find the jars at Hobby Lobby, Wal-Mart, Big Lots, & Michaels. come grocery stores carry them.
Cwn I use coconut oil instead? Can I use raw sugar?
Yes, you can substitute coconut oil and raw sugar.
When do you add the oil?
I bet it would make a soothing foot scrub also~
oops, with the sugar and lemon juice! I’ll edit now, thanks!
Oh, that looks wonderful!! I can imagine the scent! I grow herbs in my garden and am looking forward to making more body products this year while they are fresh. I have jars of dried from the past couple years, but fresh is so much nicer.
I can’t wait to try this, How long would this last for in a jar?
Truthfully, I use mine up in a month or two and it has been fine. Refrigerating it will make it last longer, and adding a capsule or two of vitamin E will help preserve the scrub- I would say for 4-6 months tops.
You said you add a capsule or two of vitamin to help preserve it…Vitamin what? 🙂 Thanks!!
She said vitamin E x
What vitamin do you put in the scrub to make it last longer?
Wonderful! I Will try this. Where did you buy the jar? I can’t find jars like that anywhere.
Christina, this is actually a ball canning jar, I love them for scrubs! http://www.amazon.com/Jarden-Home-Brands-1440061162-Platinum/dp/B000V5KVDU/ref=sr_1_20?ie=UTF8&qid=1401747547&sr=8-20&keywords=ball+jar
Excellent! Thanks!
Can it be used as a facial scrub?
Yes I believe it can, I would add a little more oil and a little less sugar, then apply gentle pressure. maybe try a small area at first. The skin on our face is much more sensitive than our body.
How long would this last w/ o spoiling? Thinking of a gift for my son who works on cars?
Is this effective for cleaning even though there is no soap in it? Can you explain to me how? This looks great!
Lemon and rosemary both have cleansing properties, if you feel like it needs more you can add a bit of castile soap to the mix.
I LOVE this! I needed a quick gift, and luckily this is the first year our tree produced lemons. In Las Vegas, rosemary grows very well, so I can happily give an organic gift that is a fabulous product – better than store bought!! I also added coconut oil too.
I was going to suggest coconut oil, works even better than olive oil
What vitamin do you add?
Debbie I use a Vitamin E capsule!
Do you notice any stinging from the lemon juice if you have cuts on your hand?
I made this for the nurses I work with for Nurses Week. As much as they wash their hands the moisturing properties will be thoroughly enjoyed as much as the fresh smell. I used coconut oil and it is very nice.